Safety and Health Information for Iran Travelers

Iran Safety and Health Information for Travelers

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“Even the tap water Iran is safe!” This sentence, among all the weblogs written by numerous travelers that wrote about their travel experience in Iran, was the simplest yet most comprehensive statement about safety and health information for Iran travelers. The sentence is from Silvia’s weblog a dual American and Norwegian citizen who traveled to Iran with her Norwegian passport in 2014. Silvia is not the only female traveler who had a journey across Iran by herself and was absolutely surprised by the safety of the country for a solo female traveler. Obviously reading about real experiences such as Silvia’s is more trustworthy than the travel guides by the governments who picture a scary image of Iran on their guides for the readers.

Table of Contents

Iran Safety

Any traveler who enters Iran regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or multiple nationalities are warmly welcomed by Iranian guards as long as their Iran visa or documents to obtain visa upon arrival is official and they do not have the Israel stamp on their passport.

The countries on the region such as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan have been experiencing conflicts for so long now, but thanks to all the strict control by Iranian military, Iran is absolutely a safe country. Iran also managed not to become a target for Isis attacks.

Travelling to Sistan and Balouchestan province close to Afghanistan and Pakistan border for those who want to visit the Burnt City, one of 19 UNESCO world heritage of Iran, is absolutely possible if you request it from your tour operator or if you are a solo traveler by using the help of a guide who is familiar with the area.

In general, for any traveler who wants to visit any country it is advised to look for their security and do lookout for weird situations but do not let it to be your entire focus during your travel. For example, you are expected to watch for your valuable belongings, documents and passport especially in crowded places such as bazaars or in public transportations.

The crime rate in Iran, especially for tourists, is very low because Iranians love their guests especially if they come from a different country. Iranians are so interested to know about the tourist’s country and culture so come to Iran leaving aside all your preconceptions that are created by the western media.

The tourists in Iran must know photographing the military or governmental building such as the senate house is prohibited and if the police see you with your camera at these areas they might check your camera and if they see you have captured any image they will ask you to delete them right away.

Iran Health

Fortunately Iran has managed not to have any outbreaks for so long. Also, it has managed to control the entrance of the diseases that some countries in the region are dealing with. When traveling to any destination in the world it is the best to see your physician in advance to make sure you are in a good health and to discuss any health risks you might face at your destination, it will be a good opportunity to update your routine vaccination since it has been recommended by World Health Organization that all travelers regardless of the region they are traveling to should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio, as well as hepatitis B.

As you must have heard or read Iran’s traffic and driving, mostly in Tehran, can be an issue for our tourists. We can recommend you to use Iran public transportation such as BRT buses and the subway when it is available for the route you are taking or the registered taxis. Also for traveling on the road, between the cities, train and bus are the best and safest options since they do not cross the speed limit and are concerned with their passenger’s safety.

When you travel you will realize our world is not as dangerous as the media makes it out to be. All those who travel to Iran for the first time are extremely surprised by the huge difference they see between the reality and what they have heard before. In fact, so many travelers who have toured across Iran, describe this country as the safest country they have ever visited. In Iran, the first and most powerful enrichment of the travel becomes the kindness of its people and they are all friendly, trustworthy, and willing to help you.

I would love to write some of comments about safety and health information for Iran travelers:

Mandy Tay ‘Video Producer’

A last minute decision turned into 2 weeks worth of friendship, passion and magic. Iran has shown me how to be friends without using a word, to hope without borders and to be free in love.

Rick Steves’ Travel Journal’

Iran is the Most fascinating and surprising land I’ve ever visited.

Shara Johnson 

is Iran safe? You won’t meet people any more friendly than Iranians. They were even extra friendly if they found out we were American – they were so pleased that we weren’t afraid of them and were visiting their country.

Anthouny Bourdain ‘American Chef ‘

We’ve seldom been treated with such overwhelming generosity, hospitality and kindness by strangers

Shane Delia ‘Australian Chef’

I met some of the most beautiful people I have every met in my life. Endless generosity and humility. Such an amazing country, rich in history, culture, art, poetry and food. I could have lost myself in Iran.

Safety and Health Information for Iran Travelers-Shane-Delia

Andrew Burke ‘Lonely Planet Writer’

If travel is most rewarding when it surprises, then Iran might be the most rewarding destination on Earth.

Garham Hughes ‘World Traveler’

If you want any more proof that the Iranians are the most beautiful people on the planet, I humbly suggest you visit the place yourself. Iran has gone straight into my top ten countries in the world, above Australia and above the US.

Brandon Stanton ‘Humans of New York’

The country is beautiful, the history is rich, and the people are eager to demonstrate their almost-sacred commitment to hospitality.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran travel agency? Check out our Iran tours.

Travel to Iran as the U.S, U.K, or Canadian citizen

Iran visa for US, UK or Canadian citizens

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Travel to Iran as the U.S, U.K, or Canadian citizen is legal. The first advice for citizens of the three countries is to apply for their Iran visa 2-3 months before their trip.

