Iran

Why Visit Iran?

Iran has one of the oldest and richest histories in the world. Many of its attractions date way back to the rise of the Persian Empire over 2500 years ago. With so many years having passed, it is surprising to see how well-kept the ruins are and how well their traditions have endured. You can see their history in every corner of the uniquely decorated and perfectly symmetrical architecture found everywhere. They are truly masters of their craft.

Not to mention the incredibly friendly locals who will leave you surprised at every turn. It is not uncommon to see locals casually striking up a conversation with travelers, inviting them in for dinners or into their homes, or casually giving them free stuff just because they are guests. From my 3 years of traveling, I have never met a group of locals as friendly as those in Iran. No country can compare to the hospitality of the Persians.

What is the Visa Requirement for Iran?

Iran is starting to open up to travelers now. As of now, almost every country in the world can get a Visa on Arrival with no problem, except for Americans, British, Canadians, and a few other countries that are required to be accompanied by a guide at all times. The policy changes often, so do consult this page before you plan anything.

But if you are an American, Canadian, or British, or from a country that cannot easily obtain an Iran visa, you can apply for a visa through agencies like 1stQuest.com for only € 29 and they will manage everything for you. If you decide to go with 1stQuest, you can also use our special promo code, BLY_QST, to get a 5% discount on all services provided by 1stQuest.

Entering Iran: What to Expect?

Entering the country is a long, tiresome process, so be ready to spend at least an hour at the airport getting all the documents checked. Here are the things you need for entry:

• A passport (of course)
• A travel insurance that covers the whole period of your travel. You can get this at the kiosk near the immigration or you can buy insurance online prior to traveling here. It cost me around 17 USD for 20 days of coverage.
• A valid booking of a hostel in Tehran (no need to show the bookings for elsewhere). The officer will call the hostel to check, so be sure you really do have a booking. Don't wing it when it comes to Iran. You can book the hostel through 1stQuest.com and get the booking details before you arrive.
• 85 USD cash to pay for the visa, and you will get 30 days.

Once you land at Tehran International Airport, walk towards the immigration. Right before the immigration, there should be a kiosk where you can buy insurance. Once you get the insurance, turn back towards the wall at the counter and tell the officer you want a visa on arrival. He will give you a form to fill out. Once that is done, pay the officer, and he/she will give you the documents you need to go through immigration.

When to Visit Iran?

The temperature varies a lot between summer and winter in Iran, so timing your visit is important. The highest season is between March and May, as the weather is most ideal. From June to October, the weather can be hot, and from November to February, it is extremely cold.

I went during the shoulder season (around July), and the weather was not too hot in Tehran. However, as I moved southward, the weather became hotter, reaching almost 46°C at noon sometimes. That said, there were fewer tourists during this time, and I didn't mind the dry heat they have there. I only had to avoid doing outdoor activities in the afternoon when it was hottest.

How to Get to Iran?

The cheapest option I found is to fly from Bangkok via a newly opened route by AirAsia. Although I heard rumors that the company might shut the route down if it doesn't gain much traffic. Other than that, AirFrance seems to have several flights from Paris to Tehran, but it won't be cheap!

You can also search for a flight to Iran via Skyscanner or Expedia so you can compare which airline is the cheapest and most convenient for your itinerary.

How to Get Around Iran?

In Tehran, the Metro is the perfect transportation that will take you close to where you want to go without dealing with traffic. Plus, it is also a good way to socialize with the locals.

Taxis are also plentiful and cheap, and they take you right to where you want to go. In smaller cities, a taxi is the only way to get around long distances, and the price is negotiable. I do recommend negotiating with the taxi drivers because they tend to hike up the price if you are a foreigner, but they are not aggressive at all, and they seem to enjoy the process of interaction.

For going from one city to another, buses are the way to go. Iran has a good bus system with comfortable buses. Overnight buses are reasonably priced and comfortable.

Apart from Tehran, where you have to know which bus station you have to go, depending on the destination, most cities have a main bus station where you can go and buy the ticket. There will be people trying to fill up the bus, so you will have no problem finding one when you arrive.

You can easily book domestic buses in Iran for any destination online here.

If you are limited on time, you can opt for a domestic flight instead, which can be booked online here prior to your trip.

What Will Happen If I Run Out of Money?

Yes! I did run out of money and I was pulling my hair out trying to get money from my foreign bank account into the country. Nothing seems to work. The PayPal service provided by some hostels is not working at the moment, and the fee is almost 50%, which is ridiculous. Black market people are nowhere to be found and my money is dwindling by the day.

As in everything in life, I eventually found a way. A very family-style kind of solution that requires trust and the existence of the embassy of your origin in Iran. Thankfully, there is a Thai embassy in Tehran, and I went there asking for help. Here's the thing: the embassy is there to help you no matter what trouble you find yourself in, and running out of money in Iran is a big trouble, so I sought their help.

Here is how it works: I asked my friend in Thailand to transfer the money to one of the officer's bank accounts in Thailand, and when the officer received the confirmation, she then handed me the money in USD, family-style. That's it! They even gave me a bunch of delicious Thai snacks they bought at home! Thai people are possibly some of the friendliest people in the world, no matter where they are.

So, if you run out of money in Iran, find the embassy and seek their help. They will eventually find a way to assist you. Just make sure you have an embassy you can rely on in Tehran before you get yourself into trouble like I did.

How to get access to the Internet in Iran and which VPN to use?

Wifi is not as widely available yet in Iran, and the speed is average at best. So, if you are looking for a reliable connection, I would suggest you buy the SIM card from Irancell, which is available at the entrance of the Tehran International Airport. For more information about the SIM card, check out: Iran Prepaid SIM Card.

Another thing to consider is censorship. Iran has tight censorship when it comes to the Internet, so you will need a VPN to access websites like Facebook and Twitter. Here's what works for me:

• Android: Orbot (Free) - Works 100% of the time.
• iPhones: PureVPN iOS (11 USD/month) - works 80% of the time.
• PC/Mac: PureVPN ($11 per month) - works 80% of the time.

Daily Budget

This location is moderately priced, with transportation, food, and accommodation averaging around $35 - $55 USD per day per person. It's not exactly cheap, but it's not overly expensive either.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

Tips: To stay connected with your loved ones at home, make sure you have a VPN service like NordVPN installed before traveling, so that you can bypass any local Internet censorship you might encounter while in Iran.

What to Pack for Iran?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Iran:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Iran in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.