Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport sits 30 kilometers southwest of the capital, handling most international arrivals to Iran. The terminal opened in 2004 after three decades of construction delays. A second major entry point is Mashhad International Airport, 15 kilometers from the city center, serving routes from Central Asia and the Gulf states. Shiraz International Airport, 8 kilometers from downtown, receives some direct flights from regional hubs. Isfahan International Airport operates limited international services. Tabriz International Airport connects to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Kish Island and Qeshm Island maintain smaller international terminals focusing on visa-free entry programs for specific nationalities.
Upon landing at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, passengers proceed through health screening when protocols are active, then to immigration counters. Officers stamp visa-on-arrival approvals purchased beforehand through the e-visa system or issue previously approved tourist visas. The process requires passport validity of six months beyond entry date and proof of insurance covering Iran. No Israeli stamps may appear in the passport. Processing time ranges from 15 minutes during slow periods to two hours during peak arrivals when multiple flights land simultaneously. Baggage claim areas display belt numbers in Persian and English. Customs declarations are mandatory for amounts exceeding 10,000 euros or items intended for sale.
Currency exchange booths operate in the arrivals hall at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport with rates approximately 2 to 5 percent below market. ATMs inside the terminal do not accept foreign cards due to banking sanctions. SIM card vendors sell prepaid mobile packages from three operators: Hamrah-e Aval, Irancell, and Rightel. A tourist SIM with 20 gigabytes of data costs 500,000 to 800,000 rials depending on the provider and current pricing. Registration requires showing your passport. The cards activate within 5 to 30 minutes. Domestic roaming is included. Internet speeds in Tehran reach 4G LTE in most areas. All operators block access to many foreign websites and applications without VPN services, which travelers typically arrange before arrival since download options are limited inside Iran.
The Tehran Metro Red Line connects the airport to the city center with trains departing every 30 to 45 minutes from 6:00 to 22:30 daily. The journey to Shahr-e Rey station takes approximately 60 minutes. At Shahr-e Rey, passengers transfer to Line 1 for connections throughout Tehran. A single metro ticket costs 15,000 rials. Passengers must purchase a rechargeable transit card for 50,000 rials plus credit. Separate cars are designated for women, marked with pink signage; men may not enter these cars, while women may choose either section. Seats designated for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and disabled individuals are marked and culturally enforced.
Official airport taxis queue outside the arrivals terminal at designated stands. Fares to central Tehran neighborhoods range from 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 rials depending on destination and traffic conditions. Taxis use meters displaying amounts in rials. Drivers typically accept payment in rials only. Traffic from the airport into Tehran during morning rush hours (7:00-10:00) and evening rush hours (16:00-20:00) extends journey time to 90 minutes or longer. Outside peak periods, the drive takes 45 to 60 minutes. Private transfer services arranged through hotels charge 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 rials for sedan service. Ride-hailing applications Snapp and Tap30 function at the airport, with fares generally 20 to 30 percent below taxi rates. Both apps require Iranian phone numbers for registration.
Car rental agencies operate from the airport including Iran Rent Car, Avis Iran, and several local companies. International driving permits are not valid in Iran; drivers must obtain an Iranian temporary driving license from the police traffic department, requiring passport, home country license, translation by certified translator, medical certificate from approved clinic, and payment of 500,000 to 800,000 rials. The process takes one to three days. Agencies provide drivers for approximately 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 rials per day as an alternative. Traffic in Tehran follows patterns of aggressive lane changes, frequent horn use, and limited adherence to marked lanes. Parking costs 200,000 to 500,000 rials daily in central districts.
Mashhad International Airport arrivals proceed to immigration with similar visa requirements and processing times as Tehran. The airport sits on the southwestern edge of the city. Taxis to the city center cost 400,000 to 700,000 rials and take 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Bus route 82 connects the airport to Shohada Square in central Mashhad for 20,000 rials per person, operating from 6:00 to 23:00 with departures every 30 minutes. The journey takes 50 to 70 minutes. Snapp and Tap30 operate in Mashhad. The airport has fewer currency exchange options than Tehran; rates are 3 to 7 percent below market rates.
Shiraz International Airport is smaller with faster processing times, typically 10 to 30 minutes at immigration. Taxis to the city center cost 300,000 to 600,000 rials for a 20 to 30 minute journey. Airport shuttle buses operate to Karim Khan Citadel area for 50,000 rials, departing when full rather than on fixed schedule. The airport exchange booth maintains limited hours, often closing by 20:00. Isfahan International Airport sees fewer international arrivals. Taxis to Isfahan city center run 500,000 to 800,000 rials for the 25 kilometer journey taking 30 to 45 minutes.
Kish Island operates under different visa regulations. Citizens of most countries receive 14-day visa-free entry upon arrival when flying directly to Kish. This exemption does not permit onward travel to mainland Iran without applying for an extension through immigration offices on the island, a process taking two to five days and costing approximately 1,500,000 rials. The island measures 91 square kilometers. Taxis from Kish International Airport charge flat rates of 100,000 to 300,000 rials to hotels depending on location.
Dress codes apply immediately upon arrival. Women must wear hijab covering all hair and loose-fitting clothing concealing body shape. Long tunics or mantels over pants are standard. Colorful and patterned scarves are acceptable in Tehran and major cities. Men must wear long pants; shorts are prohibited in public spaces throughout Iran. Airport bathrooms provide opportunities to adjust clothing before passing through immigration.
Hotels in Tehran near Imam Khomeini International Airport include Novotel Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport inside the terminal complex and Ibis Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport adjacent to the terminal. Rooms cost 3,500,000 to 7,000,000 rials per night. These properties serve primarily travelers with early departures or late arrivals. The airport operates 24 hours but stores and restaurants inside the terminal mostly close between 23:00 and 6:00.
Tehran's central districts most convenient for first-time arrivals include areas near Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, Valiasr Street, and the neighborhoods around Imam Khomeini Square. Budget guesthouses in central Tehran start at 1,200,000 rials for basic rooms without private bathrooms. Mid-range hotels charge 2,500,000 to 5,000,000 rials. International chain hotels including Espinas Palace, Parsian Azadi, and Parsian Evin cost 8,000,000 to 15,000,000 rials nightly.
Money exchange shops called sarafi operate throughout Tehran and other cities. Valiasr Street in Tehran, Ferdowsi Avenue, and the Grand Bazaar area contain numerous exchangers. Rates vary by 1 to 3 percent between shops on the same street. Exchangers display current rates on boards outside their storefronts. The official exchange rate published by the Central Bank of Iran differs significantly from street rates. Travelers use street rates. Major currencies accepted include euros, US dollars, British pounds, UAE dirhams, and Turkish lira. Euro notes generally receive better rates than US dollars. Exchangers inspect bills for tears, marks, or older series, which may be refused or discounted. Many hotels exchange currency at rates 5 to 10 percent below street sarafi rates.