BY AIR: A large majority of
tourists, businessmen and even Muslim pilgrims coming to
Iran now travel by plane. The national airline company, the
Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran Air), has
international services to Paris, London, Hamburg, Geneva,
Frankfurt, Rome, Athens, Istanbul and Moscow in Europe; to
Kabul, Karachi, Rawilpindi, Bombay, Shanghai, Peking, Tokyo
and neighboring Persian Gulf nations in Asia. Iran Air's
fleet is large enough but other European, American, African,
and Asian airline companies stop over in Tehran,
traditionally a crossroads, is thus linked every day to the
rest of the world.
Fixed-program organized package tours
were for a long time about the only kind of tourism
practiced in Iran by Westerners. Or, in other words, it was
the only possible one. The main failing of these trips is
the very limited choice of tours. However, the individual
travelers, on arriving in Tehran will find a fairly large
number of travel agencies capable of organizing his/her stay
(reservations, self-drive cars, interpreter-guides, etc.).
Most of them arrange package tours covering half a dozen
major beauty-spots. Even for those who plan to travel
independently, these rapid and superficial excursions are
worthwhile since they enable you to gain a general
impression, to spot places where you would like to spend
more time, to get acquainted with traffic regulations and
hotel procedure, and so on.
BY ROAD: Any driver with some
experience of long-distance driving can take out without
apprehension for Iran in any car in good mechanical
conditions. He should have a small reserve of petrol, oil,
and water and a couple of spare tires.
All itineraries converging upon
Istanbul are good. More than half the journey is carried out
on motorways. Istanbul is about half way to Tehran form
Europe. Travel in Turkey may seem a bit slow with its sharp
slopes, sometimes harsh climate, long laps and mountain
dwellers still well accustomed to tourists and motor
traffic. Modern halts with sleeping facilities have been set
up along the main itineraries. There are sufficient petrol
facilities and the beauty of the site - untouched
Mediterranean coastline, the Anatolian plateau, the
approaches of the Caucasus and the picturesque towns and
villages - soon make you forget the length of the journey.
BY SEA: A handy way of reducing
by at least one third of the length of the journey from
Paris, London or Hamburg is to load the car at Venice or
Brindisi on the "Truva" Turkish-run car ferry. This solution
is particularly convenient on the way back. A mini-cruise on
the Aegean and Adratic can be very relaxing.
Another very pleasant itinerary could
be through Russia: Ukraine, the Don river, the Soci Riviera,
the Caucasus mountains and the Republic of Azarbaijan
entering Iran at Jolfa. Certain travelers can choose one of
the many Iranian ports on the country's southern shores and
enter Iran through Bandar-e Abbas, Khorramshahr, or Abadan
(both under reconstruction at present).
BY RAIL: The final portion of a
railroad which connects an inhabitant of Glasgow, Groningen,
or Frankfurt to Iran was inaugurated in 28 September 1971.
Thus the tourist has the possibility of traveling to Iran in
a sleeper if he/she so desires. The journey, say from Paris,
takes five and a half days through Milan, Zagreb, Sofia,
Istanbul, Ankara, Van Lake which is crossed on a ferry-boat.
The London-Tehran trip takes 150 hours, Munich-Tehran 121
hours.
TRAVELING AROUND IRAN
AIR: Iran has an
excellent airline network. The only real problem is booking;
many of the more popular routes such as Tehran-Mashhad,
Tehran-Ahwaz, and Tehran-Esfahan or Tehran-Shiraz are full
up weeks or even months ahead. So don't waste time on
arrival: as soon as you know where you are going and how you
want to get there, book. Schedules nearly always for a
return journey the same day.
Iran-Air, the state-owned domestic and
international carrier, using its professional tour service
ensures well-planned itineraries, with travel and luxury
accommodation all arranged in advance. The company also
provides all tourist visas, international and domestic
flights, 5-star hotel accommodation, de luxe coaches and
guided sightseeing in the large cities and the holy shrines
of Iran. Iran Air Tour facilities are available for your
groups as well as individual travellers. Just let them know
your special interest and they will arrange affordably
priced group and individual tours for you. For reservations
and further information contact Iran Air Tours, 191
Motah-hari Ave, Dr Mofatteh Crossroads, Tehran 15879, tel
890298, 896062, 893444, fax 895884, telex 213956 IRAT IR,
Sita Code THRJDIR/THRJCIR.
Without plane services, it would often be impossible to
find time during a holiday to visit remote areas like
Khorasan (Mashhad) or Kerman and Shiraz. In any case, it is
advisable to take at least one air trip, even a short one
such as Tehran-Esfahan. Flying at medium altitude, you get
an exceptionally attractive view of Iran's territory, you
see the colors of the desert, the striking profile of
mountain ranges, and can admire the tenacity of men and
women living in the desert at the extremity of interminable
"qanats".
