Forget about what you have heard about Iran on the media. Spend some time and seek the opinion of people who have actually visited Iran.

During the past few years, the global news about Iran was strongly affected by the political challenges between Iran and the West, causing a dark and negative attitude towards our country. Instead of historic background, rich culture, climate diversity, hospitable and kind people, magnificent scenery and unique architectural monuments, all you hear about Iran in the media is war, terrorism, nuclear power and sanctions.

Many tourists who are interested in visiting Iran have some concerns regarding security. Based on the picture of Iran that the media depicts you should be worried. However, we assure you that this image is not real and our Iran is one of the safest countries in the world.

Iran is totally free from the crisis that has hit the Middle East and North Africa from Turkey to Egypt. In Iran you will see No war, No killing, No bombs, No kidnapping and No riots.

Iranians are very hospitable towards foreign nationalities, especially now that both people and the government believe that developing tourism industry will not only help improve the economy of the country, but will also change the global attitude towards Iran

We are sure that after visiting our country, you will all agree with us.

Iran will be full of surprises for you.

The hotels in Iran have Internet access; however, it may not be reliable or up to the standards you are accustomed to at home. Please be aware some websites are not accessible in Iran. Currently blocked sites include, but are not limited to, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and news sites, such as CNN.

Unless you are shooting a crowded public scene it is considered courteous to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, especially women and children. Please be respectful of residents who do not care to be photographed

Photography is not permitted at some locations which may include government buildings, museums, art galleries, private houses and more. These areas are usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask. Doing so will avoid having your camera confiscated or having potentially severe criminal charges brought against you. Flash photography is prohibited in some situations.

The currency in Iran is the Rial. Guests can exchange money at the airport bank, city banks or exchange bureaus. Your guide will assist you with this.

You should change enough money to cover expenses that are not included in the tour cost, as well as for personal expenses. You may use dollars and euros when it comes to the purchase of handicrafts and carpets as well as for tipping drivers and guides.

These nationalities can visit Iran without any visa:

Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bolivia and Egypt. If they want to stay more they can extend their visa while they are in Iran. Please visit the Visa section of our website to see the requirements for other nationalities.

Before going to Iran I was completely obsessed about wearing the hijab.  I had no problem about “having” to wear it but I was concerned about the practicalities.  How would I get it to stay on?  What happens if it falls off?  What if it accidently slips and shows some skin?  It’s going to be too hot – I will melt.

Because I was so nervous I bought a ready made hijab and dutifully put it on before getting off the plane.  I thought it would be perfect as it completely covered my hair and was very tight (and 100% synthetic). I got my Tours of Iran driver/guide to help me with hijab shopping.  By the end of my time in Iran I had a wonderful collection of beautiful, bright, light, 100% cotton hijabs.

I soon discovered one of the easiest ways to tell tourists from Iranians was the way they wore hijab.  Iranian women invariably look elegant with their hijab casually thrown over their hair and across their shoulder where it seems to stay, effortlessly.  Tourists, on the other hands, have theirs firmly attached with hair clips and safety pins or, if not, they are constantly trying to keep it in place.  Take my advice – use the hair clips and pins – they work.  Once I had mastered this art I was extremely comfortable and confident that all would be well.  I was not too hot; in fact, I think it offered protection from the sun.  The one time I walked out of my hotel room and was half way to breakfast before I realized I wasn’t wearing my hijab the hotel staff just laughed at my apologies and said “don’t worry”.  On the couple of occasions, I knocked it out of place the only person worried about it was me.

Iranian women are extremely relaxed in how they wear their hijab.  There is no problem about showing quite a lot of hair at the front and some women even have long hair showing after the hijab stops at the back.  It seems to be fine to have a small amount of neck showing at the front and there is certainly no restrictions on how bright and colorful they are.  

Once I had relaxed into it my biggest problem was stopping myself from buying more and more beautiful scarves at very low prices.

The bottom line is you do have to wear it but it is not a big deal.  Relax and enjoy the wonders of Iran.

For a few months before going to Iran I practiced holding a squat for a minute or so two or three times a week.  It was time well spent.

In all the hotels I stayed in and in three quarters of the restaurants there were Western style toilets nearly always with toilet paper.  I did make a point of asking for hotels with Western toilets only because squatting in the small hours of the morning felt a bit hazardous.  But out on the road, at petrol stations and at restaurants in smaller towns, or at the major sites or the bazaars the toilets were usually squat toilets with a water hose.  In the 31 days I travelled through Iran there was not a single occasion were the toilet was dirty and very rarely did they even have a slight odour.  The floor was often wet but that was because of the water hose.  In some places there was a small charge.  

Because of sanctions Iran does not have access to Western banking systems.  This means I could not use any Western debit or credit cards.  I needed to bring in all the money I would need in cash.  At the time I went to Iran I was not fully aware of how volatile the rial was and how much the exchange rate had risen so I arrived with far more euros than I needed.  At first I was anxious about having that much cash but very quickly I felt completely safe, and, except when travelling between cities, I left my money belt locked in my suitcase at the hotel.

