Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel in Iran

The journey matters as much as the destination.

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For many travel enthusiasts, reaching the destination isn’t the only goal. It’s about enjoying the journey and the beauty it offers. If you resonate with this sentiment and prefer leisurely travel without the rush, you probably love traveling by train . Both in Iran and abroad, rail travel is one of the most popular modes of transportation among tourists. Join us in this comprehensive guide by OrientTrips to learn everything about it.

Raja Company's High-Speed Train En Route From Tehran To Gilan, Passing By The Manjil Wind Turbines.

Why Train Travel in Iran?

Traveling by train offers numerous benefits that might tempt you to consider it for your next journey:

Exploring Various Cities

Thanks to the extensive rail network, traveling by train to many cities in Iran is feasible. There are numerous cities without airports, but they are easily accessible by train. Sometimes, road trips, whether by car or bus, can be tiring and lengthy, making trains a great alternative.

The Zendegi Train From Raja Company

Cost-Effective

Train travel is one of the most economical options. If you can travel to your destination by both air and rail and are on a tight budget, train tickets will undoubtedly be more affordable.

No Luggage Weight Limit

If you’ve ever had to pay extra for excess baggage on a flight or had to remove items from your suitcase, consider traveling by train. Of course, if you have large or heavy items, you’ll need to hand them over to the railway luggage section. But as long as your belongings fit under the train seat, you won’t have to worry about excess baggage.

Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran

Peace and Safety

Compared to traveling by car, plane, or bus, train travel in Iran is much more comfortable. You have more space, can relax with your fellow travelers, and enjoy the journey. Moreover, trains are among the safest and most reliable modes of transportation, ensuring a worry-free journey to your desired destination.

Diverse Amenities

Many trains in Iran feature restaurants and cafes, ensuring you don’t have to worry about meals during your journey. Entertainment options and audio-visual systems for watching movies and series ensure you’re never bored.

Types of Trains in Iran

Coupe Trains

Coupe Trains

In Iran, coupe trains come in two models: four and six beds. Trains like Alborz, Persian Gulf, Simorgh, Gazelle, and Green Plume are four-bed trains. The six-bed trains, due to their higher bed count, often lack the amenities of the four-bed ones. Examples of six-bed trains include Milad, Zagros, and Parsi.

Bus or Hall Trains

From a cost perspective, bus trains are more economical than coupe trains. While they offer less space, the seats remain comfortable.

A Train Crosses The Iconic Veresk Bridge In Northern Iran, A Marvel Of Engineering Set Against A Stunning Natural Backdrop.

High-Speed Trains

As the name suggests, these trains offer faster speeds than other types. You can purchase tickets for high-speed trains on routes like Tehran-Yazd, Tehran-Mashhad, and Qom-Tehran.

Experience Luxury On Rails With The Fadak 5* Train, Where Elegance Meets Comfort In Every Journey.

Luxury Trains

In Iran, you can opt for 4-star and 5-star luxury trains that offer special amenities. The 5-star Fadak, Ghazal Bonyad, and 5-star Life trains are among the best in Iran.

Tourist Trains

Discover Iran's Hidden Gems Aboard The Surfiran Tourist Train, Where Every Journey Unfolds A New Chapter Of History And Beauty.

SURFIRAN is one company that offers tourist trains . These trains, which can last one or several days, aim to showcase attractions along the route. Consider trying the Tehran-Savadkouh or Shirgah tourist train for a unique short-term experience.

Essentials for Train Travel in Iran

Depending on whether you’re embarking on a long or short train journey, consider the following suggestions:

  • Keep medicines, snacks, and packaged foods in your handbag.
  • Bring books, magazines, music, and your favorite podcasts to keep entertained.
  • Although charging facilities are available in the compartments, it’s recommended to charge your devices beforehand or carry a power bank.
  • Personal and hygiene items like wet wipes, alcohol pads, and toothbrushes are good to have on a train journey.

Train Iran

Tips and Steps for Boarding the Train

  • Arrive on Time at the Railway Station: Check the location and address of the railway station the day before. It’s best to be present at the station an hour before the train’s departure.
  • Pass Through the Inspection Gate: Before boarding, show your ticket and ID at the inspection gate. If you have a printed two-way ticket, keep it with you. If you’ve purchased an online train ticket, there’s no need to print it. Just keep a photo of the ticket until the end of your journey.
  • Boarding the Train: Based on the platform and compartment number, find your train and begin your journey.

Conditions for Transporting Cars by Train

If you wish to explore the destination city with your personal car, you can still travel by train. Simply bring your car along on the train! However, this facility isn’t available for all cities.

Seamlessly Book Your Train Journey Through Orienttrips

Buying Train Tickets in Iran

Nowadays, purchasing train tickets online is quick and efficient. OrientTrips offers the best prices for online train tickets on most rail routes in the country. Use the OrientTrips website to easily purchase your train ticket in a few simple steps.

Some of the significant and popular train routes in Iran:

Book Tehran to Mashhad train

One of the most frequented routes, connecting the capital, Tehran, to the holy city of Mashhad.

Offers both regular and luxury train services.

Book Tehran to Shiraz train

Connects Tehran with Shiraz , known for its rich history and poetic legacy.

Book Tehran to Isfahan train

A route that links Tehran to the historic city of Isfahan , renowned for its Persian architecture and UNESCO-listed central square.

Book Tehran to Tabriz train

This route takes passengers from Tehran to Tabriz , a historical city known for its bazaar and other architectural wonders.

Book Tehran to Bandar Abbas train

Connecting the capital to the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf.

Book Tehran to Yazd train

A journey from Tehran to the ancient desert city of Yazd , recognized for its wind catchers and Zoroastrian heritage.

Book Tehran to Kerman train

Links Tehran to Kerman, a city known for its rich history, carpet weaving, and proximity to the Lut Desert.

Book Tehran to Ahvaz train

Connects Tehran to the southwestern city of Ahvaz, capital of the Khuzestan province.

Book Tehran to Qom train

A shorter route that connects Tehran to the holy city of Qom.

Book Mashhad to Kerman train

Directly connects the northeastern city of Mashhad to the southeastern city of Kerman.

Book Isfahan to Shiraz train

A popular route connecting two of Iran’s most iconic cities.

Book Tabriz to Mashhad train

Links the northwestern city of Tabriz to the northeastern pilgrimage city of Mashhad.

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Train Travel in Iran

Best train travels in Iran

Among those interested in travel and tourism, there are always two vehicles as the first choices: aircraft and trains. Each of these vehicles has special features that will appeal their audience. But based on experience of people who have traveled to Iran, Train travel in Iran usually leaves more enjoyable and lasting memories. Do you know about Iran trains or how to buy Iran Train Tickets?

A family-friendly atmosphere is the result of this form of travel. Regarding aircraft, the concept of special services and luxury is well understood and most people are aware of it. In this article we are going to introduce the best Iranian trains and their services.

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History of Railway System in Iran

Before we get into the topic, let’s talk about the history of train in Iran. According to the latest statistics, more than 13437 Km of railway exist in Iran. The first Iranian railway was built from Tehran to Shah Abdul Azim shrine located in Rey . This line was built in 1882 by a French engineer.

This historic event took place during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar who invited large crowds to come to see the inauguration of first Iranian train which was later called “smoke car” by locals – because of the huge volume of train steam output. People are said to have been first terrified of seeing this huge machine, and the work came to a point where the king ordered a number of celebrities, commanders and courtiers to board the train with him, so that people will see the event and get the courage.

After further construction, Iranian railway system was finally nationalized in 1927 and became the Nation-wide railway of Iran, which expanded very soon.

Veresk Bridge, First Iran Railway Construction

The major Trans-Iranian Railway building project started in Pahlavi Iran in 1927 and completed in 1938. It was designed and executed in a successful collaboration between the Iranian government and 43 construction contractors from overseas. The railway is notable for its scale and the engineering works it required to overcome steep routes and other difficulties. Its construction involved extensive tunnel constructions in some areas, while the rugged terrain in others dictated the construction of 174 large bridges, 186 small bridges and 224 tunnels, including 11 spiral tunnels. Unlike most early railway projects, construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway was funded by indigenous capital to avoid foreign investment and control.

In 2021, Trans-Iranian Railway was listed as UNESCO world heritage; Check out here .

Train Travel In Iran

Iran is a vast country with huge distances between major cities. Therefore, traveling with trains is a good way to bridge all together. For long distance journeys, trains are fast, comfortable, safe and more environmental friendly than buses. Of course, overnight journeys allow you to save on accommodation cost and extend your daytime sightseeing hours. The only issue is to plan your journey in advance and purchase tickets soon, because most Iranian trains are sold out much in advance. Most trains are operated by private companies which means their quality differ from train to train. None are awful though, at a minimum, service is average. High-speed trains usually connect several destinations.

Iran’s best trains, services and facilities

Best Transport companies always provide such services to create a sense of well-being and safety for the passengers in the best possible way. The concept of high quality service has been defined more specifically in airlines, with variety of VIP and CIP services to travelers. But passenger services are not limited to aircraft, and here are some of the best trains in Iran and the services they provide to make your next trips more enjoyable.

 Travel in Iran with Fadak 5-star train

FADAK 5-Star Train – Iran’s Most Luxurious Train

FADAK trains are of the best trains in Iran and for their convenience and safety, are also called the mobile 5 star hotels. Fadak trains have three different classes, with different prices and services. Economy, Business and First Class; of course it is good to know that all Fadak trains are 5 stars.

There are four beds in Fadak train compartment and two monitors in each compartment. If you wish, the temperature of the compartment is adjustable on Fadak trains. If you need help from the hostess, you can just press the host key.

Catering service on Fadak trains is comparable to Iranian good restaurants. For example, Main meals and snakes on the train are served in three different types, and the notable thing is that they are included in the ticket price. This means you will not be charged extra for meal or drink services.

Fadak trains are running on different routes of Tehran, Qom, Zanjan, Shiraz, Ahvaz, Qazvin, Karaj and Mashhad.

The services available on Fadak trains are offered in three levels: luxury, Business and Economy, each with a different price.

Iran Train Fadak 5 stars

ZENDEGI Train 

The 5-Star “Zendegi” Train, as its name implies, is an ideal travel option for traveling comfort and even at first glance, it has a lot of differences in appearance to ordinary trains. This train was used by Raja Company for the first time in 2017 and is a great option for family trips. Zendegi full-board train tickets which include snacks, dinner and breakfast are sold online. All the hosts are university-educated and fluent in English, and the restaurants at this train also serve a variety of Iranian and French dishes. All services provided on Zendegi Train are of the same quality as international air service standards.

Zendegi Train, Iran

VIP “Ghazaal Bonyad” Train

This train is also one of the best trains available in Iran. By buying VIP “Ghazaal Bonyad” Train tickets you can experience your journey in luxury and quality wagons as well as having the right equipment. This train is provided by Bonyad Company, Vaniya Rail and Rail Safar and is operating as a high speed train. The total capacity of each passenger car is 40 persons, consisting of a total of ten 4-person compartments.

What is the difference between the Vip Ghazaal train and the regular Ghazaal train? Ghazaal trains are all four-bedded and there are four seats in each compartment. The physical services provided to the passengers are the same on both trains, and the main difference between the Vip and the regular Ghazaal train is the type of extra service that you are entitled to on the journey. This is exactly the same as the difference in train tickets from other trains. For example, when buying a special ticket does not mean that you are on a separate car, but that your car and compartments are similar to other passengers. Only there is some difference in the services you receive while traveling.

The Ghazaal train has also some “Chair cars” with reasonable price tickets, and the variety of offered services makes travelers comfortable during their journey. There are also two trains named Soroush and Parasto in the Gazaal train system which have similar services. Good to know that the Soroush train is traveling only on the route to Tehran – Qom and Qom -Mashhad.

Raja Green Ploor Train

The train consists of 10 4-seater compartments and one compartment is reserved for the train host. Green Ploor cars have air conditioning, TV system to watch movies. There are two toilets in each car. For sound and heat insulation, the body of the compartments and the windows glasses are double-layered. Each compartment has a 220-volt power outlet so that passengers can easily charge or use personal appliances. Routes: Shiraz-Mashhad, Tehran-Shiraz, Tehran-Ahvaz and Tehran-Mashhad

Noor Train 

Noor trains are among the trains of “Noor-ol Reza Company”, which are in the category of 4-star Iran trains. These trains have brand new cars with 4-bed compartments, high-quality services, good facilities and reasonable prices.  Today, they have become one of the best options for train travel in Iran.

Noor train tickets are currently sold in two classes, Special and VIP . The only difference between VIP and special  tickets is in the service level and facilities provided during the trip. By booking VIP tickets, you can enjoy a sleeping pack, including sheet set, personal bed and seat covers, and disposable personal items. The meal is also at another level.

What distinguishes Noor trains from other trains in the country’s railway system is the good quality. It is interesting to know that although these trains were purchased from China, but most of the parts and equipment are provided by European companies such as Germany, Italy and Japan.

Noor train routes

Noor train is currently operating on the Tehran-Mashhad, Isfahan-Mashhad, Tehran-Shiraz, Karaj-Mashhad and Tehran-Kerman railways. At first, these trains were operating only on the route to Mashhad, but over time and with good passenger feedbacks, the activity of Noor trains increased and started to operate on other railway lines.

Iran Railway Map 2024

Iran Railway Map for Train Travel in Iran

Turkey – Iran Railway 

Tehran – Istanbul Train There was no direct train to travel to Turkey a few years ago, and one had to cross several routes to travel by train. First from Tehran to Tabriz, then from there to Van and from Tatvan to Ankara, and from Ankara to Istanbul. But according to recent news and statements by the Vice President of the Iranian Railway Co. at the press conference of the 7th International Rail Transport Exhibition, it was announced that the Tehran-Van and Tehran-Ankara train will be launched from August, 2019

From Tehran to Ankara you will board 4-star trains with four bed compartments and head to Van Station. After reaching the border and Lake Van, you depart by boat to the port of Tatvan. You will travel from Tatvan Port to Ankara by Turkish train. Now you have to continue on the Ankara-Istanbul route. The Ankara train to Istanbul runs twice per day, one at 6:00 am and the other at around 4:30 pm, for the last part of your journey you will need about 4:30 hours … Enjoy the scenery of the Ankara-Istanbul route!

✓ How long is it to travel to Istanbul by train?

The duration of the Tehran-Ankara route is 70 hours, Tehran-Van part is 20 to 23 hours, and the rest is about 48 hours to reach Istanbul. Keep in mind that you may be stumbling across the border a bit, so the length of time you are traveling from Tehran to Istanbul varies depending on the circumstances.

Iranian Train Companies

The train companies in the country are always confused with the trains running on the railways, but it is better to know that there are currently about 10 train companies in Iran. Raja is the oldest railway in the country:

➊ Raja Railway Transport Co. ➋ Mahtab Seir Jam Co. ➌ Vaniya Rail Co. ➍ Joupar Transport Co. ➎ Bonyad Shargh Railway Transport Co. ➏ Noor Ol-Reza Co. ➐ Rail Tarabar Saba Co. ➑ Rail Seir Kowsar Co. ➒ Tabriz Ra’ad Co. ➓ Rail Nopardaz Novin Co.

Iran Luxury Train Travel

Fastest Train in Iran 

Compared to the international standard, the Iranian trains speed is not in good condition (although there is no precise information). At present, the majority of Iran’s trains are at an Average speed of about 100 km/h. For “Ordinary trains”, the speed of the train does not exceed 120 km/h. Of course, it is said recently that Ghadir train can travel at a speed of about 140 Km/h, but it cannot be considered as a fast train. The situation is a bit different for the fast train. Currently, the only high-speed train is Pardis train. This 4-star train speeds up to 200 Km/h. The slow speed reason of Iranian trains is because of the old railway infrastructure and number of stops in multiple towns.

Iran Train Tickets 

Booking an online train ticket has made traveling by train easier than ever. To buy train tickets online, all you have to do is to contact us via email or messenger, then by entering the name of the city of departure and destination and the dates, you can receive information on all the available trains and the schedules for your desired route. Depending on the departure time, train facilities and budget, you can choose the most suitable ticket and receive your ticket online by finalizing the train ticket reservation and paying for it.

Train Travel in Iran – FAQs

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Comments (6).

Hello we travel going to mashad by fadak train it was nice intertain with the stewardess and nice services. Thanks and have a good day.

I would like to travel on one of the luxury trains from Mashhad to Tehran on September 27, 2023. Please send me a schedule and let me know how I may book a compartment for two persons. Thank you.

train name FIDAK best train service between Qom to Mashad

We want to travel from Chah Bahar by train kindly quote schedule and price

I would like to ask, if it is possible to book a train ticket for foreigner online in advance by your travel agency? Thank you for your reply, with kind regards Mr. Juraj Žitný

Hello, I came to Isfahan by Raja train from Mashhad. I am not satisfied at all. The wagon had only one toilet, it was noisy and slow and it was too late to reach the destination.

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Train advice from the Man in Seat 61...

The Man in Seat 61

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How to travel by train from

London to tehran & iran.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to tehran overland.

If you can get an Iranian visa, it's possible to travel by train from London, Paris or anywhere in Europe to Tehran in Iran.  The weekly Ankara-Tehran Trans-Asia Express was suspended in 2015, but resumed in August 2019.  Then suspended again due to Covid-19.

UPDATE 2024:  The Turkey-Iran international trains remain suspended post-pandemic.

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Useful country information

Istanbul to tehran by train.

In March 2001, a comfortable weekly train called the Trans-Asia Express started running between Ankara & Tehran.  It was actually two trains, a Turkish one from Ankara to Tatvan pier, then a ferry across Lake Van, then an Iranian train from Van pier to Tehran.  However, after security incidents in Eastern Turkey the train was cancelled indefinitely in August 2015.

In June 2018 a weekly overnight train with one elderly couchette car was restored between Van and Tabriz, replaced in June 2019 replaced by a weekly direct Van-Tabriz-Tehran train with air-conditioned first class sleepers and catering.  Finally, in August 2019, the fully-coordinated Trans-Asia Express service has resumed, with comfortable sleepers & a connecting ferry provided across lake Van.

The total distance from Istanbul to Tehran is 2,968 km excluding the 90 km length of Lake Van.

UPDATE 2024 :  The border between Turkey & Iran was closed in 2020 due to Covid-19 and remains closed.  Please check latest situation.

Timetable eastbound

Timetable westbound, how much does it cost, how to buy tickets eastbound.

Option 1, contact Amber Travel, see www.ambertravel.com/turkey-iran-train-van-tebriz-ticket .  They use a local agent in Van to buy tickets for you, they charge €24.60 per person per berth.  They can also book out the other berths in your compartment so you have sole occupancy if you like, at €12.30 per empty berth.  However, they cannot arrange westbound tickets starting in Tabriz or Tehran, only eastbound tickets starting in Turkey.  Amber travel come highly recommended by several Seat61 travellers.

Option 2, try transasiatrain.com .  This is an agency specifically offering tickets for this train with online ordering, although I have yet to have any feedback.

Option 3, buy at the station, there's no guarantee places will be available, but they may be.

How to buy tickets westbound

You can try booking tickets from Tehran to Turkey through a number of Iranian travel agencies such as www.irantravelingcenter.com .  Feedback would be appreciated .

Visas for Iran

Before booking, check that you can get an Iranian tourist visa.  Iran only grants tourist visas to UK or US citizens if you travel with an escorted tour or use an officially-recognised guide all the time you are in Iran.  Check what the current visa situation is for your specific nationality.  The Lonely Planet website used to have a short list of travel agencies who can help you get a visa, this included www.magic-carpet-travel.com or www.persianvoyages.com .  You may be able to find an agency who will tailor-make arrangements for you, allowing you to arrive in Iran by train.  There is no problem reported in crossing the border into Iran by train, border officials are reported to be very friendly!  The point of entry into Iran is Razi.  Feedback on the visa situation for Iran, on any tour agencies prepared to make arrangements incorporating arrival via train, and on the train itself, would be very welcome.  Note that www.iranianvisa.com , although legitimate, has recently had some reports of slow service.

