Iran

[kitkat2]

If you have been to some predefined countries by USA on or after March 1, 2011, one of them is Iran, Your ESTA will not be approved. You need to apply for a regular B1/B2 visa in the US embassy.

can ask them not to stamp passport like what the israelis are doing?

 

[kitkat2]

Bring only cash, USD or Euros are fine - remember small notes for your VOA unless you don't mind giving the officer extra kopi money

Have patience at the visa office, and do book the 1st night in Tehran at a hotel, the customs officer will call the hotel to check if you are a genuine traveller

Also, the hotel staff will be able to arrange for a pickup safely to the hotel even late at night for a peace of mind

ouch. didnt know they will call hotel to check. was thinking of heading straight to bus/train station for a long ride out and then find accomodation only when i have reached the destination. like a backpacker..

Couchsurfing is your best friend in Iran, NEVER divulge that you are couchsurfing to the Iranian authorities unless you want to be deported as it is illegal

Iranians will be able to understand basic English, specially the younger ones, if not French works well too

By far the most hospitable peoples you'll ever encounter, second to none, but still keep your guard up as a foreigner

yeah, just found out that iranians are pretty active on CS. havent done that, guess i need to figure out how.

 

[purplewave]

well this i don't know, but if somehow the americans finds out, you could be banned. not worth it lah

can ask them not to stamp passport like what the israelis are doing?

 

[shireal]

travelled solo back in June this year for 2 weeks... should have done 3 for an ideal duration.

did the almost standard tehran > isfahan > shiraz > yazd > kashan > tehran. flew in and out with etihad with stopovers.

used CS for meetups in tehran, stayed in CSer's house in isfahan, stay in a local's house in tehran at the end after randomly chatting with him in shiraz/persepolis.

standard hostel bed rates in bigger cities usually around 15USD/night

they quite hospitable and curious about foreigners so be prepared to be approached by a lot of random people trying to speak to you in broken english/sign language

enjoy the trip!

 

[kitkat2]

well this i don't know, but if somehow the americans finds out, you could be banned. not worth it lah

my passport is expiring next year, so i better go quickly before i get a new passport

 

[kitkat2]

travelled solo back in June this year for 2 weeks... should have done 3 for an ideal duration.

did the almost standard tehran > isfahan > shiraz > yazd > kashan > tehran. flew in and out with etihad with stopovers.

used CS for meetups in tehran, stayed in CSer's house in isfahan, stay in a local's house in tehran at the end after randomly chatting with him in shiraz/persepolis.

standard hostel bed rates in bigger cities usually around 15USD/night

they quite hospitable and curious about foreigners so be prepared to be approached by a lot of random people trying to speak to you in broken english/sign language

enjoy the trip!

i agree with you. iran is huge. 3 weeks or more would be better.

did the immigration ask for your hotel and call the hotel to check if you are staying there? how did you get to the city from ika airport? was there other transportation available other than taxi? did you get a sim card and their local debit/gift card at the airport? what was the queue and wait time like?

thanks!

 

[wuso]

Does anyone know if there would be any issue in getting US visa after entering Iran?

generally for Singaporeans, it should be ok. The only thing is, instead of a cheap ESTA, you have to fork out for the visa. A friend applied and during the "interview", the officer basically asked like 2 questions (and nothing related/regarding the visit to Iran), and the visa approved.

 

[shireal]

i agree with you. iran is huge. 3 weeks or more would be better.

did the immigration ask for your hotel and call the hotel to check if you are staying there? how did you get to the city from ika airport? was there other transportation available other than taxi? did you get a sim card and their local debit/gift card at the airport? what was the queue and wait time like?

thanks!

I had a CS contact whom I gave to the immigration. AFAIK taxi is the only way and it would cost around 15usd? I hitched a ride from another traveller whom I met while waiting for my VOA to get closer to the city so I paid less for that.

I got my sim card in the city and not the airport. I believe airport is slightly more expensive but I would recommend getting it there for the convenience. Having data is super

 

[kitkat2]

learned from some iranian tourists that tehran's ika airport metro is opening soon.

see http://www.aviationiran.com/2017/02/26/tehran-ika-metro-station-to-open-on-april-4th/#.WN5LXkGeqnM

 

[UptheToon]

travelled solo back in June this year for 2 weeks... should have done 3 for an ideal duration.

did the almost standard tehran > isfahan > shiraz > yazd > kashan > tehran. flew in and out with etihad with stopovers.

used CS for meetups in tehran, stayed in CSer's house in isfahan, stay in a local's house in tehran at the end after randomly chatting with him in shiraz/persepolis.

standard hostel bed rates in bigger cities usually around 15USD/night

they quite hospitable and curious about foreigners so be prepared to be approached by a lot of random people trying to speak to you in broken english/sign language

enjoy the trip!

I going Iran soon too. Can I know how you travel within the city lets say isfahan. How do u flag taxi? Must we shout the destination to find a shared cab which is cheaper?

 

[UptheToon]

Also may I know if anyone bought insurance for Iran? I think ONLY MSIG insurance covers insurance to Iran. I called the rest and they don't cover Iran.

Is insurance compulsory on arrival at tehran airport?

 

[kitkat2]

Is insurance compulsory on arrival at tehran airport?

i heard if you dont have, they will make you buy one on the spot

 

[HenrikCWT]

wow..that's awesome.
what was your itinerary like? which is your favorite place/city in iran?
did you pre-book your accomodation and transportation before arrival?

Its hard to say which is my favourite place for my last visit to Iran, everywhere is interesting and different (from Singapore) so it will be a eye opener and you will definitely find the country interesting.

No, I did not pre-book any accommodation or transportation. I am not those kind of traveller who book and plan everything in advance. I prefer to go with the flow and more often than not, amazing things happen.

 

[UptheToon]

i heard if you dont have, they will make you buy one on the spot

is there any difference in coverage? what does the iran on arrival insurance cover?

 

[hanz170]

I am planning to go in very end Sep for two weeks, returning mid-Oct. Please share your favourite places and and travel tips etc.. plus how you make payments there, since there is no Credit Card acceptance.

Appreciate the sharing when you return, thanks a bunch.

 

[hanz170]

Bump up this thread, any married couple planning this trip to Iran? we are a couple (husband and wife in our senior years) hoping to go this year end Sep or early Oct as that is what I read is good season to visit Iran.

Any like minded couple to plan trip together would be great company, don't currently have a fix itinerary but the duration I am looking at is 30Sep-13Oct.

 

[sendtolee]

We are goung on another trip, otherwise we may join you...

Bump up this thread, any married couple planning this trip to Iran? we are a couple (husband and wife in our senior years) hoping to go this year end Sep or early Oct as that is what I read is good season to visit Iran.

Any like minded couple to plan trip together would be great company, don't currently have a fix itinerary but the duration I am looking at is 30Sep-13Oct.

 

[kitkat2]

is there any difference in coverage? what does the iran on arrival insurance cover?

enough to get you past the immigration. you asked whether it is compulsory or are you looking for a real insurance coverage?

 

[UptheToon]

enough to get you past the immigration. you asked whether it is compulsory or are you looking for a real insurance coverage?

What does the insurance at the airport cover?

 

[kitkat2]

What does the insurance at the airport cover?

i read about it at tripadvisor. better go there and ask.

for me, i'm happy to get it just to satisfy entry requirement. i am not a believer in travel insurance.