Iran

imme

Anyone got any tales to tell of Iran.


Thinking of going this spring.
I will probably be going overland from Armenia or Turkey and flying out.


Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan would be the probable places I would be interested in visiting.

Fred Swanson

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KevinK

I had been planning a trip but now the only time I can go would be in late June and I think it might be too hot.

Did you get the visa in Dublin Fred? Was it difficult/expensive? Is 15 days the standard length?

Pegasus airlines have really good fares from Tehran to Istanbul, might be of interest to one of ye.

mosstin

KevinK wrote: »

I had been planning a trip but now the only time I can go would be in late June and I think it might be too hot.

Did you get the visa in Dublin Fred? Was it difficult/expensive? Is 15 days the standard length?

Pegasus airlines have really good fares from Tehran to Istanbul, might be of interest to one of ye.

Was in Iran last summer and getting the visa in Dublin was the easiest I've ever applied for. Ready in just about two hours. Hassle free and best of all, for 35 days. I recall it costing around 40 euro.

Fred Swanson

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mosstin

Fred Swanson wrote: »

Once you have the authorisation code from the Iranian MFA getting the visa is a simple matter of completing the forms and going to the embassy.

30 days is the standard visa.

Meh, didn't actually bother with the authorisation code. They didn't ask for it so I didn't need it in the end.

Fred Swanson

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KevinK

mosstin wrote: »

Was in Iran last summer and getting the visa in Dublin was the easiest I've ever applied for. Ready in just about two hours. Hassle free and best of all, for 35 days. I recall it costing around 40 euro.

What was the weather like during the summer?

Pdoghue

I' ve been in Iran twice. Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Persepolis, Caspian Sea, Mt. Damavand. In summer both times. Extremely hot. Let me know if you have any questions, or PM me!

mosstin

KevinK wrote: »

What was the weather like during the summer?

Rarely a day below 40 degrees but, strangely, you do become accustomed to it to a certain extent. Further south you go, the hotter it gets. Kerman in particular stands out as being stifling.

Meathlass

I was there about 3 years ago - 21st Dec to 15th Jan. Snow on the ground in lots of places but everywhere indoors was hotter than a sauna as the Iranians were so cold all the time so the heating was on full blast. Hotter the further south you go but around 15 degrees most days; very pleasant temps for sightseeing and wandering around.

I went from Tehran-Zanjan-Sanandaj-Kermanshah-Shush-Shiraz-Yazd-Isfahan-Kashan-Tehran

Took buses between major cities and those shared taxis, savaris, for runs under 2 hours - the driving is not for the faint-hearted in these!

In addition to your 3 cities I'd include Yazd.

If you're female I'd advise going in Spring/Winter as it's hot enough wearing a manteau and scarf then so I'd image Summer would be very uncomfortable.

PhoenixParker

Was there in September. Amazing country, amazing holiday.
Have sent you a (rather long) pm.

sarkozy

Please let me know how you get on. I've wanted to visit Iran most of my life and I'd be interested to know about your experiences, flight costs and travel costs.

mosstin

sarkozy wrote: »

Please let me know how you get on. I've wanted to visit Iran most of my life and I'd be interested to know about your experiences, flight costs and travel costs.

I flew to Istanbul for around 200 euro, took a train from Ankara to Tehran (unforgettable) for about 40 euro. Once you get there travel is excellent, mostly by bus - the VIP buses are superior to anything we have in Ireland and only cost a couple of euro more than the standard Iranian coach. Iran is a very cheap country.

KevinK

mosstin wrote: »

I flew to Istanbul for around 200 euro, took a train from Ankara to Tehran (unforgettable) for about 40 euro. Once you get there travel is excellent, mostly by bus - the VIP buses are superior to anything we have in Ireland and only cost a couple of euro more than the standard Iranian coach. Iran is a very cheap country.

Did you use the trains much in Iran? I have seen that there are overnight trains between Tehran and various other cities. In the past this has been my favourite way to travel, as it usually very comfortable and saves on a nights accommodation.


While the Ankara to Tehran is probably a worthwhile experience in itself there are flights available from Istanbul to Tehran for €90 (In May for example) with Pegasus, there are actually flights as cheap as €60 going from Tehran to Istanbul in the summer. Might we worth getting the train there and flight back.

mosstin

KevinK wrote: »

Did you use the trains much in Iran? I have seen that there are overnight trains between Tehran and various other cities. In the past this has been my favourite way to travel, as it usually very comfortable and saves on a nights accommodation.