How to plan out your trip

If you are new to independent travel, it may seem daunting to plan a trip like this, but it's really not that difficult.  It can help to plan your itinerary using a simple spreadsheet, to work out a budget and make sure you book the right trains on the right dates.  How to plan an itinerary & budget .

The Lake Van ferry accepts both Lira and Rials, and it is reported that Lira can be exchanged for Rials on board the ferry.  Rials are freely available at banks and exchange bureaux in Ankara and may be available in Istanbul.

What are the trains like ?

The Trans-Asia Express is actually two trains, separated by a ferry.  A Turkish sleeper train links Ankara & Tatvan, at the western end of Lake Van.  A ferry shuttles passengers across the lake from Tatvan to Van.  An Iranian train then links Van and Tehran.

The Turkish train

The Turkish train between Ankara & Tatvan is composed of modern TVS2000 air-conditioned 4-berth couchettes , shown below centre in daytime mode with the berths folded against the wall & below right in night mode with beds folded out although not made up -  Pillows, sheet and blankets are supplied, you make up the berth yourself.  There are toilets and washrooms at the end of the corridor.  The train also has a restaurant car serving hot dishes, drinks and snacks.

The Iranian train

The Iranian train between Van, Tabriz & Tehran is a comfortable Iranian sleeper train, with 4-berth compartments which convert from armchairs to sleeping-berths will all necessary bedding provided - see larger photo .  Meals are served to your compartment.  This is the current Van to Tehran train in 2020.  Photos courtesy of Reto Kaiser.

What's the journey like ?

Travellers' reports.

Traveller Julie Carroll reports:   "My partner and I left Ankara at 2.25pm on Wednesday 23 October 2019 heading for Tabriz.  We had a 4 berth compartment to ourselves all the way - there weren't many people on the train from Ankara, I think only 2 carriages used from a 6 car train.  The train had a buffet car, the menu was in Turkish but limited offerings, though the toasted cheese sandwich was good.  Western toilets on the train & hot water in WC. Lovely views in Turkey while the sun was out and we could see.  The line has been changed to greater heights as a dam was put in further up stream so the old rail line was way too low.  Arrived Tatvan station 3.30pm Thursday and Tatvan Wharf at 4.00pm.

Onto the ferry, the 6 hour crossing was extremely smooth.  The ferry took both currencies at the cafeteria but once again there were limited offerings, but cheese toastie lovely.  Hot water in the bathroom so I washed my hair in the ladies basin.

The train on other side was late so we stayed on the ferry & boarded the train at midnight.  Stopped at Van where a large number of people got on, mainly Iranians.  The Iranian train hospitality was amazing. Juice, bottle of water, biscuits and cake as soon as you arrived in the compartment, then tea and coffee were brought around.  All free.

Arrived at the Turkish border crossing (Kapikoy) at 3am on 25 October Took till 5.30am to clear the other side into Iran.  You get off the train leaving your bags on the train, passports are stamped, you wait inside until everybody has finished then you're allowed back on the train.  The train travels a short way then it's the same procedure at the Iranian  border, Razi.  All of us had to wait in a small area after passport control before being allowed back on the train, and it was cold!  We could go on the station which some did but the heaters kept a lot inside.  Foreigners didn't have to open their bags for customs and were waved through to passport control before the locals.  Only 1 Iranian guy was working, it took a while as they have to look up the equivalent date in their Persian calendar for your passport expiry and so on!

They woke you before your station but only just, so there was a bit of mad scramble to get out.  We'd been up most of the night so slept in in the morning.  We arrived at Tabriz at 9.50am on Friday 25 October."

Train travel in Iran

Iran has a good and growing rail network linking the main cities.  Many trains have air-conditioning.  First and second class is provided, usually converting to 4 or 6 berth sleepers for overnight travel.  Iranian Railways has franchised on-board service to a variety of private operators, with different operators managing trains on different routes.

To find train times in Iran:  www.raja.ir or www.iranrail.net ...

To find train times in Iran on the official Iranian Railways website, go to www.raja.ir .  It has an English version, though it can be tricky to find.

It's often better to use the more helpful English-language unofficial site www.iranrail.net .  They also offer a ticket-buying service for domestic Iranian trains.  Iranrail are perfectly legitimate, although feedback has not been positive on Tripadvisor.com.  However, as demand can exceed supply for Iranian trains, finding some way to pre-book your trains is recommended, if not www.iranrail.net then through a local Iranian travel agency that handles inbound travel.  Feedback is always appreciated!

Tehran to Esfahan...

One of the most historic and beautiful cities in Iran, train service to Esfahan is shown below:

This train has air-conditioned first class 6-berth sleepers and 2nd class seats.

There is a daily train every afternoon from Tehran, arriving Esfahan around midnight en route to Shiraz - but as it's not on the system for Tehran-Esfahan you need to book and pay to Shiraz.  It has more comfortable cars than the night train.

You can buy tickets at the station, remembering to take along your passport, fare 315,000 riyals with a sleeper.

Tehran to Esfahan by train is 494km.

It's reported that this train often fills up several days or even a week or two before departure, so don't leave booking to the last minute, buy a ticket in advance.  It's also reported that tickets are best bought through any travel agency rather than at the station.  In Tehran, there is a travel agency very near the main station, you walk straight across the big square in front of the station and it is a few hundred metres up the avenue heading north (Vali Asr Avenue), on the left. In Isfahan there are several travel agencies around Azadi square in the south of the city and also in the city centre.

Recommended guidebooks

Lonely Planet Middle East - click to buy online

This covers Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Israel and several other countries.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

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Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Through the desert in the morning

One of the most scenic railways in the world spans Iran

The UNESCO World Heritage Trans-Iranian railway crosses four distinct climates—and challenges stereotypes of this long isolated country.

Stretching between the glittering shores of the Caspian Sea and the fertile plains of the Persian Gulf, the 866-mile Trans-Iranian Railway is hailed as one of the greatest engineering marvels of the 20th century.

Experts from around the globe were presented with an extraordinary challenge: The proposed route would cross four distinct climates and connect soaring mountain ranges, deep gorges, salt deserts, old-growth forests, and plains.

Inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021, the resulting network of 174 large bridges, 186 small bridges, and 224 tunnels was constructed between 1927 and 1938, a feat made possible by more than 70,000 workers, extensive mapping, and aerial photography. The railway knits together a striking tapestry of landscapes, from the towering buildings of the capital to the tombs and mosques of Qom to the nomadic dwellings of the Zagros Mountains .

View out the train window of the Zagros Mountain range

“When you sit on the train from Tehran to go towards the south, you suddenly change seasons in a matter of hours,” says Yeganeh Morakabati, a tourism researcher and associate professor at Bournemouth University who examines the effects of political violence on tourism in the Middle East and Africa. “And not only that, but you also feel as if you have moved from one country to another because the cultures and peoples are very different—you’re talking about a complete change of scenery and even languages. It’s phenomenal.”

Yet, Iran ’s image as a multifaceted tourism destination has suffered since the 1979 revolution; decades-long sanctions and negative media portrayals of Iran as an anti-Western society have further marginalized the nation, Morakabati says. But as more tourists flock to the country and experience it firsthand, those stereotypes are being dispelled.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to Iran was surging, and with the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted in nearby Qatar this fall, the country is preparing for an influx of travelers . The railway–which began as one of Iran’s most controversial infrastructure projects–is at the heart of the nation’s continued efforts to revive tourism.

The birth of a railway

These days, the railway is celebrated as a symbol of modernity and unity, but during its construction, it was fraught with controversy.

Iran’s railway took shape notably late compared to its neighbors in the Ottoman Empire , British India , and Egypt , all of which had railway networks by the second half of the 19th century, says Mikiya Koyagi , an assistant professor at the University of Texas Austin and author of   Iran in Motion: Mobility, Space, and the Trans-Iranian Railway .

Night walk in the traditional old city

That’s because during the global railway boom that lasted until World War I, Iran was caught between two imperial powers competing for military and commercial influence in the region: the Russian Empire, which was expanding into the Caucasus, and the British Empire, which controlled India.

( See pictures from 16 of the best train trips in the world .)

“Whenever there were Russian-proposed projects to construct railways in Iran, there was British opposition, and when there were British plans, there was Russian opposition,” Koyagi says.

That changed in 1925 when Iran’s Qajar Empire collapsed. The new Pahlavi state wanted to build up the country’s infrastructure and expand trade without relying on foreign powers. They funded the entire railway domestically by imposing high taxes on sugar and tea and taking out domestic bank loans. The Danish company Kampsax led the project, and over 40 companies from several countries were involved in construction. “That was quite a deliberate decision in order not to give too much power to any one particular country,” Koyagi explains.

They also planned the route around national interests to optimize trade and state military access. For example, the railway connected major bodies of water in the north and south, where Iranian goods could be exported more easily. It also gave the state military access to hard-to-control parts of the country that were previously isolated by steep mountain ranges and inhospitable deserts.

A little girl looks out the train window as the train travels

Despite these efforts to prevent foreign interference, the Allied forces invaded Iran in 1941 and leveraged the railway to transport military personnel and goods during World War II. “There wasn’t much traffic prior to the Allied occupation, but when they came, they needed to transport a lot more,” Koyagi says. “They expanded port facilities, highways, and the railways, and started to import diesel engines instead of steam locomotives,” Koyagi says.

As the rail inevitably transformed the nation, experiences among Iranians varied widely. While some people became more mobile, others were forcibly displaced by construction without receiving compensation for their land. People living in remote villages between major destinations, who had previously relied on income from domestic travelers, now found that the railway bypassed them altogether.

“Most Iranians really hated the railway project during that time period,” Koyagi says. They were paying high taxes, and, aside from Tehran, the route didn’t run through most major cities. “Despite the massive number of complaints during that time period, I think that now a lot of Iranians feel very proud of the [railway].”

A person leans looking out the window at the train station in Dorud city, Lorestan province

Tourism in the Middle East

Post World War II, tourism in Iran was thriving. Between 1967 and 1977, it was considered the Middle East’s top destination, outranking places like Egypt, says Morakabati, who examines the effects of political violence on tourism in the Middle East and Africa. But after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, followed by the Iran-Iraq War , a once steady stream of tourists dried up. The country struggled under decades-long international sanctions that devastated the economy and undermined millions of livelihoods.

“Compared to the rest of the world, the Middle East has not reached anywhere near its potential,” says Morakabati. “The Middle East and North Africa region have huge potential for tourism, but it also has been a magnet for violent conflict. These two things are working against each other.”

( This train takes you through North Korea’s rarely seen countryside .)

Pre-revolution, Western Europe and the U.S. were Iran’s most important tourism markets. In 1977, for example, Iran received more than 70,000 American visitors, but by 2010 that number dwindled to just 400.

The market shifted dramatically, with most international arrivals coming from neighboring countries including Pakistan , India , Saudi Arabia , Turkey , and Afghanistan for both religious tourism and business.

The Tower of Silence, as seen at night

Multiple studies found that U.S. and U.K. media coverage of the revolution and nuclear program between the 1980s and 2010s reinforced negative sentiments about Iran, which was frequently labeled as being anti-Western—something experts agree impacted tourism.

“There is this perception of political instability or political authoritarianism as a sort of danger to tourists, but I don’t think these two really correlate with each other,” Koyagi says. “If you’re a citizen, and if you’re politically involved, you have a certain risk. But for tourists, it’s not that dangerous.”

But that perception of danger may be changing.

A new era of railway travel

In 2015, nuclear-related sanctions on Iran were lifted after the successful negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran deal. Tourism rebounded almost immediately. (Former President Donald Trump reinstated U.S. sanctions on Iran in 2018, and in 2021, President Joe Biden once again began talks to lift sanctions.)

According to a United Nations World Tourism Organization report , the Middle East recorded the highest growth in tourism in 2019, and Iran was among the fastest-growing destinations. The nation aims to attract 20 million visitors by 2025 (up from 4.8 million in 2014) and is investing in hotels, tourism facilities, and transportation. That includes more than 4,300 miles of new railways in the past seven years, including a high-speed rail line between Tehran, Qom, and Isfahan .

People stand among the seats in a train car

The Trans-Iranian route alone travels past dozens of national parks and wildlife refuges, including the UNESCO-inscribed Hyrcanian Forests and storied Mount Damāvand , the highest peak in Iran, which attracts climbers from around the world. You can see the strokes of history in Khuzestan , one of the oldest regions on the Iranian plateau, where the labyrinthine hydraulic system in Shushtar dates back to the fifth century B.C.

Koyagi, who has been traveling to Iran since 1997, says his fondest memories from taking the train throughout the country have been meeting people in between sites. “One of the great things about traveling around Iran is nobody leaves you alone,” says Koyagi, who has shared many a night train compartment with strangers. “Other people in the compartment talk to you, they share food with you, they ask all sorts of questions, you get to hear all sorts of stories—it’s not the kind of rail travel I have experienced elsewhere.”

( Why is the land of the Sleeping Beauty cave waking up to tourism ?)

Train tickets are also extremely affordable, says Matin Lashkari, an Iranian travel blogger and co-founder of Persian Food Tours . “It’s very peaceful, it’s very safe, and it’s a kind of slow travel without a big carbon footprint,” she says. “I think the Western media has focused on the sort of darker side of Iran. I don’t want to deny that that exists, but there’s this other side that’s completely neglected.”

Rail tracks at night

But Lashkari also believes a new era of tourism is on the horizon. She recently traveled to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Yazd , known for its notable earthen buildings, traditional hammams and bazaars, and handwoven textiles. “It has transformed completely,” she says, adding that a host of new restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and hotels have sprung up in the past five years.

“I’ve never met anybody who came to Iran and was not surprised by what they saw,” Lashkari says. “They’re blown away by the hospitality, by the openness of people. I have this sense that a lot of people think that Iranians aren’t open to foreigners because the country has been very isolated for so many years, but it’s just the opposite.”

Related Topics

  • WORLD HERITAGE SITES
  • ISLAMIC WORLD
  • LIVING HISTORY
  • CULTURAL TOURISM
  • WORLD WAR II

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ADVENTURE IRAN Official Website - Iranian Tour Operator and Travel Agency

Trans-Iranian Railway

  • Attractions
  • August 7, 2021 January 18, 2024
  • Attractions , UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Trans-Iranian-Railway-crossing-tunnel

25th Iranian UNESCO World Heritage site

(reg. june 2021).

One of the forgotten tourist attractions in Iran was traveling by train and passing through scenic areas with different climates and spectacular sceneries. Thanks to joining the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2021 with the help of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization, it can be brought back to life. Iran has many routes on its railway lines, with each of them having different historical, cultural, and tourism aspects, connecting all cities and villages of this vast country differently. One of the lines that is of great global importance is the Trans-Iranian Railway which is the northeast to the southwest line connecting the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf .

Trans Iran railway map

The length of this long railway is about 1,394 km, which is one of the most strategic railways in Iran, passing through four completely different climatic regions, including the Caspian Sea, the huge forests of Hyrcanian (UNESCO Natural site), Iran Mountain ranges ( Alborz and Zagros ranges), rivers, highlands, plains and a desert ( Dasht-e Kavir ), Persian Caravanserai in the Ancient Silk Road and ending in the Persian Gulf which is a totally different story from all of the mentioned climates.

Trans- Iran Railway

Along with this climate change, the diversity of ethnicities, cultures, customs, traditions, and languages of all these regions are highlights of this long route, especially for travelers who are interested in getting in touch with the locals and curious about new cultures and lifestyles.

Trans- Iran Railway

The Trans-Iranian railways construction started in 1927 and ended in 1938. It is famous for its vastness and the workmanship required to overcome the difficulties along the way. It was a joint work between the Iranians and 43 contractors from all around the world. They made about 174 large bridges, 224 tunnels (and 11 spiral tunnels), and 186 small bridges along the route.

The railway runs from Torkaman Port (Bandar-e Shah), the northeastern port of Iran located on the Caspian Sea, to the port of Imam Khomeini (Bandar-e Shahpur) on the Persian Gulf in southwestern Iran. The train crosses the capital, Tehran, as it is the hub of Iran’s Railway network. Other lines were built later through the century, extending from this main artery to reach other parts of the country.

Today, this Railway is more famous than before as it is registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Iran has now become the fifth country in the world with a railway designated as a World Heritage Site.

travel iran by train

Photo Gallery of Edward Miles On Trans-Iranian Railway

Trans Iranian Railway Photo Gallery

A number of selected photos of the construction and commissioning of Iran’s Trans Railway, which were made by the Iranian monarch Reza Shah about one hundred years ago:

Iran Train Trip

Iran trains history and popular routes
Iran Train Journeys

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Escape from Tehran

on our train trip in Iran Our Fadak train host helping us finding our sits at the Mashhad train station

A Perfect Train trip in Iran The Tehran to Mashhad “Fadak” line is comfortable and relatively inexpensive

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Table of Contents

Domestic travel inside Iran: you can do it independently

The Iranian train Fadak arrived to the Mashhad railway station

For the tourist, travel inside Iran is surprisingly inexpensive and efficient. You can get to almost any major destination by bus, train, airplane and private car hire. Because of the favorable currency exchange, the cost is very low compared to the neighboring countries and certainly much less than travel in Europe.

Travel by Train in Iran

on our train trip in Iran Waiting for our train to arrive at the Tehran train station

On this trip – returning to our home in Mashhad from Tehran – Saeideh and I picked travel by train because we were hauling a lot of luggage on arrival from Europe.

We chose to ride the train in Iran to get some much needed rest. So we picked a private sleeper – which sleeps four passengers – on a train line known as Fadak . It bills itself as a “luxury” line to business travelers.

Other train services in Iran include the Zendegi train service, the Ghazaal Bonyad train, the Raja Green Ploor train and the Noor train.

Cost of domestic travel in Iran

on our train trip in Iran Passengers heading to trains at the Tehran railway station

For the tourists spending Euros and Dollars, travel inside Iran is inexpensive. Our private sleeper for four costs about $60 USD for the 10-hour trip. Wi-Fi, dinner and breakfast were included. We would have spent about the same amount for two plane tickets that would have taken about an hour and ten minutes to reach Mashhad from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport .

Travel through Tehran Railway Station

on our traveling by train in Iran we are going to Tehran railway station entrance

Tehran Railway Station was built in 1930 by German engineers and heavily renovated since.

Getting to Tehran Railway Station from Tehran’s two airports

The station is about an hour’s trip by taxi from the Imam Khomeini International Airport in the south of Tehran (see map below) and Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, which is used mostly for domestic travel.

Getting to the Tehran railway station by Metro

An excellent option for travel to Tehran’s railway station is by metro. Why? Because of Tehran’s horrendous pollution of traffic. Depending on the time of the day, you can save a lot of time and the injury to your lungs by travel via metro in Tehran. The railway station is immediately next to the Rah Ahan Metro Station .

Buying train tickets in Iran (not easy!)

In most of the civilized world, buying a train ticket online using the English language is relatively easy. I absolutely love Germany ‘s excellent Bahn.de service.

This aspect of civilization, I am sorry to say, has not reached Iran as of 2023. Check back in a couple of centuries. We had a fortune of calling a friend who bought our tickets from a friend who owns a travel agency and then emailed us the pdf’s.

A search for the official Iranian railways website sent me to a bizarre link that is missing timetables and prices! You can’t even reach this website from outside of Iran. There is an unofficial website that has some useful tools like a dynamic map of the train routes.

Iranian friends say they had good luck buying train tickets at Raja.ir . It has an English version. However, this website might not be accessible from your location outside Iran, as is the case with many .ir websites.

Inside the Tehran train Station

On our train travel in Iran I found a diorama at Tehran railway station commemorating trains' role during war years

The station is modern and comfortable. There are stores offering food, electronics, etc. The decorations – like the diorama above – include references to the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) and the role of trains in transporting the troops to and from the front lines in the west of Iran.

An installation depicting the "Memories of 248 valuable martyrs of railway to be cherished."

