Best Ways to Travel Around Iran

Getting around Iran can have its problems but it is possible and there is quite a choice of public transport to choose from.

First of all I think I need to mention the difficulty when using public transport in Iran basically where you can sit. Even on the city buses married couples cannot sit together. Men sit at the front of the bus whilst women sit separately at the back.

Intercity buses and mini-buses generally have it sorted so that men sit next to men and women sit next to women unless they are family or couples. In fact a woman would not be expected to sit next to an unrelated man even if that was the last seat on the bus. Instead people will play musical chairs until the gender mix is correct.

If you decide to travel by shared taxi then you will find people jumping in and out of the front and back of the taxi in an effort to ensure that unrelated men and women do not sit side by side.

The Tehran Metro gives women the choice of a women's only carriage or squeezing in with the men.

With that said let's take a closer look at the public transport that is available in Iran:

Bus

Just about every town or city in Iran has a local bus service. But you may want to make this a last resort as the local buses can be crowded and unless you know precisely where you are going can be difficult to use.

Be ready to ask for help as destinations and bus numbers are usually only shown in Farsi.

Apart from in Shiraz and an operator based in Tehran tickets have to be purchased at bus terminals or from small booths along the main streets before you board the bus.

The fare on state-run buses is usually priced between IR100 and IR500, with private companies charging a little more.

As mentioned before women are required to sit at the rear on the bus along with children of all genders. So if you are traveling as a mixed gender couple be sure to discuss where you want to get off before separating for your seats.

Tickets are handed to the driver before or after you get on or get off the bus.

Females hand their tickets over to the driver by reaching through the front door before boarding at the back.

Metro

The great hope for Iranian cities and their strangulation by traffic is the building of metros. Teheran's metro is growing with similar systems taking shape in Mashhad, Shiraz and Esfahan.

Minibus

These are generally used to link the larger towns and cities with the surrounding villages. Mini-buses are particularly popular along the Caspian Sea and between Caspian towns and Tehran.

Although more expensive than buses the difference is so little that you don't need to worry.

Often the mini-buses are faster than larger buses as they carry fewer people and spend less time picking up and dropping off.

But, they are not comfortable and tend to only depart when the vehicle is full so you may have a long wait before starting your journey.

Taxi

Unless there is a metro the quickest and most hassle free way of getting round a town or city in Iran is by private or shared taxi.

Private Taxi

Unless you are wanting a complicated deal that includes waiting times etc. traveling by taxi is pretty easy. Just hail the driver and tell him your destination. Ask him 'chand toman?' and then offer him about 60% of w he asks. At the end of the haggling you can expect to pay 75-80% of what was originally asked.

When hailing an empty private taxi the driver may assume that you want to hire it as such and may ask 'Dar baste' if you do not want a totally private taxi but wish to share then just say 'Nah dar baste' it will then be up to the driver if he takes you as a passenger or not.

Savari (shared taxi)

Savaris can always be found for trips between towns that are less than 3 hours apart. Basically a savari is a shared taxi.

This form of transport can be a tad uncomfortable as sometimes 2 people are expected to squeeze onto the front seat but if you are embarking on a fairly long journey it is normal for only 4 passengers to be carried.

A savari is unlikely to leave whilst there is an empty seat but if the other passengers are prepared to pay for it then the journey can commence.

Savaris are usually Kia Prides or bigger Peugeot 404s but you will still find lots of Paykans around. It is worth mentioning here that a ride in a Peugeot is likely to cost more.

A woman traveling alone will normally be given the front seat.

Agency Taxi

Agency taxis are also referred to as 'telephone taxis' and do not normally just stop to pick up passengers. These are ordered by telephone or at an agency office.

There are hundreds of agency offices in Tehran and you will also find them in the smallest of towns.

Some hotels have their own taxi service and others will happily order a taxi for you.

Although using an agency taxi is the most expensive form of transport in Iran it is the most comfortable and you may even get an English speaking driver.

To be honest it is recommended that a woman traveling alone should get someone to call an agency taxi. In fact Tehran now has a women only taxi company, female drivers and female passengers.

Train

Traveling by train around Iran is pretty inexpensive and the central point and where the majority of services begin and end is in Tehran.

There is a once daily service to Kerman, Bandar Abbas, Tabriz, Esfahan and Mashhad.

The trains are usually punctual but arrival and departure times for stops along the route are normally during the night.

Check www.rajatrains.com for up to date timetables and prices.

The carriages are comfortable despite the average age of a carriage being 26 years old. If you are traveling over night then splurge a little and book a first class sleeping carriage, you will find it delightful.

If you are traveling first class then meals will be served in your carriage.

Security isn't much of a problem when traveling by train but it might be wise to ask someone to keep an eye on your luggage should you leave the compartment.

Just a thought, if you choose to travel second class and find it too crowded then you can ask to upgrade which will not be a problem so long as there is room.

Train tickets can be purchased at travel agencies and stations throughput the country and can be booked up to a month in advance.

It may be wise to book in advance if you wish to travel on Thursdays, Fridays or public holidays.