Traveling to Iran in 2025: Visa, Safety, Dress Code, and Money Tips for Tourists
This guide explains everything European travelers need to know before visiting Iran – from current visa rules and safety updates to dress code and money exchange advice.
Updated: October 2025
Updated: October 2025
Why you should read it?
Iran is a very unconventional country with many unique challenges and restrictions for travelers. That’s why, according to current visa policies, all tourists must travel with a licensed local agency and a predefined itinerary. Independent travel is no longer allowed, except citizens of few countries, for example Russian Federation and also citizens of all countries eligible for visa-free entry to Iran.
Here’s an example of a typical problem a European traveler might face:
Here’s an example of a typical problem a European traveler might face:
- At the airport, you’ll find a currency exchange, but it won’t have local cash…
- The exchange will offer to transfer money to your card, but you don’t have a local bank card.
- You won’t be able to pay with your bank card in Iran.
- The exchange will offer you a much worse rate because the official exchange rate is different from the real one…
Men must wear long pants and T-shirts with sleeves. Shorts are only allowed in nature, for example when hiking in the mountains or exploring desert areas like the Lut Desert. Swimming trunks are fine at the beach or pool.
Women must cover their hair with a scarf or shawl and wear long sleeves and loose clothing that hides the hips. Jeans with a long shirt or tunic are acceptable. Dresses and skirts are fine if they reach the ankles. Feet can be bare in sandals. A chador (full body cover) is only required when visiting some mosques and can be borrowed at the entrance.
Foreign visitors are treated more leniently than locals. The police usually warn rather than fine tourists. Dress modestly before leaving the plane, and treat these rules as respect for local culture rather than a restriction.
Women must cover their hair with a scarf or shawl and wear long sleeves and loose clothing that hides the hips. Jeans with a long shirt or tunic are acceptable. Dresses and skirts are fine if they reach the ankles. Feet can be bare in sandals. A chador (full body cover) is only required when visiting some mosques and can be borrowed at the entrance.
Foreign visitors are treated more leniently than locals. The police usually warn rather than fine tourists. Dress modestly before leaving the plane, and treat these rules as respect for local culture rather than a restriction.
Yes, Iran is safe for tourists in 2025. The crime rate is low, people are friendly, and political unrest rarely affects visitors. It is safer than many other Middle Eastern destinations and even some parts of Turkey.
Use common sense: avoid protests, don’t photograph government or military sites, and keep valuables close. Women should use women-only compartments in the metro. Foreigners are rarely targeted, and local authorities treat organized tourist groups with respect.
Use common sense: avoid protests, don’t photograph government or military sites, and keep valuables close. Women should use women-only compartments in the metro. Foreigners are rarely targeted, and local authorities treat organized tourist groups with respect.
Visa on arrival is no longer available. All travelers, except citizens of visa-exempt countries, must apply through an authorized Iranian travel agency.
To get your visa:
Your passport must be valid for at least six months. You’ll pay the visa fee in cash (EUR or USD) upon arrival.
To get your visa:
- Send a scanned copy of your passport and a passport-style photo.
- Provide travel insurance that explicitly mentions “Iran.”
- Pay the visa handling fee (around €20) plus the official visa fee set by the Iranian authorities.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months. You’ll pay the visa fee in cash (EUR or USD) upon arrival.
Yes, Europeans can now travel independently in Iran.
The recent change in visa policy restored the old rule: only citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada must travel with an authorized local guide and a pre-approved itinerary.
Citizens of all other European countries are again allowed to explore Iran freely, without joining an organized group or hiring a licensed guide. You can plan your own route, book hotels directly, and travel across the country using public transport or rental cars.
Independent travel is safe and legal, but you must still obtain a visa in advance and follow local laws, especially regarding dress code and photography restrictions.
The recent change in visa policy restored the old rule: only citizens of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada must travel with an authorized local guide and a pre-approved itinerary.
Citizens of all other European countries are again allowed to explore Iran freely, without joining an organized group or hiring a licensed guide. You can plan your own route, book hotels directly, and travel across the country using public transport or rental cars.
Independent travel is safe and legal, but you must still obtain a visa in advance and follow local laws, especially regarding dress code and photography restrictions.
The official currency of Iran is the rial. You can find its exchange rate here.
The official rate differs significantly from the real exchange rate. Don’t rely on the official rate. The website provided shows the real, unofficial exchange rate.