The comforts of train tours in Iran

Heading to the Fadak train at Tehran Railway Station

I found this train trip less stressful than travel by plane. For one thing, the security was lax. No body or luggage searches. No waiting in lines for security and the boarding of the train. Come to think of it, they didn’t even check for identification.

Help with luggage at Tehran Railway Station

on our train trip in Iran a porter helping us carrying our bags at the Tehran train station

There was plenty of help with the luggage. Friendly porters actively compete for your business. Tipping is negotiable, as is everything else in Iran. We paid 25,000 Tomans (about 50 cents USD) to the station to “register” with our porter. We tipped him another 50k (about $1 USD) after he hauled our luggage into our cabin.

Sleeper cabin of the “Fadak” train in Iran

A passenger is turning on he sleeper cabin's TV on Iranian train

The sleeper cabin was clean and comfortable. Came with two television monitors, clean blanket and pillow covers.

The food on Iran’s “Fadak” train line

Hot chicken dinner being served by our host on Fadak train on the way to Mashahd from Tehran

We were served two meals, served by the same female host who greeted us at boarding.

The train meal we had on our railway travel inside Iran (Soda, Bread, Rice, Meat , salad)

Dinner was chicken and breakfast was a sandwich. I would say the quality was about the same as the food on Iranian domestic airlines – which unlike the rest of the world still serve free food on most domestic flights .

Seeing the sights during our train trip from Tehran

View of the desert from Fadak Train to Mashhad from Tehran

The train line between Tehran and Mashhad takes the much shorter desert route – unlike the much prettier northern route via the Caspian Sea region .

The corridor of the Iranian luxury train Fadak.

When there was light outside, we saw mostly arid flat land, occasionally flanked by mountains in the horizon.

I still found watching the scenery fascinating.

The WiFi situation on this Iranian train

Sleeping in our cabin while my friend watching the Heat movie on the Iranian train Fadak luxury liner. Copyright © Ali Torkzadeh, EscapefromTehran.com

Our Fadak train ticket to Mashhad came with 1 gig of WiFi data. The quality of the wireless connection was ok. I was able to watch videos online. Our host warned that the WiFi drops around Semnan region. To my dismay, I was NOT able to attend an important online meeting on Zoom . I suspect the train’s Internet system is filtering the Zoom connections.

Arrival (and a surprise) at Mashhad Railway Station

The Iranian train Fadak at the Mashhad railway station

Our morning arrival in Mashhad came with a shock: we arrived an hour early! Early arrival for anything, much less public transportation, does NOT occur often in Iran! I’ve never ever arrived on time traveling by any means in Iran, even in my own car. So not sure how our early arrival occurred. Perhaps, I don’t know, some flying alien craft transported the train while we were sleeping? That kind of a miracle is what is needed to be ahead of schedule doing anything in Iran.

The entrance of the Mashhad railway station

Ali and Saeideh plan their Iran roadtrips from their home in Mashhad. More about us here >>

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Exploring Iran with Train: Something Interesting to Know about Iranian Version of Train travel

train prices in Iran

The transportation system in Iran covers various means of traveling. It includes traveling by trains, airplanes, buses, and taxies. Trains are one of the common ways to travel around Iran. They’re the best options for the long journies if one does not want to pay for the hefty airplane tickets. Train stations connect different areas of the country to each other, north to south and east to west.  

Some of the main cities, which provide train services include Tehran, Mashhad, Semnan, Sari, Zanjan, Tabriz, Esfahan, Yazd, Shiraz, Kerman, Arak, Zahedan, Bandar Abbas, and Khorramshahr. Iran has amazing natural landscapes such as green jungles, huge deserts, wild mountains, and massive plains. Train travel makes it possible to have a direct connection with all of them. Here are some interesting points about the Iranian version of train travel. 

Safe for women

Family travel by train in iran, college tour and colleague’s tour, trains stop for the praying time, cheaper or more expensive, recommended tours.

In a general view, traveling in Iran is very safe for everyone( safe for women ). Women in all parts of the world sometimes need some specific traveling conditions. In Iran, women can travel in a woman-only compartment train. This condition is provided by the train travel system, so it is more comfortable and safe for women, to travel by train. Foreign travelers, particularly ladies who travel alone, can enjoy this facility if they feel insecure being among unfamiliar men and families. 

train in Iran Safe for women

Family is considered as the first and the basic social institute.  In a general view, family gatherings are so important in Eastern culture as compared to Western culture. In Eastern culture, people are more family-oriented and prefer to travel with families and peers. Iranian people love to travel and explore all parts of the country. Family travels are so common in Iran, and trains are the means which make it possible to happen. 

Traveling by train in Iran has some advantages which make it very convenient for families. Train compartments play the role of a family sanctuary where everyone feels at home. Train compartment services can vary as four- board cabins or six- board cabins. There are also hall seat trains which are similar to the bus system design. 

Most of the trains in Iran depends on its class divisions including first class and second class, are equipped with inside train services like restaurants that provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, washroom systems, drinking water, monitor inside cabins, boiling water for making tea as some Iranian have their family tea flask with them while traveling.  

Another different point about Iranians travel by train is to have home-cooked foods. Some of the passengers may order lunch and dinner from the train restaurants, or they get it on the way stations. However, many people, particularly when they are in a group, have home-cooked dishes with them, and they share food with each other. They eat together, meanwhile, they talk, laugh, and also sometimes dance. If there is one stranger traveling along with a family, they share food with that person to express their courtesy and hospitality. 

According to the budget and internal programs, some of the universities in Iran conduct college tours for the students. Traveling by train with all friends together is so popular among students. People are excited to visit the destinations, and at the same time traveling by train is a big part of the rejoicement for peer groups. They can enjoy a lot, talking, laughing, dancing, and eating together. Government and Non-Government organizations also have training workshops and official missions to other cities, which are managed by the train travels. Traveling by train itself is a joy and vacation for officials, despite the fact they are on job missions.

College tour and colleague’s tour - train in Iran

Trains stop at different stations according to the passengers’ destinations. There is one thing different about traveling by trains in Iran. They stop at praying times, which mostly happens for the morning prayers. Passengers are alerted at the time of praying, which is called the time of “Namaz”. Trains’ staff are supposed to knock the doors and say, it is time for Namaz, but there is no obligation that one has to wake up. There is a stop of 20 to 30 minutes for this purpose. 

Passengers get up early in the morning at 4 to 5 am, as it may vary depending on the time of “Azan. So, passengers try to get off the train quickly and get back before the train leaves the platform. Some times at one station two trains stop, and everybody is in a hurry to find the mosque and do praying. In such situations, there might be little anxiety among the passengers that they do not miss their own train. It especially happens when the praying hall is a little far away from the train station. Foreign Travelers might see people are running from one place to another in order to do “Namaz” and to be back on time. 

Train tickets relatively are cheaper than airplane tickets but they are more expensive than the lavish bus tickets. 

Do not miss to travel by train inside Iran. It is so fun and you will see different and interesting scenes of family gatherings and friends enjoying together.

If you would like to know about other Iran transportations, you can click on it.

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  • Travel Guide

General train travel information for IRAN. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.

Brief History

Iran's railway transportation history spans decades of development, starting with the establishment of the first railroad in 1887. From the earliest narrow gauge lines during the Qajar dynasty to the massive Trans-Iranian Railway launched in 1939, the country has invested heavily in its railroad infrastructure. During World War II, Iran's railroads played a key role in transporting materials for the Soviet Union through the so-called Persian Corridor. The complex geography and mountainous terrain sometimes presented railroad workers with difficult challenges, including the construction of tunnels in difficult mountainous conditions. The railroad network is constantly expanding and improving, including various destinations, from neighboring countries in Central Asia to Turkey and Pakistan. Iran is striving not only to strengthen its national rail links, but also to establish important international transportation corridors linking it with other countries.

General Information and Statistics

The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (abbreviated IRIR, or sometimes RAI) is the national state-owned railroad system of Iran.. The rail transportation network carries 29 million passengers annually in Iran (2011).

There are 16,998 kilometres of railway lines in Iran. There are 360 railroad stations in Iran.

146 kilometres of railway tracks electrified (Less than 1%).

What connections to other countries there are.

Iran's international railway network is connected to neighboring countries as follows:

    • Afghanistan: There is an operational railway link with Afghanistan.     • Armenia: Currently, there is no direct railway connection with Armenia.     • Azerbaijan: A railway link exists via the Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan, and a connection to Azerbaijan proper is under construction.     • Iraq: Currently, there is no direct railway connection with Iraq.     • Pakistan: Iran has an operational railway link with Pakistan.     • Turkey: There is an operational railway connection with Turkey.     • Turkmenistan: Iran has an operational railway link with Turkmenistan.

Are trains fast in Iran in general? How much time to cross the country?

Train speed in Iran is not in a good condition compared to the world standard. At present, the majority of Iranian trains have an average speed of about 120 km. In ordinary Iranian trains, the train speed does not exceed 140 kilometers per hour.  The journey from Tehran to Mashhad takes 13:15 hours and from Tehran to Bandar Abbas 19:55 hours.

What railway companies are available?

Currently, there are 12 railway companies operating in Iran, offering rail transportation to many destinations in the country. The Iranian rail companies include Raja, Fadak, Bon Rail, Noor al Reza, Joopar, Rabad, Pars, Kosar Mahtab, Saba, Hastia and Vania Rail. Raja is the oldest and Fadak offers the most luxurious services. In addition, some companies provide rail freight services such as Joopar.

What train types are available in Iran

Iran's railway network is rapidly expanding, adding new destinations and services annually. New lines are being constructed to connect to neighboring countries and major cities. Notable trains include Noor, Ghazal, Fadak, Zendeghi, and more.

Are there high-speed-trains available?

It was said that the Tehran-Kom-Isfahan high-speed railroad is the first truly high-speed rail project in Iran. Construction began on February 25, 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.  This rail line will reduce the travel time between Tehran and Isfahan to 2 hours.

    • FADAK 5-Star Train: With three classes and 5-star amenities, FADAK is Iran's most luxurious train. Catering matches top restaurants, and meals are included in the ticket price.     • ZENDEGI Train: A 5-star option ideal for family trips, Zendegi Train offers full-board tickets with diverse Iranian and French cuisine.     • VIP "Ghazaal Bonyad" Train: Experience luxury and quality with VIP tickets on this high-speed train, offering enhanced services and comfort.     • Raja Green Ploor Train: 4-seater compartments with air conditioning, TV, and power outlets make Raja Green Ploor Train a convenient choice.     • Noor Train: With 4-star quality, Noor trains provide new cars, quality services, and options for special and VIP classes.

Most important train stations / hubs.

The main railway stations in Iran are Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Ahvaz, Qom, Kerman, Yazd, Bandar Abbas.

Websites to buy train tickets for Iran?

https://www.raja.ir/, https://iranrail.net/

Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Iran?

There is no mobile application for buying railway tickets.

Possible to buy a ticket at a railway station in Iran?

If you are already in Iran, you can go to a travel agency and book your ticket through them, book your ticket at the train station, or perhaps ask your hotel or host to do it for you.

Can I buy my ticket by phone?

There is no possibility to buy train tickets by phone call.

Return the ticket.

Refunds are available at Iran's main railway stations in rials, payable in cash to the bearer of the ticket. The penalty is 30% up to 3 hours before train departure and 50% in case of request between 3 hours before train departure. No refunds will be made after the departure of the train.

Train ticket prices

Trains are an affordable choice for traveling around Iran. Depending on the distance, travel time and type of train, the ticket price varies from 7 to 50 €. You can buy tickets for most long-distance journeys within Germany for as little as EUR 12 - even on major routes such as Tehran to Mashad.

Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?

The train journey from Tehran to Van offers a unique travel experience between Iran and Turkey.  However, there are two weekly options: the Transasia Express departing Wednesdays and the Tehran-Van train departing Sundays. These journeys provide a chance to explore untouristed destinations and enjoy scenic landscapes. The train journey takes you from Tehran to Van, a small city surrounded by a picturesque lake. Departure times are 22:05 on Wednesdays and 13:00 on Sundays, arriving at 20:00 on Thursdays and 11:00 on Mondays, respectively. The price includes train tickets, bedding, and taxes, while private expenses, food, and drinks are excluded. Prices start from 50 Euros.

Where to find timetables.

Find train schedules on https://iranrail.net/locatetrains.php

Buying tickets in advance or right before the train

Tickets for most Iranian trains are sold out well in advance, so you should plan your trip in advance and purchase tickets quickly. To guarantee a seat on a train for holidays such as Nowruz or Ashura, book your tickets at least a month in advance.

Types of tickets.

Types of rail tickets that are available in Iran:     • Economy Class: Economy Class tickets provide basic amenities and may include sleeper cars with multiple bunks or saloon cars with seats.     • Private Compartment: Private compartment tickets provide a more private space for traveling in sleeping cars.     • Double-Decker Seating Car: Double-Decker Parlor Car tickets that provide comfortable seating for passengers.     • 4-Bed Sleeping Car: Tickets for 4-bed sleeping cars where passengers can rest in privacy.     • 6-Bed Couchette (6-Bed Sleeping Car): Tickets for 6-bed sleeping cars that provide a more economical option for travel.     • Special Class: Some trains may offer special classes with additional amenities and services.

Interrail/Eurail Passes in Iran

Interrail/Eurail Passes are not available in Iran.

Saver price.

There are no so-called "Saver price" tickets in Iran.

Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?

Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.

Flexible tickets.

Flexible tickets are not available in Iran. 

Rules of boarding.

Online ticket purchase is not transferable to others, and passengers will not be accepted if their name doesn't match with the ID card.

Discounts for group travel.

There are no discounts for group travel by train in Iran.

Age groups and discounts.

Half-price tickets are issued for children from 0 to 12 years. Currently tickets for infants are not available for foreigners. Every person needs a ticket and will get a seat/bed. Children below the age of 12 must travel together with an adult person.

Age limitations for minors.

Children from 12 years of age can travel unaccompanied.

Handicapped passengers.

For 2020, about 50 passenger trains were equipped for people with disabilities, and special lifting devices for such people are provided at intermediate stations.

Seat reservations in trains in Iran.

Due to the high demand for transportation and the low number of trains on some routes, it is strongly recommended to book your tickets as early as possible, especially if you want to travel with high-quality night trains or Pardis express trains. You can easily check the availability of your desired trip in the timetable search. If tickets run out or there are a few days left before departure, you can make an express reservation.

Comfort classes on the trains.

Train Travel Comfort Classes in Iran:

    • Economy Class: Basic class offering affordable travel options.     • First Class: Provides a higher level of comfort and privacy compared to economy class.     • VIP Class: Offers a premium travel experience with enhanced amenities.     • Special Class: Provides extra amenities and services for an exclusive experience.     • Double-Decker Seating Car: Features comfortable seats with scenic views.     • Couchette Class: Offers multiple berths for convenient overnight travel.     • Restaurant Car: Provides meals and refreshments onboard.     • Lounge Car: Offers a relaxing space for socializing and unwinding.

Food and drink in trains / train restaurant in Iran.

Meal options on Iranian trains can vary depending on the type of train and the length of the trip. Here's what you can usually expect in terms of meals on Iranian trains:     • Long-distance trains: Long-distance trains, especially overnight trains, usually have dining cars. In these carriages, passengers can purchase food and beverages during the trip. The quality and variety of food may vary depending on the railroad company and the specific route.     • Shorter trips: Shorter trains may not have dedicated dining cars. However, some trains offer cart services in which vendors walk around the train and sell snacks, drinks and light meals to passengers in their seats.

Night trains in Iran?

Overnight trains in Iran provide sleeping accommodations for passengers to travel long distances while sleeping. They offer different levels of comfort and amenities, including bedding and temperature control. Due to their popularity, it is recommended to book tickets in advance. Overnight trains connect major cities, offering convenience and time savings. Some trains may offer catering, but details are being verified.

Important train routes in Iran.

Tehran – Mashhad / 11:00 hours / from 12.00 EUR / Every 30 minutes Tehran - Tabriz / 10:22 hours / from 20.00 EUR /1 train a day Tehran - Yazd / 8:00 hours / from 6.20 EUR / Every 4 hours Tehran - Bandar Abbas / 19:55 hours / 2 trains a day Tehran - Kerman / 9:55 hours / 2 trains a day

International train routes.

Tourist / scenic routes in iran..

There are some of the most scenic and picturesque train routes along the Trans-Iranian Railway that offer captivating journeys for tourists:

    • North Branch - Tehran to Gorgan: Experience a 10-hour journey from Tehran to Gorgan through various landscapes. Pass through the Semnan desert and Garmsar's salt mines. Enjoy the eerie rock formations known as "Doodkesh-e Jenn" (genie's chimney). Traverse the Alborz mountains, witness the fascinating Se Khat-e Tala (3 golden lines) section, and be amazed by the iconic Veresk Bridge. Pass through the lush Hyrcanian forest in Shirgah and the Mazandaran Plain.

    • South Branch - Tehran to Ahvaz: Embark on a 15-hour journey from Tehran to Ahvaz. Travel through semi-desert areas, cross the majestic Zagros mountains, and enter the fertile Khuzestan Plain. Enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes along the route, including the beautiful Zagros mountain ranges, waterfalls, and canyons.

    • Tabriz to Razi Border Point: Journey towards the Iran-Turkey border at Razi station from Tabriz. Experience the stunning scenery around Lake Urmia, where the train tracks run along the north coast. Pass by the renowned Ghotour Bridge, an impressive architectural feat.

    • Qazvin to Rasht: Enjoy a delightful trip from Qazvin to Rasht, passing through high plateaus and stunning snowy landscapes in winter, and lush green fields in spring. Cross the Sefidrud river multiple times, offering picturesque views, and arrive in the hospitable city of Rasht.

    • Tehran to Tabriz: Travel from Tehran to Tabriz, experiencing the unique station buildings and structures along the way. Pass through the mountainous region, witness the Qezel Ozan river, and catch glimpses of historical bridges such as Pole Dokhtar. Admire the architecture and heritage of various stations, including Sarcham and Maragheh.

Luggage information.

Passengers traveling on all Iranian railroads are allowed to carry luggage weighing up to 30 kg free of charge in a compartment. If your luggage is larger than 70 × 70 and weighs more than 30 kg, it must be checked at the cargo counter.

Bicycle on the train.

Bicycles can be transported on most long-distance trains, with the exception of Pardis express trains. To do so, you must book a regular ticket for each passenger and then report to the station before departure at least one hour in advance at major stations and half an hour in advance at minor stations. Please go to the information desk. The station staff will decide whether to transport bicycles in the baggage car (if available) or on the platform of the passenger car. A small fee may be charged for transportation.

Ski or snowboard on the train.

It is no problem to take your skis or snowboard with you on a Deutsche Bahn train at no extra charge. Put them in a baggage area, not in the aisle.

Luggage lockers on the stations in Iran.

The railway station in Tehran and the bus terminals have left luggage facility.

Lost and Found Items.

There is no separate lost and found service on Iranian trains, please contact the station service for assistance.

Pets on the trains.

Pets are not allowed on trains and buses. If you want to travel with a cat or dog, you will need to hire a private cab.

select city

Train travel.

How to travel in Iran by train: information, connections, blog and travel reports. Help in our forum to buy train tickets.

NIGHT TRAIN

All night trains in IRAN. How to buy tickets, find ticket fares and schedules. Information about the categories seats, couchettes and sleepers.

TRAIN TYPES

The different train types and categories in IRAN. From local trains to high-speed-trains.

TRAIN COMPANY

A list of all train companies in IRAN. Detailed information and where to buy train tickets.

HELP

Do you have further questions and need assistance? Do not hesitate to ask in our friendly forum where you always get detailed help.

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Train travel in Iran

Iran is a big country, with hundreds of kilometers between major cities. Trains are a good way to bridge those long distances.

On long distances, trains are faster, more comfortable, safer and more environmental friendly than buses. In addition, overnight trains allow you to save on accommodation and extend your daytime sightseeing hours. The major downside is that you need to plan your journey in advance; most trains are sold out in advance.

