A Guide to Iran Travel in 2021

Current travel restrictions have led to everyone dreaming about getting away from it all and traveling somewhere far afield. People have even been envisioning exotic locations they never thought about visiting previously with so much time to consider different destinations.

Along those lines, few places are as exotic and unique as Iran. Even though the country often ends up in the news for the wrong reasons, it offers a lot for travelers that want to absorb history, see incredible sights, and sample rich, diverse culture.

To plan a trip to the country, here is a guide to Iran travel in 2021.

Is it safe to travel to Iran?

If you stay on top of world news, you have likely seen discussion surrounding regime change in Iran and others concerning the country. With this type of conflict hitting the headlines, there is likely one overriding thought on your mind right now: Is it safe to travel to Iran?

The general answer to the question is ‘Yes’ – but there are various red flags you have to be aware of before you start packing your bags. Here are some of the main ones:

• A dictatorial regime: While regime change might happen at some point, it is important to keep in mind that Islamic Law and a repressive dictatorship rule Iran. This means human rights are occasionally violated, and there are strict rules to follow. Just remember even if the Iranian Government does questionable actions, it does not mean regular folk in the country are bad. Iranian people have a reputation for being some of the friendliest on the planet.
• Unsafe regions: Most of Iran is safe for tourists to visit. There are certain regions, however, which are off-limits. The province of Baluchistan is one area travelers should avoid at all costs. It should go without saying, but areas bordering Afghanistan and Iraq also need to be avoided.
• Potential violence: In the press, you may have read about violent protests and kidnappings within Iran. While these stories are true, these are also stories that match what happens in most countries. As long as you stay away from public demonstrations and sketchy areas, the threat of violence is minimized.

When it comes to these dangers, you must employ a healthy dose of common sense. As long as you are respectful of the culture and remain in tourist areas, you have nothing to worry about.

The money situation

Many developed countries are moving towards a paperless world, where financial transactions are completed with credit cards and even smartphones. Yet Iran has not quite got the message as of yet.

Do not go to the country thinking you will be able to use your current debit and credit cards. They are not accepted. You do not even have the option of withdrawing cash from an ATM. This is a large inconvenience, obviously, but there are two main workarounds you can use.

One is to take a stack of Rials with you. Just keep in mind that Iran’s currency can get a little confusing. At the time of writing, one US dollar is the equivalent of 42,000 Iranian Rial. That means if you exchange just $25, you could become a literal millionaire in Iran. With so many zeros to consider, however, you need to be able to count carefully.

The other choice is to purchase a local credit card. This can be done with the assistance of a local service provider such as MahCard. By doing this, you can load up a prepaid card and avoid having to carry a load of notes and coins around with you at all times.

A combination of the two is recommended. Plus, try and complete as many bookings as you can online. If you can pay for your hotel, flights, bus tickets, etc., beforehand, this means you can take less money with you. There is just one problem: you still cannot use a credit card when paying for these bookings on local websites. Fortunately, there are reputable companies like 1stQuest that can do the work for you.

Getting around

As you would expect, there are various methods for traveling around Iran – whether you are sticking to one area or planning to explore further afield during your adventure.

One option is doing it yourself by renting a vehicle. This gives you the freedom to venture into stunning areas that tourists bound to public transport cannot reach. However, driving around in a rental car is not for everyone. City traffic is notoriously hectic with little to no rules in place. Oh, and if you do drive a vehicle around, make sure you have plenty of change sitting in your dashboard – you will need the money when you hit a toll booth.

Public transport can be a wise choice due to Iran’s bus network, which is both efficient and well-connected. You will find there are two bus types available: normal and VIP. As they only cost about 20-30% more, it makes sense to go with VIP buses due to the added comfort and safety they provide.

Want to avoid traveling by road altogether? In that case, you can always take to the skies by utilizing domestic flights. When you factor in how big Iran is, these flights can help to put a serious dent in your time spent traveling.

Surfing the web

Okay, you might not have plans for a Netflix binge session or to comment on your friend’s social media posts. However, the internet is an intrinsic part of the world these days. It not only allows you to stay connected at all times, but it is also a fantastic tool that can provide solutions to an array of issues. For instance, Google Maps can assist you in exploring the country without getting lost.

Sadly, the internet is censored in Iran. This means a large portion of websites are banned, including everything from YouTube to Twitter.

Of course, if you are going to be in Iran for a while, this is far from convenient. You will want to stay in touch with family and friends for a start. The good news is that you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as a workaround for this problem. You should not use this in public, obviously, but you would not be alone in going the VPN route – it is common among the locals.

Not only does this ensure you can browse blocked websites, but you can also surf the web more privately and safely. With Iran being an authoritarian regime, you never know when your internet habits could be spied on. With a VPN, there is no need to have such concerns.

Picking the places to travel

Iran boasts incredible architecture, enticing attractions, and a rich history. Yet as mentioned previously, the country is extremely big. As a result, trying to fit everything into your itinerary is going to be a serious struggle. You will want to explore the Persian Gulf islands, the striking mountain ranges, and the different cities and towns that all feature their own vibrant slice of culture.

To maximize your trip and plan it out as efficiently as possible, this guide by Against the Compass is highly recommended. It shows there is a lot more to Iran than just the capital Tehran, although you will want to sample this city and its varied traditional and modern mix.

Want to travel like a local? There are various tours available that take you to everything from historical sites to hidden gems, all while professional guides supply you with fascinating details about each destination.