Cheap Flights to Tehran

Situated at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range, Tehran is a bustling metropolis which is home to 14 million people. It is the capital city of Iran, and is roughly divided into two regions – the North and the South. The two regions are set apart because of their not so subtle differences in culture and way of life. While the northern part of the city is modern, fast-paced and expensive, the southern region remained traditional and moves along with a lesser cost of living. A great collection of museums, parks, dining spots, and interesting places to visit litter around the city. Locals are warm and friendly and strolling along one or more of its 800 parks on top of nice and cosy places around the city will make a visit to Tehran worth your time.

What to see & do

When in Tehran, visit the Azadi Tower which has been the longstanding symbol of the city. The landmark was built with the combined elements of Sassanid and Islamic architecture and is a commemorative emblem of the Persian empire’s 2,500th anniversary. The Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini sits at the southern edge of the city. It is a huge shrine and shopping centre that will surely make for a worthy visit. Visible from almost everywhere in Tehran is the Milad Tower which is the fourth tallest tower in the world as well as the 12th tallest freestanding structure in the world. Tickets on the observation tower should be reserved in advance. The most sought-after attraction of the building is the rotating restaurant that offers a 360-degree view of the entire city. And to get a hint of the city’s culture, do visit one of the many museums around the city.

How to get around within Tehran

Traffic in Tehran will prove to be a test of patience when you wish to get around the city. Weigh your options and choose between taxis, buses, or the new metro rail. Taxi can be an easy option for most tourists, but even without the terrible traffic that has infested the city, fare is way more expensive than other modes of transport around Tehran. Buses can still be considered pricey if you compare it to other cities in Tehran. Route descriptions and other travel information are in Persian, so if you don’t know how to read the script, it’s great to note that friendly locals will help you willingly. Buses are partitioned in two sections – men only at the front, and women only at the back. Just like in most other cities in the world with a rail system, the train network in Tehran is the fastest way of getting from one place to another. Take the metro and save yourself from traffic, pollution, and the chaos of Tehran traffic. However, since most locals leave their cars to take the metro, expect a huge mass of commuters especially during rush hours. Of the five lines available, the two most useful lines for most commuters are line 1 that runs from north at Tajrish Station to south at Kahrizak station and line 2 that connects east and west and meets at the central Imam Khomeini Station. Tourists will be delighted to know that all metro stations have signs printed both in Persian and English. For the adventurous types, you can also take the motorcycle taxis which are basically motorcycles. Although a little more dangerous, this will help you weave through traffic. Just make sure to agree on a price before taking off. Fare is slightly less than private taxis.

How to get there

Iran institutes a strict visa restriction and refuses entrance of the citizens of Israel as well as travellers who possess evidence of a recent visit to said country. If the latter is your case and you wish to visit Israel, it’s advisable to renew your passport first.

You can enter Tehran via air through its international airport, the Imam Khomeini International Airport, located at 55 kilometres southwest of the city centre. The airport services numerous direct international flights from Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. Domestically, you can enter the city of Tehran through the Mehrabad Domestic Airport. From either airport, you can get to the city centre aboard taxis or buses. Internationally and domestically, you can also enter Tehran through rail. Raja passenger train company operates at least one train a day to Tehran from other Iranian cities such as Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kerman, Yazd, Sari, Gorgan, and Ahvazand Bandar Abbas. From Ankara and Istanbul, a train runs thrice a week to Tehran. These trips include a four-hour ferry ride as well as a change of trains at Lake Van. By bus, Iran has bus services that run through Tehran via the four major bus terminals in the city: Western, Eastern, Southern, and the Beihaghi bus terminal. You can also drive your way to the city from Turkey and other Southern cities in Iran.