Most trains are operated by private companies, which means standards of quality differ from train to train. None are awful though, at a minimum, service is average. A high-speed train service connects to several destinations.

As Iran is slowly coming out of its international isolation, it has started updating its infrastructure. Second-hand European rolling stock is gradually being replaced with newer wagons. 

Table of Contents

Booking train tickets

Currently, if you want to travel by train, you need to buy your tickets in advance. If there is a holiday like Nowruz or Ashura, book minimum 1 month in advance to be sure of a seat.

For instance:

  • Tehran to Esfahan, Shiraz, Mashad: at least 2 weeks before departure
  • all trains to Mashad: at least 2 weeks before departure
  • Tehran-Yazd (Pardis): at least 1 week before departure
  • Tehran to Tabriz, Ahvaz, Kerman, Bandar Abbas, Zanjan: 4-5 days before departure

All other trains should be bookable 2-3 days before departure, but consider that not all connections run daily. Trains to certain smaller destinations do not get booked out in advance; an example is the short Mashad – Sarakhs train.

Timetables and prices

You can find timetables and prices for all trains at Iranrail.net . Examples:

  • Tehran – Shiraz: 25-45$/15 hr
  • Tehran – Esfahan: 8$/8 hr
  • Tehran – Yazd: 12$/6 hr or 9-15$/8 hr
  • Tehran – Tabriz: 10-16$/12 hr
  • Tehran – Mashad: 17-60$/8-14 hr

Seat choice

Women and men are segregated on city buses and metro lines, but on trains and long-distance buses, men and women sit together. Although unrelated Iranian men and women would not sit together, as a foreigner you are exempt from harassment from the morality police.

Most trains have a choice between first and second class, but what that means exactly depends on the type of train and the train company.

Online booking

Iranrail is the biggest and the best Iranian rail website. You can book online with them, paying with Visa, Mastercard and Paypal, but understand it is not truly online booking. A travel agent still needs to book the train ticket for you, scan and e-mail it to you. Service charge is 6 euro for a delivery within 7-10 days. Express service is delivered within 24 hours and costs 16 euro.

Other travel agencies can deliver the same service, possibly for a lower price. Your experiences are welcome.

Offline booking

If you are already in Iran, you can hop into a travel agency and order a ticket through them, book at the train station or possibly have your hotel or host do it for you.

The train experience

A compartment on the Fadak train

Different types of trains roll around Iran. Everything that needs to be said about them has been said before – I direct you again to Iranrail .

Tips on route planning

Taken from Iranrail

A typical “Jewels of Iran” tourist circuit would include Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and Yazd at a minimum. Here is how to do that by train.

  • Tehran to Shiraz: overnight train, leaving in the afternoon and arriving in Shiraz the next morning.
  • Shiraz to Esfahan : this route is not served by train!  Tehran to Shiraz trains do not stop in Esfahan. The bus is your best alternative.
  • Esfahan to Yazd: Afternoon train with arrival in Yazd 3 and a half hours later, running every other day.
  • Yazd to Tehran: daily express trains (Pardis) in the morning or in the afternoon (5 hours) or overnight train.

On your return you can stop over in pretty Kashan, where Yazd – Tehran trains call at comfortable hours. For this trip we would recommend you to book at least 3 weeks prior to your departure .

The Nakchivan – Mashad train has been cancelled. Reports are welcome .

Iran – Turkey train

There is one train connecting Iran with Turkey: the weekly train from Van to Tabriz and Tehran. If you read about the Ankara – Tehran train: this is actually a combination of

  • train Ankara – Tatvan
  • ferry Tatvan – Van
  • train Van – Tehran

Still lots of fun, but just so you know. The train was cancelled in 2015, but reintroduced in 2019. Questions and reports welcome .

Trains between Iran and Turkey can only be booked by travel agencies for now, it seems (or perhaps at a local train station). Reports and tips on travel agencies are gathered here .

Bikes on trains

Iran is a big, hot country and cyclists might want to traverse part of it off the bike. You can put your bike on a train in Iran, as well as on a bus. Prices will be similar. On the train, your bike must be checked as cargo, for which you need to pay separately.

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Legendaryiran

  • Transportation in Iran

Train Travel in Iran for Tourists

by Maryam Kiani · November 10, 2022

Traveling in Iran by Train

Traveling in Iran by Train

The best way to see Iran is not from a plane at thousands of feet but from the ground level of the Iran railway system.

With more than 13437 Km of railway, the Iranian train network is one of the trending ways to travel around Iran these days. Travelers can enjoy the scenic scenery as they pass through cities, mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, rivers, rural regions, farms, and jungles.

Moreover, most major cities in Iran are connected by railway routes (e.g., Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, etc.). There is also a railway track connecting Iran to Turkey.

Interestingly, long distances, such as Tehran to Shiraz, can be covered cost-effectively with overnight trains, saving on hotel rates.

In this article, we explain how to travel in Iran by train, the most popular and stunning railroads, the best railway companies, Iran train ticket prices, and the rules. So join us, and if you have any questions about train travel in Iran, do not hesitate to contact us .

Train Travel in Iran: Why It's A Good Idea

Train travel in Iran Why It's A Good Idea

What is the benefit of traveling by train through Iran among all the means of transportation available?

Iran is a vast country, with hundreds of kilometers between the cities. When it comes to long-distance travel, trains are a good option.

Iran Public Transportation For Tourists

These are some of the reasons why to use the Iranian railway system.

  • It is the safest form of transportation in Iran.
  • The train is more comfortable and environmentally friendly through long distances than buses.
  • You can take the night train for long distances to save the expense of an overnight stay in a hotel and extend your daytime sightseeing hours.
  • The natural landscapes along the Iran railway network are varied and marvelous. Of course, you will not see these scenic sceneries while traveling by airplane, bus, or car.
  • Train stations are easier to access than airports and are usually closer to the city center.
  • All Iranian Railways permit passengers to carry up to 30 Kg of luggage in their compartment, which is more than what domestic flights allow.

History of the Iran Railway System

Iran Railway

In 1927, the Trans-Iranian Railway project was launched and completed in 1938. Construction contractors from 43 countries collaborated with the Iranian government to design and execute the project. In addition to its size, the Trans-Iranian Railway is noteworthy for its engineering achievements in overcoming two vast mountain ranges, steep valleys, and other geological obstacles. As a result, about 400 bridges, and 224 tunnels, were constructed on the Iran railway track.

In 2021, Trans-Iranian Railway was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

  • Iran UNESCO Sites

Iran Railway Map 2022

Iran Railway Map 2022

13437 kilometers of Iran railroads connect most parts of the country, except for Ilam, Kermanshah, Ardabil, North and South Khorasan, Kurdistan, Kohkilooyeh, and Gilan provinces.

Most Iran railroads link Tehran to other destinations such as Semnan, Shahroud, Neishabour, Khaf, Tabas, Arak, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, Maragheh, Zanjan, Shiraz, Mianeh, Tabriz, Yazd, Isfahan, Zahedan, Bandar Abbas, Gorgan, Mashhad, etc. Notably, the Tehran-Mashhad line is the busiest Iran railroad; usually, the highest-level trains travel along this route.

Below you can find the Iran railway map.

The Most Luxurious and Best Trains in Iran

Companies that provide transportation services strive to ensure their passengers’ safety and well-being. Listed below are some of the best trains in Iran and the services they offer so that you can have a more enjoyable trip to Iran.

5-star Fadak Train The Most Luxurious Train in Iran

The Most Luxurious and Best Trains in Iran

Due to their comfort and safety, Fadak trains are also called 5-star mobile hotels in Iran. There are three classes of Fadak trains, i.e., luxury, business, and standard. Of course, all Fadak trains are five stars.

Each compartment in the Fadak train has four beds and two screens. You can adjust the temperature of the compartments in Fadak trains, and the attendant can be summoned at any time if you need help.

Moreover, Fadak trains have excellent customer service comparable to a good restaurant. Upon arrival, and during the journey, food and drinks are offered regularly for free. In other words, you won’t have to pay extra for services and catering.

Besides, from the time passengers are at the railway terminal to the end of their journey, headphones, newspapers, cribs, and wheelchairs are all provided on request. Moreover, hygiene packs, including toothpaste, toothbrush, slippers, blindfold, and comb, are provided in the compartment.

Occasionally, for groups of more than two people, a complimentary one-night stay in Mashhad is offered.

Fadak Train operates on Tehran, Qom, Zanjan, Shiraz, Ahvaz, Qazvin, Karaj, and Mashhad routes.

5-star Zendegi Train

The Most Luxurious and Best Trains in Iran

The 5-star Zendegi Train, also known as Zindagi Train, is a comfortable train for a journey through Iran. This train entered the Raja Company in 2017. It is among Iran’s luxury trains that provide passengers with services equal to those provided by airlines, but it costs less than flying!

The 4-bed compartments of this train are suitable options for family trips. Among the services that are provided on Zendegi trains, there are two 18-inch monitors in the compartments, an advanced audio and video system, an air-conditioning system, Wifi, a welcome drink and snack, a small souvenir shop, etc. Moreover, the restaurants on this train serve various Iranian and international dishes.

Finally, the Zendegi train is currently operating on the routes of Tehran-Mashhad, Mashhad-Shiraz, Tehran-Shiraz, Tehran-Isfahan, and Mashhad-Isfahan.

Ghazal Bonyad VIP Train

The Most Luxurious and Best Trains in Iran

With its luxurious and well-equipped compartments, this train is another top train in Iran. 

With ten 4-seater compartments, the total capacity of the Ghazal Bonyad Train is 40 passengers. The facilities in the Ghazal Bonyazd VIP trains’ coupes include audio and video systems, comfortable seats, adjustable beds, and an air conditioning system. It should be noted that Ghazal trains are available in coupe and bus types. Moreover, many Iranian railway companies, such as Safar Rail, Raja, Bon Rail, Safir, and Vania Rail, use this train in their rail fleets.

Each wagon has a compartment for the attendants, with amenities such as a microwave, refrigerator, and telephone for passengers. In addition, wheelchairs are available upon request.

Note that the 4-star Ghazal train includes two main trains called Ghazal Bonyad Train and Ghazal Bonyad VIP Train, which are sometimes confused. Actually, there is no difference between standard and VIP compartments; only the quality of service is higher in the VIP class.

Also, there are two other trains in the Ghazal train company providing similar services, called Soroush and Parastoo. However, the Soroush train only travels between Qom and Mashhad.

In total, Ghazal trains operate on the routes of Tehran-Mashhad, Tehran-Bandar Abbas, Tehran-Kerman, Mashhad-Yazd, Mashhad-Isfahan, Mashhad-Kerman, and Mashhad-Bandar Abbas.

Nour al Reza Train

Train Travel in Iran

Noor Al Reza Train is one of the leading railroad companies in Iran, which started its operation in 2006.

As one of the trains in the VIP category, the Nour al Reza Train offers special services to its passengers. It has 64 4-seater compartments.

This train has an advanced brake and wheels system, sound and heat insulation system, anti-fire seats, and updated audio, video, and ventilation system.

Besides, UIC international standards have been fully implemented in 85% of the electrical equipment used in this train. So, because of these factors, trains operated by Noor Al Reza are safe and comfortable. Tehran-Mashhad, Tehran-Shiraz, Karaj-Mashhad, and Isfahan-Mashhad routes are served by this train.

The Most Stunning Railways in Iran

A considerable portion of Iran is inhospitable, with high mountains, vast deserts, and dense jungles. Interestingly, Iran’s railroads pass through a number of these pristine regions.

Below we introduce some of the most beautiful railways in Iran.

Tehran-Sari Railway The Bride of Iran's Railway Routes

Train Travel in Iran

Tehran-Sari railway track is one of the most beautiful rail routes in Iran. Along the route, there are 24 different stations. However, until Garmsar station, there are no scenic views. But after Garmsar Station, you must keep your eyes glued to the window to catch every glimpse of the scenery. The railway track enters forest and mountainous areas after crossing Pol Sefid (white bridge). You will also visit Javaarem Forest and Lofur Dam along the way. 

It is a common practice to buy a two-way ticket from Tehran to Sari and then to Mashhad to experience the lush landscapes of the north.

  • Top 10 Travel Experiences in Iran

Moreover, one of the prominent attractions on this railroad is Veresk Bridge. Before World War II, this bridge was constructed on the Veresk River in the vicinity of Savad Kooh. It is 110 meters high with a 66-meter arched span. In fact, it is one of the masterpieces of engineering of the northern Iran railway track.

The Gadook Tunnel is another attraction along this railway route. This tunnel is 2887 meters long and is the longest tunnel in Iran. Gadook tunnel is 6 meters wide, and at the end, it becomes the highest tunnel in Iran. The tunnel has been in service for nearly 90 years, and it takes four minutes to pass it.

Consequently, the Tehran-Sari railway route can be considered the bride of Iran’s railway routes.

A Ride in the Lush Landscapes on Mashhad-Sari Train

Mashhad-Sari Train

On this route, the train passes through virgin forests in northern Iran. You will be on the railroad for about 14 hours to reach your destination. On the way, you will see unique forests and mountains, which are an inseparable part of the trip to The North. There are several stations on the Mashhad-Sari route, including Kashmar, Esfaraen, Shahroud, Damghan, Semnan, Garmsar, Firouzkooh, and Ghaemshahr.

In addition, the villages along the Mashhad-Sari railway are so lovely that you would like to spend the night in one of their cottages.

  • Top 10 Villages in Iran You Must Visit

Qazvin-Rasht Railway A Route through the Heaven

The Most Luxurious and Best Trains in Iran

The Qazvin-Rasht train route is so beautiful that it competes with the Tehran-Sari route. Tourists believe that this route is one of the most beautiful railways in Iran. There are forests, paddy fields, and rivers as far as the eye can see. 

Also, there are 52 tunnels and 17 km of bridges on the 164 km railway route from Qazvin to Rasht. 

In addition, the biggest railway bridge in Iran, Manjil Bridge, with 1430 meters, is located along the Qazvin-Rasht railway.

Visit the Pristine Regions through Tehran-Ahvaz Railroad

Traveling in Iran by Train

Traveling by train in Iran is not limited to railways deep in the forests. Tourists interested in roaming Iran by train can view spectacular natural landscapes nearby Iran’s western border through the Zagros Mountain Range.

There are stunning waterfalls, rivers, valleys, and other natural sights in provinces such as Lorestan and Khuzestan, even though they are rarely visited. We suggest having a train ride from Tehran to Ahwaz to enter a world of recalcitrance, a journey that leads you to ancient Mesopotamian plains.

Finally, it is better to choose your departure time so that you pass through Lorestan during the day.

Lorestan Tourist Train

Train Travel in Iran

Lorestan Province, with its spectacular views and beautiful scenery, is one of the most stunning places to visit in Iran. 

The Lorestan Tourist Train travels along a 74 railroad, starting from Drood city and ending in Keshvar Station. It was constructed only for tourism purposes, so the stops at several stations are relatively long so passengers can enjoy the natural scenery more.

Along the way, you will visit various tourist attractions such as Sulfur Spring, Bisheh Waterfall, Aab Garm Waterfall, etc.

Notably, you can either purchase the train ticket or the complete tour package. The full package includes staying in eco-lodges for four nights and all meals. If you don’t want to stay in a lodge, you can opt for a package including meals without accommodation.

Explore the Desert on Tehran-Zahedan Train

Tehran to Zahedan Train

Two huge deserts cover over 10% of Iran’s total area in the central and central-eastern parts.

  • Top 10 Iran Deserts, Which One to Visit?

Some major Iran railroads pass through the mentioned deserts to connect Tehran with cities in the east and southeast, including Mashhad and Zahedan. A train journey between Tehran and Zahedan, passing through the main deserts of Iran, gifts you a closer look at the Dasht-e Lut, one of the hottest places on the planet and the UNESCO site.

So, if you’re interested in getting around Iran by train, you cannot miss traveling through this railway track.

Iran – Turkey Train

Train Travel in Iran

There is a weekly train connecting Iran with Turkey from Tehran to Ankara. First, you ride the train from Tehran to Tabriz, and from there, you will head to the Van Station in Turkey. After reaching Van Lake, you will be transferred to the Tatvan Port by ferry. Finally, you will travel from Tatvan Port to Ankara by Turkish train.

Currently, the Iran-Turkey train can only be booked by travel agencies and local train stations.

Railway Companies in Iran

Train Travel in Iran

There are currently 12 train companies in Iran, offering railroad transport to many destinations throughout the country. Iran train companies include Raja, Fadak, Bon Rail, Noor al Reza, Joopar, Rabad, Pars, Kosar Mahtab, Saba, Hastia, and Vania Rail. Raja is the oldest, and Fadak offers the most luxurious services. Also, some companies provide rail freight services, such as Joopar.

Notably, the railway companies in Iran offer different services according to the volume of passengers on each route. For instance, one of the country’s busiest routes is the Tehran-Mashhad route. As a result, when buying a train ticket on this route, you will encounter different trains and services, making it difficult to choose one.

Hence, if you plan to travel by train to Iran for the first time, it is better to get information about all the trains operating on your desired railroad. Because, you may buy a ticket, but not be satisfied with the quality of services, and later discover that other train companies provided better services.

Iran Train Ticket Price on Different Routes

In the table below, we have mentioned the origins and destinations of Iran’s main railway routes, the most important train companies active on these routes, the train ticket price, and the travel duration.

How to Book Iran Train Tickets

Book Iran Train Tickets

Generally, if you want to travel in Iran by train, you must buy your tickets in advance, like two or three weeks before departure. However, book at least a month in advance for public holidays like Nowruz or Ashura.

  • Iran Public Holidays and Weekend

Please note that the reservations of train tickets may not open until a few days before departure. In that case, you will need to stay alert since as soon as the reservation sites open the possibility of ticket train booking, they get fully booked.

In contrast, trains to smaller destinations do not get booked up in advance; Like the train from Mashhad to Sarakhs.

Another problem is that Iranian train tickets are written in Farsi.

Hence, we recommend contacting an Iranian travel agency to ensure you can reserve your train ticket in time.

Train Rules in Iran

To avoid getting into trouble while traveling by train in Iran, you should follow the following rules.

Rules for Boarding the Train

Rules for boarding the train

  • People under 17 can only travel in Iran by train with their parents.
  • You must be at the station an hour before the departure of the train. Also, ten minutes before departure, the train doors will be closed.
  • According to the Iran railway rules, the passenger is required to present a printed ticket to board the train. In case of damage to the train, compensation is possible only to the holders of the printed ticket. Currently, the Zendegi, Sabz, and Simorgh trains of Raja Company in Mashhad and Tehran stations allow passengers to board with their ID cards without showing a printed ticket.
  • It is essential to keep your train ticket with you until the end of your trip.
  • If you are traveling as a solo female traveler and want to be comfortable in the compartment, you have the option of buying a ticket for the women’s compartment.
  • Traveling to Iran as a Solo Female Traveler

Train Ticket Rate and Refund and Compensation Policies

  • All train passengers are insured against accidents from entering the origin station until they leave the destination station.
  • Iran train ticket for Children between 2 and 12 years old is half-price.
  • The ticket price for infants up to 2 years old is 10% of the total price (equivalent to the cost of passenger insurance). Also, in this situation, the infant will not have a seat. Passengers who want their baby to have a seat should pay half price.
  • Passengers who want to purchase tickets for two consecutive trains should leave at least three hours between the first train’s arrival and the second train’s departure. Otherwise, the passenger will be responsible for canceling the second ticket without compensation.
  • Passengers who want to continue their journey with another vehicle after getting off the train must respect a four-hour interval between reaching the destination and the second vehicle’s departure.
  • On long routes (such as Mashhad-Ahvaz), extra delay without compensation is probable for unloading and reloading at Tehran station.
  • It is not possible to refund the ticket price after the train departure.
  • Online refunds are available for purchased tickets up to 60 minutes before departure. After the mentioned time, the passenger must take the printed ticket and ID card to one of the train sales centers in person.
  • In the table below, you can find the Iran train cancellation charges.

