Visiting Iran

Entry requirements depend on your passport nationality. Check your specific requirements on the Iran destination page at Yoogo before you book.

The official currency is the Iranian rial (IRR), though prices are often quoted in toman, where one toman equals ten rials. International bank cards do not work in Iran, so visitors bring foreign cash to exchange or use a prepaid local tourist card.

Many visitors find Iranians exceptionally hospitable and the main tourist areas calm. Check your own government's current travel advice before booking, as conditions in some border regions can change.

Cities are linked by an extensive and inexpensive network of buses, domestic flights, and trains, and Tehran has a modern metro. Within cities, app-based taxis such as Snapp are widely used and good value.

Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, offer the most pleasant weather across most of the country. Summers are very hot in the desert cities, while mountain regions can be cold in winter.

The official language is Persian, also known as Farsi, written in a modified Arabic script. English is understood in some hotels and tourist sites, but learning a few Persian phrases is genuinely appreciated.

No special vaccinations are required for most visitors, though routine jabs should be up to date. Drink bottled or filtered water, and carry any personal medication, as some pharmacy stock can be limited.

Tipping, known locally as enaam, is customary for good service. Rounding up taxi fares and leaving a little extra in restaurants is appreciated, though not strictly required.

Local SIM cards are available to tourists and mobile coverage is good in cities. Many international websites and apps are restricted, so a travel eSIM from Airalo together with a reputable VPN is worth arranging before you travel.

Modest dress is expected in public, and the law requires women to cover their hair with a headscarf. Iranians are warmly hospitable, and you may encounter taarof, a graceful ritual of offering and politely declining.