If you are thinking about a trip to Iran, there are a couple of very important things that you have to take into your consideration before making a visit. We have compiled all the essential facts and information that will go a long way in making your journey quite enjoyable in Iran!
Iran is indeed an amazing country, which is highly misunderstood. This is somewhat partially due to some of the biased information about this country in the Western media, which has made many people skeptical about visiting this country.
We try to give you as much information in this article as possible about what every traveler should know before landing in Iran. Here are 25 key things to know before traveling to Iran:
Essential information for your trip to Iran.
1 - Persians are NOT Arabs
Although Iran is in the Middle East and next door to Arab countries, Iranians are Persians, not Arabs. Only about 2 percent of the population in Iran is of Arab ethnicity. Although both Iranians and Arabs are predominantly Muslim, Iranians have their unique traditions, language, calendar, and national holidays several thousand years old. Further, its official language of Persian (Farsi) should not be confused with Arabic even though they share some script and vocabulary.
2 - No hard feelings towards Americans
The Iranian government relations with the United States have been cold since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Periodic governmental protests may include the "Down with USA" slogan; this is towards American political policies, not its people.
Sometimes, anti-American slogans or posters appear on public facilities, which does not mean the Iranian people hold grudges against American citizens or even those protesting. People in Iran are known to be very friendly and hospitable; in this regard, American visitors will surely be welcomed with all warmth, just like any other nationality of travelers. You may head on to check reviews left by American travelers that visited in previous years on TripAdvisor; they talk relatively good things about Iran.
3 - Confusing Currency and Limited Payment Options
Currency
The official currency of Iran is the Rial, but due to its devaluation over the years, prices are typically expressed in Tomans. One Toman equals 10 Rials. Bills and coins are denominated in Rials; however, people often quote in Tomans, so to convert from Rials into Tomans, simply remove one zero. The prices are generally in thousands of Tomans, and the locals usually omit the extra zeroes. For instance, a pack of gum is tagged 50,000 Rials and hence 5,000 Tomans, but the seller will just say "5 Tomans".
Payment Methods
This is unfortunate, but international credit cards and debit cards like Visa and MasterCard are not accepted in Iran. The travelers have two options:
-Carry Cash: The money can be exchanged at airports, banks, or exchange offices. Try to avoid street exchanges or paying in foreign currencies like euros or dollars, because the rates might not be the same all the time.
-Get an Iranian Debit Card: If carrying cash sounds risky for you, then buying an Iranian debit card is a good alternative. This card is acceptable by most of the shops and ATMs throughout the country.
4 - Iran is safe
Not like most people may think, Iran is a safe country.
Although Iran happens to be in the Middle East, it has not witnessed war on its own soil for decades, and travelers are safe. Pickpocketing, as in any busy area of the world, may occur, but with basic precautions, it shouldn't be a problem. For extra peace of mind, read reviews left by other travelers on websites like TripAdvisor, where many claim their time in Iran passed very well and safely too.
5 - Driving and Crossing the Road
Driving in Iran - There is a peculiar style that is followed while driving in Iran.
Although it may look chaotic to visitors, locals are used to it and by and large drive safely. Still, for the first few days, Iranian traffic can be challenging for travelers. We recommend strongly against car rental and for being in public transport and taxis. Second, and related to the previous point, crossing a street in Iran requires some level of confidence: cars usually don't stop before you have started crossing, and when the light turns yellow, they usually try to speed up instead of slow down. Now, instead of waiting for the cars to stop, begin crossing when you see a gap. Avoid crossing on a yellow light. If you are not sure about a place, then ask the locals to help you the first few times.
6 - Dress Code
Being an Islamic country, Iran has a dress code applicable to everybody, travelers included. That is, women should cover her hair with scarves. Men avoid sleeveless shirts and shorts. Though it may seem quite restrictive, the dress code actually is more flexible than it appears, and much less strictly applied for tourists.
Note: Dress code is observed since the very moment of your arrival to Iran.