Rules for Luggage

Rules for Luggage

  • The luggage size cannot exceed 75 cm, and the weight cannot exceed 30 kg for every passenger. 
  • If your luggage exceeds the mentioned limits, you must hand over your excess luggage to the baggage counter at the station. 
  • The belongings of passengers must not endanger other passengers or damage the train. Accordingly, carrying combustible, incendiary, disease-causing, smelly, oily, and dairy liquids, drugs, toxic and breakable objects, etc., is prohibited on the train

Finally, please ask your questions or share your comments regarding Iran Train Travel. We appreciate your valuable comments, and they will also be useful to others.

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Most Frequent Questions and Answers about Iran Train Travel

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travel iran by train

Travel to Iran by Train

A trip to iran by train.

It is believed that travelling by train is the safest mode of travel. So it is both cost-saving and safe to travel to Iran by train. Iran is a large country, having different cities, climates, sightseeing in each part. So, why not travel in Iran by train and enjoy the northern green hills to the central sandy deserts? Iran trains network connects far distances to each other and it accesses some parts not accessible by planes! If you like to travel in/to Iran by train, you should do the reservation as soon as possible. You can contact Iran Destination to do the reservation for you.

Here, Iran Destination writes about travelling to/in Iran by train and you can find any information you need about Iran railway . In case you have more questions, please feel free to ask .

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Iran Railway Map

This vast country, Iran, has over 13,300 kilometers of railway, including side tracks, double tracks, electric track, etc. the main transport hub in Iran is Tehran , the capital of Iran, located in north of Iran. From late 19 th century, Iranian people in northern to southern regions use railways for transportation. But nowadays the west and east parts of Iran are also gaining access to railway network. However, the east part is richer in trains and railways; Mashhad serves as the major hub in eastern regions. You can see Iran railway map below:

train Iran map- travel to Ian by train

train iran map- travel to Ian by train

Iran Train Types

Before you travel to/in Iran by train, take a look at the table below to get all about train types and their services. Of course not all these trains operate in all lines, but in most of the routes you can find a high quality train.

Iran train types- travel to Iran by train

Iran train types- travel to Iran by train

Iran Train Ticket Booking

If you have a tourist card (a debit card offered by select banks to tourists only), and of course if you can read Farsi, you can easily book a train in Iran through online official websites Raja and Safir Rail . But if you don’t know Persian, which is so normal, you can tell us and we can simply book a ticket for you. Just Contact Us .

Iran Train Timetable

to get a comprehensive timetable of Ian train, please visit our Iran Railway Page . 

Train Rules in Iran

Iran, like any other country in the world, has its own rules, regulations and laws. Here you can find some rules regarding Iran trains; you can read it not to get into any trouble when travelling in Iran by train.

  • Keep your train ticket with you for the entire ride. Children under 12 years old do not need tickets.
  • As Iran is an Islamic country and governed by Islamic rules, so you need to observe Iran dress code in any public place. But in case you are with your friends alone in a cabin, you can be relaxed.
  • Carrying up to 30 kilograms is allowed without having to pay for excess baggage. But bear in mind, each dimension of your baggage should be below 40 centromeres. If larger, it has to be checked.
  • Women and men can sit together on trains and long-distance buses. But usually men and women not related to each other do not sit together on trains. But don’t worry; you as a foreigner are exempt from harassment from the morality police

travel iran by train

Iran by train

Bikes on trains

Iran is a big country, suitable for biking. But cyclists might want to traverse part of it off the bike. You can put your bike on a train in Iran, and also on a bus. Prices will be similar. On the train, your bike should be checked as cargo, and you need to pay separately.

Veresk Bridge- Iran by train

Veresk Bridge- Iran by train

Travel to Iran by Train from other countries

It is possible to travel to Iran by train from cities like London, Paris, or any other place in Europe. The route passes through ،Turkey, Tabriz and then reaches Tehran. From 18 June 2018, a weekly overnight train has been re-introduced from Van to Tabriz. So now it is possible to travel from Istanbul to Tehran by train, through the connections Istanbul- Ankara- Van- Tabriz- Tehran.  This route is almost 2900 kilometers.

But what exactly should you do to travel from Istanbul to Tehran ?

  • Travel from Istanbul to Ankara.
  • Take the twice-weekly Van Gölü Express from Ankara to Tatvan, which is at the western end of Lake Van
  • Take the ferry to Van at the eastern end. This ferry journey takes almost 4 hours.
  • Take the overnight train from Van to Tabriz.
  • Take the train from Tabriz to Iran’s capital, Tehran .

See Raja website for daily details of the trains.

Iran railway - Iran Train timetable

Iran railway

Iran Destination offers any Iran travel services that you like. You can order whatever you want. Just take a look at our Iran tour packages before you visit Iran. You can choose one for your Iran travel. You can also customize a tour through our Iran tailor made tours.

Please feel free to contact us regarding any issue about Iran and your trip to Iran. Our Iran tour operator is ready to help you as soon as possible. 

To book a train in Iran, fill out the form in out Iran Railway Page . 

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25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

We’ve been all around the world, spent a lot of time in a lot of different countries, and if there’s one thing we can honestly tell you it’s that we’ve never felt as welcomed, fascinated and humbled as we did when we visited Iran.

Iran is such an incredible country to travel. The architecture will amaze you, the friendliness of the people will leave you speechless, the culture is fascinating and the landscapes are out of this world.

Iran is also very misunderstood, with many people believing whatever propaganda they hear on the media about how dangerous or difficult it is to travel there.

Imamzadeh Saleh Shrine Visit Iran

Table of Contents

Iran is Safe!

There’s a lot of customs to follow, you need a visa for iran, have a head scarf in your carry-on luggage before arrival, bring a phrase book or have google translate on your phone, bring a lot of cash, the currency has two names, bring comfortable footwear, research the food and don’t just eat kebabs, bring a backpack rather than a suitcase, draw up an itinerary, but keep it flexible, let your guard down and talk to locals, always ask the price before buying, book domestic flights with your accommodation or travel agent, team up with other travellers and share tours, be on time for your appointments, the traffic is horrible, you need a vpn to access some social media platforms, there is wifi, but be patient with it, pick up a local sim card, iran has its own uber called snapp, you can drink the tap water, good coffee is hard to find, there’s a female-only carriage on the metros, what to know before you visit iran.

The truth is travelling in Iran definitely has its quirks, and being an Islamic country means there’s a few things you need to know about the religion and culture before you go so you can show absolute respect.

Luckily these are easy enough to know before you go if you do a bit of research. We spent one month travelling around Iran and learnt so much during our time there.

To help put your mind at ease about travelling in this incredible country, here’s our list of the most important things to know before you visit Iran.

Women Mosque Yazd Visit Iran

All of the mainstream media outlets portray Iran as an unsafe country, somewhere that you’ll be at risk if you visit.

The mainstream media is wrong.

We did not feel unsafe once through the whole 4 weeks of us backpacking independently in Iran.

We weren’t with a tour group, had no tour guides, don’t speak the local language, took public transport and taxis, wandered the streets on our own – basically everything you shouldn’t do if you’re in a dangerous country.

And guess what? Nothing bad happened to us at all!

The Iranian people are so friendly and helpful. They want you to have a great time and tell your friends so more people will come and visit.

We were walking around one morning on a quiet street when a car passed us and turned around. A group of young people stopped the car, came up to us, and asked if we were ok or if we needed help.

Once we told them we were just looking for a coffee they pulled out their phones and started showing us where the cafes were on a map.

They even offered us a ride, and said if the cafes were closed they had coffee at their home and would love to make us some.

This is just one example of dozens of interactions that happened to us when we were in Iran. Iranians love that tourists are coming to their country and travelling around.

The locals know what the media says about them and what a lot of the world thinks of their country, and the people just want to show that they are nice, generous people.

Theft against tourists is very rare and even the Religion Police (secret police) tend to leave tourists alone.

Just be careful around the bazaars and crowed places for pickpocketing. We didn’t have any issue and didn’t hear of any other travellers having problems, but this is common sense in any busy place in the world.

With all that being said, there is a large military and police presence in Iran. Do not photograph any military areas or government buildings, and stay away from any protests if you see them.

Obviously there are some areas of Iran that are no-go zones, such as the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, so do your research and talk to locals if you’re thinking about going anywhere near them.

When you travel somewhere you want to take in everything about the country and its people, and that includes the culture and customs.

Iran has quite a few local customs that may take some getting used to, so it’s important to learn about them before you go so you don’t accidentally offend or disrespect anyone.

Some of the most common ones that throw tourists off are:

  • Women must wear hijabs (headscarves) at all times in public. They must also wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t show their figure.
  • Giving a thumbs-up sign is considered rude, similar to giving the middle finger in Western society.
  • Men can wear short-sleeved shirts, but long pants must be worn at all times.
  • Men and women who aren’t related shouldn’t touch either. That means no shaking hands or hugging someone of the opposite sex.
  • If you are travelling with your significant other, avoid any public displays of affection.
  • Always bring a gift if you are invited to someone’s house. Candy, pastries or flowers are fine.

Now we want to give a special mention to ta’arof – This is a hospitality trait where it’s customary for someone to refuse payment for a service, and is probably the most confusing thing for any tourist to get their head around.

Basically what happens is if you make a purchase (a souvenir, taxi ride, etc), the person may refuse your payment out of politeness. It is then up to you to insist despite their refusals that you want to pay. After two or three times they’ll then accept your money.

If they still keep refusing then perhaps you have just experienced some amazing Iranian hospitality! But chances are they’ll accept the payment once the process has been completed. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.

The locals are so lovely, that if you do something wrong someone will approach you and nicely let you know. For example, if you are a lady and your headscarf falls off without you knowing, a local will kindly let you know.

Don’t stress about getting your outfits beforehand as shopping in Iran is cheap. Just bring one headscarf and set of loose-fitting clothes, and buy more once you get there.

The culture is the best thing about visiting Iran, and after a few days, you’ll start to understand and fall in love with it just like we did.

Shah Mosque In Isfahan

In order to visit Iran, you’re going to need to get a tourist visa. This used to be a very difficult process, but luckily things have gotten easier with the introduction of visa on arrivals in 2016

On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that citizens of 180 countries can now apply for VOA of 30-days at most international airports, including Tehran, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz and Isfahan.

There’s an exception to this rule though, and if you are from Canada, the UK or the USA, we have some bad news for you…You can only visit Iran if you join a guided tour, so no chance of getting a VOA and travelling independently.

Your tour company will help organise your visa for you.

Check out our article on how to apply for a  Visa On Arrival in Iran.

Iran Visa On Arrival

You Need to Dress Appropriately

This follows on from the customs section above, but in a bit more detail.

Iran is an Islamic country, and as such you need to follow the Islamic dress code. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Women need to cover their arms, legs and head. This including a Hijab, loose long length shirt with long sleeves and pants.

Leggings or tight jeans are ok as long as your top is long and covers your bottom. When wearing pants, you need to be covered down to your ankles.

The most common way to cover your head is with a scarf. The local women wear bright colours and are very stylish with their clothing, so don’t think you need to wear all black.

Black is still worn a lot but not so much among the younger generation.

You can wear sandals. Some guesthouses and hostels will allow you to take your headscarf off on their premises but do check first.

Men aren’t allowed to wear shorts in public, so bring long, lightweight pants as the best option. T-shirts are fine to wear in public. Men can wear sandals too.

If you do wear inappropriate clothing it’s not the end of the world, and besides some angry looks from some of the older generation, you’ll probably just end up having a friendly local let you know what’s best to wear.

In Tehran, the locals push the limits in terms of what they wear in public. At the end of 2017, an uprising occurred and supposedly women were no longer required to wear the Hijab in public in Tehran, but wait until you are in the country to find out for certain.

When you land at the airport, it is respectful to put a scarf straight on your head ladies. This will cause no trouble for you by locals or the officials at the airport.

Once you’re in the air on an international flight you’ll see most young ladies take their hijab as soon as the plane leaves the ground. Just follow what the locals do.

Girls At Mosque

We were quite surprised to discover that a lot of Iranians could speak a little bit of English, but that wasn’t always the case, so do yourself a favour and bring along something that can help translate English to Persian.

We always travel with Google Translate and offline languages saved on our phones, but at times having a phrasebook is the best (and most social) way to interact with people who don’t speak any English.

Remember, you are in a country that doesn’t have English as an official language, so don’t be that rude tourist that gets upset if people aren’t understanding you.

Persian (Farsi) is difficult, and no locals expect you to learn much beyond hello and thank you while you are there, but do your best anyway as a few extra words will go a long way in showing respect.

Also don’t be surprised if you are constantly invited out for tea with people so they can practice their English. If the opportunity comes up, make time for it, as it’s an amazing experience for both the local and yourself.

Don’t forget your cash when visiting Iran, as none of the ATMs in the country accepts foreign credit or debit cards thanks to the embargo. So if you forget to bring all of your cash for your entire trip, you’re out of luck.

Figure out what your usual budget is for a trip ($50 a day, $100 a day, etc), then bring a bit extra just in case. USD is best for all around the country but Euros and British Pounds are also accepted in Tehran.

There’s two exchange rates in the country – official rate and black market rate – and the black market rate is of course much better.

We actually found an exchange booth at Tehran airport that gave pretty close to the black market rate, so we traded some cash there.

As a tip don’t exchange all of your foreign cash into Rials at once, because you’ll either get ripped off on the exchange rate back if you have any left over, or you’ll be unable to trade it outside of the country.

Also don’t be too concerned about travelling around with thousands of dollars in your backpacks. As we mentioned earlier theft is rare. Do keep your money stashed in different spots though just in case.

UPDATE: If you’d prefer not to carry all your cash with you, can actually pre-order a local Iranian debit card from the company, Mah Card . It works just like a normal debit card in your home country.

You order it on their website and they’ll deliver it to your hotel in Tehran when you arrive. They have an online system too where you can top up the funds if you’re running low.

Use the code ‘ NOMADASAURUS ‘ at check-out to get a 40% discount on the card when ordering. Instead of a 19 Euro issue fee, our code brings it down to 11 Euro.

“Toman or Rial?” Get used to asking that question, because if you don’t it could end up being a costly mistake.

The currency in Iran is officially known as the Rial, and is valued at roughly 30’000 IRL to USD$1. That’s a lot of zeros, so what the locals have started doing is dropping a zero and calling the new value a Toman.

1 Toman = 10 Rial

When you hear prices quoted in Tomans you need to add a zero on the end and pay the amount in Rials. It sounds confusing, but you’ll pick it up pretty quickly.

That’s why it’s important to always ask Toman or Rial, so you don’t accidentally pay too much on an item. Most vendors quote in Tomans anyway, so chances are if the price seems too good to be true, you need to multiply it by 10.

Rumour has it that Iran will officially introduce Toman as a currency in the coming years, but that hasn’t come into effect yet.

Iranian Money

You are going to do a lot of walking in Iran, so bring comfortable footwear. The towns here are so amazing that you’ll probably end up walking at least 10km every day, so look after your feet.

These don’t necessarily have to be hiking boots (unless you’re planning on doing some treks). Just make sure you have some flat shoes that you can wear all day without a problem.

Don’t bring heels. You don’t need them, and you won’t wear them. We had a pair of hiking shoes each and a pair of sandals. That was perfect.

Persian food is varied and delicious, and there’s plenty of different styles to try, so be adventurous!

Most people travelling on a budget will end up eating falafel sandwiches when they’re in Iran because they are cheap ($1 !), filling and delicious, but there’s plenty more to Iranian cuisine then just kebabs.

We don’t consider ourselves to be foodies, but luckily we were travelling with our good friends Dan and John and they are all about culinary travel, so they had a huge list of food they wanted to try. And boy were we thankful they did!

They had looked up the different types of food they wanted to try, so we basically followed their advice and tried it all. Of course, it was super delicious too.

One particular dish we all loved was dizi. It’s quite confusing how to eat the first time, so we had the restaurant owner show us how to mix and grind all the ingredients. If she didn’t show us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to eat it.

If you are a vegetarian, there are food options but they can be limited. There is a lot of eggplant, lentil and chickpea dishes. There are simple salads and rice also.

Try to get away from the popular tourist areas as well, as the prices are going to be a lot higher than the average place.

Move away and you will be surprised how much the price drops, and the portions are larger. If you are passing a local restaurant and it is packed with locals, that is going to be a winner.

Iranian Food

We always recommend people travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase, but this is especially useful when you visit Iran.

The road and paths are uneven, and wheeling a suitcase would be a nightmare. A lot of hotels don’t have lifts, so unless you’re feeling strong it’s going to be hard to carry your suitcase up a lot of flights of stairs.

Always choose a lightweight backpack that fits you perfectly for the best support.

There are also hybrid backpacks, that have harnesses and wheels on the bottom for the times where you just don’t want to carry it.

Unless you are on a whirlwind 7-day trip of the country we recommend you design an itinerary of what you want to see and do, but don’t book anything until you are in the country.

Iran is one of those countries that is best to research beforehand so you can make the most of your time and you don’t miss anything, but don’t be surprised if some places you end up liking more than others.

Be willing to change your plans if you get somewhere that you want to stay an extra day, or if you meet a backpacker that raves about one town you hadn’t considered before.

Don’t stress about booking buses, flights or trains before you arrive. Everything can be booked in-country, for a much cheaper price than you’ll find online.

By not locking in your travel plans, you can change and swap your itinerary easy enough.

Disclaimer:  The one time that you may need to book everything ahead of time is during Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year. If you’re planning on travelling to Iran during this time (it happens around the spring equinox in March) you’ll find things are extremely busy with millions of locals travelling around the country to spend time with their families too.

Looking for somewhere else to check out when you visit Iran? Don’t miss our article on the best  things to do in Shiraz!

Hydraulic Dam In Shushtar

One of the best experiences you will have in Iran is spending time with all the friendly locals. And trust us, you’ll get plenty of opportunities if you are open to it.

The city squares are usually where locals will approach you to welcome you to their country, have a chat and practice their English.

Don’t shy away from this, even if you are a solo traveller. We found out so much information about Iran and how the locals live simply by chatting away.

Most people asked us questions about where we are from and were very happy to answer our questions. It was a true insight to Iran and we made some beautiful friends from it (many of whom we still keep in contact with).

Don’t be surprised if you get a lot of invitations to people’s homes as well, and this may be one of the few countries where we’d say hanging out with strangers is highly encouraged. The Couchsurfing scene is huge here too if you’re into that.

Do be wary of some people who will take you to an expensive tea house though. They are nice people, you will have great conversations, but they can be a little cheeky.

Also always look at the menu before you start ordering to make sure they haven’t taken you somewhere that has crazy prices.

Some will invite you out and try to sell carpets to you. If you are not interested just be firm and move on with the conversation.

We only had this happen to us once out of more than a dozen great experiences, and once we made it clear we weren’t buying a carpet we still had a great chat with him.

There is only one thing with all this – Expect to be stopped every few minutes by people wanting to chat! Make sure you’re mentally prepared when you go out around town to have a million friendly conversations.

You shouldn’t just do this in Iran, you should do this everywhere you travel, but it’s important to keep in mind.

In some countries, there are tourist prices and local prices. To be honest, we almost never felt ripped off here, but it did happen occasionally.

Before you buy anything, whether it’s a souvenir, a meal, a pot of tea, a tour, a taxi ride or whatever, ask to see the menu or how much it will cost to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Get out of the tourist squares too. Chances are if you walk a couple of blocks outside of those popular areas, the prices will drop dramatically.

When buying survivors, ask the price at a few places, get the vibe from the person/place and then buy. Try your bartering skills, but don’t be offensive.

We always try to settle in the middle so both parties are happy. This is their business and they need the money more than you do.

Man Going Through His Carpets At The Market

If you are flying domestic, book through an agent or your local guesthouse in the country. All the local airline pages are in Persian, and these are where the best deals are.