Before applying for a visa , American, British, and Canadian travelers must obtain a travel authorization number from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign affair (MFA). In order to obtain the number form MFA the traveler must have an itinerary that will be given to him/her by an Iranian travel agency. The travel agency that is organizing your trip can help you with the authorization number process. Once you have the number you can apply for your visa and you can choose which consulate or embassy you wish to pick up your visa from.

There are three choices for travelers. First is to book a trip with a tour guide that gives you the opportunity to have a totally tailor-made tour itinerary. It is just like solo traveling.

Second option to pay less for the travel is to book a small group tour. It is cheaper than traveling with a tour guide and you will have fellow travelers on your trip.

And the third is to book a tour with a bigger group that will be even cheaper and more people will accompany you during your Iran travel.

All the travelers including those travel to Iran as the U.S, U.K, or Canadian citizen can enter all the seven Iran’s Free Trade, Industrial & Special Economic Zones (Kish and Qeshm Island, Chabahar, Aras, Anzali, Arvand, and Maku) without a visa.

Whether you are traveling with a private tour or a group tour you will be warmly welcomed by the Iranian officers at the gate. The only occasion in which your admission to Iran will be denied is if you have Israel visa or stamp in your passport.

Another rule that Iran travelers must be informed of is the Iran dress code. Headscarves and loose clothing are mandatory for Iranian and tourist ladies. Gentlemen are required to wear long pants.

Once the mentioned citizens are inside the country, everything is as normal as it is for other tourists. Despite what the western media is trying to show, Iran is a safe country for tourists. In fact, all Iran travelers enjoy the hospitality and warm welcomes from Iranians during their trip.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran travel agency? Check out our Iran tours.

Iran Dress code

What is the Dress code in Iran?

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Many prospective travelers that want to visit Iran, worry about the dress code here. Reading reports or watching carefully picked media footage makes most western people think women should be walking around like black wrapped-up mummies in Tehran. A funny image of Iran dress code!

Yes, due to Iran being the Islamic Republic, there is an appropriate dress code to be followed. It should be complied with in public spaces and businesses open to the public. And yes, it is enforced by the law, and like any good traveler special care should be taken to respect the law when you visit a new country. But to say that you should worry about it sounds a little bit… panicky?

Let me explain to you the Iran dress code, and why it’s not that much of a hassle.

Iran Dress code for Men

  • Long pants to the ankle.
  • No sleeveless t-shirts.

Iran Dress code for Women

  • Long pants to the ankle.
  • A scarf for at least partially covering your head and your neck.
  • A manteaux or long shirt or tunic that covers your bum and chest or, in more elegant words, “hides the shape of the body”.
  • Shirts or manteaux must have sleeves that cover your arms up to the elbow.

That’s it. Have fun in Iran!

In different cities or towns of Iran, Iranian ladies’ outfit is different, but you do not need to worry about this diversity, you can wear a standard outfit that you are more comfortable with during your visit to different cities.

“But, can I wear makeup?”, ”Should the scarf be black?”, “Can the pants be leggings?”, “Can men wear a tie?”, “Is it possible to wear sandals?”….  Relax!

The only rules are the ones written above five rules in total. If you have questions, look above. If your question isn’t being addressed there, then you should not worry about it.

For the sake of a more general answer, if you really have to insist, the primary precept of Islam that this dress code is supposed to invoke is “modesty”. Whether man or woman, look technically modest about your body, and you’ll have no problems. You might want to look more modest if you go to famously religious cities to avoid some curious glances. And should any authorities approach you and tell you you’ve missed some small details, smile, nod, and gracefully do what you’re told.

So you might understand from the above that there is also a lot of space for you to fashion yourself up in many different ways.

When you come to Tehran, you’ll see that women who live in the historic center of the city dress in the more conservative chador. In the north and south of Tehran people wear completely different clothes, which should not make you fearful.

Iran Dress Code Tips

But if you still insist on more information about Iran dress code for ladies, here are more explanatory tips:

  • The scarf can have any color or pattern that you might wish. During the summer try to use super light material and light-colored scarfs. And during colder seasons you will appreciate a warmer material that would keep your head and neck warm. You are not required to cover all your hair, if bangs or other parts are showing don’t worry.
  • The body must be covered with loose clothing at least to the knee or mid-thigh length. You can wear baggy shirts on warm days and coats during the winter. You can also buy manteaux from stores and malls in Iran at an affordable price.
  • Jeans are absolutely fine and are very usual among Iranian ladies.
  • For footwear, there are no limitations. Sandals or open-toed shoes are no problem.
  • For visiting, shrines or mosques wearing a “Chador” is obligatory and you can rent them at that place or buy them at a cheap price in a store.
  • you can also wear your usual make-up in Iran.
  • In general, as a tourist lady, you can stay as stylish as you wish in all cities or towns of Iran as long as most of the hair is covered and the clothing is not too short or tight.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran travel agency? Check out our Iran tours.