While the Ankara to Tehran is probably a worthwhile experience in itself there are flights available from Istanbul to Tehran for €90 (In May for example) with Pegasus, there are actually flights as cheap as €60 going from Tehran to Istanbul in the summer. Might we worth getting the train there and flight back.

Not once. Trains there are slower and not very reliable from what I can gather. I love train travel ordinarily but I swerved it this time around.

PhoenixParker

Not mosstin, but we wanted to take the train from Esfahan to Tehran. We couldn't find a way to book it from Ireland and the train doesn't go frequently and so had to be booked well in advance. In the end we got the VIP bus. They're great.

There's three seats to a row (two & 1), so lots of space. They give you food, there's a cooler of drinks you can pull from and they stop every 3 & 1/2 hours to allow for bathroom usage & the purchase of more food. There are two drivers on every bus and they switch over regularly to prevent fatigue. They're also well air conditioned, actually our bus was over air conditioned and I could really have done with a few extra jumpers and thick woolly socks.

We did have to buy our tickets a day or two in advance, but the hotel sorted that for us.

Fred Swanson

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Muahahaha

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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if you've time try to check out Cappadocia in Turkey on your way, Goreme is the main town. Its a fab stop with some bizarre rock formations and fairy chimmneys. Its also one of the cheapest places in the world to try hot air ballooning.

imme

Thanks to all for replies and ideas.


It has been a mixed reaction I have been getting from Irish people I tell I'm thinking of going to Iran, stuff about ransom demands and the like.


I suppose ignorance is a commodity that no one has a monopoly on.


I understand something of the position Iran has in the region, their role in the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon.


I understand something of the revolution, the Shah, and something of Persia. Travel is about learning something about the place you're visiting and something about one's self.

Officer999

Maybe a naive question but is it safe for a European tourist to visit?

Would be very interested in visiting....

PhoenixParker

Completely. It felt like one of the safest places I've ever visited.
Except for crossing the road, that's terrifying.

Meathlass

PhoenixParker wrote: »

Completely. It felt like one of the safest places I've ever visited.
Except for crossing the road, that's terrifying.

100% agree with this. Stand very close to an Iranian while crossing the road and follow in their footsteps exactly and you'll probably be ok :pac:

mosstin

Officer999 wrote: »

Maybe a naive question but is it safe for a European tourist to visit?

Would be very interested in visiting....

Completely. Don't be put off by folk who watch Fox news, or indeed most western news stations. Warmest people you'll ever encounter.

Fred Swanson

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Sheldons Brain

I'd love to visit Iran. Is it manageable to get around, I wouldn't have a great command of Farsi?

mosstin

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

I'd love to visit Iran. Is it manageable to get around, I wouldn't have a great command of Farsi?

Pretty easy. There'll be enough English spoken at bus stations for you to buy a ticket. Always nice to learn a few phrases of the local lingo - the locals will love you that little bit more.

Meathlass

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

I'd love to visit Iran. Is it manageable to get around, I wouldn't have a great command of Farsi?

No problem getting around. Most touristy areas will have basic English and will sell you tickets etc. Taxis can be the only issue but the guidebook I had (LP) had the names of all tourist attractions written in Farsi so I could just show that.

I spent 12 hours in Ahvaz bus station and after 20 mins sitting on a bench wondering how I was going to kill time I was invited into one of the bus companies offices within the terminal where they kept me topped up with tea and sweets (that toffee with pistachios in it ), looked after my bag and I had a steady stream of visitors wanting their photo taken with me. Only one guy had any English but it didn't matter. Human kindness transcends language.

Sheldons Brain

Meathlass wrote: »

No problem getting around. Most touristy areas will have basic English and will sell you tickets etc. Taxis can be the only issue but the guidebook I had (LP) had the names of all tourist attractions written in Farsi so I could just show that.

Good stuff. In Egypt the picture of the pyramids in the guidebook did the taxi trick for me. Presumably phone apps can help nowadays.

The issue is whether the people are trying to help or not. There is usually a way, if the former is the case.

mosstin

Meathlass wrote: »

No problem getting around. Most touristy areas will have basic English and will sell you tickets etc. Taxis can be the only issue but the guidebook I had (LP) had the names of all tourist attractions written in Farsi so I could just show that.