Asseman, Mahan, and Kish Air Companies
have smaller carriers (85-and 44-seats) and make nearly 200
weekly scheduled flights to 21 airports.
RAIL: Except for the 17 km line
built in 1886 between Tehran and Ray, Iran's railway system
is of relatively recent construction. The trans-Iranian
railway started operation in 1938. The overall Iranian
railways include 5,802 km of single-track lines. Iran is
linked by rail to three countries: Turkey, Pakistan, and the
Republic of Azarbaijan (former Soviet Union). The most
active route at present is the one to the latter through
Iranian Jolfa. Two hundred cargo rail cars a day shuttle
into Iran through the border, and a passenger train runs
between Tehran and Moscow. The two countries of Iran and
Turmanestan have also been discussing construction of a
railway line from the nearest border point in Turkmanestan
to Sarakhs in north-east Iran. The line would then be linked
to Mashhad, and is scheduled to be a part of the
trans-Iranian railway line joining the north-east to the
Persian Gulf through the Bafgh-Bandar-e Abbas line in the
future.
Several lateral railway lines connect
the main line to remote provinces: Tehran-Tabriz-Jolfa, as
well as connections with Turkish and European systems, with
Qom-Esfahan and extension to Yazd, Bafgh (caol mines),
Zarand (iron ore mine), and Kerman; Zahedan_Mirjabeh lines
joines the Pakistan system. Work is currently under way on a
Kerman-Zahedan line and another one from Kerman to Bandar-e
Abbas.
The Iranian railway system uses
relatively new equiptment such as passenger carriages (3
classes), sleepers and restaurant-cars. Because of their
comfort, security and speed, Iranian railways are an
excellent means of discovering the country. Railway line
often run some distance from the roads and go through
undiscovered mountain and desert beauty spots. The trip from
Tehran t Mashhad is highly recommendable in this respect.
Its many tunnels, viaducts and tight curves enhance the
attractiveness of landscapes and of picturesque life in the
local stations of this remote province.
Express trains cost more than regular
service, and sleeping berths are extra.
BUS: Large towns and cities
have urban bus services - a particularly good way to get
around and sightsee as you go. Generally, inter-city bus
services are not comfortable (except Tehran) or in some
cases fairly regular, despite their efficiency and
inexpensiveness. Bus terminal are often situated close to
the railway stations, where you will fond timetables and
other information.
Private vehicles are sometimes
hindered by the scores of coaches on Iranian roads, but this
in itself shows their possibility as a means of exploring
the country. Services from one town to another are provided
by comfortable, air-conditioned, fast pullman coaches. The
journey form Tehran to Esfahan takes 8 hours, to Tabriz 12
hours, to Kerman 16 hours, etc. On secondary and local
services, the coaches stop at every village and almost at
every crossroads. They are less modern and have sometimes
suffered form many years of exposure to track dust. The
adventurous tourist will always find a coach - either in
terminals or on roads - which will take him to the most
remote oasis or reputedly inaccessible desert. He should not
be too particular with regard to comfort and hygiene, nor be
in a hurry, but his journey will be colorful and exciting as
well as economical.
Where there is no railway (e.g.
southern and western provinces), you will find a road and on
that road there will be dozens of inter-city buses. The
fares, by Western standards are negligible, and in some
cases, so is the comfort. Buses on important routes, like
those to Esfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kerman, and Mashhad, on
the other hand, are plush and classy
AIRPORTS
Tehran is the major gateway
to Iran, but international flights operate to other big
cities as well. There are thirty airports in active use,
eight of which are suitable for international flights. The
latter include the Tehran Mehrabad Airport, Mashhad,
Esfahan, Dhiraz, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas, Ahwaz, and Zahedan.
Some of the airports were damaged during the war. Flights to
Ahwaz, Orumieh, Kermanshah, and Sanandaj were resumed only
in the fourth quarter of 1988, after several years. There is
a major project for the construction of Tehran's second
international airport (Imam Khomeini International Airport),
which will handle about 30 million passengers a year when
completed.
Tehran United Bus Company runs airport
buses to the city center. A taxi form each airport to the
city center takes 30-40 minutes, or more depending on the
traffic condition.
ARRIVAL: Passengers arriving
from aabroad should hand over health certificates
(distributed on the plane) to a health officer, and
passports, visas and landing cards to immigration officers,
who stamp and return the document. Completed customs form as
well as foreign currency declaration forms are presented to
the officials in the baggage claim area; you must bring a
long robe and a head scarf that will conform with Islamic
hijab. Alcohol is strictly prohibited and nay not be
brought in by travellers.
DEPARTURES: Be sure to
reconfirm your reservation and arrive at the airport before
check-in time. Iran Air, Aseman, and (the newly established)
Mahan and Kish Air airlines have regular flights to the big
cities and even to smaller towns in remote parts of Iran.
