Practical information Iran

Yes, a tourist visa is mandatory for nearly all nationalities. We obtain the authorization code from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf, a step that takes 10 to 15 working days. With this code, you can collect your visa either at the Iran embassy in your country or on arrival at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. The cost ranges from 75 to 145 euros depending on your nationality, payable in cash euros at the airport. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date and have 2 blank pages. US, British, and Canadian nationals follow a specific procedure with mandatory full-time guide.

No vaccines are required to enter Iran. However, we recommend being up to date with DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio), hepatitis A and B, and typhoid if you plan to eat often in bazaar street food stalls. Rabies can be discussed for long stays in rural areas. Malaria affects only a few pockets in the south-east, at the Pakistani border (Sistan-Balochistan), between March and November: preventive treatment is not justified for a standard itinerary. Consult a doctor or international vaccination centre 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Bring a small medical kit: basic anti-diarrheal and antibiotic medications are not always easy to find.

On a private tour organized by our agency, expect 60 to 110 euros per day and per person excluding international flights, based on two people. This budget covers upscale hotels (traditional houses in Yazd or Kashan, 4-star in Isfahan), main meals, private transport with driver, English-speaking guide and site entrance fees. A full meal in a good restaurant costs around 8 to 15 euros, tea in a bazaar 0.50 euro, a city taxi 2 to 4 euros. The international Paris-Tehran flight ranges between 500 and 800 euros depending on the season. Budget an additional 200 to 400 euros in cash for personal purchases and carpets.

The two best windows are April-May and October-November. In spring, the gardens of Shiraz and Kashan bloom, the desert remains accessible, and temperatures range between 18 and 28°C on the central plateau. The rose season in Qamsar, in late May, is worth a detour. In autumn, the light is soft on Isfahan's domes and the Qashqai nomads descend back to the plains. Winter suits the south (Persian Gulf, Hormuz, Qeshm), but the center cools down and snow sometimes blocks the mountain passes. Summer (June to September) is best avoided for city visits: Yazd exceeds 42°C, Ahvaz 50°C. It is, however, the season for Damavand and the mountains.

Iran is vast: 1,650 km separate Tabriz from Bandar Abbas. For our trips, we favor private car with driver, more flexible for village stops and caravanserais. Distances between major cities take 4 to 6 hours on well-maintained highways (Tehran-Isfahan 450 km, Isfahan-Yazd 320 km, Yazd-Shiraz 440 km). To save time, we sometimes combine with a domestic flight Tehran-Shiraz or Tehran-Tabriz (around 45 euros) or an overnight train Tehran-Yazd, comfortable in a 4-bunk compartment. In cities, Snapp taxis (Uber equivalent) operate everywhere and cost 2 to 5 euros per ride. Tehran's metro comes in handy during rush hours.

Iran is generally very safe for travelers: low crime rates, legendary hospitality, and a warm welcome for foreigners. Pickpocketing is rare, even in the major bazaars. Standard precautions are sufficient. Certain border areas remain inadvisable: Sistan-Balochistan (southeast), Kurdish zones near Iraq, and the Afghan border. Our itineraries avoid these. The regional context can generate occasional tensions: we monitor the situation from Tehran and adjust programs if needed. On a practical note, women traveling alone do not encounter more problems than elsewhere, provided they respect the dress code (headscarf, long sleeves, tunic covering the hips). Our team remains available 24/7 during your stay.