I spent 12 hours in Ahvaz bus station and after 20 mins sitting on a bench wondering how I was going to kill time I was invited into one of the bus companies offices within the terminal where they kept me topped up with tea and sweets (that toffee with pistachios in it ), looked after my bag and I had a steady stream of visitors wanting their photo taken with me. Only one guy had any English but it didn't matter. Human kindness transcends language.

And instances such as this are not rare. It is a wonderful country.

gypsy79

Plan to go on holiday there in a couple of weeks. Can anyone give any advice

Plan currently is Tehran->Qom->Ishafan->Shiraz over 2 weeks

Any advice appreciated

ardmacha

some recent discussion here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=94138471

kerry4sam

ardmacha wrote: »

some recent discussion here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=94138471

Thanks,
Merged

gypsy79

Amazing country.....feel free to ask if anyone wants any information

Yamanoto

gypsy79 wrote: »

Amazing country.....feel free to ask if anyone wants any information

You should consider sticking up a trip report on whereabouts you visited, your highlights, interaction with locals & pics etc.

I'm sure many folks would be interested.

imme

I made it to Iran.
I spent about a week and a half going from Tehran to Shiraz.

Iran is quite a big country. Sometimes its not until you're on the ground that you understand the scale of a country.

There are regional differences which is understandable given the scale of the country.

Iran is an easy enough place for tourists to visit
in terms of visas:
Embassy of Iran in Dublin, you can get same day visa, €60 for Irish passport holders.
Visa on arrival is available at Tehran airport, 15-day visit visa. I don't know the price of it.

in terms of transport:
each city is served by inter city buses, Tehran e.g. has about 5 bus terminals with each essentially specialising in a region of the country; national rail system. Each city / urban area has a bus system servicing it.
Taxi's, they're everywhere!

Tehran has an expanding metro system, very cheap and efficient.

If you are in any way shy or don't like speaking to people don't go to Iran!

If you use the metro in Tehran you'll be asked about yourself, every time. Tourists are quite rare in Iran so people will try to impress others with their command of English or just out of acting as ambassadors for Iran will engage in conversation, so be prepared.

The first and last carriage of each metro are reserved for women only. Iran will definitely feel different.

Women are free to travel in carriages other than the designated ones and will do so. An older lady started shouting at other passengers when I didn't accept her offer of her giving up her seat to me.

It was a weird experience.

Taxi's, they are everywhere, with women only taxi's being driven by women as well.
You have to agree the price with the taxi driver, this is a bit annoying as sometimes you don't know/can't know if the distance is near/far.

in terms of accommodation:
This ranges from crap holes to relaxing, spacious, gracious guesthouses to decent hotels.

A common feature of them all however will be the little need they feel to change the bed sheets from the previous guests.

Many of the guesthouses will have on the ball locals on reception who will be able to guide you as to what's going on/available locally.

Iran, Islamic Republic of, is a young country. It has set itself up as an Islamic Republic after the revolution in 1979, when they got of the Shah.

Tourism in Iran of course plays on Persia and all that surrounds it, you'd do the same if you were marketing Iran.

Modern Iran will surprise you in terms of the engagement that many of the population want with the wider world.
Sometimes on their terms, sometimes not.

At times Iran will scare you in terms of their regional role, their view of how things should be.

The Iran/Iraq War still weighs very heavily on the psyche, visit the Holy Defence Museum in Tehran and you'll understand something of the story and the perceived national paranoia. All throughout the country you'll see fading pictures of all the young men who died in the War, all so young.

If you visit Iran you will undoubtedly be the recipient of unexpected kindnesses, these come in all shapes and forms, from locals going out of their way for you, to people taking you to their heart.

bleg

Has anybody been to Iran? I'm heading away travelling in October. Starting in Africa and hoping to go to a few less well travelled places. I was at a talk by 2 Irish guys that cycled through the country (and saw the documentary) and they said it was an amazing place. They also had trouble getting visas. Does anybody have any experience with this? Can you point me in the right direction?

imme

see here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=93781327

I had no issue getting a visa, through the Embassy (of the Islamic Republic) of Iran in Dublin.

Fred Swanson

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mosstin

bleg wrote: »

Has anybody been to Iran? I'm heading away travelling in October. Starting in Africa and hoping to go to a few less well travelled places. I was at a talk by 2 Irish guys that cycled through the country (and saw the documentary) and they said it was an amazing place. They also had trouble getting visas. Does anybody have any experience with this? Can you point me in the right direction?

