Getting around traffic-clogged, sprawling Tehran is a true test of patience. While taxis are your best bet, they are pricier here than the rest of the country.

A large local bus network will also take you almost anywhere you need to go, as long you can make sense of the routes and Persian line numbers.

The true star of Tehran’s transport system however, is the brand new metro.

TEHRAN BUS

The buses in the Tehran are quite efficient in Iran and it is by far the most preferred transport for women, who deem it safer than taxis. Buses operate throughout the city but timetables and routes are not readily available.

Bus stops, in particular along Vali Asr Street, are clearly marked and numerous. Otherwise, you can ask a passerby for the nearest stop.

Day services are frequent, but in the evenings (some buses do not run after 21.30) and on Fridays these are more sporadic.

Always buy a ticket either at the kiosk or from the driver himself, paying at the end of the journey.

Female travellers may need to exit the bus and then come up to the driver at the front to pay for the ticket (around 3,000 rials).

TEHRAN BRT BUS

The Tehran Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a rapid transit system serving Tehran which was officially inaugurated in 2008. The BRT has a network of over 150 kilometres, transporting 1.8 million passengers on a daily basis.

The BRT has a total of ten lines with a further expansion planned to bring the total length to 300 kilometres. The price of Tehran’s BRT is somewhere between 4,000IRR to 9,500IRR ($0.15 to $0.35 USD). See a Map of the Tehran BRT lines (PDF).

TEHRAN METRO

BY METRO The first line of the Tehran metro opened in February 2000. There are now five lines in operation connecting the far-flung parts of this huge city. One-way and return ticket costs are 3,500 rials and 5,500 rials respectively, regardless of the distance.

Travel passes are the cheapest way to use the metro and useful if you plan to use trains regularly.

Like the Oyster card on the UK London underground, you purchase a card at the ticket office and charge the card with funds and swipe in and out of the barriers at the stations. Rush hours, best avoided, are from 06.00 to 09.00 and 1/1.00 to 17.00.

Metro carriages are also gender-segregated, but metro travel is safe and efficient and indications are written in both Persian and clear English.

While metro services are not as frequent as in European cities, the carriages are clean and you can always purchase a little something from one of the sellers along the way. See a map of the Tehran metro.

TEHRAN TAXI

Traveling by taxi in Tehran is easy and inexpensive. A shared taxi (savari) costs around 5,000—10,000 rials and private hire (darbast) costs up to 80,000 rials, depending on where you are going.

Do remember that Tehran is not a pedestrian-friendly city and a short savari ride up Valiasr Street may save a great deal of energy.

RIDE-SHARING APPS

It is recommended for traveler to use the ride-sharing apps such as SNAPP or TAP30 since they are cheaper than the regular taxi most of the time.

MOTORCYCLE TAXI

Motorcycle taxis loiter on major corners all over town and make an adrenaline-inducing way to get across town in a hurry. They cost as much as taxis but take half the time. Ride-sharing apps such as SNAPP and Alopeyk affering Motorcycle taxis in Tehran.