Is it safe to travel to Iran?

Travel to Iran

Despite the common belief in many western countries, Iran is not an area of conflict nor a war zone. On contrary, Iran is a peaceful country that you can visit without any fear. In fact, one could say that the safety in Iran is similar to, or even better than, the safety of most of the countries in Europe.

However, to avoid getting in trouble while in Iran, you need to respect the regulations, culture, and traditions.

Iranians are friendly with foreign people

Even though the political relationships with some of the western countries are not that good, the people in Iran do not show hostility to foreigners. Iranian people are kind and polite by nature. You will notice that Iranian people are friendly and polite with tourists and tend to show their respect and kindness.

Since a lot of people in Iran can speak English to some extent, you can communicate with many of them and see how friendly, kind, and hospitable they are.

Crime in Iran

Like any other country in the world, there are criminals in Iran. However, the crime rate in Iran is low enough to consider Iran a safe place. In other words, you can walk alone in the streets, stay in the hotels and go shopping by yourself without worrying about anything.

If something happens to you, the locals and the police officers will help you for sure. You will surely witness the kindness of the Iranian people.

Health system in Iran

Iran has one of the best health care systems in the world. There are a lot of hospitals all around the county. Most of these hospitals and medical centers are prepared with advanced medical equipment and ready to provide various services for medical tourists.

The doctors in Iran are well trained to treat patients and help them. The nurses and other members of the medical staff will make sure to keep you healthy and monitor your vital signs when in a hospital.

Alcohol is illegal in Iran

Alcohol is one of the main taboos in Iran. The Iranian laws prohibit consuming and selling any alcoholic beverage. Keep in your mind that even bringing alcoholic drinks with you is prohibited and not possible. There are special X-ray machines in the airports to check the bags.

The punishment for drinking, producing, or selling alcoholic beverages ranges from fines to spending time in prison. And since these laws apply to both locals and foreigners, you should avoid alcohol while in Iran.

Iran has a unique dress code

Iran has dress codes for both men and women. Dress codes in Iran apply to anyone who wants to be in Iran including tourists.

Dress code for women

Wearing Hijab is required for all females in Iran. Women must also put on lengthy shirts. They need to be long enough to cover the thighs. T-shirts are not allowed, as women need to wear shirts with sleeves that cover the elbows. Women can wear jeans or leggings in Iran as long as they cover the legs above the ankles.

There is nothing that prohibits women from putting on colorful clothes. All colors are allowed in Iran. However, it is recommended that women avoid wearing see-through clothes.

Dress code for men

Although there is a dress code for men, it has far fewer restrictions. Men can wear anything except for shirts without sleeves and shorts. It is normal for men to put on long jeans with a long-sleeved shirt or a T-shirt.

Both men and women can wear any kind of footwear including sandals. Visible tattoos are not a problem in Iran. If you have one, there is no need to hide it.

Do not take photos of Government buildings

All of the tourists tend to take photos while they are abroad. However, in Iran, you need to be careful when taking photos. Iranian laws prohibit taking photos of a lot of the public areas like the government buildings and transportation systems like the metro.

Just to be safe, avoid taking photos of government buildings, the police, the army, and other government personnel. If you get caught taking photos in a prohibited area, police officers may approach you asking you to delete the photos.

Money in Iran

Due to the sanctions on Iran, it is not possible to use international credit or debit cards such as Visa and MasterCard in Iran. It is not possible also to transfer money to Iran via the banking system.

Therefore, when you travel to Iran you should take enough cash with you. You should determine your budget for the trip plus some extra money beforehand.

Of course, carrying a big amount of cash with you all of the time can be a problem. The best solution for you is to use MAH card. A prepaid Iranian card that can be used to pay in shops in Iran. Iranian credit card is safe and easy to use.

Conclusion

Iran is a safe place to visit. You do not have to worry about traveling to Iran. We can assure you that your trip to Iran will be pleasant.