American Travelers in Iran

Packed with over 5,000 years of history, Iran is a destination everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime. From the ancient Persian Empire to the Zoroastrians temples, the countless mosques, and even the modern cities like Tehran, there is so much to see that one visit will not be enough.
Our American guests who visited Iran last year believed that Iran is extremely safe, with the friendliest people you’ve ever met who go out of their way to make sure you’re safe and having a good time.   Traveling solo is safe, but as Americans, you will be traveling on a tour since it is required, so that’s even another safety layer. The visa process is more complicated than in many other countries, but Uppersia helps you get your visa by guiding you every step of the way.

our American guest with Reza in a traditional restaurant 

Advice for Women Who Travel Solo in Iran

Many female solo travelers safely explore the world without any incident each year . However, when it comes to security, women travelers should be more cautious about unexpected events not to be affected by them. Whether you are a first-time solo traveler or a seasoned traveler, take recommendations of Uppersia, a local Iranian tour operator and exploring all the area has much to offer without facing any issue.

Firstly, Iran, as an Islamic country, has different local laws and customs about women’s clothing and appearance by surfing the internet you can easily update yourself on these local customs and dress codes of Iran. For example, trying to be dressed like a local will prevent you from getting a lot of unwanted attention. Another important thing that you should pay attention as a solo female traveler, is to arrange a private transfer from the airport when you arrive, especially if you're arriving at night and write down the address of your hotel in local language and hand it to taxi drivers. Thirdly, it is wise to carry your passport, travel insurance and some extra cash in a well-concealed spot. Fourthly, the safety of public transportation varies from country to country. In Iran, informal taxis pose particular obstacles to people unfamiliar with the local conditions, especially to women traveling alone. Find out from reliable sources, such as local authorities or tourism officials, what is and is not safe. Finally, Iranian people are considered one of the most hospitable people of the world. But be cautious when sharing information about your plans and itinerary with strangers. In summary, Iran is known to be one of the most hassle-free and safe countries for the travelers in the Middle East , whether women, men, or independent travelers. 

A solo female traveler visiting Boroojerdi House in Kashan,Iran

5 Things to know Before Travelling to Iran

Iran, a great country that is famous for remarkable architecture, ancient history and best-known poets and thinkers, is a desirable destination for travelers. Iran is a mysterious and misunderstood destination with many contrasts. Yet, traveling to Iran doesn’t have to be a weird or difficult experience at all. According to many travelers even female solo travelers who traveled to Iran in recent years, this country is a friendly, safe and absolutely amazing destination which is now getting to be on every travelers’ bucket list.  So, to avoid surprises and make the most of your trip, we, as local Iranian tour operator, share important notes to know before you travel to Iran. 

 

A group of travelers visiting Iran

 

1. Avoid greeting opposite sex with a handshake

 

If you are a man you shouldn’t shake hands with women and vice versa. Handshaking is only between men or between women, especially in public.

2. Bring your camera to Iran

You can capture the moments of your travel by taking social photos of individuals .But you might want to ask the people before taking photos of them as it may not be appreciated by some locals.

3. Forget about renting a car 

 

Traffic in major cities of Iran is considerable, and Iranians’ driving style can be quite adventurous, so rent a car only if you feel confident and have an international driver’s license.

 

4. Put your international bank cards at home

The tourists who travel to Iran cannot use, major credit cards like Visa and Master Card or to withdraw any cash from ATM machines in the country. So the travelers must bring only cash for their entire stay. Also, it is easily possible to get a type of Iranian debit card (prepaid) which can be used all around the country.

5. Stick to the Iranian dress codes

A modest dress code is all what you need to consider for clothing in Iran. For women, a pair of lose pants or skirt, a long sleeve shirt and a head scarf is perfect. For men, generally, shorts and ties are not worn in public. A pair of lose pants or jeans with T-shirt is recommended.

A perfect couple visiting Iran

9 things you should know before traveling to Iran

As an unknown and misunderstood destination, there are lots of things you wish you had known before traveling to the wonderful Iran. From the visa rules to dress codes and the culture, there are many details that are necessary to be known in order to have a wonderful trip to Iran.

Travelers visiting Persepolis. Iran

1 Iran Visa

You don’t have to receive Iran visa if you are from Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Egypt, Georgia, Lebanon, Turkey and Syria.

You should apply for your Iran visa at an embassy if you are from the US, the UK, Canada, Iraq, Colombia, Jordan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Canadian, USA citizens and British nationalities need to travel to Iran in a guided tour.

The nationalities of other 180 countries in the world can receive their Iran visa on arrival. Checkout the visa infographic on our website for more information.

Solo travel to Iran.

Are you uncertain about solo traveling to Iran? Perhaps you are concerned about your safety or you think you might feel lonely and bored. But I think Iran is a great destination for Solo travelers:

What to do in Iran?

Nowadays Iran is on the bucket list of many travelers because of its supernatural landscapes, like the magically beautiful Lut Desert, wild Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges with rich flora and fauna or the scenic southern beaches. Iran is also one of the best places in the world for ancient monuments more than thousand years old, including Choghazanbil (1259 B.C), Persepolis (518 B.C), Takhte Suleiman (Sassanid Empire) and Fabulous Islamic monuments like Naqshe Jahan Square, Nasirolmolk (the pink mosque) and numerous amazing bazaars and caravanserais. So there are so many attractions available in Iran that won’t let you feel bored and you may even be in short of time to visit them all.