7 - Wi-Fi and VPN
Unlike many European countries, in Iran it's not usual that you can have free Wi-Fi in restaurants, cafes, or malls. Yet, all hotels, hostels, and homestays offer free Wi-Fi. To make sure you have access to the internet everywhere, it's highly recommended to buy an Iranian SIM card with an internet package. The 4G network covers the whole country. Also, it's a good idea to have a VPN installed before you arrive because many social media sites including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter are blocked by the government.
8 - Squat Toilets
While western-style toilets are becoming more common in restaurants, malls, and hotels, in most houses and public places you will find the squat type of toilet. Be prepared for it, and bring some toilet paper because usually you won't find it in public restrooms. You can also easily get accustomed to the alternative use of water by using a hose, just like locals do.
9 - Iranians Have Various Kebabs, Stews, and Rice
While kebabs are no doubt one of the most well-known Persian foods, Iranian food is much more varied than that, and most meals are healthy, delicious, and worth trying-just don't stick to the kebabs and snacks. Most meals would consist of a copious amount of rice or bread. If you do not want much rice, you may say it to the waiter. Besides kebabs, stews and rice dishes have beef, chicken, vegetables, and grains.
10 - You Will Learn to Have Fun Without Alcohol
Iran is an Islamic country where alcohol is forbidden and is never served in restaurants or bars. In fact, it's available only on the black market, and buying it comes with risks and illegality. Still, there are plenty of soft drinks such as Coca-Cola available, fresh juices, various types of coffee, tea, and local non-alcoholic drinks.
11 - Public Affection
Islamic laws frown on public physical contact between men and women who are not married or related, but this is not necessarily strictly observed. If you happen to be traveling with your partner, holding hands or hugging would generally pose no problem, but intimate shows of affection should be shown indoors, particularly when touring conservative cities like Qom and Kashan. Besides that, though many men and women do shake hands, the polite thing to do is to wait for locals to offer their hand first, so there is no misunderstanding in any way.
12 - Take Off Your Shoes Before Entering
Carpets are a feature of most homes, mosques and hotel rooms in Iran. It is a practice to enter homes and mosque prayer halls without shoes; there is no need to do so while entering a hotel room unless indicated.
13 - Public Places Segregation
There is some segregation in public transport, gyms, and pools. Buses and subways have separate sections; one part is for women only, while the other is co-ed. It is not strictly followed during peak hours for subways since sometimes men board the subway reserved for women. Gyms and pools often have separate hours of operation for men and women-so women can usually go in the morning, while men can go in the evening. Even if a man and a woman are traveling as a family, they cannot enter either the gym or the pool together.
14 - Iranians are hospitable and welcoming.
It is common that locals approach travelers just for greeting and offering them warm hospitality, which may be taken as intrusive in other countries. Being a visitor, you may often be invited for a cup of tea or coffee, and even local homes are not out of bounds. As you travel throughout Iran, you will be surrounded by locals who will always be ready to help you if you are lost or need some help with something. This is really true Iranian hospitality, and it will likely happen quite often as you explore the country.
15 - Taxis in Iran
The system for taxis in Iran is quite different from many countries, and there is basically three types:
Taxis: Calling Taxi: Most of the local populace uses this conveyance facility as it is quite economical. As the fare is shared between four passengers, drivers generally remain stationed at junctions or taxi stations, and call out their destination until the car is full. Passengers call a taxi and yell out their destination. However, this type of taxi is not often recommended to tourists as there are language barriers and the privacy aspect is nil or next to nothing.
Regular Taxi: These are similar to European ones, but the difference is that they do not have any taximeters. You should state where you're headed for and discuss the price with the driver before getting into the taxi. If you don't, you are surely going to get overcharged, and that's why always asking locals how much this or that journey should take is a good idea.
