Iran

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
anyone done independent travelling in Iran? please share your experience.
 

Lloyds

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
anyone done independent travelling in Iran? please share your experience.

I have done it a few years ago when AirAsia fly from KL to Tehran. It's not as difficult as it seem. Singaporean do not need visa to enter Iran. Only issue is that all women (even foreigners) would need to cover the hair with scarf or hijab as soon as they step out of the plane. I also hope that you don't require alcohol cos you won't find any there.

Bring Euro instead of USD as they have a difficulty clearing USD.

Try to avoid religious public holiday like Ashura as the whole country shut down. Unless you want to see self flagellation.

Other than that, it's a beautiful country with great people. Go for it.
 

wuso

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
Messages
926
Reaction score
85
Somewhere in 2011, it was changed and Singaporean need visa too, but can get VOA in Tehran. I learnt it the hard way....

I have done it a few years ago when AirAsia fly from KL to Tehran. It's not as difficult as it seem. Singaporean do not need visa to enter Iran.
.........
 

sendtolee

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2008
Messages
940
Reaction score
0
Somewhere in 2011, it was changed and Singaporean need visa too, but can get VOA in Tehran. I learnt it the hard way....

Less than 2 weeks stay, VOA.

MORE THAN 2 weeks stay, apply before arrival in Iran.
 

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
I heard the air pollution in Tehran is very serious. Initially planned to spend more time in Tehran. Should I cut short my stay in Tehran? :(
 

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
Bring Euro instead of USD as they have a difficulty clearing USD.

I read somewhere that credit cards dont work there. So we need to bring enough cash to cover the whole trip.

Even airbnb doesnt cover Iran. Not a fan of hotels. I'm hoping to find homestays or hostels but so far searching the web yield little results on these.

Was language a major issue? Were the locals able to understand simple English?
 

figo16

Banned
Joined
Dec 6, 2010
Messages
26,845
Reaction score
5,418
which airline will you be taking? I know last time iran air operated the only remaining B747sp from kl to tehran.

i heard the iranians are friendly
 

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
which airline will you be taking? I know last time iran air operated the only remaining B747sp from kl to tehran.

i heard the iranians are friendly

thai had good offers last week and i missed that chance.

the best choice now seems to be air asia, but the flight is arriving close to midnight :(
 

Lloyds

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I heard the air pollution in Tehran is very serious. Initially planned to spend more time in Tehran. Should I cut short my stay in Tehran? :(

I didn't notice the air pollution but I remember that the traffic is quite bad. traffic rule is practically inexistent. Are you travelling the regular tourist route of Esfahan, Yazd, Shiraz and Tehran?
 
Last edited:

Lloyds

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2015
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I read somewhere that credit cards dont work there. So we need to bring enough cash to cover the whole trip.

Even airbnb doesnt cover Iran. Not a fan of hotels. I'm hoping to find homestays or hostels but so far searching the web yield little results on these.

Was language a major issue? Were the locals able to understand simple English?

US companies like Visa, Mastercard, AirBnB are not allow to do businesses in Iran due to US government sanction. This also apply to other "Axis of Evil" such as N. Korea. and in the past Myanmar. Naturally Iranian banks are not allow to plug into the global banking network so you can't withdraw cash from their ATM. My info might not be accurate so you might want to find out from other recent travellers in Lonely Planet forum.

English is not an issue in major tourist area. But you might want to remember some Farsi words especially the character for numbers. They don't use Arabic numerals like most of the world.
 
Last edited:

delceer

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Messages
46,418
Reaction score
20
US companies like Visa, Mastercard, AirBnB are not allow to do businesses in Iran due to US government sanction. This also apply to other "Axis of Evil" such as N. Korea. and in the past Myanmar. Naturally Iranian banks are not allow to plug into the global banking network so you can't withdraw cash from their ATM. My info might not be accurate so you might want to find out from other recent travellers in Lonely Planet forum.

English is not an issue in major tourist area. But you might want to remember some Farsi words especially the character for numbers. They don't use Arabic numerals like most of the world.

You just come out from which mountain ?
Obama lifted the sanction and even send cash plane to Iran.

_90688203_cpeicyvusaam_h7.jpg
 

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
I didn't notice the air pollution but I remember that the traffic is quite bad. traffic rule is practically inexistent. Are you travelling the regular tourist route of Esfahan, Yazd, Shiraz and Tehran?

prefer less touristy route. intend to spend around 10 days there. if you were to pick one city other than tehran, which one would you pick?
 
Last edited:

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
Hi,
I spent 3 weeks travelling solo in Iran last year!
It was a beautiful, safe and friendly country.

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?
 

ssimonee

Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
293
Reaction score
0
Does anyone know if there would be any issue in getting US visa after entering Iran?

thai had good offers last week and i missed that chance.

the best choice now seems to be air asia, but the flight is arriving close to midnight :(

You bought your air tickets already? Planning to go to Iran as well.
 
Last edited:

kitkat2

Master Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
2,758
Reaction score
243
Does anyone know if there would be any issue in getting US visa after entering Iran?



You bought your air tickets already? Planning to go to Iran as well.

i don't think US is that petty.

not yet, but soon.
 

monsterpoke

Junior Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
I read somewhere that credit cards dont work there. So we need to bring enough cash to cover the whole trip.

Even airbnb doesnt cover Iran. Not a fan of hotels. I'm hoping to find homestays or hostels but so far searching the web yield little results on these.

Was language a major issue? Were the locals able to understand simple English?


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

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
 

Desmond_

High Honorary Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2003
Messages
155,116
Reaction score
2,047
Does anyone know if there would be any issue in getting US visa after entering Iran?



You bought your air tickets already? Planning to go to Iran as well.

it is one of the question for your ESTA to USA... not sure if they will approve :(
 

purplewave

Greater Supremacy Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2003
Messages
92,641
Reaction score
2,727
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.

"Under the Act, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

These individuals will still be able to apply for a visa using the regular immigration process at our embassies or consulates"


source: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2016/01/251577.htm


it is one of the question for your ESTA to USA... not sure if they will approve :(
 
Last edited:
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ Forums. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts. Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards and Terms and Conditions for more information.
Top