Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

We have booked to go to Iran - anyone else been?

37 replies

BubblesBuddy · 16/05/2018 11:16

We are going on an escorted trip. A holiday like this obviously has some challenges with culture and customs. Any tips and shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
HariboIsMyCrack · 16/05/2018 11:26

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

LinoleumBlownapart · 16/05/2018 11:31

One of the nicest and friendliest countries in the world. I wouldn't worry too much about the US implications. My DH has worked in both the US and Iran. We've had no difficulties returning to the US after Iran, and getting US work visas.

QueenAravisOfArchenland · 16/05/2018 11:34

Ooh I'm looking forward to reading these response - I'd love to go to Iran.

SpicyTomatos · 17/05/2018 09:59

I went 20 years ago so my information will be quite out of date. It is a very misunderstood country so can be very interesting. On top which there are some great things to see e.g. Esfahan, everyone is very friendly and it used to be incredibly cheap.

The main headache used to be getting a visa.

It used to be an incredibly safe country as long as you took sensible political precautions. Don't attend rallies, don't take photographs of political things/military and dress appropriately.

From memory foreigners get a bit of a pass on the clothing front, but I would recommend dressing appropriately and letting the locals be the rebels.

AgentProvocateur · 17/05/2018 10:01

No, but please give us a full report when you’re back. I’d love to go.

Original poster
BubblesBuddy · 17/05/2018 20:42

Not going until October. We found huge price differences between the various trips so plumped for Exodus. Other companies were £1200 pp more expensive!

I am slightly concerned about being hot with having to wear a headscarf and cover up clothes. Obviously everyone copes so hopefully I will too.

I have contacted Exodus because the foreign exchange bureaux have been closed in Iran so I have asked where we are supposed to get currency from! They are keeping this problem under review apparently!

Yes, we do know about no longer being eligible for ESTA. We decided USA foreign policy would not stop us! Although with recent Trump developments it might if Iran reacts badly and we are not allowed to travel. We understand we can apply for a 10 year Visa from the US Embassy should we need one.

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 17/05/2018 20:45

I haven't been but I'd love to go there. Interested to read this thread.

raindropsandsunshine · 17/05/2018 20:54

It sounds amazing. Stick with 100% cotton, loose clothing to keep cool.

sleep5 · 17/05/2018 21:12

I went alone a few years back and just followed the tourist route listed in Lonely Planet at the time - Tehran, Ahvaz, Persepolis, Yazd, Esfahan, Shiraz - not in that order.

I loved it -- it's in my top 2 countries I've travelled to. The people and sights were amazing. I had 10 year old school kids offering to pay my bus fares, people offering me meals in their homes and so on. I've travelled a lot and can see through falseness - the lack of tourists and genuine fascination of the locals to learn from you made for a great trip. They were quite open with criticism of the government and so on.

It's hard to travel independently on a UK passport - my visa was refused so I had to use my other nationality to get a visa. Though Brits could go on guided tours without any hassles. It may be easier to travel independently now with the nuclear deal.

Go - you'll love it.

SpicyTomatos · 17/05/2018 21:17

Just take new clean USD and exchange at an unofficial place. You may even get a better exchange rate.

It shouldn't be that hot in October.

cantkeepawayforever · 17/05/2018 21:18

I went as a child - over 40 years ago now - when it was the 'civilised and relaxing' short holiday destination of choice for those 'roughing it' in the just developing Emirates of Dubai, Sharjah etc.

I remember the orange trees growing along the roads, and the relief carvings at Persepolis. Astonishing place.

sleep5 · 17/05/2018 21:20

Headscarf - it varies depending on where you are, in northern Tehran you'll notice its very loosely observed with more hair than scarf visible. As a tourist you can get away with more. Exodus will tell you everything you need to know so you won't have anything to worry about.

Exodus are a great company - I've never travelled with them (can't afford and don't like guided tours) but have a friend who worked for them and know they go out of their way to have the best guides and spend a lot of cash on local projects to engender good relations on the ground.