Getting Around: Iranian Uber: The easiest most convenient way of getting around is via ride hailing apps. Snapp does the same job as Uber does, and is downloadable via Google Play and the App Store. It works just like Uber whereby after putting in your destination, the price that will be shown on the app will be the one the driver will charge you. Tap30 -is another similar app. Both are available in most major cities and some smaller ones.
16 - Tap Water Is Drinkable
In most cities of Iran, the tap water is drinkable; however, to be on the safe side, you'd better ask the residents. Besides, you can find drinking water stations in parks, subway stations, and shopping malls. It is highly recommended to bring a water bottle with you to refill during your trip; thus, buying several plastic ones is quite unnecessary to prevent wasting plastic.
17 - Many Iranians can speak some basic English
While Farsi (Persian) is Iran's official language, basic English is spoken by most educated Iranians, particularly those under thirty years. This may ease communication somewhat, but it's nevertheless advisable to learn some common Persian greetings, phrases, and questions such as asking for the price of items. You can also learn the Persian numerals, which is helpful because the prices on many goods are written in Persian.
18 - Taarof - A Perplexing Practice
The peculiar Iranian way of showing respect by denying any service or goods is called taarof, and may give a headache to any foreigner. For instance, a shopkeeper, taxi driver, or even a host may refuse your money because of politeness, but in fact, he or she just wants you to insist three or four times. If after three or four times they refuse, they probably really wish to provide the service gratis. At first, it may be a bit tricky to get used to taarof; you will get into the rhythm of it soon enough.
19 - The Weekend falls on Thursday and Friday
Also, Iran's weekly plan is different from that of many other countries. The week starts on Saturday, and Thursday and Friday are usually considered the weekend. Most shops open from Saturday through to Thursday, usually between 10 AM and 9 PM, though food stores open a little earlier. Shopping centers and malls tend to be open until late, including Fridays. In the summer, during hot seasons, it's common for shops in hotter cities to stay closed for some two hours between 2 and 4 PM.
20 - Ramadan-When Restaurants and Cafes are Off During the Day
The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in Islam. The month requires a Muslim to abstain from food from the rise of the sun till it sets. This period finds most restaurants, cafes, and juice bars closed till evening. If this setting may be inconveniencing, you are advised against visiting Iran during the period because most public eating places will be shut until night.
21 - You require a visa for Iran
Most tourists going to Iran require a visa, and it usually takes 3 to 4 working days for it to get approved, although this is dependent on nationality and would need to be applied through a travel agency. For the USA, UK, and Canadian residents, it needs 30 to 40 working days to get the visa approved. It's highly recommended that you apply for your visa in advance of three months to make sure you have enough time for processing. In general, this visa permits up to 45 days' stay within the country.
22 - Do Not Take Pictures of Military Strategic Installations
During your travel, you'll feel like capturing many sights that look interesting. However, you have to be careful where you aim your camera. Photography of military bases, police stations, factories, and power plants, or strategic governmental buildings is completely prohibited due to security and safety reasons. Always look out for "no photography" signs and always ask permission before taking pictures if you are not sure about it.
23-Hotels Will Keep Your Passport
Usually, hotels keep a guest's passport with them for security purposes. Although it's a kind of normal thing, copy your passport and always carry it. You may even ask the reception to make a copy and then give you your original passport.
24 - Any Car Can Be a Taxi
In Iran, the color of a taxi is not always as recognizable. Sure, there are green and yellow taxis, but lots of them, especially the higher quality ones that this service Snapp operates-a kind of Iranian Uber-are just private cars. Such unmarked taxis are very widespread and usually safe, but if you'd like an increased level of safety, you can use yellow ones since they have permission from the authorities.
25 - You May need an Electrical Adaptor and Power Converter
Iran's standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz. The electrical system might be different from your country; therefore, you can bring a power converter for appliances that operate under other voltages or frequencies. Additional details: Iran uses a European-style plug, Type C; you will require an adaptor to fit the Iranian sockets, depending on your country of origin. You are advised to check with necessary devices and take adaptors and converters along with you in case this may be necessary.
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