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Iran FAQ

Is tipping customary in Iran?

It's customary to tip service workers in Iran, so set aside small amounts for porters, local guides, waiters, drivers and cleaners.

What is the internet access like in Iran?

You'll be able to access the internet in Iran's cities, with many major hotels and cafes having internet access. Expect little to no access in rural and remote areas.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in Iran?

Mobile phones from other parts of the world may not work in Iran, although it's possible to buy a low-cost prepaid SIM card in most of Iran's large cities.

What are the toilets like in Iran?

Squat toilets are the most common variety in Iran, although flushable western-style toilets can be found in some tourist areas and hotels. Carry your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

What will it cost for a...?

Street snack = 4,000 IRR
Pot of tea in a tea house = 4,000-6,000 IRR
Short taxi ride = 5,000 IRR
Meal in a budget restaurant = 20,000 IRR

Can I drink the water in Iran?

Tap water is considered safe to drink but due to the high mineral content, visitors should avoid drinking tap water which can cause stomach upsets. For environmental reasons, try to avoid drinking bottled water - ask your leader or hotel where access to filtered water can be found.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Iran?

Iran is very much a cash economy. This means travellers can rarely use debit or credit cards or travellers cheques while in Iran. A handful of tourist-orientated shops accept credit cards; otherwise, cash is the main method of trade in Iran. US dollars and euros are the only hard currencies accepted at Iranian banks and money-changers. Having those notes changed into Iranian rials is a fairly simple exercise.

What is ATM access like in Iran?

As with the question above, ATMs in Iran rarely accept foreign cards, so cash is the main form of currency. Bring US dollars and euros, which can be exchanged into local currency.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling in Iran?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What public holidays are celebrated in Iran?

Jan 11 Demise of Prophet Mohammad
Jan 12 Martyrdom of Imam Reza
Jan 24 Birthday of Prophet Mohammad
Feb 10 Victory of Islamic Revolution
Mar 19 Nationalism of Oil Industry Day
Mar 21-23 Nowruz (Persian New year)
May 23 Birthday Imam Ali
Jun 6 Shab-e-Miraj (Night of Ascension)
June 24 Birthday Imam Mahdi
Jul 29 Martyrdom Imam Ali
Aug 8 Eid-e Fitr (Ramadan ends)
Sep 1 Martyrdom imam Jafar sadegh
Oct 15 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
Oct 23 Eid al-Ghadeer
Nov 4 Islamic New Year
Nov 12 Tassoua
Nov 13 Ashura
Dec 24 Arbaeen

Many Islamic holidays and festivals are timed according to lunar phases, so these dates are an estimate only. For a current list of public holidays go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/Iran/public-holidays

Do I need a visa to travel to Iran?

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay.

We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.

  • IRAN: Iranian visas are issued in a two step process:
    1. An authorisation code for your visa must be issued by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
    2. A visa for your passport must then be obtained at an Iranian Embassy once the authorisation code has been issued.

    For your nearest Iranian Embassy please check the Iranian Ministry of Foreign affairs of Iran website: www.mfa.gov.ir

    Step 1- How to apply for your authorisation code:
    Please immediately fill in the visa authorisation form sent to you by our sales team at the time of booking. If you are arriving early or staying on afterwards this needs to be written on your application form. As you are technically the responsibility of our Intrepid operator for your entire stay, only Intrepid-booked activities/accommodation are able to be nominated as part of this visa application. If you don't receive this form at the time of booking please enquire with your agent.

    We recommend your flight to Iran should be as close to the starting date as possible. We also recommend your flight dates should be changeable in case of delays at the embassy issuing the visa.

    Return the visa authorisation form together with a scanned copy of the first page of your passport via email to iran@intrepidtravel.com and pretrip@intrepidtravel.com immediately. Please ensure all details are correct before sending. Any errors may result in your visa being denied or delayed. It's vital that you provide us with an email contact at the time of booking. On occasions our local operator may contact you directly regarding the information provided for the authorisation code processing.

    Our local operator in Iran will process visa authorisation applications with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visa authorisation generally take 3-5 weeks depending on your nationality (up to two months for US citizens).

    When approved, your visa authorisation code will be faxed to the Iranian embassy processing your visa (nominated on the authorisation form). Our Iranian operator will also notify you of your authorisation code via email. Once the code is received please apply for your visa directly with the nominated Iranian embassy (see Step 2 for further instructions). The process is complete once your passport is returned with the Iran visa stamped inside.

    While not common, there are occasions where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects a visa application for a variety of reasons (usually unknown to us). Unfortunately we have no control over the success of your application and have little recourse if it's rejected.