Getting an Iranian visa in their embassy in Dublin was one of the easiest visas I've received. Mentions something about a 'fee' for an authorisation code - didn't bother with it and didn't need it.

Meathlass

mosstin wrote: »

Getting an Iranian visa in their embassy in Dublin was one of the easiest visas I've received. Mentions something about a 'fee' for an authorisation code - didn't bother with it and didn't need it.

Second this. Very easy visa to get and helpful staff.

Fred Swanson

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Meathlass

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Flights yes but not accomodation. I just did that when I arrived in each town as I didn't know how long I'd be staying anywhere.

The only reason I'd the flights booked is that I got a good deal in a sale a few months previously.

Frank Grimes

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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I didn't have anything booked before I got a visa, I was travelling overland via Turkey and didn't even know when exactly I would get to Iran. Wasn't an issue at all.

mosstin

Frank Grimes wrote: »

I didn't have anything booked before I got a visa, I was travelling overland via Turkey and didn't even know when exactly I would get to Iran. Wasn't an issue at all.

Same. They won't look for it. I took a train from Ankara and ended up staying with the family of a guy I was chatting to on the train on the way over. It really is that kind of country.

Yamanoto

For those intending travel to the States, see changes to the US Visa Waiver Program effecting those who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria on or after March 1st 2011:

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

The United States today began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to facilitating legitimate travel while maintaining the highest standards of security and border protection. 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. For those who need a U.S. visa for urgent business, medical, or humanitarian travel to the United States, U.S. embassies and consulates stand ready to process applications on an expedited basis.

Beginning January 21, 2016, travelers who currently have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTAs) and who have previously indicated holding dual nationality with one of the four countries listed above on their ESTA applications will have their current ESTAs revoked.

Under the new law, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive these restrictions if he determines that such a waiver is in the law enforcement or national security interests of the United States. Such waivers will be granted only on a case-by-case basis. As a general matter, categories of travelers who may be eligible for a waiver include:

Individuals who traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria on behalf of international organizations, regional organizations, and sub-national governments on official duty;

Individuals who traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria on behalf of a humanitarian NGO on official duty;

Individuals who traveled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria as a journalist for reporting purposes;

Individuals who traveled to Iran for legitimate business-related purposes following the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (July 14, 2015); and

Individuals who have traveled to Iraq for legitimate business-related purposes.
Again, whether ESTA applicants will receive a waiver will be determined on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the terms of the law. In addition, we will continue to explore whether and how the waivers can be used for dual nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran and Sudan.

Any traveler who receives notification that they are no longer eligible to travel under the VWP are still eligible to travel to the United States with a valid nonimmigrant visa issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate. Such travelers will be required to appear for an interview and obtain a visa in their passports at a U.S. embassy or consulate before traveling to the United States.

The new law does not ban travel to the United States, or admission into the United States, and the great majority of VWP travelers will not be affected by the legislation.

An updated ESTA application with additional questions is scheduled to be released in late February 2016 to address exceptions for diplomatic- and military-related travel provided for in the Act.

Information on visa applications can be found at travel.state.gov.

Current ESTA holders are encouraged to check their ESTA status prior to travel on CBP’s website at esta.cbp.dhs.go

Fred Swanson

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Muahahaha

Glad my Syrian and Iranian stamps are in my old passport now as I plan heading to the US next year.

For those who've been to Iran recently- is it still as cheap as ever? I was there for a month in 2006 and found it nearly impossible to spend money, I think all it cost me was €400 for a month of accomodation, 3 good meals a day and all travel and entrance costs. iirc a litre of petrol there was 3c at the time and you could get a great meal for under €1.50.

Muahahaha

Glad my Syrian and Iranian stamps are in my old passport now as I plan heading to the US next year.

For those who've been to Iran recently- is it still as cheap as ever? I was there for a month in 2006 and found it nearly impossible to spend money, I think all it cost me was €400 for a month of accomodation, 3 good meals a day and all travel and entrance costs. iirc a litre of petrol there was 3c at the time and you could get a great meal for under €1.50.

gypsy79

I was there last Easter. It is pretty cheap....I lived it up for 10 days.

A hotel for example averaged about 30-40 dollars a night for equivalent of pretty decent 3 star here

Dinner anywehre for 2 dollars to 15 dollars

Btw I was stopped in US just after new years and interogated for a couple of hours

Checked my ESTA and it is still valid

Fred Swanson

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