The expansion of airports in recent years has provided the
possibility of air communication between various cities on a
wide and popular scale.
The rates for internal flights are
relatively low compared to those of other countries. The
service and subsidiary services of Iran Air on internal
flights are based on international standards. Tickets can be
obtained either directly from sales bureaus or through
private agencies which are widely established in Tehran and
other major cities.
DRIVING
To take your car into Iran,
or in order to drive in Iran you will need:
-
International driving permit or
your national driving license;
-
Car registration papers.
-
Nationality plate or sticker.
-
Red warning triangle.
-
A set of spare bulbs and some
basic spare parts.
DRIVING REGULATIONS: As
elsewhere in Europe or America, drive on the right, overtake
(pass) on the left, yield right-of-way to all vehicles
coming from the right (except on roundabouts/traffic
circles) unless otherwise indicated.
SPEED LIMITS: You can easily
take 100 km as a unit of measurement since you can keep up
fairly fast and steady speeds. Driving is much less tiring
than on traffic-ridden European roads. But watch out for
speed limits:
110km/h on motorways.
80km/h during the day and
70km/h at night in built-up areas.
ROAD CONDITIONS: The road
system has considerably improved during the past few years
and road work is still continuing. When roads are wet, all
speed limits are reduced by at least 10km/h.
According to the latest official
statistics available, there are 151, 488 km of various roads
in Iran, of which nearly 1,500 Km are freeways and main
roads and about 1,500 km in the category of wide, first
-class, ordinary and second-class roads. The remaining
length belongs to rural, paved, and dirt access roads.
The motorways belong to the
government, with insignificant tolls according to the
vehicle size and
distance travelled. Officials hope the
private sector will be encouraged to invest in the future
road development projects, under a new law passed in 1988.
All amenities (restaurants, toilets, service, station, etc.)
are available along most motorways and national roads.
PARKING: In the centers and
crowded areas of large towns, some street parking is
mastered. There is a limited traffic zone" in Tehran into
which only certain vehicles are allowed to enter from 06:30
a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Fines for parking violations are heavy;
in serious cases your car may be towed away or have a wheel
clamp attached.
Also, there are parking lots along all
freeways and main roads, which are added to the main body of
the road shoulder.
BREAKDOWNS: In case of accident
or breakdown, switch on the flashing warning lights, place a
warning triangle 50 m behind your car, and call the Road
Police (either through telephone on freeways or by asking
the first truck which passes by, to call the Road Police in
the nearest town or village). Although most large European,
American, and Japanese car manufacturers are represented in
Iranian cities, having some basic spare parts in the car
will save you a lot of time and money.
Most people agree that Iranian
workmen, apart from being ingenious and willing to help
foreigners whom they consider as their own guests, are
skillful and conscientious. But this does not do away with
the need for a final check-up especially in cases of
complicated repairs.
SIGNPOSTS: Signposting is very
good, especially along major roads. Every two, five or ten
kilometers, rectangular white, green or dark blue signposts
show in Persian and English, either the distance to the
remotest large city. Since the signposts are bilingual,
signpost watching is an excellent way of learning to read
Persian letters and numerals. Nearly all cities (with the
exception of Tehran, Esfahan, and Shiraz) are labyrinths
within which a tourist has the greatest difficulty in
finding the way out. To avoid this, and if you don't want to
see the town, you can use the ring roads which have been
built around nearly all cities and towns in recent years.
FUEL AND OIL: Filling stations
are fairly frequent and are shown on the road and city map.
It is as well to take a jerrycan although you will probably
not use it often. It is however a wise precaution to fill up
in the last town before a long desert lap. Fuel is
available, in super (98 octane) and normal (90 octane).
Lead-free fuel is also available, but don't expect to find
it at every village pump. All grades of motor oil are on
sale. Service station attendants expect to be tipped. At
most filling stations, the needle on the dial shows the
quantity supplied and not the price, which is incomparably
lower than that in Western Europe.
CAR HIRE
The renting of a
self-drive car is, like anywhere else, the most pleasant
solution for the independent-minded tourist who dislikes
being held down to a price time-table. It can be a costly
solution, especially in Iran where distances are very great.
For details, consult many of the capital's travel agencies
as well as those of large cities. However, some Taxi Service
firms are specializing in renting out cars for short trips
in urban areas.
There remains to be found in Iran a
car-hire organization adopted to long distance travel and
geared for example to a tour of many mehmansaras scattered
around the provinces and now easily accessible along good
roads.
Do your best to hire a car in which
you will be driven, since the authorities are apt to take
stern measures against those involved in car accidents,
imprisoning them until the case is heard or settled through
the required channels.
There are a good number of Telephone
Taxi Agencies nowadays operating in most towns, with good
drivers who can take the role of a guide as well. Ask your
hotel to arrange a telephone taxi for you, when in need.