Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Tehran (THR): 5 km from city.
• Full list of airports in Iran with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

Iran has a good domestic air network, and its vast size makes internal flights the most practical method of transport. There are flights connecting Ahwaz, Esfahan, Kish, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Zahedan and other major cities.

The country also has a comprehensive rail network, and there are many areas in the mountains and the desert that can only be reached by rail. There are five main regional routes:

• Azarbaijan route (Tehran - Jolfa)
• Golestan route (Tehran - Gorgan)
• Hormozgan route (Tehran - Bandar-e-Abbas)
• Khorasan route (Tehran - Mashhad);
• Khozetan route (Tehran - Khorramshahr)

Iran's road network is extensive, although the quality can be unreliable. The two main roads, the A1 and A2, link the Iraqi and Pakistani borders and the Afghan and Turkish borders. Car hire is available in most cities and from airports.

Visitors may also use the widespread bus network to travel the country; although services are cheap and comfortable, they can be somewhat erratic. Tehran also has an extensive city-wide bus system, including double-deckers. Tickets may be bought at kiosks in advance.

Taxis are available in all cities. Visitors should only use legitimate taxis; unofficial taxis should be avoided. Urban taxis (blue or orange) carry several passengers at a time and are much cheaper than private taxis, which only carry one person. Prices should be negotiated beforehand and tipping is not necessary.