I traveled to Iran in 2025, and based on my experience, I’m sharing 5 tips that will help you get the most out of your trip.
This isn’t one of those generic blog posts filled with the same old clichés like “plan ahead” or “avoid airport taxis.”
These are real, practical things I used, and you can copy them for your own trip.
1. Meet the locals
Nothing brought me more joy in Iran than interacting with locals.
And the further I travelled from the north down to the south, the warmer the interactions became. That’s something I genuinely noticed as my most memorable and meaningful moments happened in Isfahan.
When I was leaving Isfahan, I stopped near a small village in Pasargadae. The locals immediately welcomed me, offered homemade Persian food, and brought me tea without me even asking.
Those are the moments that make a trip unforgettable.
2. Learn basic Persian- It changes everything
I know it sounds horrendous at first, like some boring homework, but a few basic phrases go way further than you’d expect. They make every interaction with locals warmer and more authentic. You’ll be surprised how much difference a simple “salaam” can make.
I personally learned Persian/Farsi for a month before my trip, and I must say it’s a quite difficult language.
But you don’t have to learn everything. A few polite phrases go a long way, and let’s learn them right now, in 5 minutes, that’s all it takes.
Table of Persian numbers
| Number | Persian | Pronounciation |
| 0 | ۰ | sefr |
| 1 | ۱ | yek |
| 2 | ۲ | do |
| 3 | ۳ | se |
| 4 | ۴ | chahar |
| 5 | ۵ | panj |
| 6 | ۶ | shesh |
| 7 | ۷ | haft |
| 8 | ۸ | hasht |
| 9 | ۹ | noh |
| 10 | ۱۰ | dah |
Table of basic persian phrases
| English | Persian |
|---|---|
| Hello | salaam |
| Good afternoon | ruz bekheyr |
| Thanks | mamnoon |
| Thank you very much. | kheili mamnoon |
| Please | lotfan |
| Sorry | bebakhšid |
| How are you? | hāl-e šomā chetor ast? |
| I am good | khubam |
| Yes | bale |
| No | na |
| How much? | gheymatesh čande? |
| Where? | … kojāst? |
| Ok | bāše |
| Thank you for your help | mamnoon az komaketun |
| Goodbye | khodāhāfez |
| Very beautiful | kheili ghashange |
| I am a tourist | man turist hastam |
| I do not understand | nemifahmam |
| Can you repeat? | miš-e tekār konid? |
| Tasty | khošmaze ast |
3. Don’t lock yourself in your room at sunset
Cities like Berlin, Warsaw, and Rome, which I visited this year, can feel intense at night — drunks, beggars, and random crowds gathering. It’s normal to feel on edge walking alone there after dark.
Despite what you hear in the media, Iran was completely different
I walked alone at 1 a.m. In Isfahan and Shiraz, and not once did I feel even a little unsafe. People were friendly, shops were still open, and the whole atmosphere was calm, with kids playing outside and everyone minding their own business.
4. Bring a lot of cash!
Iran is one of the cheapest countries I’ve ever traveled to — a 3-star hotel can cost around €20 per night, an average meal is €5–6, and taxi rides are usually €1–3.
But here’s the catch, Iran also has some of the most beautiful souvenirs you’ll ever see:
Prices in the bazaars are usually not fixed. Negotiating is seen as completely normal there respectful, and even welcome.
If you’re interested in Persian souvenirs in more detail, you can read more about them here.
Because of the sanctions, foreign credit cards do NOT work in Iran. (not Visa, not Mastercard..)
Make sure you bring enough cash with you. Many shops accept euros directly.
The official currency is the Iranian rial, but the exchange rate changes constantly.
As of November 2025 — 1 € ≈ 48,550 IRR) Be aware that prices in markets and everyday life are often written in tomans, not rials. (1 Toman = 10 Rials)
5. Enjoy the drives
Most people see the hours spent traveling between cities as wasted time.
In Iran its not like that.
Long desert roads, small villages, mountain ranges on the horizon, random fruit sellers by the roadside, people carrying their beds on the roof of their cars.
So don’t rush from place to place. And don’t sleep through the drive.
Look out the window — this is where Iran shows its true beauty.
I hope these tips help you on your trip and give you a more realistic idea of what to expect in Iran.
If you arrive prepared, there’s a good chance this will become one of the best experiences of your life.