Key facts
Iran is a country located in Southern Asia. There are 7 countries (Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan) that Iran shares its borders with. The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). Unfortunately, if you speak English, it might be problematic to communicate fluently unless you know Persian (Farsi).
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Iran was ranked 58th out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Iran is Iranian rial (IRR). The rial is subdivided into 100 dinar.
Iranian
Banknotes
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Iranian
Coins
501002505001000
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Iran is 32.9 Mbps and mobile is 57.96 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density Iran has more ATMs than most other countries.88.65 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Iran, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Iran. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Iran?
There are no Mariott hotels in Iran.
There are no Hilton hotels in Iran.
There are no IHG hotels in Iran.
There are no Best Western hotels in Iran.
There are no Radisson hotels in Iran.
There are no Accor hotels in Iran.
What fast food chains are present in Iran?
The McDonald’s chain does not operate in Iran.
The KFC chain does not operate in Iran.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Iran.
The Subway chain does not operate in Iran.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Iran.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in Iran.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Tehran?
Weather data for Tehran (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems The subway system is available in 6 cities.
Taxi Apps Unfortunately neither Uber nor Bolt are available in Iran.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Iran
Sources
- Iran Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Iran (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Inconsistent or only partially enforced smoke-free laws
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
The products are only for your own use or consumption, or as a present for members of your household. They may not be imported for commercial purposes under any circumstances.
Tobacco allowance
Each passenger is authorized to bring along one box of cigarette containing 200 ordinary cigarettes or 50 cheroot This figure for tobacco is 250 g for each passenger.
Sources
- Customs Regulations for Goods and Currencies
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)