FAQs

Iran Silk Road feels highly committed to inform you about the actual travel situation in Iran.
Feel free to ask any question that is not answered by our FAQs. You can either fill in our contact form or send an email to info@iransilkroad.com

How do I request my visa?

For travelling to Iran it is obliged to apply for a visa for most foreign citizens. This visa in most cases cannot be directly obtained from the local Iranian embassy. An invitation or LOI from Iran is required for most countries. Iran Silk Road can easily apply for your visa invitations. On behalf of you we request your visa invitation from the Iranian authorities. Application fee is 35 euros. In most cases your request will be approved within 3 weeks. By e-mail you receive a confirmation with a reference number. With this reference number you can request your visa at the Iranian consulate or embassy in your country. Please check Iranian embassy website for more information on visa procedure.

Tourist visas are not valid for more than a month. But they can be extended up to 3 months inside Iran at the foreign affairs offices. If you are not planning to stay longer than 2 weeks in Iran, citizens of most countries can apply at the international airports of Iran (Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan) for a transit visa. For this transit visa you do not need an invitation letter but it can be helpful.

Also check our visa section!


Who are the Persians?

65 million Iranians are living in Iran. Most of them are originally Persians. Persians are NOT Arabs and their language is Persian or Farsi. Iranians are well known for their hospitality. They are very curious to know more about “us Westerners”. So don’t be surprised when you are approached on the street or invited into a tea-house or at home. Iranians are proud of their over 2500 year old country. 98% of the Iranians are officially Muslims. A minority of Iranians still practice Iran’s original Zoroastrian religion, especially in Yazd.


Iran has an extremely young population. 70% of Iranians are under thirty years old. Modern life you can find in Tehran where 15 million Iranians live and other big cities like Isfahan and Shiraz. In smaller cities, villages and countryside many Iranians hold on to their traditional (often nomadic) existence. Iranians are surprisingly hospitable. Politeness and respect are key words to a very pleasurable stay.

What is it like to travel alone in Iran?

Independent travel in Iran can sometimes be difficult, especially for first time visitors. Language barriers and a lack of touristic information make it challenging to find your way. But, willingness of locals to help is extensive. For experienced backpackers assisted by a guidebook Iran is highly accessible. Iran has a good mobile infrastructure and many internet cafes (=coffeenets) in most cities. The number of backpackers in Iran is still small. Budget hotels are great places to meet other individual travelers, for example the Firoozeh hotel in Tehran and the Silk Road hotel in Yazd.

What is it like to travel as a woman in Iran?

Especially in Tehran, Esfahan and Shiraz not much different from traveling as a man. The vast majority of Iranian men are polite and helpful towards (western) women. Also in smaller cities, the chance of being harassed is small, except for the usual curiosity. But being accompanied has its advantages.  Women in Iran are obliged to wear a (loose) headscarf, a manteau (dress like cloth) and to dress modestly. Especially with warm weather this can be a nuisance. An advantage is that you gain respect from the conservative part of population. Be cautious for indecent touching of some men in the metro. If desired but not obligatory you can use the “female only” wagons of the metro.

It’s a bit unusual to travel alone as a woman in Iran, but not exceptional. Iranian women are very active in social life as you can see from city life, offices and organizations.

What is the best time to travel?

Because of its wide diversity in landscape Iran is an all season travel destination. But, spring and autumn are especially suitable for roundtrips. Because of its vastness and variety in landscape climate variations are big in summer and winter. That’s why some say Iran is the country of four seasons in a day. Special Persian and Islamic holidays deserve attention in your travel planning. For a good advice please contact our Iran Silk Road travel experts.

How are the dress codes?

Men are officially not allowed to wear shorts in public but short sleeves is no problem except for holy places. Women are obliged to wear a (loose) headscarf in public together with a manteau (see picture) or skirt over their pants. Colored clothes are not a problem. To enter a religious place dress code is more strict. For example to enter a mosque, a chador (long veiled dress) is mandatory and can be borrowed at the entrance. Inside the house dress codes don’t apply and are dependent upon religious beliefs of the family.

How do I book a travel with Iran Silk Road?

Iran Silk Road travels are booked online. Upon request we send you a booking form by e-mail. After returning this form to us and your prepayment, your booking request is confirmed and travel documents will be sent to you or delivered to your hotel upon arrival in Iran.

How is the current (political) situation in Iran?

Stable. Iran may have a conservative government. This doesn’t have a big effect upon Western travelers who come to Iran. On the contrary, Iranian government invests a lot in tourism, security, infrastructure and public services. For example the recently opened IKA international airport just outside of Tehran, the new metro stations and the future metro and railway in Shiraz.

Can I use my debit card or credit card in Iran?

No. The use of debit card, traveler checks and/or credit card is not possible due to the American embargo. We advice you to take sufficient cash in not damaged bills of 20, 50 or 100 euro. Some banks, like Tejarat, offer a service where you can charge an Iranian debit card to draw money from the cash machines which are widely available.

What about travel guidebooks for Iran?

Yes, there are!
Most used is the “Lonely Planet Iran” (new English edition, July 2008) by Andrew Burke, very practical and highly convenient. Also “Reiseführer Iran” in German language written by Iran specialist Hartmut Niemann is recommendable and offers both practical information and a good cultural background with a detailed map of Iran.
The french “Guide Culturel de L’Iran” (2006) of Patrick Ringgenberg is probably the most complete, cultural travel guide. For excellent regional, cultural travel guides try to find “Travel guide to Isfahan” (2005) and “Travel guide to Fars” (2006) by Roksana Beheshti, published in Tehran.


Is communicating in Iran a problem?

Yes and No. Only 10% of the population speaks English, most of them young urban professionals and students. Street names and road signs are conveniently also written in English. Iranians do understand that most foreigners don’t speak Persian and do their best to help you find your way. In the Northwest of Iran, Azeri Turkish is widely spoken and in the Southwest Arabic is common.

Other things to be careful about?

- watch out crossing the streets
– no alcoholic drinks in public
– drugs are highly forbidden
– no photos of governmental or military buildings
– arrange your visa in time
– in people’s homes take off your shoes

last but not least:
Forget the stereotype media coverage, travel to Iran and experience it yourself!

For more information or questions about traveling to Iran, use our contact form

Reiseführer