    It's not uncommon for Iran authorisation codes to be submitted very close to the actual time of travel. Obviously this can be an anxious period but again unfortunately we have little authority to speed up the process. If you haven't received your authorisation code within 10 days of trip departure contact us to make alternative travel plans.

    Step 2 - How to obtain your visa stamp:
    Once you have received your emailed authorisation code from our local operator, immediately apply for your visa with your nominated Iranian embassy. You'll need to provide a visa application form (usually you can download it from the embassy website), your passport, the visa fee and photos.

    The cost of an Iran visa varies between US$60-80 depending on your nationality. Please check with your nominated embassy for visa costs. For women we recommend they provide a photo with their hair covered by a headscarf (not a hat). If you wish to personally collect your visa at the designated embassy you must also arrive wearing a headscarf. In order to collect your visa from the consulate, you must carry your travel insurance policy that covers Iran.

    In our experience the turnaround time for your visa to be stamped in your passport and returned to your home address is normally within a week, but can take longer. Please check with your nominated Iranian embassy for their opening times and processing times for visas (some embassies will say that it takes up to a month). Please note that Iran embassies and consulates worldwide may only open for 2 or 3 days a week and have very limited opening hours.

    If possible, visiting the embassy personally can speed up the process.

    Visas are valid for three months from the time of issue.

    We will do our best to secure your authorisation code, however the final decision rests with the government of Iran, therefore we cannot guarantee when and if a visa will be granted.

    If you have any questions regarding this process, please feel free to email iran@intrepidtravel.com.

    Important Visa Notes:
    1. Please check that the embassy issues you with a tourist visa and not a business visa (the stamp in your passport must state that the visa is a tourist one). If you're issued with a business visa, hotels will charge you the business travellers rates which are often far higher than the tourist rates.

    2. A visa will be flatly refused if your passport contains evidence of travel to Israel. Note: this is not confined to just an Israeli stamp in your passport. You will be refused an Iranian visa if there's an Egyptian entry or exit stamp from the Egyptian/Israeli border (at Taba or Rafah) or a Jordanian entry or exit stamp from the Jordanian/Israeli border (at Wadi Araba near Aqaba, Sheikh Hussein bridge or King Hussein bridge, otherwise known as the Allenby bridge) in your passport. Even without actually having an Israeli stamp in your passport, these exit or entry stamps prove that you have visited Israel and entry into Iran will be disallowed.

    3. Upon arrival in Iran, women not wearing an Islamic headscarf, long sleeves, covered shoes and a loose fitting skirt or pants may be refused entry into the country (to avoid this problem bring a thin full-length raincoat with you if you choose to buy a manteau after you arrive). A manteau is a loose-fitting trench coat that comes down to just above your knees and is required by law to be worn by all women in Iran. Men must also be conservatively dressed, wearing long trousers upon arrival, or they too may be refused entry.

    4. The Iranian Foreign Ministry usually closes over the Iranian New Year period (approx 12 March to 2 April) and will not process visa applications over this time. Please have your visa application in well before this date.
  • All foreign visitors require a visa to enter Iran except citizens of the following countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia and Turkey. Citizens of these countries can stay for up to 3 months without a visa.
  • The visa process for Iran and countries in Central Asia can be quite complicated and time consuming. We highly recommend that you use the services of a qualified visa agent for the process. Your booking agent can advise of a reputable service.
  • Where to obtain your visa:
    It is recommended that you state that you are obtaining your visa beforehand. This could be at any Embassy or Consulate of Iran that is convenient for you. UK citizens must provide fingerprints when collecting your Iran visa. We recommend that you obtain your visa Istanbul.

    USEFUL INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING THE VISA FORM
    Purpose of visit – Tourism
    Name of Host: Intrepid Iran, Shiraz, Iran, Tel +989177142602.
    Email: iran@intrepidtravel.com, info@uppersia.com
    Your address & telephone number in Iran: - Parastoo Hotel, No 15 Sahid Mohamad Baig Alley, Jomhoori Avenue, Tehran. Tel: +98 21 667 08571.
    How will you support yourself: - Please tick cash and travellers cheques and enter amount as at least £300 or US$400
    Do you intend to enter Iran with a tour operator: - Yes, Dragoman, Camp Green, Debenham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6LA Tel: +44 1728 861133.

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Iran at a glance

  • 1
  • Tehran (population 7.2 million)
  • 76.9 million
  • Persian
  • IRR
  • (GMT+03:30) Tehran
  • Type C (European 2-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
  • +98

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