Iran Tours for UK Citizens
UK travel advice: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Iran. Check the latest FCDO Iran travel advice and entry requirements before considering a trip. Guidance and border conditions may change at short notice.
SURFIRAN can discuss small-group or tailored itineraries and provide tour-planning information for British passport holders. The Iranian Embassy has told the FCDO that applicants using a British passport must apply as part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran. Visa decisions and entry rules are set by the Iranian authorities; a tour booking does not guarantee approval.
Iran Journeys for UK Citizens
Selected itineraries are offered in small groups. Group size, availability and inclusions vary by departure; ask our team for details before booking.
Travel with SURFIRAN and enjoy a well-curated, personalized journey through the rich culture and history of Iran.
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SURFIRANEssential Advice for UK Travelers
Explore vital tips for UK citizens planning Iran tours, covering everything from visa processes to cultural etiquette. Ensure a well-prepared and enriching travel experience with our comprehensive guidance.
IRAN VISA FOR UK CITIZENS
British passport holders need a visa to visit Iran unless they hold an Iranian passport. The FCDO advises against all travel to Iran.
If you choose to travel against that advice, apply well in advance. The FCDO says the visa process can be long and unpredictable, and the Iranian Embassy has told it that British-passport applicants must be part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran.
SURFIRAN can discuss an organised-tour itinerary and provide tour-planning details. Confirm current documents, fees, appointment arrangements and permitted travel routes with the Iranian Embassy before making plans. A visa authorisation code is not a visa or a guarantee of entry.
Read the current FCDO entry requirements and follow its link to the Iranian Embassy for the latest application instructions.
Customized Tours for UK Explorers
An **Iran Private Tour** offers personalized travel experiences in Iran for individuals or groups from the UK. These tours provide flexibility and a unique perspective on the country, allowing you to explore Iran at your own pace and according to your interests. Enjoy a customized journey that showcases the rich culture and history of Iran, tailored specifically for UK travelers.
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Personalize Your Itinerary
Talk with a SURFIRAN travel specialist who can help organize your trip.
SURFIRAN Reviews
What initially attracted me to choose Surfiran for my trip to Iran was their beautiful website, if you can believe it. Thankfully, I soon learned that the substance of this organization matched its style.
Surfiran not only provided me with an unforgettable trip through Iran, but showed incredible patience and persistence in getting my visa (I’m American, so it was difficult), and was available before, during and after the trip to hear feedback and solve problems.
Mersi!
My trip was not an ordinary tourist trip to Iran visiting the sights of the ancient civilization if the country. I was interested in the equine activities n the country due to the fact that I had been a horse trainer working for the Court in the 1970s. SURFIRAN did a great job in satisfying my desires.
I not only met up with old friends in the horse world but it was arranged for me to visit shows, polo matches, races and many horse farms and clubs. Their guides, driver and personnel were the best. I highly recommend this agency.
Do yourself a favour and visit Iran. And if you would like a smooth, inclusive and carefree experience contact SURFIRAN.
Everything has been great, Farzaneh helped us from day 1, there were a couple of small misunderstanding/miscommunication on behalf of the Australian operator, and Farzaneh went above and beyond to sort them out. The guides were fantastic, we spent a day with Sarjat in Tehran, followed by the rest of the tour with Arya. I will always treasure the memories I’ve made with these people and all the knowledge they’ve shared with us. Farzaneh called everyday to check that everything was good. I was very impressed by the level of attention.
Hotels were great, clean, comfortable and top quality service. Definitely an excellent experience.
We spent two weeks in Iran and loved our time there. SURFIRAN were fantastic to work with and helped us plan an amazing itinerary. We wanted to plan and book with a local company to get local knowledge and put our money on the ground there instead of going through a larger international tour company.
The lovely people in the office were helpful and prompt with our questions. Our two guides were fantastic. Sajad, our guide in Tehran, is a friendly knowledgable guy. We had a ball and enjoyed his company. Our guide in other cities, Mustafa, is a real character and expert. Both are warm like most people we met in Iran.
Iran is an amazing place. And, while it’s history, culture and food are clear highlights, the one thing that keeps shining through is that war,th of the people. We had many experiemces of people’s hospitality and just wanting to welcome us to Iran.
Thank you SURFIRAN for showing us you great country.
We had a great experience with Surfiran who helped us plan a customised honeymoon package that took us from Tehran to Kashan, Esfahan, the Central Desert, Yazd, Persepolis and Shiraz in 13 days.
Everything went smoothly thanks to Farzaneh who was extremely prompt over email and Whatsapp and kept in touch with our guides the whole trip to make sure things were on track. The guides – Hosein, Kian, Ali and Sajad – were all professional, attentive and spoke fluent English, each with their own distinctive personalities and all passionate to show us Iran from a local perspective.