This is the rate used by street exchangers. Exchange offices and hotels offer a worse rate, and banks give an even worse one. Even if you decide to exchange money at a worse rate in an exchange office, it might not be possible because often they do not have cash available. You’ll give them euros, and they’ll offer to transfer it to your card. However, your card won’t work for them; you need a local card. In short, the best option is to find illegal exchangers. You’ll recognize them by the stacks of banknotes they hold in their hands.
Hotel reception, taxi drivers, and market vendors can guide you to where to find them. By the way, in the market, they’ll also accept euros for your purchases.
A few places for currency exchange in major cities:
Tehran
On Sepah Street, between Shah Square and the Natural History Museum with dinosaurs, at the intersection of Sepah, Ostandari, and Hakim Streets.
Shiraz
At the intersection of Saadi Street and Karim Khan Zand Boulevard.
Exchangers can sometimes be dishonestly primitive, trying to give you slightly less money than you should get. For example, by keeping one or a few bills for themselves. When you count the money and notice the shortage, they’ll explain that it’s a commission for the exchange. Show with gestures that you’re not interested in their excuses and that you expect the money you’re owed. It’s better for women to bring a man along when going to exchangers.
Western cards will only work in very expensive hotels and carpet shops. These establishments have accounts in foreign banks, like the UAE, and use POS machines from those countries to process your card payments.
Prices
Lunch in a restaurant costs 5-15€, and a night with breakfast costs 20€ (poor hotel for locals or a hostel), 50€ (clean, inexpensive 2-3 star hotel), 80€ (better 3-4 star hotels). Breakfast in a café costs 2€.
Tumans
It’s very important to know that although the official currency is the rial, prices will always be quoted (and written) in tumans. One toman is equal to 10 or often even 10,000 rials. You need to figure this out for yourself. It’s not a different currency. In Lithuanian, we would simply call this a decimal. Instead of saying 10€, we would say "one tenth". Over the years, due to inflation, "tuman" has come to refer to ten thousand rials.
In the image below, you can see prices listed as 12,000, 13,000, 15,000, etc. These prices are almost always in tumans. So, if the tuman exchange rate is 5 tumans per euro, the prices will be 2.4€, 2.6€, 3€, etc.
If you ask how much something costs, they’ll say "12", "13", or "15". If they see that you don’t understand, they’ll clarify: "12 thousand tumans" (i.e., 120,000 rials).
So, when traveling to Iran, you’ll need to quickly convert not just rials but also tumans and thousands of tumans.
As you can see, you’ll also need to learn Arabic numerals. You can read more about them in the language section.
Prices written in rials are only found in government locations—museums, ferries, trains, etc.
The official rate differs significantly from the real exchange rate. Don’t rely on the official rate. The website provided shows the real, unofficial exchange rate.
This is the rate used by street exchangers. Exchange offices and hotels offer a worse rate, and banks give an even worse one. Even if you decide to exchange money at a worse rate in an exchange office, it might not be possible because often they do not have cash available. You’ll give them euros, and they’ll offer to transfer it to your card. However, your card won’t work for them; you need a local card. In short, the best option is to find illegal exchangers. You’ll recognize them by the stacks of banknotes they hold in their hands.
Hotel reception, taxi drivers, and market vendors can guide you to where to find them. By the way, in the market, they’ll also accept euros for your purchases.
A few places for currency exchange in major cities:
Tehran
- One or two exchangers may approach you when you leave Imam Khomeini Airport, where you’re likely to arrive. Their rate might be worse than in the city, but at least you’ll have enough money for a taxi and breakfast. Later, you can exchange more.
- On Ferdosi Street, near the Treasury (Central Bank), at the intersection with Jomhouri Avenue. Many banks, exchange offices, and embassies are nearby.
- At the central entrance of the Grand Bazaar. About 50 exchangers gather there.
On Sepah Street, between Shah Square and the Natural History Museum with dinosaurs, at the intersection of Sepah, Ostandari, and Hakim Streets.
Shiraz
At the intersection of Saadi Street and Karim Khan Zand Boulevard.
Exchangers can sometimes be dishonestly primitive, trying to give you slightly less money than you should get. For example, by keeping one or a few bills for themselves. When you count the money and notice the shortage, they’ll explain that it’s a commission for the exchange. Show with gestures that you’re not interested in their excuses and that you expect the money you’re owed. It’s better for women to bring a man along when going to exchangers.
