There are many ways to move around while you’re in Iran. Transport in Iran is very convenient and affordable. Let’s look at some of the ways to move around in Iran.
Buses
Buses by far are the easiest, cheapest and most comfortable way to move around Iran. With a bus from Tehran to Isfahan costing $3USD, why not?
Iran has buses called “VIP Buses” as a tourist these will be the ones you’ll mostly catch anyway. They are spacious and have airplane business class style seats.
Plane
Almost every Iranian city has a domestic airport. Even some of the smallest ones. From Tehran and Mashhad you can fly to absolutely anyway in Iran. From Isfahan and Shiraz you have a few more options of places to fly but typically to smaller places like Abadan, Zahedan, Yazd ect. You need to fly from Tehran or Mashhad.
Domestic flights in Iran are comfortable dispite using older planes. You can fly almost anywhere in Iran for as cheap as $15USD and typically never more than $40USD.
Train
Trains may not be the fastest way to get around in Iran and known for being quite slow, they are still an amazing way to travel in Iran with a lot of comfort. They are very affordable and even have a bed! I would definitely recommend this option if you’re doing the Classic Tehran to South route. Take buses or taxis to the south but come back to Tehran with the train. It’s worth it.
Just a heads up, Trains in Iran notoriously book out fast. It’s very rare you’ll find a train ticket the same day you want to travel or sometimes you won’t even find a week in advance. So this option definitely needs careful planning.
Taxi
Taxi? Between cities? Isn’t that expensive? In Iran catching taxis between cities is very afford able for tourists and is a great way to add some extra stops in along the way. They are easy to organise with your hotel or hostel and typically can cost $25USD for a car for distances like Tehran to Kashan or Kashan to Isfahan. Then if you want to do some extra stops along the way and have the driver for a whole day they can typically cost $25USD-$50USD
How to book transport in Iran?
Since international banking isn’t available in Iran, how do you book all of this?
Option 1- the easiest option is to ask your hotel or hostel to do on your behalf. 99% of accommodations will happily do this for you and make sure you’re on the most comfortable bus, plane, or best taxi driver possible. Because tickets are issued in Persian language, the hotel option is good to because you can ask them to write your ticket in English for you.
Option 2- Travel agencies. Unlike in Europe where small travel stores are disappearing and going online, in Iran they are still everywhere. They are very easy to go to and book any format of transport except taxis. Be aware, they will take a small commission of course but it’s never much.
Option 3- the most difficult option but the most independent option. If you order a Mahcard when you come to Iran, you will now have access to be able to make online payments in Iran so you can now book buses, trains and planes on your own. But why is this hard? Well all Irans booking websites are only in Persian language and most of them require a national ID number for booking. This option is normally easiest done if you have an Iranian friend to help you.