Hassled · 17/05/2018 21:22

It's somewhere I've always wanted to go. I have a friend whose ex was an Iranian chef - the food he produced was amazing and I've never been able to replicate it.

sleep5 · 17/05/2018 21:25

US stamps in your passport will be fine - when I went it was Israeli stamps they didn't like. This included stamps from Israeli borders with other countries - eg. Israel-Jordan border. This is because Israel will offer to not stamp your passport so certain stamps from certain Jordan/Egypt borders will indicate you've been in Israel.

HariboIsMyCrack · 18/05/2018 07:18

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Toomanycats99 · 18/05/2018 07:25

I have never been here but I travelled to Thailand with exodus about 15 years ago. I thought they were great. They seemed to make a real effort to stay away from the main centres. I was in a group of 11 I think 5 singles and 3 couples. It was lovely we all ate together most nights (out of choice) but equally we would split in various groups to do specific things we were interested in.

We all kept in touch for around 2-3 years after we got back meeting for meals etc.

I would loved to have done another holiday but finances and then children put a stop to it!

cheesecheesecheeseplease · 18/05/2018 07:47

I I've been to Iran twice, last time 14 years ago so I'm sure it's different now. But I've been to more than 40 countries and Iran is by a long shot my favourite! Stunning landscapes, loads of history and great food but the best bit is the people. I travelled on my own (buses and a short hitch) and everywhere I went I got invited to dinner, loads of girls and students trying to practise their English. They would literally run down the road to say hello! Lots of older people who hated the Islamic regime and were very well educated and spoke excellent English and just wanted to speak to someone from the outside world. Lots of people too who were quite traditional and just curious, I would get force-fed by grannies on buses WHERE YOU HUSBAND? NO HUSBAND? A HAHAHA Good good welcome Iran, Iran no good! (?!). Incredible hospitable people and a great laugh too. Many people I met were also very clear that they hated America and Britain but not the people from those countries, we are not our governments. An amazing place, you lucky thing!

LambChopsMcGee · 18/05/2018 09:17

I went with my mum for my 30th -- we are lucky to have NZ passports so could travel without a guide. It was the best trip though, wonderful, people were so friendly.

We were also there in October. It was hot in Shiraz, but the scarf and covering up didn't make it that much hotter -- less worry of sunburn anyway!

I took a scarf with me and then bought another one out there. I mostly wore a long sleeve shirt underneath a short sleeve shirt dress. I was fine in sandals.

We also saw lots of older German women who were less covered, wearing long shirts over trousers rather than rocking a full dress length. I also wore a light weight trench coat over things some days

I really enjoyed chatting with people, and one thing I recommend is getting fresh hot bread in each city. Straight out of the oven, covered in little stones.

Have a wonderful trip -- I want to go back!

A4710Rider · 18/05/2018 09:20

Just take new clean USD and exchange at an unofficial place. You may even get a better exchange rate

Do not do this.

HariboIsMyCrack · 18/05/2018 09:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

SpicyTomatos · 18/05/2018 10:42

Do not do this.

It would probably be more useful to the OP to explain why you think this is a bad idea. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking old scruffy GBP notes and trying to change them at a bank which is not open.

A4710Rider · 18/05/2018 10:45

Sorry, I thought it would be obvious.

"Do no do this"

Because if you get caught changing money at an illegal outlet you could get yourself in a lot of trouble.

I certainly wouldn't recommend taking old scruffy GBP notes and trying to change them at a bank which is not open

Would anyone?

SpicyTomatos · 18/05/2018 11:05

I think the chances of them going after a tourist looking to change some money into rials when no other option is available is fairly slim. But clearly that is a risk the OP should consider.

A4710Rider · 18/05/2018 11:10

I just think when you go to a country like Iran you need to be on your best behaviour.

Also, it's not as though they don't take cards, it's not a third world country after all.

SpicyTomatos · 18/05/2018 11:29

Visa, mastercard etc. do not work in Iran. Sure the locals can use ATMs and there is even some sort of tourist card (Mahcard) - if you wish to offer advice on that then I'm sure it would be useful for the OP. I would just take clean new USD though as per advice.

Best behaviour is a relative cultural term. As I said upthread - good behaviour involves dressing appropriately, acting appropriately (e.g. public affection) and not getting involved in politics / military stuff.