Online booking agencies like Skyscanner and Momondo will not bring up these flights. We were in the west near the Iraqi border and wanted to fly to Tehran. Our local guesthouse helped us out and we booked it for $50 USD including snack and bags.

They were charging $200 USD on one of those online booking agencies above. We never were questioned at the airport about the local price and everything went smoothly.

If you’re not travelling in a group of four, ask at your guesthouse or talk to other travellers to see if you can share the cost of a driver with them.

Sometimes hiring a driver between towns as private transport would work out to be the same price as 4 bus tickets. You get there faster and can stop when you like along the way.

This will save you money and you might even make some awesome friends out of it.

Iranians are very punctual. If you plan to leave for a tour at 8am be in reception at 7:45am, and the driver will most likely already be there.

Buses and trains also won’t wait for you if you aren’t there. The last thing you want to do is miss your tour because you slept in or hadn’t packed yet.

If you’re heading to the airport, bus or train station make sure you leave plenty of time in case of bad traffic.

Varzaneh Desert Dunes

When we say horrible, we’re being polite. The traffic in Iran is actually insane.

If you’re exploring Tehran don’t be surprised if you have plenty of “Holy s**t!” moments as you go to cross the street or you get around in taxi.

It’s not that Iranians are bad drivers…they just don’t have a concept of space when driving around. In one way it’s almost as entertaining as it is scary.

No one is actively trying to run pedestrians down, but if you do try to run the gauntlet of crossing a busy road it’s best to wait for a local to join them on their hell-bent journey to the other side.

Youtube Player

Some social media platforms are banned in Iran and you cannot access them without a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

You cannot access Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest. You can access Instagram , but the rest only with a VPN.

We used ExpressVPN and had no issues. Here is a link to get your first 30 days for free .

Make sure you download your VPN before you arrive in Iran, because a lot of the VPN sites are blocked by the government.

If you can, we also recommend having access to a few different VPNs, because every now and then one might be blocked in Iran.

ExpressVPN worked for us during our trip, but some people have reported that it didn’t work during their own trip. Last we heard it’s back up and running properly now though.

Most of the guesthouses we stayed at had free wifi, but don’t expect it to be fast.

Some hotels had wifi available in the rooms, while others were only in the reception area or dining rooms. It all depends on how upmarket your place is. In popular cities, tea and coffee houses had wifi also.

One thing to keep in mind though is that just because there is wifi at your hotel, be respectful on how much you use it.

There are no unlimited data plans in Iran, so the hotels have to pre-purchase data in small packets.

Please don’t be that person that streams Netflix or tries to download the new season of Game of Thrones, because all that will happen is you’ll end up using all the net for everybody else in the hotel, and cost the owner more money.

Yep, we met a guy that did just that in Varzaneh, and because it was a weekend it meant nobody in the hostel could get internet until Monday. Thanks, mate.

Ladies Mosque At Night

Despite what you may have been told, you can buy a local sim card in Iran as a foreigner, and it’s a great idea to do so.

This way you can call hotels to make bookings use WhatsApp and Snap (more on that below) on the go, and keep in touch with friends and family back home.

We bought up a sim card with the telecommunications company IranCel through our hostel in Tehran, however, they marked the price up by double.

We found out later that you can buy sim cards at the airport or at any store, so our suggestion is to do this yourself.

When going into the phone store bring your phrasebook or a local friend. You will not need to show any ID, just pay in cash, but it helps to have your passport with you just in case.

You can top up at little general stores that display the IranCel sign. They will do it all on your phone and charge a small fee for their time. Please don’t argue with that, it’s maybe 25c USD.

We were getting 5GB of data for about $10 USD.

There is an app in Iran called Snapp, and it is similar to Uber. It’s a rideshare app where drivers register and customers can order cars to get around town.

This was a lifesaver for us!

What makes Snapp so great is that a price is determined by the app and you pay in cash once you get to your destination. There’s no metre, so the driver will take the most direct way possible.

When you book it you’ll get the driver’s name, their car model and their registration number, so you know you’re getting in the right vehicle.

Yo drop a pin on a map for where you want to go, so there’s no need to try and explain it to the driver in case he doesn’t speak English (or your pronunciation is crap).

The other added benefit is you can rate the drivers afterwards, so they are more likely to be honest rather than a taxi driver.

The only thing is you cannot easily download it onto an iPhone, as Apple is an American company and does not support Iran. It doesn’t show up in the App Store.

If you go to the Snapp website  you can download it to your Apple phone through a special link there. Downloading it on an Android phone is easy with no issues.

Driver Iran

This one was a big surprise to us, but you can drink the tap water just about everywhere in Iran.

It’s totally safe to drink, even if you’re new to the country, so don’t worry about buying plastic water bottles everywhere you go.

Bring a reusable water bottle instead and simply fill up as you go.

Don’t drink river water tough if you are out hiking.

Iran is a nation of tea drinkers, so it’s no surprise that you’ll get delicious fresh tea for cheap (or free) just about everywhere.

But what about us coffee drinkers??

The bad news is that getting good coffee is very hard in Iran. Despite their close proximity to places like Turkey, the coffee culture phased out years ago and so now the best you’ll find is usually those horrible instant packets.

There is a silver lining though, and some entrepreneurial locals have discovered that coffee is basically the second greatest thing on earth (after a delicious IPA, which you also can’t get in Iran), and some Western-style coffee shops are popping up in major towns.

They’re not cheap, but when you need that caffeine hit in the morning it’s totally worth it.

When you catch the metro around Tehran or Esfahan, there are carriages designated just for women, which is great if you’re a solo female traveller.

These are basically sections that males aren’t allowed in to stop accidental touching of non-related mixed genders, but it also adds a sense of security for women taking public transport.

Occasionally if the mixed carriages are full you’ll see one or two men in the female ones, but they tend to stand next to the door away from everyone.

Friday Mosque Yazd

[box] Those were just some of the things you need to know before you visit Iran. Has the article helped you? Do you have anything else to add? Leave a comment below and let us know![/box]

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About the Author - Alesha and Jarryd

Hey! We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook , YouTube and Instagram .

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How To Get An Iran Visa On Arrival

105 thoughts on “25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran”

Hello friends, I read your comments and I wish I could say that I am happy that you think so naively about the Iranian regime, but the truth of Iran and its people is not what these friends say, and unfortunately the bitter truth is that all those media that They present this regime and the leaders of the Islamic Republic as terrorists and a bunch of dishonorable and inhuman people, they are telling the truth and only the oppressed people of Iran understand this! you can ask them. But for you tourist friends, yes, this country can be a paradise because your money is worth many times more than ours, and not you tourist friends, but the unfortunate people of this cursed country feel the pressure. Our only wish was to have normal rights and a normal life like you, but this regime stole that life from the people of Iran and blackened the lives of the people of this country. Hoping for a day when this terrorist regime, which has made the Middle East and the whole world insecure, will be destroyed and we Iranian people have good and sincere relations with the people of other countries of the world . That day we will have at least a normal life and the world will not recognize this country as a criminal terrorist country. Written by a 27 young Iranian.

hi I want to just say now ( 2023-15-11 ) that the US dollar is 510000 Rials and here is heaven for people of countries where the currency is the dollar and Iran just is Hell for local people thanks to the Iran government for this situation!!!!!!

Hi dear Alisha and Jerry My name is Raziyeh. As an Iranian, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your kind words and appreciation of our beautiful country. Contrary to media propaganda, Iran is safe, and Contrary to media statements, we are hospitable and genial people who do everything to ensure you have a fun time in Iran. Please do not believe the lies that social media tells about our country. We’ll be happy to see tourists and give information to them. I hope you revisit our country. Best regards, Raziyeh.

Hi everyone I’m from Iran. I’m happy that you liked your trip to Iran. Iran has a lot of museums and attractive places if you’ll come you should visit them. And we’ll be happy to see tourists and give informations to them.

Iran is an extremely lovely place to travel. Thank you for the trip advice. I adore your article.

For foreigners especially Westerners Iran is a very dangerous country. There is a high risk of being arrested on fake charges. Atleast 50 foreigners have been arrested recently and sentenced without a fair trail. The “friendly” citizens of Iran will not help you out unless you pay them witg Euro or Dollars…..

Well! I accidentally found this while surfing the net, and it’s a bit sad that each dollar is 450000 Rials… People are still friendly to tourists though, no matter how hard our lives are. I hope you visit our country again, after all these sad events, of course.

22 days later and its 510000. when will these evil leaders leave us alone

We are glad that you were satisfied with your trip.You pointed out great points like someone who has lived inside for years… Our people believed, but the government has crushed the people so much under the economic pressure that they have become a little unfair to each other. Be sure to use SNAP inside Iran.. Be sure to check the price before buying.. Our common currency is Toman and Rial is nominal. For example, now every 1 dollar is equivalent to 33000 Tomans.. To eat a pizza, you need 6 or 7 dollars.3 cents are required for 1.5 liter of taqriya water.. If you have an acquaintance in Iran, you can be much easier.. Don’t pay too much attention to the capital because it has very beautiful cities with a very old history. Thank you for choosing which country for your trip. Good luck

Thank you for the excellent information and for taking an interest in the lovely country. really nice tips for visiting Iran.

I’m glad you liked Iran. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in managing economic affairs, the Iranian people suffer from the high cost of goods. Now each dollar is equivalent to 277,000 rials, which is really terrible, of course for our people! Of course, Iran is still full of beautiful places and amazing places! I hope you have good trips …❤

Hi guys I am Ava. I am from Iran/ Isfahan. If you want to come to Iran I would be happy to help you. I have a beautiful Iranian old house.

Can you please write about traveling in Iran at the moment. I would be traveling on a New Zealand passport. Thank you. Evan.

Iran holds many surprises for visitors; like the climate which can fluctuate greatly, depending on the area and time of year, dispelling the long-held myth that Iran is nothing more than a vast, sweltering desert. But Iran is a historical place and i like to visit this type of places that is why few days ago i read this type of article on another site it contain huge information. While some surprises are nice when travelling, it’s important to be as well prepared as possible.

Is $1000 for 7 days visiting 5 cities everything included except airline tickets a reasonable price? Please let me know what you think! Cities included are Tehran, Yazd, Esfahan, Shiraz, and the desert side with Caspian sea. Thanks,

Definitely if you stay at budget accommodation, take public buses as transport and not eat at fancy restaurants. Have a good trip

it’s very good

Indeed it is 🙂

I am Iranian. You described Iran very well. I am glad that you visited Iran

Thank you for your comment Masoud. We really enjoyed travelling around Iran. 🙂

Hi Thank you for your essay about Iran. As an Iranian I do hope you have good memories generally from Iran. No country is perfectly free of any trouble but please do not believe propaganda against Iran unless you travel to Iran and live with Iranian for a couple of weeks (at least) and then judge.

Hi there! I’m an Iranian, and i’m REALLY happy that you loved our country! I hope other tourists enjoy their travel to Iran, and I wanted to say, that Pinterest doesn’t need VPN! 🙂 And also about hijab, if you’re thinking that it’s gonna make you struggle, well, it definitely isn’t. I mean, it’s not such a big deal, and you’ll get used to it and continue enjoying! Anyways, hope you like our country

Reasons for a Group Visit to Iran Experienced travelers may want to look away. Guided tours can really be the best option for some travelers going abroad. Of course, they limit you a little and lose a little freedom. You will not have enough time to fall in love with a place and you will not have enough time to stay there, and other companions may not be with you. But no matter what the veterans might say, there are good reasons to tour for those who want to.

Salaam All, I’ve travelled extensively in the Middle East (Egypt, Palestine, Lybia, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iran and India. My wife, daughter and myself went on holiday to Iran in 2012 and 2015 (for my 60th birthday). An Iranian couple came to sing happy bithday to me in farsi. It was an inexplicable experience, no crime on the street, no fighting, very, very safe, people very friendly and warm, food and confectionary very good, not expensive to shop but hotel accommodation could be expensive, public transport (bus and metro rail) very good and effecient, metro stations very clean and very easy for foreigners to use. Although we were based in Northern Tehran (Eliheyah), we once drove by luxury coach to Ishfahan to spend one week there (2012), the other trip we flew to Shiraz to spend one week there (2015). I fell in love with this country, it’s absolutely beautiful. In Tehran, we even went in the cable cars on the Azborg mountains. O, I just cannot stop raving about IRAN. I’ll visit there anytime. Please don’t believe the media with their negative reports, go see for yourself and discover this amazing country. Salaam from Riedwaan Salie (Cape Town, South Africa.

That is so nice. What a great birthday trip. We are so glad you had a wonderful time with you family. We found the country very welcoming and friendly also. Thank you for your comment. 🙂

Your itinerary was perfect! I hope you come back again very soon! I heard now you should ask for visa only from agencies. Also now for your money matters you can use a local debit card like Daricpay to charge and transfer money online

We hope to visit again one day. Take care

Hi Im am an iranian person and your information was totally correct about iran I am very glad to see you were anjoyed traveling to iran If you come to iran again you can visit other cities like shiraz,Tabriz,Isfahan,Hamedan they are as beautiful as Tehran

Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂

Hi all, I have been 2 weeks in Iran the last month, my friends and I were travelling the west part of this huge country touring the famous cities and recommended places over the countryside. I could never thought how beautiful were every little point that we stopped by: landscapes, restaurants, seacoast, food… persian landmarks will remind forever in my mind. As we were travelling by car we trusted (company removed, you can message below if interested), a notorious iranian company which offers a wide variety of car for rent. The service was excelent and they provided us whatever we need in order to make our trip easer. I would definetely recommend this company If you are thinking about renting a car to shuttle from a place to another, they are serious and reliable. Thanks persian people and the company for making our dreamt trip happen!!

We love Iran!!!!

Sounds like you had a great trip. We are so glad so had a great time.

Hi Alesha and Jarryd, Thank you for the useful info and your interest in my beautiful country. I’m Zahra Mazaheri an English – Farsi translator. I would be more than happy to help the tourist to Iran in having a pleasant journey.

Glad you liked our article. All the best

Iran is a wonderful country for all nations to visit. Whether you’re interested in going to cultural and historical places, try local food, shopping, or visiting new people, the country is one of the best places for all of these.

Thank you for your comment. It is a magnificent country

thanks so much for your tips, and i want to add this there is something that we call it “Taarof” This is a polite exchange that takes place in all aspects of life in Iran, in shops, in streets, in businesses, at homes. Simply stated, it is a form of one person making an offering and the other, refusing it. This ritual may repeat itself several times before the individuals finally determine whether the offer and refusal are real or simply polite. Be very careful how and with whom you taarof so that it does not interfere with your stay. Use common sense as to when to do it and when not to.

Thank you so much for this. After travelling the country for 3 weeks, we only experienced this once in Tehran on the outskirts of the city, We ate locally, bought locally, stayed locally, bought a lot of items on the street but only experienced it once. We were shocked. We had read about it and was waiting every time but it never came. Maybe if you are a foreigner they don’t do it as much. Thank you the explanation.

I really appreciate for your thoughts on this topic. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

Hi Alesha and Jarryd, this was so helpful. We’re off to Iran in a couple of weeks and great to get some tips re luggage, local currency cards and communication options. thanks david

Hi David, We are so happy the article was helpful. You will have a great time in Iran. Do not over pack. Woman have to be covered. Loose clothing is a must and a long top/dress is best as it covers the figure. Her arms and legs have to be covered. Sandels can be wore. A hijab is a must so bring scarfs. For the men, your arms do not have to be covered. Do bring pants as you need it for mosques. Our advice is to bring zip off pants. They are great. We did not use local currency cards. We bought all our cash in euros and exchanged it in Tehran on day 1. We did it with our guesthouse. They gave us a great rate. As for communication, do download Farsi offline before you go so communication can be easier. Surprisingly a lot of people do speak broken English. have a great trip.

Hi guys. Im so glad you had a good time over here. I believe Iran is the most misunderstood nation (thanks to media!) and articles like this may help people see Iran for what it is. One thing i need to point out is the currency exchange rate. the rate of 30,000 to 1 USD is no longer valid. 1 USD would be exchanged to about 110,000 rials now (11,000 Toman). Hope to see you back here soon! cheers

i promise to passengers ( our guess ❤) that we can make nice memory for you , and hope you enjoy that

Hi guys, great article! Just wanted to suggest that you include information about the Pocket WiFi and Travel Debit card services offered by MahCard (www.mahcard.com) as well… We travelled from Amsterdam to Iran during January this year and we used both services from MahCard and they really made our trip much easier…

Thank you for your tip Lotte. We have never heard of these guy. Definitely would be helpful. We strongly encourage travellers to do their on research on companies and make their own judgements. All the best

Hello! Very useful info about Iran. I am preparing a trip with car from UAE to ROMANI so it will be Bandar Abbas to Turkey Border. Any info and advices are welcomme! Thx

Hi Als, not too sure about that border. We flew in to Tehran. All the best.

Hello Dear Guys, I’m really glad to find your blog. It’s really interesting to me. I should say thank you to you for giving this good information about my country to people. It would be our honor to be host in your next travels to Iran.

I have been to a lot countries. I have been to super cold areas like Norway and have lived in the snowy Switzerland, and have also been to warm countries such as Bali, Sri Lanka, etc… What I love about Iran is that whenever and in whatever season you go, there are always 4 seasons. The southern part (Persian Gulf) is known for its golden beaches and hot climates, other areas such as Shemshak, Darbandsar, etc… are known for their snow and mountains. I recommend going to ski resorts in winter, and as a person who has lived in Switzerland I can tell that they are better. At the same time where you find snow in Iran, you can also travel to the other side where there are hot deserts. I recommend you go to these desert areas with a local tour called RONATURE, which is an ecofriendly tour and provides vegan and vegetarian food, furthermore supports locals and the environment. The Persian Gulf is unimaginably beautiful. Qeshm island in the south is probably the most beautiful place in the world, unfortunately there are not many photos of this island online because not many people know about it yet, but I do recommend taking diving courses there. The water park in Kish island is the best I’ve ever seen, much better than the ones in Dubai. I could go on for forever but you go to Iran once and experience all the four seasons. You get snowy mountains and sunny beaches. You go skiing and after a short flight you are tanning on the beach. This is a miracle and not something other countries dont have to offer. I can say nothing more but to recommend this marvellous country. Do not listen to the media, Iran is safer than Europe and Im not even slightly exaggerating.

Thank you for helping people to travel to Iran, I believe everyone should visit Iran beyond the media portrayal.

We totally agree with you Vahid. Never listen to the media about a destination, we don’t. We really enjoyed our time in Iran and encourage people to experience this country for themselves. 🙂

Sorry, I won’t support Iran. The government is evil. They imprison and torture their own citizens and they execute gay people. How can you support a government like that? Oh, and if you have an Israeli stamp on your passport, they won’t let you in. That’s ok with you?

We don’t support the government, we support the people of the country, who are among the friendliest, most genuine and hospitable people we have ever encountered. If we were to boycott countries with corrupt and evil governments, we’d start with the US.

I recently moved to Iran, as I am Iranian-American (well, now mainly just Iranian). I really appreciate all of the sweet and insightful comments and your wonderful website. Since the last time I lived here I was a child and have only visited every few years, when I arrived I was definitely feeling like a Persian that came back from a lost time warp of sorts, and had to learn the deeper levels of what you all already thoughtfully mentioned like tarof and the culture. Iran is a BEAUTIFUL & AMAZING country and I am lucky to be here. Just to let people know, everything I read here is true and helpful. 🙂 Even riding a bus from Iran into Armenia (to access my american bank for my final paycheck), I started out feeling slightly awkward as the 99% Persian only passenger peers around me were playing cute little games with each other laughing, with LOTS of incredible Persian music… I started getting many happy flashbacks of American-Iranian dance parties… but this was the REAL thing! Within minutes I joined in after being invited to clap my hands and a few girls were doing little hand dances in their seats… within about 10 minutes half the people on the bus were all SINGING together, it was precious. I felt like I was home, with my (native) Iranian people, and I got little happy tears in my eyes. YOU CANNOT FIND THESE MOMENTS IN AMERICA or EUROPE where nearly everyone around you surrounds you with welcoming bright eyes all at the same time. It’s like they are making you part of their family. I recommend visiting Iran for ANYONE… You will see that Iranians are good hearted and loving, even with all the sanctions. Give them a genuine smile, and you will get 100 smiles back, with tea and poetry. 😀

What a beautiful moment. That is great you are going back to your roots. We hear you. Iranians are good hearted and so generous. It is a beautiful country. Have a great time and hope you settle in quickly. All the best

Thanks for visiting my country. Hope tourism breaks all the wall of this global village.