I’ll admit we were rather cautious about going to Iran at first but the experience with Surfiran really changed our perspective. The level of service was comparable to what we were used to in Singapore and on trips to Europe and the hospitality and warmth far exceeding what we would have got from a mass tour. Kudos to the team and we hope to be back!
I took 9-Day Iranian Culture and Heritage Small Group Tour from April 27th through May 5th 2018 with Surfiran tour company. I spend 2 extra days in Tehran before the tour. Complimentary scenic day tour on private train to Alborz mountains north of Tehran is included in every tour with Surfiran.
I also visited Shiraz, Persepolis, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan and small cities in between. I was amazed by magnificent architectural and cultural heritage of Iran, and its beautiful nature and kind people. I was joined by another tourist from Germany, so my tour was almost private for the price of a group tour. As US citizen I felt very comfortable in Iran all the time during my tour.
Iranian people which I met treated me extremely warm and friendly. I stayed in good quality hotels in the center of visited cities, breakfasts were plentiful and tasty. On recommendation of my guide Hossein I tried different cuisine in authentic Persian restaurants.
Hossein provided exceptional information about culture and history, always tried to show something unique and interesting. The whole tour was well organized by Surfiran and by sales manager Farzaneh Sarafraz, who guided me through visa application process and answered multiple questions. I definitely recommend Surfiran as a travel company to visit Iran.
Twelve Greeks friends visited Iran from 18 of April till 2 of May. We returned home just a few days ago and a part of our heart is still there; this is quite natural. We came back physically tired but brim-full of images, colours, scents, and melodies; above all, deeply impressed by the kindness, warmth, and hospitality of your compatriots. We feel lucky that we had chosen SURFIRAN travel agency to organize our trip. In particular, we would like to thank:
1. Miss Elham Babaee for the excellent trip she organized for us. The schedule she prepared included visits to very beautiful and equally important places from historical point of view. Places that bear the imprint of your civilization. She had also the kindness to insert in the schedule whatever we asked her. The fact that she offered us a bus of 30 seats made our trip very comfortable, given that most of us were over fifty years old. The hotels she chose were in general very good. She was also taking care of us during the whole trip and arranged on the spot any matter that arose. We apologize if we wearied her with many requests or embarrassed her for any reason.
2. Our guide, Miss Fatemeh Heydari, who made us love your country as she was talking about its history and answering to our innumerable questions. She also presented to us some of the best aspects of modern Iran and helped us visit some excellent restaurants and coffeeshops. She has been tireless and addressed always with a warm smile any contingency. When we said goodbye at Teheran airport, she was already our friend Miss Fatemeh.
3. Our chauffeur Mr Mahdi. Unfortunately, I was not keen to be informed of his family name. He was driving carefully and safely during the whole journey and always kept the bus clean and had available fresh water and coffee for us.
4. Last but not least, we thank Dr. Mahdi Eshragi because his agency always supported us whenever we needed you and his main concern was to please his guests and not how to earn more money.
My husband and I just returned from our tour a few days ago so every experience we had is still fresh in our minds.
SURFIRAN arranged the tour just for the two of us. Though we had an itinerary, there was flexibility. From the day we stepped into Iran to the day we left, we were given very personalised service. Farzaneh, Sajad and Alireza are people we will long remember.
Never have we ever been to a country (and we gave been to more than a hundred) where we were greeted with warmth almost everywhere we went! People on the streets, in the museums, on the trains, at the airport; everywhere. The traffic in Tehran may seemed chaotic but it is somehow it flowed smoothly.
Out of bustling Tehran there’s so much to feast the eyes. The ancient sights, the old buildings, the bazaars, the museums, the traditional accomodations, the desert and not forgetting the food! With two days extention on our own, we had 11 wonderful days in Iran!
Un pays magnifique , des sites et des paysages à coupler le souffle. L’accueil des iraniens est à recommander à beaucoup d’autres: conviviaux , agréables, prêts à aider…
Notre périple d’abord classique Téhéran, Kashan, Ispahan , Yads et Shiraz sans oublier Persépolis. Ensuite Mashhad , le nord et la mer caspienne puis le retour à Téhéran à travers le massif de l’Arlborz…inoubliable. Cet itinéraire permet d’appréhender la grande variété des paysages de l’Iran et éviter de penser qu’il n’y a qu’un désert.
Pour l’agence un sans faute , très bonne organisation et réactivité . Une guide parlant français Maryam très compétente , un chauffeur extra, un accompagnement de tous les instants sans pesanteur. Ils nous ont permis de découvrir des lieux que seuls nous aurions ignorés.
A recommander nous aimerions y retournés et bien évidemment si cela se fait ce sera avec la même agence.
