The national airline is Iran Air (IR) (website: www.iranair.com), which operates three/four direct flights per week to Tehran from London (Heathrow). British Mediterranean (a franchise partner of British Airways) operates four services a week from London to Tehran. Other airlines serving Iran include Emirates, Gulf Air, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

From Tehran to London is six hours.

Tehran (THR) (Mehrabad) is 5km (3 miles) west of the city. Airline buses are available to the city (travel time – 45 minutes) for approximately IRR200-500. Taxis are also available to the city centre for approximately IRR10,000 (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include a bank, post office, restaurants and snack bar, duty-free shop, gift shops, tourist information and first aid/vaccination facilities.

IRR70,000.

The main port was Khorramshahr until its destruction during the war with Iraq. It is currently under reconstruction. The ports of Abbas and Bushehr are to be found in the Persian Gulf and Nowshahr and Anzelli on the Caspian Sea. P&O Ferries connects Iranian ports with Persian Gulf States and Karachi.

RAJA Trains (part of Iranian Islamic Republic Railways) operates passenger services from Tehran to Isanbul (Turkey) and Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic); from Tabiz to Djolfa (for the CIS) and Van (Turkey); and from Zahedan to Quetta (Pakistan). The Qom-Zahedan Line, when completed, will link Europe with India. Contact RAJA Trains (c/o Iranian Islamic Republic Railways) (website: www.irirw.com) for details.

No reliable international through-road links. There are various routes possible from Turkey and Pakistan, but these are not recommended. Cars can also be put on boats at Venice or Brindisi and picked up at Ezmir. For details of political conditions governing access, contact the Embassy.

Iran Air runs services to Ahwaz, Esfahan, Kish, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran and Zahedan and other major cities. Aseman Air also runs services to the major cities. The vast size of Iran makes internal flights the most practical method of transport.

RAJA Trains run a fairly comprehensive internal rail network. Major intercity trains operate on five main regional routes: Azarbaijan route (Tehran – Jolfa); Golestan route (Tehran – Gorgan); Hormozgan route (Tehran – Bandar-e-Abbas); Khorasan route (Tehran – Mashhad); and Khozetan route (Tehran – Khorramshahr). There are many areas in the mountains and the desert which can only be reached by rail. There are some air-conditioned trains, and sleeping and dining cars on many trains. For further details, contact RAJA Trains (c/o Iranian Islamic Republic Railways) (see Travel – International section) for details.

The road network is extensive, with more than 51,300km (31,800 miles) of paved roads and 490km (304 miles) of motorways, but the quality is unreliable. The two main roads, the A1 and A2, link the Iraqi and Pakistani borders and the Afghan and Turkish borders. Traffic drives on the right. Bus: Widespread, cheap and comfortable, although services tend to be erratic. Taxi: Available in all cities. The urban taxis (orange or blue) will carry several passengers at a time and are much cheaper than the private taxis which only carry one person. Unofficial taxis should be avoided; use only legitimate taxis or those ordered through legitimate agencies. Group taxis for up to 10 people are available for intercity travel. Prices are negotiated beforehand and tipping is not necessary. Car hire: Available in most cities and from airports. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended but it is not a legal requirement. Personal insurance is required. All motorists entering Iran must possess a Carnet de Passage en Douane and an International Certificate of Vehicle ownership.

Tehran has an extensive bus system, including double-deckers. Tickets are bought in advance at kiosks.

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Tehran to other major cities/towns in Iran.
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