馃晫 Iran

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Practical information

READ FIRST - safety

Iran is a destination that many governments currently advise against visiting. Conflict in the region may shut airspace and borders without much notice. Foreigners have reportedly been detained. Shortly before booking, and again before flying, read the travel advice of your own government and the advisories of other governments. Insurance covering Iran should be bought, and the contact details of your embassy (or of the country that represents yours) should be kept. Cards issued by foreign banks do not work there, so bring cash.

Entry

What visa you need turns on your passport, so look at the official site. The sources consulted do not confirm whether your nationality may apply through Iran's official electronic visa (e-Visa) system or must go through an Iranian embassy instead. Confirm this with the official e-Visa site and with the embassy before booking. Many agents ask far higher prices, so only the official site should be used. Hotel details, a return ticket and a passport with 6 months of validity should be brought.

Culture and laws - take note

Iranians are famous for their hospitality. In public, everyone is bound by Islamic dress rules. Women are required to wear a scarf over the hair and a top that is long and loose, while men should steer clear of shorts. Drugs bring severe penalties, and alcohol is banned. Affection may not be shown in public. Airports, bridges, and police, government or military sites must not be photographed; permission should be asked before photographing people, women especially. Neither the leadership nor religion should ever be criticised, and political talk is best avoided. Friday alone, or Thursday-Friday, makes up the weekend. Offering and refusing politely is the ritual called 'Taarof'; accept once an offer has been made a second time. Summers get very hot. Halal food can be found everywhere.

Emergency

Police 110. Ambulance 115. Fire 125.

Good to know

Mains power and plugs

Iran's official tourism guide gives the electricity supply as 220 volts AC at 50 hertz, with round two-pin plugs. For appliances built for 110 volts, it recommends bringing a 110-to-220 converter plug when travelling.

Cash economy and exchange

Canadian advice describes Iran's economy as exclusively cash-based: credit cards are not accepted and cash machines serve only local banking for Iranians. Sanctions mean money cannot be sent to Iran through commercial banks or transfer companies, so visitors should bring enough cash, preferably US dollars or euros, and any US notes must be crisp. Iran's tourism guide names the rial as the currency, notes that people usually quote prices in tomans, and says exchange bureaus are plentiful in all cities.

Local laws and customs

Dress, alcohol and public conduct

Canadian advice says Islamic law is strictly enforced in Iran. UK advice says women must cover their heads and wear a long-sleeved tunic or coat reaching mid-thigh or knee, and men should wear long trousers and sleeves. Alcohol is illegal to import, sell or drink, apart from certain recognised religious minorities. Drug offences carry severe penalties and photographing government and military sites is prohibited. Both advisories say same-sex relationships are illegal and can carry the death penalty.

Taxis and scams

Official and pre-arranged taxis

Most taxis in Iran lack meters and drivers often overcharge foreigners, according to Canadian advice, which suggests official taxis from agencies or hotel-based companies, settling the fare beforehand or asking for the meter, and not getting into a cab that has other passengers. UK advice prefers pre-arranged taxis to hailed ones and says not to use motorcycle taxis. The UK currently advises against all travel to Iran.

People posing as police

Thieves posing as policemen, usually in civilian clothing, have attempted robberies of foreign nationals, UK advice reports. If one approaches you, ask to see ID, and do not hand over documents or cash or get into a vehicle. Canadian advice suggests politely declining to cooperate and offering to go to the nearest police station.

Who can help

ngo

Iranian Red Crescent Society: tracing services

Helps with: The ICRC lists the Iranian Red Crescent's tracing service, which helps people inside Iran look for relatives. It can also be reached at any IRCS branch.

Who qualifies: People inside Iran trying to trace or restore contact with family members.

Phone: +98 21 85632447

Email: int_tracingrfl@rcs.ir

Address: No. 2654 Valiasr Ave., Building of Peace, Tehran

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iran

Helps with: The UN migration agency in Iran. It supports the government and communities with migration patterns, humanitarian aid, protection, health services and disaster preparedness.

Who qualifies: Migrants and communities in Iran. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +98 2122058269

Address: No. 93, West Nahid Blvd, Valiasr St, Tehran

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Police emergency number 110

Helps with: Reaches the police in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 110

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Ambulance emergency number 115

Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 115

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Fire emergency number 125

Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.

Phone: 125

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Mashhad MashhadVisitors keep this Shia pilgrimage city, a major one, busy all year; it grew around the vast shrine complex of Imam Reza.Photo: Nader Rajabnezhad (designed by Hooshang Seyhoun), CC BY-SA 4.0 Isfahan IsfahanHistoric bridges across the river, a grand bazaar, blue-tiled mosques and Naqsh-e Jahan Square bring this city its fame.Photo: Pedram forouzanfar, CC BY-SA 4.0 Shiraz ShirazPoets' tombs, gardens and the Pink Mosque fill this city, which also serves as the base for trips to ancient Persepolis.Photo: 丌乇卮 (Arche), CC BY-SA 3.0 Tehran TehranMountain views, a big bazaar, national museums and royal palaces await in this city, which serves as both capital and main gateway.Photo: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY-SA 3.0 Yazd YazdWind towers, Zoroastrian fire temples and lanes of mud brick make up this UNESCO desert city.Photo: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland, CC BY 2.0 Kish Island Kish IslandCoral reef diving, duty-free shopping malls and beaches draw visitors to this resort island in the Persian Gulf.Photo: Eimanam, CC0

City selection based on: Wikipedia tourism article, Iranian provincial tourism figures reported by Tehran Times, UNESCO listings.

Festivals and events

culture

Nowruz (Persian New Year)

around Mar-Apr 2027 路 Tehran

Everyone in the country travels during this national holiday, which lasts two weeks.

culture

Rosewater festival (Golabgiri)

around May 2027 路 Kashan

Villages around Kashan are where roses are picked and turned into rosewater.