Most we enjoyed the landscape and wildlife we saw, it was just amazing and not comparable with nature we found in Germany and Europe, one of my greatest experiences! Second we enjoyed the kindness of you guys (Mehdi, Negin and her family, and the two houses we stayed) it was like meeting family and friends :)
We really enjoyed the whole trip with you guys: the landscape and wildlife were fascinating. The organization by Surf Iran was perfect and well done, we are grateful all our wishes and ideas were considered in the best way. Our hosts Mahmoud, Azar and Negin were such friendly, hospitably and had best knowledge of the region and wildlife, good to had you! Furthermore it was so good to write with you and get some help even after our trip when we were on Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, thank you a lot!
Best wishes,
Christian, Robin and Tim
Everything was arranged very efficiently. Nothing went wrong. Our guide, Mostafa Farhadi, was remarkable. Not only was he a brilliant driver, but his knowledge of the culture, history and contemporary life of Iran was amazing. He also had superb contacts in all the places we visited.
He is clearly known and respected by many other guides, as well as by managers and owners of the hotels, restaurants and sites we visited. He managed to satisfy all our interests and to overcome every difficulty. Of course we were thrilled to experience the cultural treasures of this great country, but still the most treasured memories are of our encounters with Iranian people, Including some introductions that our friends had made beforehand.
Thank you for arranging everything.
My colleague and I are in tea business. We are working on a book about the stories of people behind your cup of tea. We were looking for someone to help us getting introduced to the tea industry and show us around in Gilan. SURFIRAN arranged everything for us: the contacts, the meetings, the cultural activities and the logistics.
We were overwhelmed by the friendliness, the hospitality and the professional approach of both the team of SURFIRAN in Teheran and the guides they work with.
It was business, but it never felt like that. It felt like coming home. We are already planning a next tour with a group!
Can UK citizens travel to Iran?
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British passport holders need a visa unless they hold an Iranian passport. Check the current FCDO advice and entry requirements before considering any trip. Routes and border conditions can change at short notice.
How do UK citizens obtain a visa for Iran?
The FCDO says the Iranian Embassy has advised that British-passport applicants must be part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran. Apply well in advance because processing can be long and unpredictable. Confirm the current documents, fees and appointment process with the Embassy. SURFIRAN can provide tour-planning details but cannot guarantee a visa. See the FCDO entry requirements.
What is the cost of living for a UK citizen traveling in Iran?
Daily costs vary by itinerary and exchange rate. Ask for a current quote that separates tour costs from meals, entry fees and personal expenses. The FCDO warns that non-Iranian bank cards generally will not work in Iran; check legal payment options before making plans. See its safety guidance.
Can UK citizens use their credit/debit cards in Iran?
What about cell phone and internet service for UK citizens in Iran?
The FCDO says mobile and internet services can be blocked, slowed or shut down without warning. Do not rely on mobile data, apps or international calls for personal safety; plan alternative ways to communicate and navigate. See the current safety guidance.
What are the best times to visit Iran for UK citizens?
The best time to visit Iran depends on your preferences. Iran experiences hot summers and cold winters. For mild and pleasant weather, consider traveling in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). Note that during Ramadan and the Iranian New Year (Nowruz) around March 21, certain services may be limited. Plan accordingly to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Is English widely spoken in Iran?
English is commonly spoken among younger Iranians and in tourist areas, but it’s less prevalent in rural regions. Having a guide helps navigate any language barriers.
Is Iran safe for UK citizens?
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. It warns that British nationals face a high risk of arrest or detention and that UK government support is extremely limited. An organised tour or guide does not remove these risks. Read the latest official advice before making any plans.
What are the dress code requirements in Iran?
The FCDO says Islamic dress codes are strictly enforced in public. Women must cover their heads and follow local clothing requirements; additional rules can apply at religious sites. Check the current FCDO safety guidance for details.
What are the rules for photography in Iran?
Photography rules vary by location. Photography is generally allowed in many mosques and some museums, but not in government and military buildings. Always ask for permission before photographing people.
Can UK citizens travel alone in Iran?
The FCDO says the Iranian Embassy has advised that British-passport visa applicants must be part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran. Confirm the conditions of any proposed itinerary and visa with the Embassy; do not assume independent travel or a particular guide arrangement is permitted. The FCDO advises against all travel.
Can UK citizens visit Kish Island?
The FCDO advises against all travel to Iran, including Kish Island. Its entry guidance says Kish visits must be arranged through an Iranian travel agency with advance confirmation, a hotel reservation and a guide. Travellers have sometimes been denied entry without explanation.
L2, 141 Taleghani St, Tehran 1571757333
Phone: +98 21 910 30 860
Fax: +98 21 7105 7311
Email: contact@surfiran.com
WhatsApp: +98 912 880 3921
