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.
- Public
- Tehran has one of the region's best metro systems with 7 lines covering the city efficiently. BRT buses supplement the metro. Very affordable at $0.20-0.50 per journey.
- Taxi
- Rideshare apps Snapp and Tap30 are excellent, reliable, and significantly cheaper than street taxis. Show price upfront. Essential to download before arrival.
- Rental
- Car rental is possible but not recommended for Tehran due to chaotic traffic and aggressive driving culture. Better suited for intercity highway driving or remote site visits.
- Walking
- City centers of Isfahan and Shiraz are walkable for major attractions. Tehran is too spread out and polluted for comfortable walking between sites. Cobblestone historic areas require good footwear.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Official airport taxi: $20-30 to city center
- Taxi Info
- Fixed-rate official airport taxis available at designated stands outside arrivals. Avoid unofficial taxi touts inside the terminal.
- Shuttle
- Metro Line 1 connection via shuttle bus: $3-5 total
- Shuttle Info
- Free shuttle connects IKA to the nearest Metro Line 1 station (Shahed). Journey to central Tehran takes 60-80 minutes total.
- Bus
- Snapp/Tap30 rideshare: $15-25
- Bus Info
- Download Snapp or Tap30 apps before arriving. Works on airport Wi-Fi. Significantly cheaper than official airport taxis.
- Private
- $35-50 pre-booked private transfer
- Private Info
- Arrange through hotel or licensed transfer companies. Best option for late night arrivals or heavy luggage.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive public bus networks in all major cities. Tehran BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) covers major corridors at $0.20-0.40 per ride. Signs primarily in Farsi.
Alternatives
Tehran Metro (7 lines, $0.30-0.50/ride), Snapp/Tap30 rideshare apps (most convenient for tourists), shared taxis (savari) on fixed routes
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Base fare $0.50-1 with $0.30-0.50 per km. Yellow/green taxis operate on meter or agreed price. Always agree price before entering if no meter.
- Apps
- Snapp, Tap30, Maxim
- App Names
- Snapp (most widely used, English interface), Tap30 (good coverage), Maxim (expanding coverage)
- Typical Fare
- $4-8 average city ride in Tehran. Cheaper in other cities. Cash only as foreign cards not accepted.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Extensive VIP bus network. Tehran-Isfahan VIP: $7-10 (4.5 hrs). Tehran-Shiraz VIP: $12-18 (8 hrs). Book at bus terminals or through agents.
Shared
Shared taxis (savari) operate on popular intercity routes, departing when full. Faster than buses, cost 50-100% more. Ask at bus terminals.
Flights
Domestic flights from $30-80. Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Kish Air cover main routes. Book through travel agents as foreign cards often not accepted online.
Private
Private car hire with driver from $60-100/day for intercity travel. Hotels can arrange; excellent for flexibility and reaching remote sites.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Imam Khomeini International Airport
From centre: 50 km southwest of Tehran
Options: Official airport taxi: $20-30 to city center; Metro Line 1 connection via shuttle bus: $3-5 total; Snapp/Tap30 rideshare: $15-25; Private transfer: $35-50; Airport shuttle bus: $5-8
Mehrabad International Airport
From centre: 10 km west of Tehran
Options: Official taxi: $8-12 to city center; Metro Line 4 direct access: $0.50; Snapp/Tap30 rideshare: $5-10; Bus: $1-2
Isfahan Shahid Beheshti International Airport
From centre: 25 km northeast of Isfahan
Options: Airport taxi: $10-15 to city center; Snapp rideshare: $8-12; Airport shuttle bus: $3-5
Shiraz International Airport
From centre: 12 km southeast of Shiraz
Options: Airport taxi: $8-12 to city center; Snapp rideshare: $6-10; Airport bus: $2-3
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Snapp
Iran's most popular rideshare app (equivalent to Uber) with English interface, upfront pricing, and coverage across all major cities. Essential download before arrival.
Tap30
Second largest rideshare app in Iran, reliable alternative to Snapp with competitive pricing and growing city coverage.
Maxim
Rideshare app popular in smaller cities and some regions not fully covered by Snapp. Useful as backup option.
Iran Rail (rail.ir)
Official Iranian Railways booking website for train reservations between major cities. Some routes available in English.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Snapp and Tap30 apps before arriving in Iran - they work on Iranian data SIM and airport Wi-Fi and are far more reliable and cheaper than street taxis
Bring all cash in USD or EUR - no foreign bank cards or credit cards work at ATMs or in shops due to international sanctions
Tehran Metro is extremely efficient and cheap - buy a rechargeable Alikart card at any station for $0.30-0.50 per ride versus $5-8 taxi rides
VIP intercity buses are the best value for intercity travel - comfortable reclining seats, refreshments, and air conditioning for $7-18 between major cities
Airport taxi touts will approach you in arrivals claiming to be official - ignore them and go to the official taxi stand or use Snapp from the airport Wi-Fi