FAQ

Iran is one of the world’s great civilizations. It is home to some spectacular historic cities and remains , and glorious mountains and landscapes. Best of all , the Iranians are extremely hospitable and will always make you feel welcome. A growing number of Iranians speak English (particularly the younger ones) so even without the language it is possible to get by.

1. The Country
Iran has an area of 1 ,648 ,195 square kilometers and is the 17th largest country in the world.
The population is 60 million (1996 census). The population growth rate , which was 3.9% per annum during 1976-86 , fell to 1.5% in the years 1991-6. 61% of the population is urban. Life expectancy is 67 for men and 70 for women.
The state religion is Islam and 99.5% of the people are Muslims. Shia Muslims represent 91% of the population and Sunni Muslims 8%. There are small numbers of Christians , Jews and Zoroastrians.
The official language is Farsi (Persian).
Modern guidebooks in English include the Lonely Planet and Bradt.
2. The Climate
Iran has a dry climate with low rainfall. Winter (December to February) can be very cold in most parts of the country , while in summer (June – August) temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius are not uncommon. Spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) are ideal times to tour Iran.
In and around Tehran the weather can vary considerably. South of Tehran is hot , dry and stuffy in summer , but a short trip to the foothills of Mount Damavand (at 18 ,255 feet the highest mountain between the Himalayas and the Atlantic) brings cool relief. Winters in the capital can be very chilly , extremely so at night (as low as –15 degrees Celsius) , although any snow usually disappear by early March. Showers are frequent between November and mid-May , but rare in summer – the annual rainfall is about 240 mm.

3. Visa
It is quicker to get a tourist visa through a travel agency such as ours. any way if you are on a very tight budget the travel agent would be the simplest option.
For those coming at the invitation of an Iranian organization a faxed letter of invitation sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Iranian Embassy in place of stay is required. For such official visitors the time needed to secure a visa is usually less , though it is always sensible to start the process early.

4. Arrival and Departure
On arrival , if you are not being met , it is best to go to the airport taxi booth to get a taxi. The cost should be around 30 ,000 – 40 ,000 rials.
On departure it is wise to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. You are allowed to take out with you duty-free a Persian carpet of up to 12 square meters (or , say , 2 carpets of 6 square meters). The export of antique carpets is forbidden

5. Money and Prices
The official currency is the rials and these are what are marked on the banknotes. However , most Iranians speak about prices in tomans (one toman = ten rials). This can be confusing , so you need to try and get an idea of what the money is worth.
The current exchange rate is approximately 8000 rials to the 1 us$. There is little difference between the official exchange rate and the black market rate.
The largest regular banknote in circulation is 10 ,000 rials , worth approximately one 1 ,25 us$ although it buys a lot more than in the USA.
Dual pricing exists and foreigners sometimes have to pay in foreign currency for international flights and 4 or 5 star hotels. The price a foreigner pays for hotel accommodation and entrance to historical sites and museums is 5 – 10 times what an Iranian would pay (the excellent Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran is a shining exception and charges both Iranians and foreigners 2 ,000 rials).
Credit cards are accepted in international hotels and in some antique shops and shops selling carpets , though you may have to pay an extra percentage. (******but unfortunately lately the US embargo on trade with Iran extent has covered the sole common acceptable credit card (MASTER CARD) too.

Travelers cheques are not generally accepted , though they can be changed at official exchange offices – at a slightly lower rate than cash. but it is not recommended to be brought with.

You should bring sufficient hard currency. US dollars are best but pound sterling is acceptable.
You should declare all foreign currency brought into the country on the customs declaration form provided. Failure to do so may result in undeclared foreign currency being confiscated on departure.
On departure any remaining Iranian currency can be changed for US$ at the airport.

6. Hotels
Generally speaking , Iran has a reasonable range of accommodation. The four and five star hotels generally do not stand up to scrutiny by international standards , but the more modest middle of the range hotels offer good value for money. There is a wide choice of cheap accommodation.
There are no set rules about whether breakfast is included in the room tariff.
Apartment hotels are worth considering if you are staying any length of time.
7. Getting Around in Iran
Internal air travel is efficient and cheap; a return flight to Shiraz costs 460000 rials.
Hiring a taxi for the day is a good way of getting around a provincial city – the price should be something of the order of 20000 rials per hour.
Travel by bus between cities is very cheap; Tehran to Isfahan is 20 ,000-30 ,000 rials. A taxi hired to take you from Tehran to Isfahan should cost between 200 ,000 and 300 ,000 rials.
It is possible to hire a four-wheel drive vehicle , with driver , from a travel agency; rates must be negotiated.

7. Holidays
There are many. Official holidays to the end of 2002 are:
March 21 - 24 Nowrouz
March 25 Ashoora
April 1 Islamic Republic Day
May 11 Death of Prophet Mohammad
May 13 Martyrdom of Imam Reza
May 30 Birth of Prophet Mohammad
June 4 Death of Imam Khomeini
June 5 15th of Khordad Uprising
August 12 Martyrdom of Prophet's Daughter
September 21 Birth of Imam Ali
October 5 Mab’as
October 22 Birth of 12th Imam
November 26 Martyrdom of Imam Ali
December 30 Martyrdom of Imam Ja’far
Definitely to be avoided is the period of Now Ruz (New Year); little to no work can be done from around 20 March to 5 April.
It is better if you can avoid traveling to Iran during the mourning month of Moharram (c 16 March - 13 April 2002) and the fasting month of Ramazan (c 28 October – 25 November 2002).

8. What to Wear
Most Iranian women wear a manteau (a long shapeless coat) and headscarf; some still use the chador. Foreign women visitors should wear a manteau or loose knee-length jacket and headscarf. Headscarves can be too colorful and black is recommended during days of mourning. It is easy and cheap to buy a manteau (between £8-20) when you get to Tehran. For first arrival a woman should wear a loose-fitting coat to knee-level.
For men shorts are unacceptable.
Both sexes should dress more conservatively if visiting mosques and religious buildings