Getting around Iran: buses, trains, flights and taxis

Iran is big — about three times the size of France — but transport is cheap, frequent and mostly comfortable.

VIP buses

The backbone of budget travel. "VIP" buses have only three wide reclining seats per row, a snack box and a blanket, and connect every city day and night. Tickets cost very little; buy them at the bus terminal (each city has several — ask which one serves your direction) or through your hostel. Popular routes like Isfahan–Yazd or Yazd–Shiraz leave every hour or two.

Trains

Iran's railways link Tehran with Mashhad, Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Yazd, Kerman, Bandar Abbas and more. Overnight sleeper trains (four- or six-berth compartments) save a hostel night and are a great way to meet Iranians. Book a few days ahead, especially around holidays; your hostel can buy tickets for you.

Domestic flights

Flights between big cities are inexpensive and useful for long jumps — Tehran to Shiraz, Mashhad, Kish or Chabahar, for example. Domestic airlines can't be booked with foreign cards; ask your hostel or a travel agency to book with cash.

In town

• Snapp and Tapsi — app taxis with fixed prices. You need a local SIM; hostels often order one for you.
• Shared taxis run fixed routes along main roads; wave one down and say your destination.
• Metro — Tehran has a large, cheap and clean metro, with women-only carriages at the front and back (women can also ride in mixed carriages). Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad and Tabriz have smaller lines.

Driving and hitchhiking

Traffic in Iran is intense; most travellers don't drive. Hitchhiking is possible, but drivers may expect money — make it clear from the start if you can't pay.

Tips

• Have your destination written in Persian on your phone.
• During Nowruz (around 20 March – 2 April) everyone travels — book transport early.
• Carry your passport; hotels and some ticket offices ask for it.