Western cards will only work in very expensive hotels and carpet shops. These establishments have accounts in foreign banks, like the UAE, and use POS machines from those countries to process your card payments.
Prices
Lunch in a restaurant costs 5-15€, and a night with breakfast costs 20€ (poor hotel for locals or a hostel), 50€ (clean, inexpensive 2-3 star hotel), 80€ (better 3-4 star hotels). Breakfast in a café costs 2€.
Tumans
It’s very important to know that although the official currency is the rial, prices will always be quoted (and written) in tumans. One toman is equal to 10 or often even 10,000 rials. You need to figure this out for yourself. It’s not a different currency. In Lithuanian, we would simply call this a decimal. Instead of saying 10€, we would say "one tenth". Over the years, due to inflation, "tuman" has come to refer to ten thousand rials.
In the image below, you can see prices listed as 12,000, 13,000, 15,000, etc. These prices are almost always in tumans. So, if the tuman exchange rate is 5 tumans per euro, the prices will be 2.4€, 2.6€, 3€, etc.
If you ask how much something costs, they’ll say "12", "13", or "15". If they see that you don’t understand, they’ll clarify: "12 thousand tumans" (i.e., 120,000 rials).
So, when traveling to Iran, you’ll need to quickly convert not just rials but also tumans and thousands of tumans.
As you can see, you’ll also need to learn Arabic numerals. You can read more about them in the language section.
Prices written in rials are only found in government locations—museums, ferries, trains, etc.
No, foreign bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Revolut, etc.) do not work anywhere in Iran due to international sanctions.
You cannot withdraw money from ATMs or pay in shops, hotels, or restaurants with your regular card.
If you travel with a local agency, they can provide a prepaid local card for you, loaded with the amount of money you want to use. Otherwise, bring cash (EUR or USD) and exchange it gradually. Some expensive hotels and carpet shops process foreign payments using foreign bank terminals, but this is rare.
You cannot withdraw money from ATMs or pay in shops, hotels, or restaurants with your regular card.
If you travel with a local agency, they can provide a prepaid local card for you, loaded with the amount of money you want to use. Otherwise, bring cash (EUR or USD) and exchange it gradually. Some expensive hotels and carpet shops process foreign payments using foreign bank terminals, but this is rare.
The best option is Irancell – it has the widest coverage and is easy to buy at the airport upon arrival.
Ask for a SIM card and a prepaid data package for internet, calls, and SMS. Registration takes only a few minutes, and you’ll need your passport.
Download the MyIrancell app to check your balance and data usage.
If you stay longer than 30 days, visit the customs counter at the airport and register your phone’s IMEI number to avoid disconnection.
With a local SIM card, you can use Snapp, the Iranian version of Uber, which makes transport in big cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz cheaper and more convenient.
Ask for a SIM card and a prepaid data package for internet, calls, and SMS. Registration takes only a few minutes, and you’ll need your passport.
Download the MyIrancell app to check your balance and data usage.
If you stay longer than 30 days, visit the customs counter at the airport and register your phone’s IMEI number to avoid disconnection.
With a local SIM card, you can use Snapp, the Iranian version of Uber, which makes transport in big cities like Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz cheaper and more convenient.
English is spoken by young people, hotel staff, and guides, but not widely in rural areas.
Most signs in major tourist cities are bilingual (Persian and English). However, taxi drivers, shop owners, and older people often speak only Farsi.
Learning a few basic Persian words – greetings, numbers, and polite phrases – will make your trip easier and locals happier.
Mobile apps like Google Translate or Persian Phrasebook can help with simple communication.
Most signs in major tourist cities are bilingual (Persian and English). However, taxi drivers, shop owners, and older people often speak only Farsi.
Learning a few basic Persian words – greetings, numbers, and polite phrases – will make your trip easier and locals happier.
Mobile apps like Google Translate or Persian Phrasebook can help with simple communication.
Yes, solo female travel in Iran is safe and common.
Iranian people are respectful toward foreign women, and harassment is rare. Local women often approach solo travelers to talk or help.
Dress modestly, use women-only metro cars in Tehran, and avoid walking alone late at night in quiet areas.
For safety and comfort, join a small group tour if you prefer local guidance during your first visit.
Iranian people are respectful toward foreign women, and harassment is rare. Local women often approach solo travelers to talk or help.