We hope so too. It is a beautiful country with many beautiful people. We loved our time there

Thank you so much for this amazing article! I am going to visit Iran, but just for one week, so I need to take everything that I can from this short trip. I didn’t know that I need a VPN, that is a surprise! I have Surfshark subscription. Maybe you know how it works in Iran?

Not too sure if it will work or not. We used VPN Express and had no issues. There are free VPNs if you get suck and find yours does not work. Have a great trip.

So disappointing to learn that Canada is not one of the countries included on the Visa on Arrival program…I really want to spend a week in Tehran but it looks as though that won’t be possible. That’s really too bad 🙁

I know. It is a little more of a hassle but worth it. I know Canadians, UK and USA citizens have to go on a tour but there are many great tours within the country. If you want a tour that is not a tour, check out Yomadic. He’s tours are informative but relaxed and have great reviews. All the best.

I was 10 days in Iran (Teerah, Esfahan, Yazd and Siraz) and … is a great country, good food, culture and fantastic people. Thank you Iran!

Glad you had a wonderful time Vitor. 🙂

hi im ghazal from kermanshah iran! a offer all to come here and feel how friendly people are

Yourwellcom

I’m sorry for this government rule.

Your welcome. I hope you back soon in my country.

hello,im shahzad from iran. thank you so much for your excelent content about Iran. all of the sentences are true about my country and u knew it very well.im so happy that you had good times here. As the other iranian people said,now 1 USD is equal with 141,000 Rials :).so Iran is a very cheap country for tourists,too:). come to my country and enjoy,it would be your best trip with no debt:)

Hi Shahzad, We had a wonderful time there. Thank you for the update with the exchange rate. We recommend all travellers to visit Iran. 🙂

Thanks for this guys! I am super excited leaving for Tehran on Monday I booked a small tour as I felt anxious about travelling independently first time ever in Iran. If I like it -and I am sure I will – I shall go back. I was advised to take a day travel backpack and a medium sized wheely which I hope to fill up with things bought locally. Of course I shall take essentials. Is a long skirt allowed? It might be cooler than trousers. What do you think?

Hi Alex, I hope you are having a wonderful trip, That great you booked a small tour. Sometimes it is the best way to see the country and learn about the people and culture. There is so many great souvenirs to buy. Unfortunately my bag wasn’t big enough. 🙂 Absolutely a long shirt is allowed but not a tight body fitting one. Long sleeve and maxi dresses are perfect. Trousers are great just make sure you top is loose and long past your bottom. Have a great trip.

Wow, Thanks for this. I’am glad, that I found your page. I’ll travel in october alone to isfahan. I’m already so excited

That’s amazing. You will have a great time. The Iranians are so friendly and welcoming. There is so much to do there. Here is a video we made about Isfahan if you want to check it out. https://youtu.be/XDYJ44CutT4

Great points!

Regarding bringing a load of cash though, I found a solution. In my last trip to Iran, I got a DaricPay card. It made everything easier!

Thank you for your suggestion and information. Glad that worked for you. We still recommend visitors to take cash as not everywhere will accept cards.

Hello everyone. This is Ali, an Iranian. This page is a good guidance; LIKE ! Iran is a country of different climates and has very beautiful historical monuments and natural areas. Contrary to propaganda, Iran is safe and a good choice for travel. Come to Iran and have nice time here.

Thank you Ali. 🙂

This is great ! Thank you! I’m preparing to go there in June and your article answered a lot of questions! I will come back to it just to remember everything. Thanks again.

Glad the article could help. Have a wonderful trip Joanna.

Great i read your experiences you had great fun in Iran. Everyone should need to aware about your guidelines before visit.

Hi Eric, thank you. We had a great time in Iran. Definitely everyone should read up on the guidelines, not just what we have written but from other also. It is important to do your research before travelling to a country. 🙂

Hey, great article on Iran tourism. What should I plan in terms of budget, if I want to plan a 7-day trip to Iran and cover major tourist/historical destination.

How would you rate food for just vegetarians. Thanks!

We budgeted $80 USD a day for a couple. We came home with a little bit of money but we rather have more than less as there is no ATMs that work for foreigners. As for vegetarian food, there are many options.

This is awesome article, I’ve read a ton of articles online these past couple of months as I’m traveling to Iran in May. I’ve already bought a NordVPN subscription regarding the social media access, I hope it will work fine too, saw some recommendations for it too. Other than that I really cannot wait for the trip, so I keep reading about it. Thanks 🙂

Awesome Steve. Have a great time. The people there are so friendly. It is an amazing country.

hi steve, i recommend, first travel to iran then try free vpn then buy subscription.because some vpn in iran dose not work. instagram and what up don’t need vpn.have a nice trip!

Hi I am very pleased to be pleased with your trip to Iran I hope that one day we will be able to travel to other countries as well These days, people in my country are very sad.

Hi Mostafa, thank you for your message. We did enjoy visiting your country but did hear this from many locals. We hope that one day it all changes and travel will be a lot easier for Iranians. We saw nothing but friendly and welcoming people. The most friendliest country we have visited. We hope happiness comes soon.

Glad to hear that you had good trip in Iran guys. However things get worse and now 110,000 rials = 1 USD which is good for tourists. Lol.

Thanks for that Mohammad. Not good for the locals. We thought it was cheap when we visited last year. Sorry to hear that

I glad to read this site My country has very beautiful natural scenery and tourism, as well as very caring and kind people… I hope to see you in my city, Isfahan, the city of culture and art, and we can spend good times together^_^ I hope that there will always be in all countries, including my country

Hello I am Iranian I am very pleased that you have been satisfied with traveling to Iran I wish you success

Thank you for stopping by. We loved travelling Iran. The people were so welcoming and we had a lot of great chats with many. We are looking forward to returning one day.

You were ok travelling without a guide? Is it easy to travel around without one? And is it possible to hire guides to specific places, such as Persefone of some mosque? My wife and I are planning to visit Iran on April or October? What’d say? Thanks a lot.

Absolutely. We met so many local people and had so much fun. It is an easy country to get around in. Their transport system within the cities were easy and great. Their bus system across the country was comfortable and faster than the train. You can hire guides at main attractions as you go. The hotels can help with that also. Have a great trip.

If you are from the USA, Canada or UK you need to go on a tour.

Hi We are older Australians and are wanting to go to Iran. We usually plan our holiday booking accommodation and transport before we go so are a little hesitate going without anything booked. We have not been on a tour before and they don’t appeal to us.

Thank you so much for this valuable information. My mother and I are trying to book an organized trip with Intrepid Travel. They told us that we were not allowed to be out and about without the accompaniment of a male. Which they say we would have to stay in our hotel during our free time unless we go with a male. Have you heard of this before?

I am Mehdi and I am from, Shiraz Iran. I welcome your arrival to Iran in advance. Staying you in your hotel during your free time in Iran is not right. You can go out without a male. I can help you if you have any question. please don’t hesitate to ask me. you can contact me at [email protected] . I hope you have a nice trip in Iran. Regards; Mehdi

Hi Cathy, that is so strange they would tell you this. That is wrong on Intrepid Travel to tell you this and if they are concerned about this for their guests they should provide tours for you free of charge as staying in the hotel room is not a very good experience at all. I hope you wrote to them to express your disappointment with this.

As Mehdi said above, that is not right. When we were travelling throughout Iran there were many woman travelling on their own that out and about by them selves. We did not hear of any issues. Obviously have your wits about yourself. The people of Iran are so friendly. The friendliest we have come across in our travels. I hope you got to experience this and see a lot of the beautiful country.

Hi Cathy, I’m an Iranian person, this is not right, you can go out without a male. Iran is full of friendly people and I’m sure you will enjoy your time and this would be one of the most unforgettable trips.

Hello kathy I’m very surprised by your talk I am from Iran and I assure you that it is not

Hey guys! This is one of the *very* few articles about Iran that I completely agree with. Oh, apart from one sentence: “Iranians are very punctual”… I actually laughed out loud. You must have got lucky. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed your time, and hope we cross paths one day.

(also, feel free to edit this out: the photo of Alesha at Friday mosque in Yazd is actually Friday mosque in Esfahan)

Thanks so much Nate! Glad the piece got the seal of approval from the Iran expert himself! And I guess we did get super lucky with the locals being punctual. For the whole month we were there we were never left waiting. Will count our lucky stars, and make a note that perhaps it’s not always the case.

And thanks for the correction on the Friday mosque! Have amended it now. Happy travels mate.

Hi dears! I’m an iranian girl & I love my country… Actually my father is a tour guide & I’ve heared such lovely words from so many tourists… they mostly say they had heard many bad things about iran and they have experienced the bests when they came here… I’m so glad to here such nice words by many travelers and i really appreciate you cause you ‘re telling the truth about my amazing country!!!! I love you all dears!!

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Let's Go Iran Tour & Iran Travel Agency

  • Best of Iran ►

The most beautiful train travel routes in Iran

When the route is more attractive than the destination.

Train Travel  and lounging on the comfortable seat of the wagon or lying down on the coupe bed with gentle movements and staring at the scenery that passes and is watched from the window along the way ; This is a fascinating experience of sightseeing that turns the route into a lovely part of the trip .

When going on the way becomes more attractive than arriving and you want the road to continue and the destination to be further away .

travel iran by train

Best Railroads of Iran 1

In beautiful Iran with colorful nature,  Train routes that passes through the heart of the natural scenery and creates amazing images in front of travelers .

Stay with us to have a look  The most beautiful railway routes in Iran .

- Sari train , from the yellowness of the desert to the greenness of the forest

- Sari train station , clear your mind right away and get ready to watch and enjoy the scenery that takes on a different color and look at every turn and station .

in this  Rail route  Amazingly , you pass through the desert, mountain and forest landscapes and witness the unspoiled natural beauty along the way .

The travel time to Sari through this route is 14 hours .

Whistle of train movement   Tehran  It sounds and the train goes to Varamin and then on the desert route to Garmsar .

  The role of the dragon on the mountain

About ten kilometers after passing Garmsar, on the left side you can see a picture of a dragon on the background of a desert hill .

locals believe that this was the place where Rostam and the dragon fought, and Rostam knocked the dragon to the ground so much that its mark remained on the mountain .

The image of the dragon was created due to geological interactions and the red, brown and yellow streaks were interwoven in a wave-like manner and created the image of a dragon .

Old abandoned station

Ben Koh , the first station  Train  Tehran is Sari .

In Ben Koh , passengers, with the old building of the station and the organizational houses of the employees, whose life dates back to the years when this railway line was laid, that is, about seventy years ago. And it is Pahlavi era, they face each other .

This old station is now abandoned and watches the passage of time next to the new station .

during  The route of the train , Hable River, the only Semnan river, accompanies the train and sometimes flows on the right and sometimes on the left side of the rail .

Best Railroads of Iran 2

Dove Valley; Valley of the dead bride

Kobuter Dere is the second station on the route from Tehran to Sari .

About the naming of this area, it is said that Dove is the name of a girl who was thrown from a mountain near this station into the valley on her wedding day .

On the route of Dove Valley, travelers can witness the beautiful valleys of this region .

Upon reaching Firuz Mountain, the surrounding scenery  Train  It changes color .

Passing through the heart of the mountain and entering the tunnels begins with passing through Firouz Koh .

tunnels between Firouzkoh and the beautiful historical bridge of Versk , but the Gadok tunnel is the longest , which is 2,877 meters long .

Three gold lines

On the way from Firouzkoh to Versk Bridge, there is a beautiful picture  Train crossing  which goes around the mountain and goes up , which is known as " Three Golden Lines " .

During the construction of the railway line in the village of Versk , engineers decided to design three steps on the mountain to reduce the slope of the mountain and increase the power and speed of the locomotive .  

Veresk bridge; Beautiful seventy years old

But the beautiful and historical bridge of Versk, which is seventy years old , is another attraction   Rail route  It is Tehran - Sari . This bridge connects the northern railway between two mountains and over a deep valley .

The Versk Bridge, which became known as the Victory Bridge in World War II, is 66 meters long and 110 meters high and was built on the Versk Valley .

After Versk, the humid climate of the north gradually spreads green on the mountains and the land becomes more forested and the forests become more leafy .

Near the Swadkoh station, the old Konglu castle with Sassanid architecture, magnificent and spectacular, is located on top of a green hill .

Swadkoh and Shurmest lake

The next station is " Pol Sefid " , the center of South Swadkoh city .

This can be the end   train journey  You have to watch the beautiful lake  " Shormast " or staying in the cool, green and foggy village of " Alasht " .  Train  get off

Shurmest, surrounded by forest trees, is one of the most beautiful lakes in Alborz .

But if you don't stay and move on, next stop  " Ziraba " and the next station is " Shirgah " .

during  train route  Still the beautiful forest track you in the cabin  Train  It is surrounded and you can breathe cool and moist air into your lungs .

In Shirgah , you will pass over the famous " Sartepe " bridge . This magnificent bridge was built in the Pahlavi era and has a beautiful view .

If you pass Shirgah, you will reach Qaimshahr and it is not a long way from Qaimshahr to Sari .

A reminder of a tragic accident

The burial place of one of the locomotives that ran this  train route  which is near Sari, reminds of the tragic accident of two trains during the Second World War and the death of the locomotive driver along with 36 train passengers .

During the Second World War, this locomotive was carrying military equipment from Andimeshk to Turkmen port along with the Russian forces, when it collided with another train that was on this track in the distance from Gadok to Surgh Abad .

Locomotive near the station  Train  He is buried so that seeing his grave, other locomotive drivers will work more carefully .

Surrey station is the end of this  Rail travel  It is exciting with all kinds of natural landscapes from the desert to the mountains and forests .

Lorestan train, waterfall, spring, lagoon

The Lorestan train route has a lot of beauty and natural and historical attraction, part of which is from " Dorud " station to " Kishor " as   Tourist railway station  selected and travel tours take tourists for this route .

Lorestan tourist train route  It is 74 km . It starts from the city of " Duroud " and reaches the station of " Kishor " .

Garme waterfall, Ozgen lagoon, Bisheh waterfall and Sulfur water spring are among the natural attractions of this railway .

Garme waterfall

Garme waterfall is located along the north-south railway and 23 kilometers southwest of Durud city .

five hundred meters long from the highest point to the point where it reaches Caesar river .

This waterfall has created a beautiful landscape in the heart of beautiful trees and plants of Lorestan nature .

Ozgen Lagoon

Azgen lagoon next to Qaroun mountain reflects the view of the mountain like a clear mirror and creates a spectacular view .

This beautiful seasonal wetland comes to life in the spring when the snow of Qaroun peak melts and flows towards the wetland .

lovers among the vegetation of oregano and mint, narcissus and lily .

To reach this wetland, you have to get off the train at Chamchid station and walk for an hour to reach the wetland .

Bisheh waterfall

Bisheh waterfall at Bisheh train station in Durood is one of the beautiful waterfalls of Lorestan province, which is located at the foot of Zagros mountain .

overflow down from the heart of the mountain and among the forest oak trees .

After falling 48 meters, Bisheh waterfall flows into Caesar river .

Lorestan tourist train  It ends at the country station and returns to Durood again .

Tehran - Rasht; Plain, paddy field, forest

Train  Tehran  Rasht ,   Rail route  It is another beautiful and spectacular route that passes through the plains and the beautiful nature of northern cities, forests and paddy fields and along rivers full of water .

The Tehran-Rasht train is itself a tourist attraction, and you can't take your eyes off the track and the window while watching the natural scenery on the way .

this  Rail route  It is in the northern part of the country and it is about 164 km long .   Train  Along the way, it passes through 52 tunnels and 17 bridges .

largest railway bridge in the country is Manjil Bridge, which is 1,430 meters long  Rail route  is used .

After passing through Tehran, the Tehran-Rasht train arrives at Siah Cheshme Qazvin station, and before reaching Rasht , there are Kohin, Lushan, Manjil, Rudbar and Imamzadeh Hashem stations .

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Quick Tour of Iran

A quick visit to two main cities of old Iran , Shiraz , and Isfahan , quickly but magnificently. Both the cities have international airports for more flexibility. 

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Capital of the Achaemenid Empire.

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Main bazaar of Shiraz, Iran, located in the historical center of the city

A Persian poet who "lauded the joys of love and wine but also targeted religious hypocrisy.

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Known as the Pink Mosque, is a traditional mosque in Shiraz

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Must see Tour of Iran for 8 Days

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The must-see route in Iran, we will visit most of the major historical sites. Best tour to get if this is your first time traveling to Iran.

Tehran > Shiraz > Yazd > Esfahan

Short Tour of Iran

Short Tour of Iran

Short trip through the three major touristic cities of Iran to catch a glimpse of the beauty of the country. You can fly between the cities with lots of daily flights, also great quality private cars, trains, and buses are available.

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Travel Around Iran in Two Weeks

Tehran > Ahvaz > Suse > Shiraz > Bavanat > Yazd > Esfahan > Golpaygan > Hamadan > Kermanshah

A more thorough itinerary with emphasis on getting to know the history of Iran with a bit of nature to enjoy.

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Many people prefer to travel over the land, especially by train to explore the beauty of landscapes while they have the chance of chitchatting with local people..., iran trains, iran train ticket price, types of trains available in iran, luxury train, fadak and zendegi, 4-bed compartments (first class), 6-bed compartments (second class), coach car seating, saba double deck, conditions & refund policy:, book your train ticket, iran train operator we provide all available domestic train in iran.

Update January 10, 2024

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Iran Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 11, 2024, iran - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to add the Terrorism Risk Indicator and risk of surrogacy tourism.

Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens . Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions .  

Country Summary: U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Iran have been kidnapped, arrested, and detained on spurious charges.

Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison U.S. nationals, particularly dual national U.S.-Iranian nationals--including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics--on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Iranian authorities routinely delay consular access to detained U.S. nationals and consistently deny consular access to dual U.S.-Iranian nationals.

Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Iran. ISIS and affiliated groups have claimed responsibility for bombings and other attacks in Iran. The threat of terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury to bystanders.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran.

Companies offering surrogacy services in Iran are misrepresenting the security situation in Iran and the risks of the unregulated surrogacy tourism industry. Private companies that arrange such visits and services put U.S. citizens in danger.  

Due to the risks of operating civilian aircraft within or in the vicinity of Iran, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Iran.

If you are currently in Iran:   

  • Consider the risks involved in possessing dual  U.S. Iranian nationality .
  • Review your personal security plan and visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
  • Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
  • Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
  • Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
  • Leave DNA samples with your medical provider.
  • Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter/X .
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Online Iran Train Tickets

Book your iran train ticket online, traveling in iran by train - book online.

Iran railway system provides a safe and comfortable connection to the main destinations in Iran. With more than 10000 Kilometers railway, there are daily trains leaving/arriving Tehran, Mashhad, Bandar Abbas, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kerman, Ahwaz, Yazd, and other cities. Usually, there are several stops on the way to the main destinations. Different companies offer trains with different classes and amenities such as air conditioning, meals, TV, and etc. Guest attendees are ready to help passengers in most of the trains.

Any questions about the train ticket in Iran?  Please contact us via  [email protected]

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Get there your way, anytime, anywhere, book your train ticket in iran, trains in iran.

Currently, there are 12 train companies working in Iran, offering railroad transportation to many destinations all around Iran. Raja, Fadak, Joopar, Bon Rail, Mahtab, Saba, Hastia, Noor Reza, Pars, Ra`ad, Kosar and Vania Rail are Iran train companies. Some of the companies like Joopar offer rail freight transport. Here is a brief description about the most important Iran train companies.

