Discover Iran's ancient Persian heritage, stunning Islamic architecture, and warm hospitality. From the grand bazaars of Tehran to the architectural marvels of Isfahan and the poetic gardens of Shiraz, Iran offers travelers a journey through 2,500 years of history and culture.
Local currency: Iranian Rial (IRR) and Toman (1 Toman = 10 Rials - locals quote prices in Toman).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Iran.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $10-20/night (dorm bed or basic private room at backpacker hostels like Mashhad Hostel Tehran)
- Budget
- $30-50/night (budget hotel with private bathroom and breakfast)
- Midrange
- $60-100/night (3-4 star hotel in major cities)
- Luxury
- $150-350+/night (5-star hotels like Abbasi Isfahan or Espinas Palace Tehran)
Food
- Street
- $2-4 (falafel sandwich, ash-e reshteh bowl, samboseh)
- Local
- $5-10 (restaurant meal with kebab, rice, doogh)
- Midrange
- $15-25 (sit-down restaurant with multiple courses)
- Fine
- $40-80+ (upscale restaurant at 5-star hotel)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.20-0.50 (urban bus ride within Tehran or Isfahan)
- Taxi
- $3-8 (typical city rideshare via Snapp or Tap30)
- Airport
- $20-30 (taxi/rideshare from Imam Khomeini Airport to Tehran center)
- Daytrip
- $10-20 (VIP bus to nearby cities like Kashan or Qom)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-15 (National Museum, Golestan Palace, Carpet Museum)
- Sites
- $8-15 (Persepolis, Pasargadae, Naqsh-e Rostam)
- Tour
- $30-80 (half-day guided tour with licensed guide)
- Excursion
- $60-150 (full-day private tour with transport and guide)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Iran costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$210-350/week (hostel accommodation, street food and local restaurants, public transport, self-guided attractions)
Midrange traveller
$490-700/week (3-star hotels, mix of restaurants, Snapp taxis, guided tours of major sites)
Luxury traveller
$1,190-2,100+/week (5-star hotels, fine dining, private guides, domestic flights, VIP transport)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Bring all cash in USD or EUR - foreign bank cards and credit cards do not work anywhere in Iran due to sanctions. ATMs will not accept foreign cards under any circumstances.
Use Snapp and Tap30 rideshare apps instead of street taxis - they are 20-40% cheaper and show the price upfront, eliminating negotiation with drivers who may overcharge tourists
Eat lunch as your main meal - traditional restaurants offer the most generous portions and best food at lunch service (12-3 PM) and many have set lunch menus significantly cheaper than dinner prices
Stay in traditional guesthouses (mehmanpazir) in historic districts rather than hotels - they offer authentic experiences at 30-50% lower cost than equivalent hotels
Buy saffron, nuts, and spices directly from bazaar merchants rather than tourist shops - the same quality costs 2-3x less when bought at wholesale sections of the bazaar
Book intercity VIP buses rather than domestic flights where possible - the Tehran-Isfahan bus takes 4.5 hours for $8-10 versus $30-60 for a domestic flight
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Si-o-Se Pol and Khaju Bridge Evening Walk
Isfahan's historic bridges are free to visit 24 hours and come alive in the evenings with locals, musicians, and atmospheric lighting reflecting in the Zayandeh River - one of Iran's most memorable free experiences.
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
The magnificent UNESCO World Heritage square itself is free to enter and explore at any hour. The perimeter buildings have admission fees but simply experiencing the vast architectural ensemble and watching daily Iranian life is free.
Tehran Grand Bazaar Exploration
Wandering through the 10 km of covered corridors of the Tehran Grand Bazaar costs nothing and provides an extraordinary sensory experience of Persian commerce, architecture, and daily life - one of the great free experiences in the Middle East.
Darband Gorge Walk
Tehran's most popular hiking area is accessible free of charge via Metro Line 1 (Tajrish station). The gorge trail with mountain views, stream crossings, and traditional tea houses is a wonderful half-day free activity.
Tabiat Bridge
Tehran's architectural masterpiece pedestrian bridge connecting two parks is free 24 hours, with particularly spectacular views at sunset and city light at night. Coffee shops on the bridge require purchase but bridge walking is free.
Eram Garden (Shiraz)
While there is a small admission fee ($6), walking through the UNESCO Persian garden's perimeter and enjoying the cypress-lined views from outside is free. Early morning walks along the surrounding streets are themselves beautiful.
Tomb of Hafez and Saadi Evening Visit
Shiraz's poet shrines are open in the evenings when Iranians gather to recite poetry from the works of Hafez and Saadi - joining these spontaneous poetry sessions is a moving cultural experience accessible with a small admission fee (around $5).
Persian Bazaar People Watching
Every major Iranian city has a historic bazaar that is free to enter and wander. Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz, Isfahan's Grand Bazaar, and Tabriz's UNESCO bazaar offer hours of cultural immersion without spending anything.