I am not good with money that has lots of 0000s so I found the currency difficult at first.  The bank notes are in rial but most Iranians operate using toman which is effectively chopping off one 0.  It is said that tourists operate with rial and Iranians with toman.  Once I had been in Iran for a few days it got easier because I got an idea of what things were likely to cost.  Also, my guide was always willing to help. 

I was told that for major purchases like art, jewellery or carpet it may be possible to use $ or euros or even a credit card but to make sure I knew what the commission charge would be.  I found most people in bazaars and shops selling expensive handicrafts were good at converting prices into $US and euros.  However, for me, I did not find that useful as I had got the hang of converting to AUD and didn’t want to do another conversion. 

On the whole, food in Iran is hygienically safe and clean, and almost everywhere plastic gloves are used to handle food. On very hot summer days, avoid eating minced meat, grilled liver, or any other food that looks as if it may possibly have been standing around. Wash your vegetables and fruits, and if you have a particularly sensitive stomach, wash them with filtered water, or peel them.
When choosing a place for eating, see that it looks clean and is reasonably crowded, and also that the vendor looks clean and healthy.

It is better not to drink tap water, particularly as water is cheap and easily available. Tap water, however, is safe for cleaning teeth. Bottled soft drinks are sold everywhere. Tea is also a good option, since water is boiled to make it.

Major Iranian cities suffer from air pollution (particularly in winter). Asthmatics and other who are particularly sensitive to air pollution should wear masks that are on sale in drugstores.

In summer, never go out without a hat or a sunscreen (woman can wear a hat over their headscarf). Always apply a lipsalve and a barrier cream, and protect your eyes with good quality sunglasses. There is a real risk of sunstroke or heat exhaustion during midday hours. Avoid excessive exertion in the hottest time of the day, drink extra fluid, and eat more salt with your food.

Mosquitoes are more annoying than dangerous in most parts of Iran, but it is a good idea to bring some repellent lotion.
The choice of electric vaporizers is limited, but spare tablets are on sale in pharmacies, supermarkets, and large groceries.
There is no great threat of rabies. However, if bitten or scratched by an animal, wash and cover the wound, and go straight to a hospital. If you go into a ruined building, make excessive motion so that snakes, if there are any, retreat.

In general, Iran is a healthy country to travel in, and you are unlikely to catch any exotic deceases here. The main troubles for tourists are stomach upsets and heat exhaustion. Ask your doctor what medicine should be in your medical kit, and bring them with you. Make sure you are healthy before you start traveling. No vaccinations are required before entering Iran, but your doctor may advise inoculation against hepatitis, malaria, and typhoid.
If you do not feel well, start by consulting with a pharmacist regarding your symptoms in any drugstore. Iranian pharmacist are able to diagnose minor health problems and to suggest appropriate treatment. In case you need a doctor, do not hesitate to contact one. The quality of health care is reasonably high by international standards. Many doctors have received training in the West, and speak basic European languages. In an emergency, summon a taxi to get you to the hospital unless you are accompanied by an Iranian who can call an ambulance. If you get seriously ill, inform your embassy immediately, and for life threatening cases, consider flying back home. Treatment is never free, so it is wise to have travel insurance with health coverage.

A 15% service charge is usually included in the hotel bill. It is customary, however, to tip the junior staff and cleaners, who are often underpaid. A service charge is generally added to a restaurant bill, but it is common practice to leave the change, or to add as much as 100000 IR as a personal gratuity. Tipping a tour guide is a matter of personal choice, but certainly tips are always welcomed! Attendants at service and gas stations expect to be allowed to keep the change. Tip attendants in those religious and historical monuments for which no entrance fee is charged. For toilet attendants, if any 20000 IR is enough.

As elsewhere in the Middle East, bargaining is a way of life in Iran. However, for a first-timr visitor it can be hard to know when it is appropriate to bargain and when it is not. Here are a few quick tips:
If all you want is a loaf of bread or a pair of shoelaces, pick them up, pay for them and depart wordlessly as you normally do in the West.
But if you matter concerns a carpet, jewelry, or other valuable items, only lengthy negotiations will secure a deal, and one struck, it must be honored. Generally prices for handicrafts, clothes, every items in the bazaar, room prices in guesthouse and mid-range hotels, as well as fares for private taxis are always negotiable. Foodstuffs, restaurant prices, prices in top-end hotels, and fares for public transport (including shared taxis) are not.

Iran can be reached by air, road, train, and sea. Most foreigners come and go by air, though many travelers do so by road as well.