Raja Trains include Simorgh, Sabz, and Ploor trains. All of these trains consist of compartments with four beds and have TV, air conditioner and charging sockets in each compartment. Bedding services containing bed sheets, pillow and blanket are provided for all passengers.

Other Raja trains are called Bus Trains because the arrangements of seats in each wagon is like a bus and there are no private compartments. Bus trains are usually faster than other trains and they are mostly used between Tehran and Mashhad.

Some Raja trains like have 6-bed compartments. These trains usually do not have a TV in the compartments. Air conditioning and Charging socket are available. Each wagon has a Toilet. passengers can order hot drinks like tea and coffee.

Fadak trains are the most luxurious train in Iran. there are business and economy tickets available. Passengers are served with drinks and food while enjoying their time in the high class designed compartments. Fadak trains have 4-bed compartments, each compartment has air conditioner, charging socket and TV. Fadak trains are available on Tehran-Mashhad, Tehran-SHiraz, Tehran-Isfahan, Qom-Mashhad, Zanjan-Mashhad, and Tehran-Ahwaz. Passengers of Fadak trains are served with different luxury services depending on their ticket class such as business and economy.

Joopar Trains is another train company that transfers many passengers daily between different destinations. Joopar has two types of trains; Kavir trains which have 10 compartments with 6 beds in each wagon and Mahan bus trains. Nowadays Joopar compartment trains are available between Tehran-Mashhad, Tehran-Kerman, Tehran-Zahedan, Kerman-Mashhad and Tehran-Bandar Abbas. All Joopar trains have air conditioning, charging socket, restaurant, toilet. Bedding services containing bed sheets, pillow and blanket are provided in compartment trains. 

Train Ticket Price in Iran

Trains are an affordable choice for traveling in Iran. Depending on the distance, time of travel, and type of the train, ticket prices vary between 7 to 50 EURO. Also, you can choose to include meals on your ticket which affects the price.

Popular Train Routes i n Iran

Iran Railways with more than 400 stations, provides connections between different parts of the country. Different trains travel from Tehran to east, west, north, and south. You can get to the most popular cities in Iran by train. The main train destinations in Iran are Tabriz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, and Gorgan. there are several stations on the way to these main destinations. Here is a list of popular rail destinations in Iran.

Major Train Stations in Iran

Iran is a vast country and if you plan to explore Iran by train, there is a piece of good news that you can reach most of Iran attractions and UNESCO World Heritage sites using railways. From Tehran, Y ou can book a train ticket to most of the cities and there are several stops between two main destinations. Here is a list of major train stations in Iran. In each page, you can find useful information that you need to know about each train station.

Tehran Train Station

Yazd Train Station

Shiraz Train Station

Isfahan Train Station

Bandar Abbas Train Station

Mashhad Train Station

Kerman Train Station

Ahvaz Train Station

Tabriz Train Station

Rasht Train Station

Qom Train Station

More Information?

Contact us to arrange your train ticket(s):

Train in Iran: FAQs

In Iran, when you buy a train ticket, it contains your seat number. Basically you book your place at the same time you buy a ticket.

Train tickets for infants cost 10% of adults train tickets. Children between 2-12 years old will be charged for half of the adult`s ticket price.

Depending on train's class, amenities vary in trains. All the trains have a toilet and charging sockets. Catering service is also available on most of the trains and you can order food and drinks.

Although it's possible to scan tickets from your phone. It's recommended to print your ticket as it's written on all the train tickets you buy.

Int. Mobile SIM Card in Iran

Call, SMS & the Internet connection in Iran.

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Iran Tourist Card

Bank card in Iran - Use your credit card to get Iranian bank card. Acceptable for online payment, all ATM's and PoS in Iran

Iranian Tourist Card

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Ukraine war latest: Navalny supporters urged to protest at Russian polling stations; Ukraine launches new wave of drone attacks

Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was found dead last month in a prison, have been urged to stage a protest at Russian polling stations on the last day of voting in the election. Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone attacks.

Sunday 17 March 2024 10:59, UK

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  • Putin opponents to hold symbolic protest as Russians head to polls for final day
  • Navalny's team urges supporters to send in photos from polling stations
  • Teenage girl killed in Ukrainian attack, claims Russian governor
  • Russia accuses Ukraine of dropping shell on polling station
  • How have people been protesting the Russian election?  
  • Michael Clarke:  Putin's nuclear rhetoric shouldn't be taken seriously
  • Ed Conway:  Russia is dodging sanctions - and UK cars show how
  • Watch: Exactly how popular is Putin in Russia?
  • Live reporting by Jess Sharp  

More than 47 people have been detained in connection to the presidential election taking place in Russia today, the OVD-Info protest-monitoring group has said. 

The organisation said the arrests had taken place across 13 cities.

At least 23 people had been arrested in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan, while 10 had been detained in Moscow, it said. 

Today marks the final day of voting in the Russian presidential election, and while Vladimir Putin is certain to be victorious, there have been several acts of defiance.

Here are some of the ways Putin's opponents have protested the election. 

On the first of three days of voting, there were numerous reports of Russian citizens pouring green dye into ballot boxes.

On Friday, the deputy chairman of Russia's Central Election Committee, Nikolay Bulayev, said there had been five incidents involving liquids being poured into the containers. 

According to Interfax news agency, the liquid was an antiseptic solution that has been used in protests in Russia and Ukraine.

Two women were arrested after pouring green dye into boxes on the outskirts of Moscow with the aim of destroying voting slips, according to Russian media. 

Molotov cocktails 

Friday also saw someone throw a Molotov cocktail at a polling station in Vladimir Putin's home town. 

The same action was taken at the Russian embassy in Moldova, which was acting as a polling station, earlier today. 

Russian state news agency TASS said one man had been arrested for the attack. 

In a remote region of the Urals, protesters attempted to destroy ballot boxes using homemade Molotov cocktails in a separate incident, according to state media.

Cyber attacks

Russia's governing party, United Russia, said on Saturday that it was facing a widespread denial-of-service attack - a form of cyberattack aimed at paralysing web traffic - and had suspended non-essential services to repel it.

Spoiling ballots

Numerous reports from parts of occupied Ukraine, such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, included accusations from locals that members of the Russian military went door to door and forced Ukrainian citizens to vote at gunpoint.

Photos uploaded to Telegram by Mariupol's city council on Saturday claimed to show small-scale acts of protest by Ukrainians coerced into voting, including spoiling ballots.

The team behind late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny also shared images on X purporting to show spoiled ballots. 

'Noon Against Putin'

Building on protest tactics proposed by her late husband, Yulia Navalnaya urged supporters to visit polling stations at noon today to protest the election. 

The symbolic protest called "Noon Against Putin" encouraged people to turn up and polling stations and destroy their ballots.

It has been presented as a way for people to express opposition without the risk of arrest because they will be queuing up to vote legally.

The Kremlin has warned people against taking part in unauthorised gatherings.

"Today we want to say to all of us - noon is the very beginning," the Noon Against Putin initiative wrote on Telegram. 

"Yes, some of us are scared. Yes, the choice is not easy. But we are the people. And we will cope with both the choice and the responsibility." 

This tweet from Team Navalny urges people in Moscow to send photos from polling stations in Moscow... 

What have officials said? 

Russian officials have said the incidents would have no impact on the election, in which Mr Putin is competing against three candidates who have little chance of winning.

With no doubt around the outcome of the election, the focus for both protesters and officials is on turnout and the number of legitimate ballots.

High turnout is seen as beneficial to the Kremlin as it gives the appearance of legitimacy in the result. 

More than 114 million Russians are eligible to vote, including in what Moscow calls its "new territories" - four regions of Ukraine that its forces only partly control, but which it has claimed as part of Russia.

The Russian Central Election Committee said that more than 63 million voters had already gone to the polls by Saturday evening. 

Liberal Russian politician Boris Nadezhdin has placed his vote in the presidential election. 

The 60-year-old, who was barred from running, was surrounded by crowds after casting his ballot. 

Mr Nadezhdin had made ending the fighting in Ukraine his main campaign theme and had drawn unusually broad support while gathering signatures to qualify for a spot on the ballot.

But he was disqualified from running by election officials, who declared that many of those signatures were invalid.

He has since unsuccessfully challenged his disqualification in the Supreme Court. 

A man has been detained after a burning object was thrown at the Russian embassy in Moldova, TASS has reported. 

The Russian state news agency said police detained the man after he threw two Molotov cocktails into the courtyard of the embassy in Chisinau. 

The building is being used as a polling station in the Russian presidential election. 

TASS said voting continued after the "provocateur" was arrested. 

Earlier today, Russian officials reported a 16-year-old girl had been killed in a Ukrainian attack on the city of Belgorod.

Now, local mayor Valentin Demidov has shared several photos of the destruction caused by the strike. 

"We mourn with the family of the girl who died today as a result of shelling of Belgorod by the Ukrainian Armed Forces," he wrote on Telegram. 

He said four houses were damaged in the attack, along with eight cars and three high rise buildings. 

Sky News has not verified the attack, and Ukrainian officials have not publicly commented on it. 

It comes after the region, which is close to the Russian border, came after fire yesterday, with local authorities reporting two people were killed. 

Vladimir Putin described the attacks as an attempt by Ukraine to frighten residents and derail Russia's presidential election, saying they "won't be left unpunished".

The official X account of Alexei Navalny's team has been urging supporters to send in photos from their local polling stations. 

The tweets have been posted throughout the day and call on different areas to get in touch. 

It comes as supporters of the late Russian opposition politician have been urged to stage a symbolic protest at 12pm local time by filling out their ballots in a disruptive way. 

There have already been several reports online of people pouring green ink into ballot boxes - but Sky News has not verified these claims.

There are 11 time zones in Russia, but it has just gone 12pm in Moscow. 

The tweet from Navalny's team below reads: "Chelyabinsk. Come to your site at 12pm. Send photos and videos from the polling stations to our Telegram bot." 

Some of the images show large queues forming outside polling stations in the west-central city... 

The presidential candidate from the Russian Communist Party has cast his ballot on the third and final day of voting.

The leader of the Communist Party, Nikolai Kharitonov, is one of three candidates from Kremlin-friendly parties, going up against Vladimir Putin. 

However, none of the candidates are likely to present a real challenge to Mr Putin, who is certain to win the election. 

After voting in one of Moscow's polling stations, Mr Kharitonov said he hopes his programme will "definitely be in demand with the population" and there will be a "good, worthy result".

All eyes will be on polling stations in Moscow at around 9am UK time as supporters for the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny are expected to stage a symbolic protest. 

Mr Navalny, who was Mr Putin's most prominent rival, died in prison last month. 

The 47-year-old's family and supporters have blamed Mr Putin himself for his death, while prison authorities have said he suffered "sudden death syndrome" after going for a walk. 

Russia's defence minister has ordered the Black Sea navy to strengthen the protection of its facilities and carry out regular drills on how to repel attacks on its ships. 

Sergei Shoigu has visited the navy's command centre and spoken to the fleet command about the situation it has been facing, the Russian defence ministry said.

His visit comes as Russia's Black Sea navy faces frequent attacks from Ukrainian forces.

In a post on Telegram , the ministry said Mr Shoigu ordered "constant training with personnel both during the day and at night to repel enemy terrorist attacks", as well as efforts to increase the "survivability of ships and vessels, and the security of infrastructure facilities in the fleet's area of responsibility".

"Every day it is necessary to conduct training with personnel. Training to repel air attacks and attacks by unmanned boats. Conduct day and night so that all our crews are ready," Mr Shoigu said.

Flight restrictions have been enforced at three Russian airports for "security reasons", the country's state aviation watchdog has said. 

Moscow's Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports have been affected by the restrictions, it added. 

It comes after officials said five Ukrainian drones were downed near Moscow in the early hours of this morning. 

As Russia enters its last day of the presidential election, the country's opposition is at a low ebb with Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent, Alexei Navalny, dead and other anti-Kremlin politicians in exile or jailed. 

But, despite all this, opponents of the Russian president are set to stage a symbolic protest today in an action they call "Noon against Putin". 

At 12pm local time (around 9am UK time), supporters of Mr Navalny are asking Russians who oppose Mr Putin to go to their local polling station and vote in a way that expresses a protest or complicates the authorities' lives. 

Suggestions have included spoiling the ballot paper, writing "Alexei Navalny" across the slip, or voting for one of the three candidates standing against the Kremlin leader. 

Already, Telegram accounts have reported large queues of voters waiting outside polling stations in Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk just before noon. 

Mr Navalny endorsed the plan before he died in a message on social media facilitated by his lawyers.

However, the action, which the authorities have already made clear is illegal, is unlikely to change the fact that Mr Putin is certain to be declared the winner of the presidential election. 

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COMMENTS

  1. Everything You Need to Know About Train Travel in Iran

    Peace and Safety. Compared to traveling by car, plane, or bus, train travel in Iran is much more comfortable. You have more space, can relax with your fellow travelers, and enjoy the journey. Moreover, trains are among the safest and most reliable modes of transportation, ensuring a worry-free journey to your desired destination.

  2. Iran by Train

    Travel from Iran to Turkey by Trans-Asia Express train on the route from Tehran via Tabriz, Van and Tatvan to Ankara. The travel distance is 3.000 kilometres with a total travel time of 60 hours. The train ticket price is 55 EUR in a 4-bed compartment. The journey starts in Tehran by a train of Iranian railways which offers 4-bed compartments ...

  3. Traveling in Iran by Train

    The first Iran train track was from Tehran to Gorgan city going to the north and southeast of the Caspian Sea.This route is one of the most beautiful of Iran's railroads, which passes through spectacular landscapes, canyons, the stunning Alborz Mountains, and the Hyrcanian Forests. The second route is from Tehran to Mashhad city in the northeast.

  4. Traveling Iran by train

    Iran is opening its doors to foreigners and a train ride from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea is a great way to get to know the country and its people.Th...

  5. Train Travel in Iran

    Train Travel In Iran. Iran is a vast country with huge distances between major cities. Therefore, traveling with trains is a good way to bridge all together. For long distance journeys, trains are fast, comfortable, safe and more environmental friendly than buses. Of course, overnight journeys allow you to save on accommodation cost and extend ...

  6. How to travel by train from London to Tehran & Iran

    Train travel in Iran. Iran has a good and growing rail network linking the main cities. Many trains have air-conditioning. First and second class is provided, usually converting to 4 or 6 berth sleepers for overnight travel. Iranian Railways has franchised on-board service to a variety of private operators, with different operators managing ...

  7. One of the most scenic railways in the world spans Iran

    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, travel to Iran was surging, and with the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosted in nearby Qatar this fall, the country is preparing for an influx of travelers.The railway-which ...

  8. Trans-Iranian Railway

    Trans-Iranian Railway 25th Iranian UNESCO World Heritage site (Reg. June 2021) One of the forgotten tourist attractions in Iran was traveling by train and passing through scenic areas with different climates and spectacular sceneries. Thanks to joining the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2021 with the help of Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization, it can be brought back to life.

  9. A Perfect Train trip in Iran

    For the tourist, travel inside Iran is surprisingly inexpensive and efficient. You can get to almost any major destination by bus, train, airplane and private car hire. Because of the favorable currency exchange, the cost is very low compared to the neighboring countries and certainly much less than travel in Europe.

  10. Exploring Iran with train: know about traveling Iran by train

    In Iran, women can travel in a woman-only compartment train. This condition is provided by the train travel system, so it is more comfortable and safe for women, to travel by train. Foreign travelers, particularly ladies who travel alone, can enjoy this facility if they feel insecure being among unfamiliar men and families.

  11. IRAN Train Travel Information

    Train speed in Iran is not in a good condition compared to the world standard. At present, the majority of Iranian trains have an average speed of about 120 km. In ordinary Iranian trains, the train speed does not exceed 140 kilometers per hour. The journey from Tehran to Mashhad takes 13:15 hours and from Tehran to Bandar Abbas 19:55 hours.

  12. Train travel in Iran

    Train travel in Iran. Iran is a big country, with hundreds of kilometers between major cities. Trains are a good way to bridge those long distances. On long distances, trains are faster, more comfortable, safer and more environmental friendly than buses. In addition, overnight trains allow you to save on accommodation and extend your daytime ...

  13. Train Travel in Iran for Tourists

    There are currently 12 train companies in Iran, offering railroad transport to many destinations throughout the country. Iran train companies include Raja, Fadak, Bon Rail, Noor al Reza, Joopar, Rabad, Pars, Kosar Mahtab, Saba, Hastia, and Vania Rail. Raja is the oldest, and Fadak offers the most luxurious services.

  14. Travel to Iran by Train

    The route passes through ،Turkey, Tabriz and then reaches Tehran. From 18 June 2018, a weekly overnight train has been re-introduced from Van to Tabriz. So now it is possible to travel from Istanbul to Tehran by train, through the connections Istanbul- Ankara- Van- Tabriz- Tehran. This route is almost 2900 kilometers.

  15. 25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

    Before you visit Iran make sure you check out our 25 travel tips and things to know to make sure you get the most out of this fascinating country! ... public transport (bus and metro rail) very good and effecient, metro stations very clean and very easy for foreigners to use. Although we were based in Northern Tehran (Eliheyah), we once drove ...

  16. The most beautiful train travel routes in Iran

    In beautiful Iran with colorful nature, Train routes that passes through the heart of the natural scenery and creates amazing images in front of travelers . Stay with us to have a look The most beautiful railway routes in Iran . - Sari train , from the yellowness of the desert to the greenness of the forest - Sari train station , clear your mind right away and get ready to watch and enjoy the ...

  17. Iran Train Tour

    Ancient Persia in Depth - Discover Iran in 15 Days. €1,690 €1,520 Sale! 15 Days. Show Details. CLICK TO SEE ALL IRAN TOURS. Iran train tour on the Trans-Iranian railway offers an opportunity to visit the cultural and historical heritage sites, boarding on a private 5-star Iran train.

  18. Iran Train Tickets

    However, train travel in Iran typically yields more pleasurable and enduring memories. This type of travel results in a family-friendly environment. There are great distances between the large cities in Iran due to the country's size. As a result, taking the train is a convenient way to connect places. The most recent data indicates that Iran ...

  19. Tehran Travel Guide: Top Sights & Tips + Photos

    Traveling by train is an enjoyable way to experience the journey to Tehran. The central train station in Tehran, known as "Tehran Railway Station," serves as a hub for rail travel to and from the city. Estimated train travel times to Tehran from different cities: Isfahan to Tehran: Approximately 8 to 9 hours

  20. Iran Travel Advisory

    Updated to add the Terrorism Risk Indicator and risk of surrogacy tourism. Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens.Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions.. Country Summary: U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason.U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Iran have been kidnapped, arrested ...

  21. 5 ways to travel via train, plane, taxi, bus, and car

    Iran Air flies from Tehrān to Isfahan once daily. Alternatively, Raja Rail Transportation Co. operates a train from Tehran to Isfahan once daily, and the journey takes 5h 39m. Airlines. Iran Air. Train operators. Raja Rail Transportation Co. Bus operators. Seiro Safar. Other operators.

  22. Iran Train Ticket Online Booking

    Different trains travel from Tehran to east, west, north, and south. You can get to the most popular cities in Iran by train. The main train destinations in Iran are Tabriz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Kerman, and Gorgan. there are several stations on the way to these main destinations. Here is a list of popular rail destinations in ...

  23. Key stakeholders from travel industry gather at ITB Berlin 2024

    The ITB Berlin 2024 kicked off last week seeing professionals and key stakeholders from the travel industry gather in the German capital. It is considered the world's biggest travel trade show ...

  24. Ukraine war latest: Russia accuses Ukraine of dropping shell on polling

    A Russian man has been detained for allegedly "planning a terrorist attack on the Trans-Siberian Railway" in the Ural Mountains, according to state news agency TASS. Election voting has entered ...