Dress modestly, use women-only metro cars in Tehran, and avoid walking alone late at night in quiet areas.
For safety and comfort, join a small group tour if you prefer local guidance during your first visit.
Yes, but with some restrictions.
Many Western sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are blocked. Instagram and WhatsApp usually work. To access blocked platforms, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) installed before arriving in Iran.
Mobile internet is cheap and fast, especially with Irancell. Most hotels and cafes offer Wi-Fi, but speed can vary.
Many Western sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are blocked. Instagram and WhatsApp usually work. To access blocked platforms, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) installed before arriving in Iran.
Mobile internet is cheap and fast, especially with Irancell. Most hotels and cafes offer Wi-Fi, but speed can vary.
Iran uses Type C and Type F plugs – the same as in most of Europe (two round pins).
Voltage is 230V, 50Hz.
If you’re coming from the UK, US, or Canada, you’ll need an adapter.
Power cuts are rare, but bring a small power bank for long drives or desert areas.
Voltage is 230V, 50Hz.
If you’re coming from the UK, US, or Canada, you’ll need an adapter.
Power cuts are rare, but bring a small power bank for long drives or desert areas.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Iran.
It’s illegal to buy, carry, or drink alcohol, and penalties are serious.
Instead, try local drinks like doogh (yogurt-based) or fresh pomegranate juice.
Public displays of affection are also discouraged. Dress modestly, act respectfully in religious places, and avoid political discussions with strangers.
It’s illegal to buy, carry, or drink alcohol, and penalties are serious.
Instead, try local drinks like doogh (yogurt-based) or fresh pomegranate juice.
Public displays of affection are also discouraged. Dress modestly, act respectfully in religious places, and avoid political discussions with strangers.
Yes, photography is allowed almost everywhere, but with exceptions.
Do not photograph military areas, police, or government buildings.
Always ask permission before taking photos of people, especially women.
In some mosques, photos are allowed but flash may be forbidden.
Otherwise, Iran is very photogenic – from deserts to bazaars – and locals often enjoy posing with travelers.
Do not photograph military areas, police, or government buildings.
Always ask permission before taking photos of people, especially women.
In some mosques, photos are allowed but flash may be forbidden.
Otherwise, Iran is very photogenic – from deserts to bazaars – and locals often enjoy posing with travelers.
The best months to visit are March–May and September–November, when temperatures are mild and landscapes are green.
Summer can be extremely hot, especially in the south and desert areas, while winters are cold in the north and mountains.
If you want to explore both deserts and Persian Gulf islands, March–April or October–November are ideal.
Summer can be extremely hot, especially in the south and desert areas, while winters are cold in the north and mountains.
If you want to explore both deserts and Persian Gulf islands, March–April or October–November are ideal.
Bring light, breathable clothes that cover arms and legs, a scarf (for women), comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle.
Pack cash (EUR or USD), a power adapter, a power bank, and printed copies of your visa grant notice and hotel bookings.
For desert trips, bring a hat, flashlight, and warm layer for cool nights.
Pack cash (EUR or USD), a power adapter, a power bank, and printed copies of your visa grant notice and hotel bookings.
For desert trips, bring a hat, flashlight, and warm layer for cool nights.
Not really, but choices are limited.
Most Iranian dishes contain meat, but there are plenty of vegetarian options like rice with herbs (sabzi polo), lentil soup, falafel, eggplant stews, and salads.
You can always ask for food “bedune goosht” (without meat).
Fresh fruit, nuts, and bread are everywhere, and most hotels can prepare simple vegetarian meals on request.
Most Iranian dishes contain meat, but there are plenty of vegetarian options like rice with herbs (sabzi polo), lentil soup, falafel, eggplant stews, and salads.
You can always ask for food “bedune goosht” (without meat).
Fresh fruit, nuts, and bread are everywhere, and most hotels can prepare simple vegetarian meals on request.
Written by Vladas Sapranavičius, travel expert and founder of SpaceTravel.lt.
Group tour leader in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Group tour leader in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Travel to Iran with me
A 16-day exploratory, experiential, and adventure-filled journey featuring an overnight stay in the Lut Desert and three days on the most beautiful islands of the Persian Gulf.
A 16-day exploratory, experiential, and adventure-filled journey featuring an overnight stay in the Lut Desert and three days on the most beautiful islands of the Persian Gulf.
Write to me: vladas@spacetravel.lt