How Much Does it Cost to Travel to Iran?

Iran, with its heavenly nature, rich history, and unique architecture, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Middle East. Just a glance at the wonderful places in Iran will prompt anyone to visit this country in no time.

If you have ever thought about traveling to Iran for business, leisure, or even medical reasons, which is quite usual due to Iran’s high-quality treatments, you may wonder about the prices. How much should you budget for travel? How much is Iranian currency to dollar?

In this article, we lay out in detail all you need to know about Iran travel cost, from visa and accommodation to food and sightseeing. We also explain what you should consider when traveling to this amazing land. Keep reading!

 

 

How much does it cost to travel to Iran?

Since Iran is a vast country with many spectacular attractions from north to south, the prices will vary depending on where you plan to go. Nevertheless, Iran is a cheap traveling destination. Even if you are planning to go on a luxurious vacation, it will cost far less than other countries.

It is because of the low value of Iranian currency due to US sanctions on the country. Therefore, with severe currency fluctuations, it is very difficult to estimate Iran travel cost and the prices that we state now may not be the same in the next month. In the following, we will give you a general idea of the average budget you need for traveling to Iran.

But before that, remember to have all the money you need in cash, as you cannot use your credit or debit card to withdraw money from ATMs in Iran. You can later exchange your money to Rial, Iranian currency, at the airport.

 

 

How much does an Iranian visa cost?

One of the first things you need before planning a trip to Iran is a visa. There are three different ways to get a visa. You can apply for it before your departure by filling out an application form online, getting a visa on arrival (Iran VOA) at Iran International airports, or save a lot of time and leaving it all to travel agencies.

However, it’s better to get Iran visa before traveling as it will save a considerable amount of time and money. Moreover, Iran VOA is not issued for certain countries such as the USA, UK, and Canada. So make sure you can obtain Iran visa on arrival before taking any action.

According to the type of visa and your nationality, the prices will vary from 10 to 150 euros for Iran visa stamp. If you apply through travel agencies, the service fee may be around 15 to 300 euros.

 

Travel insurance

Travel insurance that mentions Iran is also necessary before getting your visa, which will cost about 15 to 20 euros per person. You can buy it from international insurance companies, Iranian insurance companies, or Iran airports. Still, buying coverage from Iranian companies is cheaper than international counterparts.

 

Accommodation costs in Iran

Probably the biggest Iran travel cost you’ll have during your time in the country is for accommodation. If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can stay in eco-resorts and enjoy the charm of nature. On the other hand, if you prefer a fancier trip, Iran has many hotels that meet international standards and can make your journey worthwhile.

The good news is you can book your accommodation in advance using your credit card. How? Although many international websites, such as Booking.com, don’t support Iran because of the sanctions, many Iranian websites allow you to choose your accommodation.

Below, we have listed different types of accommodation in Iran and their average cost, so you can choose whichever matches your budget.

 

5-Star Hotels in Iran

You can find 5-star hotels almost anywhere across the country. However, the luxurious ones that meet international standards are usually located in large and crowded cities such as Tehran and Isfahan. 5-star hotels’ price starts at about 100 euros a night, which is a small amount considering the facilities and services they offer.

 

4-Star Hotels in Iran

4-star hotels may not be as dreamy as five-star hotels, but if you want to spend most of your time out of the hotel walking and visiting new places, they are a good option for you. In addition, they cost about half as much as 5-star hotels do.

 

3 or 2-Star Hotels in Iran

If you are looking for hotel facilities but have planned a small budget for your accommodation, 2 and 3-star hotels are great for you. You can find clean and decent hotels with good facilities in any city. They usually cost around 20-30 euros per night.

 

Traditional Houses or Hostels in Iran

Hostels are quite new in Iran, therefore you won’t find many of them around. Yet, they cost the least at around 10 euros a night. On the other hand, traditional residences are more popular in Iran, which show the lifestyle and culture of Iranians. The owners of these houses have renovated them and provided a warm and intimate atmosphere for the guests. They typically cost about 18-25 euros.

 

Ecolodges in Iran

If you have planned to spend most of your time in remote or rural areas of Iran, eco-lodges will make your trip unforgettable. These accommodations are located in the unique nature of Iran and allow you to experience unparalleled tranquility while admiring this pristine nature. These resorts may cost around 15 to 20 euros.

 

Couchsurfing in Iran

Are you looking for a way to embrace Iranian culture a bit more? Try Couchsurfing! As you may know, Iranians are well known for their hospitality and wherever you go people will happily offer you to stay at their place for free. Don’t forget to bring a souvenir for your hosts as goodwill.

 

Transportation costs in Iran

Iran is a large country, so if you plan to stay for a long time and visit different cities, you need to use public transportations. But don’t worry, transportation is the lowest Iran travel cost you will have. The easiest way to travel from one city to another is by air. Nevertheless, not all cities in Iran have airports, and you can only use airplanes to travel to larger cities.

In addition, domestic flights cost more than other means of transportation and cost between 20 and 50 dollars per person. Other ways to travel long distances are by bus or train. Taxis are also available for short distances, and they are usually more expensive than the other two options. On the other hand, traveling by bus and train will take a little longer, but it costs much less and is approximately between 1 and 8 dollars, depending on the origin and destination.

If you want to get from one place to another in a city, public transportation is much cheaper, especially in big cities like Tehran. Bus or subway prices usually start at 0.1 dollars. Taxi and Snapp, Iranian Uber, are also available and cost from 0.3 up to 2 dollars.

 

How much is a rental car in Iran?

Sometimes you want to have more freedom when traveling. Stop anywhere you want, go wherever you desire, and have more privacy. In that case, you can rent a car in Iran, although it costs much higher than other forms of transportation. On average, you may pay about 20 euros a day along with a deposit that you will get back when returning the car.

 

Cost of food in Iran

Iran has more than 2500 types of traditional food as well as a wide variety of drinks. Iranian cuisine and cooking method is the third most well-known style in the world. Accordingly, you cannot find a single person on the planet who has tasted Iranian food and didn’t like it. You can even travel all over Iran and eat the same dish, but get surprised by its different taste each time.

Besides that, international dishes, fast food restaurants, or Iranian street food are also available across the country. So according to the type of food you choose, the prices can vary from 1 euro up to 15 euros.

 

 

Sightseeing in Iran

What you cannot miss during your trip to Iran is visiting its uncountable and amazing attractions. Cities like Isfahan, Kashan, and Shiraz have many historical places that take you to ancient times and create new experiences.

However, if you prefer natural wonders, north and south of Iran are full of these spectacular attractions that will make your trip memorable. Many of them are free of charge, especially the natural attractions, others such as historical monuments can cost from 2 to 5 euros.