Air: Traveling by air is, of course, the most convenient and speedy way. Iran has an impressive array of international flights, most of which land at Imam Khomeini or Mehrabad airports in Tehran.
The Iranian national air company is called Iran Air and has homa, a griffin, as its symbol. Women flying on Iran Air supposed to wear their Islamic dress on board, but this rule is often not observed. No alcohol is served, and flights of less than 4.5 hours are nonsmoking. Iran Air carriers flights to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, but there are no direct flights to North America and Australia. Many international companies also have flights to Iran.
Transport from airport:
Taxis are currently the only means of transport to the city. Check the official tariffs at the tourist office or a taxi booth, and agree on the price before getting into the car. Avoid cars other than taxis, even if they offer a cheaper ride.

Crossing from Road:
Iran can be entered from Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. There are two main crossing along the Turkish border: Gurbulak Turkey) – Bazargan (Iran) and Yuksekova (Turkey) – Sero (Iran). Both are rather crowded, and the delays can be wearisome, particularly if you travel on a bus and have to wait for all your fellow-travelers to be cleared through customs. There is also a bus from Van (Turkey) to Orumiyeh (Iran); it takes about 8 hours, including the border crossing.
There is one crossing point on the Armenian border at Noghduz. As there is no direct bus service between the two countries at the moment, it is necessary to change buses or travel by car.
There are two crossings along the border between Iran and Azerbaijan: Astra (Iran) – Astara (Azerbaijan) and Julfa (Iran) – Julfa (Azerbaijan). There is a daily bus from Baku to Tehran, via Astara. The recognized crossing points on the border with Turkmenistan are at Sarakhs and Bajgiran. No bus runs between the countries, but you can take a bus or a taxi to the border, cross on foot, and then take other transport to get to your desired destination.
On the Pakistan border, the only recognized crossing point for foreigners is at Taftan (Pakistan) – Mirjaveh (Iran).

Crossing from Sea:
Very few foreigners use the sea routes, though these makes an interesting way of arriving or departing. The problem lies with sporadic boat services, so before venturing on a sea trip, you should contact a travel agency or information offices at the ports to check for updated schedules. On the Gulf side, car ferries operate between Dubai (UAE) and Bandar Abbas (Iran), and between Bahrain and Bushehr (Iran). On the Caspian Sea, boats run between Baku (Azerbaijan) and Bandar Anzali or Noushahr (Iran).

Train:
Railway travel is the most undeveloped type of transport in Iran. International trains run only to Pakistan (Quette – Zahedan) and Turkey (Istanbul – Tehran).

There is no need to arrive in Iran weighed down with foodstuff and toiletries. Most essentials can be easily found in larger cities, and can be bought at reasonable prices.
Consider bringing an electrical plug adaptor, sink plugs, a flashlight, and a medical kit (including an adequate supply of any prescribed drug). Woman may bring feminine sanitary products. Do not forget sunglasses, a lip salve, a high-protection sunscreen and after sun lotion, and an insect repellent. You may also find a GPS or a compass, as well as a Swiss Army knife, in dispensable. Bring several books or a Walkman to help you get through the long, free evenings. You may also want to bring small souvenirs for your Iranian friends. Drivers may consider bringing spare parts for their cars.

The best times to visit Iran are late winter whole spring and early autumn. However, every season gives the country a touch of its own beauty. Summers are hot, but are not ordinarily unbearable. Winters are generally moderate, but can be bitterly cold at some points located at higher elevations.

The only time it is reasonable to avoid major tourist sites in Iran is during Nouruz, which lasts (except during leap years, when there is a slight shift) from March 21 to April 2. During this time, prices are at their highest, and many popular sites can be so crowded that you will have to queue to visit them.

Some tourists try to steer clear of visiting Iran during the month of Ramazan, though there are few reasons to avoid the trip at that time. Iranians seldom travel during this month, except for business purposes. For this reason, hotel prices are at their lowest, and hotel managers are willing to bargain over them. Restaurants in all hotels are open, so you are unlikely to be left hungry. On the drawback side is the fact that in towns, others are fasting, and you should not eat, drink, and smoke in front of them. However, along the road it is just fine, since the presumption is that travelers cannot fast. If you plan a visit to a smaller town or rural area, consider bringing a picnic lunch or other meal.

The travel agencies cannot get visa invitation letter for these nationalities:

for Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Afghan nationalities and they should refer directly to the consulates for the application.

Iran is a beautiful country and many tourists like to take beautiful drone shots. But is it legal to take drone shots.

For taking drone shots you need to get permission from the Ministry of Culture and the police department. And you have to clarify when and where you are going to use it. you will be able to get a permission if it can be classified as “for entertainment purposes”

You have to specify:
– The weight of the drone.
– The maximum altitude.
– The flight radius.
– The maximum flight time.

It’s essential to have this written permission and without it, whatever you do is considered illegal and there would be certain consequences. You should be careful because the punishment might range from a mere fine to actual jail time.

The unofficial answer is, if you’re in the middle of the desert it’s not noticeable. But whatever you want to do though: do not fly over Tehran or near military bases. This is just asking for trouble!