How-ToTips

10 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

You’re about to head off for your first overseas trip to visit Iran, a country that most people donโ€™t know much about it. What will you find outside of your home? How Iran is going to surprise you? Are you ready to cope with it when visit Iran? How much money will you spend trying to deal with it?

Here are the top ten most important things you should know before traveling to Iran.

1. Money in Iran

Iranian Rial (IRR) is the official currency but forget about it! Everywhere youโ€™ll encounter with Toman = 10 Rials. Prices are given in Toman, not Rial. Iranian read prices in Rial but understand in Toman! If somebody tells you something is โ€œ10โ€, it means 10,000 Toman = 100,000 Rials.

Forget ATMs because International cards donโ€™t work in Iran. So you have to bring all the money you need in cash. Both Dollar and Euro are acceptable for exchange.

You had better exchange your cash at exchange agencies instead of banks. Exchanges give better rates. In Tehran you can find exchange agencies in Ferdowsi Square.

Best Hotels in Iran

Book A Hotel In Iran

2. Stamp of Israel and Travel to Iran

If there is proof of entry to Israel in your passport, you cannot enter and visit Iran. This also applies if you have land border entry/exit stamps from countries neighboring Israel.

3. Is it safe to visit Iran

Despite the engineered picture projected in the mainstream media Iran has always been safe for tourists.

Things To Know Before You Visit Iran

4. Get ready for some taโ€™arof

People you meet are going to want to take you out and pay for everything. Do offer to pay yourself, but if they refuse you 3 or more times accept them.

Taโ€™arof is when someone offers something to be polite, not because they want to. When you are buying something, or paying the taxi, there is a chance the seller or driver wonโ€™t accept your money immediately but will start telling you that itโ€™s not important, it is taโ€™arof and keep insisting to pay.

Taโ€™arof is a nice ritual and very much appreciated in Iran, but for sure it doesnโ€™t mean you can just leave and donโ€™t pay.

Iran Tourist Card

Orienttrips Iran Tourist Card

5. Most of the time, you can find free water and free public toilet

Tap water is safe to drink, unless stated otherwise. There are also plenty of water fountains all throughout the cities. Almost all public toilets in Iran are squat toilets. Toilet papers are also found very rarely in public areas so bring yours. If you want to ask for a free WC, try using the French pronunciation, โ€œtoiletteโ€.

6. Alcohol is illegal

As you may know, Iran is one of the countries where alcohol is illegal.

Alcohol Free Beer Is Also Available
Alcohol free beer is also available!

This is an absolute must among the things to know before you travel to Iran. Instead of that you can enjoy Chai (tea) which is available everywhere or Doogh (yoghurt, mint, salt and water). Read more…

7. The weekend is Friday

As an Islamic Republic following Islamic rules and calendar, the weekend in Iran is Friday, meaning that some offices are open until Thursday evening or even until noon.

8. Buy a local SIM Card

The easiest and cheapest way to connect to Internet in Iran is using 4G or LTE of your Iranian SIM card. Although it is cheaper than using your own countryโ€™s SIM card for call. MCI, Irancell and Rightel are main operators.

Buy Iranian SIM Card Online

IRAN 4G SIM Card

9. Forget about knife in restaurants

Abgoosht The Recommended Persian Meal
Abgoosht is one of the most traditional Iranian foods.

Iranians eat the majority of foods with fork and spoon. It just happens that most of the time you wonโ€™t find a knife beside your plate on the table. If youโ€™re stuck in the situation, donโ€™t be shy and just ask the waiter to bring you one. It almost always solves the problem.

10. Dress code when visiting Iran

For women loose fitting tops that cover your arms and come down to your mid-thigh or knees is whatโ€™s required. Trousers are essential. Your hair must be covered with a headscarf, however your face is allowed to be fully.

Read more about travelling to Iran

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SURFIRAN Editorial Team

SURFIRAN is an Iranian tour operator and travel agency offering tour packages to those interested in Iran. It provides the tourists with services needed to travel to Iran, offers tours across the country, and assists the tourists in obtaining Iranian visas.

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