The key to a pleasant and easy vacation is first of all correct budget planning and consideration of the possible costs that you will have to face in an unfamiliar country. Below you can check out the prices for accommodation, transport, products, as well as get acquainted with the currency and bills operating in Iran.

Prices in Iran: Currency

Iranian rial (IRR, IR) is the monetary unit of the country since 1932. Until 1932, Iran used the currency of toman (10 rials – 1 toman). In cities, the prices are introduced in toman so make sure to clarify the currency and price before paying off. Rial was also the currency of ancient Persia. The word “rial” appeared from the word “regalis”, which in translation means “royal”. Coins of denominations of 50, 100, 250 and 500 rials and banknotes of denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 are available in circulation. Old coins of 5 and 10 denominations are also found. The exchange rate is available on the website of the Central Bank of Iran www.cbi.ir. Banks in the cities work daily from 08:00 to 16:00. The days off are Thursday and Friday. In banks and exchange offices, you can exchange USD, GBP, €. In exchange offices, there is an official rate at that time.

The payment by bank cards is available in major hotels of the capital and on the island of Kish. Iran has a special “tourist card” of Persian Bank, which is served in supermarkets and shopping centers.

Prices in Iran: Accommodation

Iran is a relatively inexpensive country. Here you can comfortably spend your vacation as a guest with a gold card, and a budget tourist. If you choose an average hotel and with a moderate economy for a day you may spend no more than 50$. With a budget of 100$ per day, you can book a better hotel, take advantage of all the amenities and visit all the sights.

The hotels in Tehran and other major cities of Iran are not expensive. The price for a room in a three-star hotel is $ 45. The room in a five-star hotel costs 150 – 350$. In Iran, there are also hostels for 20$ with a shared toilet. When booking a medium-sized hotel it’d be better to specify in advance whether there is a toilet in the room or not.

If you plan to stay longer in Iran, you can rent a small apartment. The cost of a one-room apartment in the residential area of Tehran is about 600$.

Prices in Iran: Transport

In comparison with transport prices in Europe, the prices in Iran are very low. The intercity bus will cost you 4 – 17$ (17$ is the price of a Shiraz-Tehran bus). Regardless of the distance, the price for local flights is 60$.

Taxis are also inexpensive. Travel around the city will cost about 6$ (for detailed information about taxis in Iran, read here). You can also rent a car with a driver (the car rental for the whole day – 60$, half а day – 30$).

Prices in Iran: Food

If you have booked a room in a hotel with breakfast included, you need to remember that it is a standard breakfast without exotic dishes. The hotels do not serve coffee, Iranians are used to drink tea.

Lunch at the cafe will cost about 12$ and 20$ in restaurants. Seasonal fruits are inexpensive, 1-3$ per kilogram.

Prices in Iran: Souvenirs

There are so many beautiful souvenirs that you would like to buy. The most common souvenirs are engraved items (4$), tablecloths (8$), souvenirs with khatam mosaic (80$ – 100$), carpets (the price depends on the size and quality, the average price for a good carpet is 1000$). The thing here is to be able to bargain and you will definitely buy everything a lot cheaper than the starting price.