Do you wish to travel to Iran to experience the delights of the ancient Persian Empire? Do you know new rules and regulations about traveling to Iran?, A trip you will enjoy. We promise you will have a lot of stories to tell when you go back home, since most people find Iran different to what they expected. You will even enjoy Iran’s imperfections but there are some things to review before traveling to Iran. To know all these and more; read my website carefully to update your traveling information, Iran is a can’t-miss spot on your Middle East list! Now let’s review things to know before traveling to Iran :
Travel for Travel’s Sake
Traveling to Iran doesn’t have to be difficult at all, tourism is growing as relations develop; although western world media always like you to think Iran is a secluded and turbulent country. Surprisingly as soon as entering Iran, you will recognize the atmosphere is really different. Iranian people always welcoming travelers and communicate with them easily.
Land of Diversity
The country itself holds many surprises for you and offers any type of interest. The climate can fluctuate greatly, depending on the area and time of year. While in north and north west parts its almost cold with rain and snow in autumn, in south the weather is as pleasant as spring. Also it has mountains for skiing and hiking, beaches for swimming and diving, deserts for exploring, cities for sight seeing and history for uncovering. Iran’s diversity is not limited only to regions and climate; but also many different cultural groups such as Persian, Azeri, Kurdish, Lur etc. Whom are proud of their own culture and of being Iranian.
Iran Visa & Authorization Code
Before applying for your visa, you have to apply for an authorization code. You have to have one authorization number which determines if you are granted an application for a visa or not.
Iran’s People
Undoubtedly, the most outstanding characteristic feature that sticks to your mind is Iran’s people. They’re warm, friendly and very good hosts. They’re generous and helpful, try to guide you to find your way, a good food or a suitable hotel. They invite you to tea or dinner and share their food with you. Depending on which cities you travel, they may borrow you their traditional dress to take some photos. Communicating with Iranians is easy, great number of them can speak English, especially in main cities.
Internet & Wifi Access in Iran
The internet in Iran is not in a good condition and high speed, connections aren’t stable and you can expect dropouts times during your browsing session. Although free wifi is offered in the hotels, it is almost difficult to find and use. Free wifi hotspots around the country are also very difficult to find.
If you are an internet-addict, its highly recommended to buy a prepaid SIM card, activating the unlimited or limited internet packages for the duration of your stay and enjoy using it almost everywhere, even on the roads. You can buy SIM cards in the airport or local shops, best is Irancell. This is practical if you have a cell phone with an operating system. If not, the internet cafes outside of the hotels are cheap and convenient.
Do not forget Twitter and Facebook are filtered in Iran. If you want to access these services while in the country you’ll need a VPN.
Foods and Drinks
When it comes to Persian cuisine, try to select best tradition ones during your travel. Fresh green herbs are frequently used along with fruits such as plums, pomegranates, quince, prunes, apricots, and raisins. Persian main dishes are mainly combinations of rice and meat, such as lamb, chicken, or fish and vegetables such as onions, various herbs, and nuts. To achieve a balanced taste; flavors such as saffron, dried lime, cinnamon, and parsley are mixed delicately. Here get more familiar with Iranian most delicious edibles:
Persian Bread: The traditional Persian bread used to bake inside brick ovens by hand (still you can find few traditional bakeries around) others are made industrially. Most famous ones are Sangak and Barbari made of whole wheat leavened flat bread.
Chelo Kabab: Yes, you can call it as the national dish of Iran! It consist of steamed, saffroned Persian rice and kabab (grilled mixture of lamb meat, onion and spices). Main accompanies are grilled tomatoes on the side of the rice, butter on top of the rice and sumac (powdered sumac) to be sprinkled on the rice.
Ash e Reshteh (Noodle and Bean Soup): A richly textured soup full of noodles, beans, herbs and leafy greens like spinach and beet leaves. It’s topped with mint oil, crunchy fried onions and sour kashk, a fermented whey product eaten in the Middle East that tastes akin to sour yogurt.
Do not forget to taste caviar, pickles, smoked fish in the north; samosas, falafel, hot shrimp in the south, Fesenjoon, Ghormeh Sabzi and rosewater-scented ice cream across the country.
Drinks: Alcoholic drinks are not available in Iran, just non-alcoholic beer in a variety of fruity flavors like peach, lemon and strawberry. Doogh is another Iranian drink you should try.
Routes and locations you can visit
Tourist are not limited to specified locations or routes. As any other country military locations are off limits-even for Iranians- but besides those, you can visit almost anywhere in the country. You can walk through the busy down town freely and visit the various natural beauties all over the country without any restrictions. But since Iran is a very vast country, there are areas-very few- we would not advise for anyone to go alone, even for Iranians, gladly those areas are not on usual routes.
If you’re an American, Canadian or British citizen you are obliged to be accompanied by a certified tour guide at all times. This law is strictly practiced to do not plan otherwise. Your guides will be usually very helpful and will accompany you even outside tour routes.
Road travel
Iran has very good country side roads. The main routes of the country are highways, secondary road are usually asphalt too but there are still small villages that don’t have asphalt roads. In Iran driving is a bit different, if you get the hang of it, its quite easy but it’s a bit scary at first. If you wish to drive your own vehicle into Iran, you may be subject to Iranian customs and other regulations. There are special requirements for travelers wishing to bring their own vehicles into the country such as Carnet de Passage. Although traveling by road is a bit time consuming, the country side is beautiful and worth the time.
It’s on the Way to a lot of Places
Iran is not the only place that tourist visit while traveling to this part of the world; rather it’s one of their destination! Yes, most tourists visiting Middle-East have stop by at other countries too. Like Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan on the West, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, India, China or Mongolia.
Not to be taken lightly are the few absolute rules:
- Emphatically don’t take any alcohol into the country not ask for any when you are there.
- Don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering mosques and private houses.
- Don’t take any magazines or books with pictures of scantily clad women, which, even if you judge otherwise, could be considered offensive.
- Do be aware that in most cities women should enter a local public city bus at the rear, and the men from the front.
- Dress appropriately
- International Credit cards do not work here, so do not come without cash!
- Keep religious discussions to a minimal, otherwise you might find yourself in the middle of a hot debate.
Safety tips in long trips
- Choose a day to travel the night before you sleep well.
- In a day not more than 10-8 hour drive.
- In short rest intervals to determine (at least once every two hours and 15 minutes longer than in towns along the way is the side of the road or parking)
- When you stop for a short break out of the car and walk a few step. Little exercise and a few deep breath.
- Light meals during the trip consumed.
- Associated with having insurance and medications needed for patients is required.
In case of any accident resulting in human injury is to define the following :
- Keeping our cool and calm the injured person gently check.
- In case of severe damage, pain in the area of cervical vertebrae or other parts of the spine and avoid moving the injured immediately, please contact 115 emergency center.
- In case of cardiac arrest – cardiac resuscitation breathing operation – Start lung.
- In dealing with cases of fracture, the affected members as possible should the board, cardboard or splint, immobile and if deformation had broken the members try not to put it in place.
- To prevent food entering the lungs caused by vomiting, the injured (if cervical spine injury is not considered) Bkhvabanyd side.
- If you see bleeding, bleeding to place pressure directly enter.
