Iran, getting there and around

By Air
Most of the international flights to Iran arrive at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran . Direct flights to Iran are usually available from many Asian, Middle Eastern, and European countries, while flights coming from the US will have to connect to airports in Asia or the Middle East . Airlines providing service to and from Iran are Iran Air, British Mediterranean, KLM, Lufthansa, and Swiss Air.

The Emam International Airport is in proximity of Tehran and services low-fare airlines. In the years to come, more international arrivals and departures are expected to be shifted to this airport. Aside from the two mentioned above, there are around 70 small regional airports in the country, with some (like the airports in Shiraz , Mashhad , and Isfahan ) having regular flights to many cities around the globe.

By Car
Traveling to Iran over land is possible when you're coming from Turkey . While passing by the former Soviet states of Azerbaijan , Armenia , and Turkmenistan is possible, it should take you quite an amount of courage because of the dangers that you might face. And due to the current situation in Afghanistan , overland travel between Iran and Pakistan , as well as Iran and Iraq , isn't quite possible and isn't advised.

If you are traveling to Iran via car, be prepared for a lot of checkpoints especially when crossing borders.

By Ferry
Another route you can take when entering the country is through the Persian Gulf . Ferries to Iran are regularly available from Bahrain , Dubai , Kuwait , Qatar , Sharjah, and the United Arab Emirates . If you ride cargo boats found between Baku (capital of Azerbaijan ) and Bandar-é Anzali, the Caspian Sea will also take you to Iran .

By Train
There is only one safe international railway transit that runs through Iran . You can ride that train from Istanbul ( Turkey ) all the way to the Iranian capital of Tehran . There is also a railway from Iran leading to Iraq , but it is unpredictable given the current situation of Iraq .

Getting Around

By Air
Regular domestic flights aren't uncommon in Iran . They aren't too expensive as well. Iran Air and Asseman Air usually offer cheap flights from Tehran to most regions in the country, while regional airlines Caspian Air and Kish Air provide short inter-region trips. Taking plane rides when traveling around Iran will save you the time and effort of long-distance commutes.

By Bus
The Iranian Domestic Bus Network covers a lot of ground within the country and has plenty of cheap seats to go around. Buses in the country usually come in two classes. The first class is more luxurious, while the second class is more frequent. But since first-class tickets are reasonably priced, it is always easier to opt for the air-conditioned buses especially when you are in the Middle East . The only downfall when riding buses in Iran is the long trips due to 80 km/h restriction mandated by the government to bus drivers.

By Car
If you opt to ride a car, hiring a taxi cab is always a viable alternative due to the low fuel costs in the country, which leads to cheaper fees. There are many variations of taxis around the country like Savari taxis (minimum of five passengers, ala minibus), shared local taxis, and private taxis.

Renting a car is an attractive option also because of the low cost of fuel. But don't be fooled by the costs alone. You should also be aware and wary of the unfavorable traffic conditions and the lack of road discipline especially in busy areas like Tehran .

By Train
Getting around Iran via railway trains will get you to your destination point faster while making your trip a more comfortable one as compared to cars and buses. The RAJA Trains operate on five regional routes that pass through areas such as Tehran , Mashhad , Jolfa, Gorgan, Khorramshahr, Yazd , and many others.