Iran: currency, shopping
Bank and shop opening times
Bank opening hours
- Monday – Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday: closed
- Some banks are also open Sat-Wed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shop opening times
Generally from 9:00 a.m. until late in the evening, at markets often well into the night.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
Iran offers a variety of goods, such as beautiful inlay work, carpets, printed blankets and tablecloths, picture frames with inlaid work, painted crystal vessels, glass, copper, runners and silk, as well as leather goods and beautiful ceramic work, handmade jewelry Gold and silver, calligraphy and other fine craftsmanship. In Iran there is also the black and golden caviar from the Caspian Sea, which is considered the most expensive type of caviar, pistachios, saffron and other fine spices.
The national currency of Iran is the
rial = 100 dinars (RL, IRR (ISO code)).
Iran: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
The passport must be valid for at least six months.
A visa is required to enter the country, which must be applied for in advance from the country’s visa departments. It is valid for three months. You do not need a visa for a stay of up to two weeks to enter the Kish, Queshm and Chahbahar free trade zones.
Import and export of foreign currency
There are no import restrictions for foreign currencies, but there is a declaration requirement. The export of foreign currencies is limited to the declared amount. Only 2,000 RLs may be brought in or out. Larger sums must be approved by the central bank.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.
There are heavy penalties for importing alcoholic beverages. The importation of all types of drugs is particularly severely punished. Violations can even face the death penalty. Furthermore, no fruit, vegetables or plants (including seeds, tubers, roots or soil) may be imported. The import of pornographic videos, audio cassettes, CDs and magazines is also strictly forbidden; the items listed are strictly examined at customs.
Antiques, gold and silver may not be exported. And caviar can only be exported if it has been paid for in foreign currency. In addition, every person has the right to make a carpet up to 6 m² in size that is not older than 30 years.
Valuable items are noted in the passport upon entry and must be exported again.
The following may be exported duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes,
- Perfume for personal use,
- Gifts whose customs duties do not exceed RL 11,150.
Iran: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Iran, the following diseases are to be expected, which are not or less common in Germany or Central and Northern Europe:
- Malaria: A particular risk exists in the rural areas of the provinces of Sistan-Baluchestan, Hormozgan and the tropical part of Kerman. Around 40% of the infections are in the very dangerous malaria tropica, the rest in malaria tertiana. The main endangered period is March to November
- Schistosomiasis – in freshwater mainly in the area of Khuzestan Province.
- cholera
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Hepatitis A and B
- Kala Azar disease
- Polio, polio
- Crimean-Congo fever – year-round but only sporadic occurrence in the southeast of the country, especially in the Sistan-Baluchistan province
- Leishmaniasis Disease
- tetanus
- rabies
- Tick bite fever
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Iran are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria – a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- Tetanus – a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.
- Rabies – but only for high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.
- Typhoid – but only for travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Malaria prophylaxis
When traveling in the country, it is strongly advised to undergo malaria prophylaxis. However, if the side effects seem questionable to you, you should at least have a “stand-by preparation” with you.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.
Warning notices
General information
Due to the strict religious system prevailing in Iran, it is quite safe for visitors to travel or stay in most areas. However, it is important to strictly adhere to the local customs and the laws and regulations applicable in the country. Discreet clothing including a headscarf is required for women. The possession and consumption of alcohol should be avoided at all costs. Violation of drug regulations can result in severe penalties, including the death penalty.
Earthquakes
The country is one of those countries in which earthquakes occur again and again. In particular, the simply built houses, such as the adobe buildings that are widespread in the country, collapse very quickly, even in the event of a low-strength earthquake, and thus bury the people in them. The most recent earthquakes in Iran shook the city of Bam in January 2004 (approx. 30,000 deaths) and the rural part in the southeast of the country (approx. 2,000 deaths) in February 2005.
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Phone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de
How do you get to Iran?
Tehran Mehrabad International Airport (THR). There are regular connections to Iran with Iran Air (IR), KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. The airport fee is RL 70,000.
Train
There are regular connections with the Iranian RAJA train to Istanbul (Turkey), Damascus (Syria), Quetta (Pakistan) and other international cities. There is a route network of around 5,850 km in length. There are two classes, with compartments between four and six seats. The route between Tehran and Mashad is particularly recommended.
Ship
Iran has two ports in the Persian Gulf that are called: Bandar Abbas and Bandar Bushehr.
Travel in the country
Air connections Iran Air offers regular connections to Tehran, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Shiraz, Mashhad, Zahedan and other major cities. Aseman Air and Kish Air also offer domestic flights.
Railway
Iran has an approximately 5,000 km long and well-developed rail network. There are daily connections between the major cities and to the provinces. Some regions can only be reached by train.
Most of the trains are comfortable and air-conditioned and have dining and sleeping cars.
Bus
The bus network is well developed and there are good and inexpensive bus routes between the cities. There are two travel classes: luxury and super.
Since some cities have more than just one bus terminal, you should find out exactly where the bus you want leaves from.
Streets
There are about 140,000 km of roads in Iran, of which about 50,000 km are paved. Of this, approx. 490 km are motorway. The roads are not all in good shape. Iran has one of the best roads in the Orient.
Rent a car
You can rent a car in many cities and at the airports. An international driver’s license and accident insurance are required. However, due to the often chaotic driving style, it is risky to drive a car in Iran.
Taxis
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and easy to recognize by their blue color. Shared taxis, on the other hand, are colored orange.
Traffic rules
In Iran, almost no one obeys official traffic rules, so the traffic is risky for those who are unfamiliar with this practice. Officially, the following speed limits apply:
Inner-city: 50 km/h
Country roads: 80 km/h
Motorways: 110 km/h
For longer journeys – especially through desert areas – you should bring enough fuel with you and you should also be informed about the nearest petrol stations.
Alcohol limit Since there is a strict alcohol ban in Iran, this logically results in a alcohol limit of 0.0 per mille.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, Iran’s international license plate is:
| IR |
Iran: Diplomatic missions
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Iran embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Iran in Germany
The message of Iran is correctly called: “Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran”. The embassy is located in the Podbielskialle in Berlin-Dahlem, in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district. It should be mentioned that the embassy of Libya is a few 100 m away.
The new embassy building is heavily secured and looks a bit like a bunker from the outside. The next underground connection is in the underground station “ Podbielskialle” with the U3.
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Podbielskiallee 65-67
14195 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 84 35 30
Email: iran.botschaft@t-online.de
Consulate General in Frankfurt/Main
Raimundstrasse 90
60320 Frankfurt aM
Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 56 00 07 40
Email: info@irangk.de
Consulate General in Hamburg
Bebelallee 18
22299 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 51 44 060
Consulate General in Munich
Mauerkircher Strasse 59
81679 Munich
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 45 23 96 90
E-Mail: info@Irangkm.de
German representations in Iran
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Tehran
Ferdowsi Ave. 320-324
Tehran
Tel: 0098 – (0) 21 – 39 99 00 00
Email: info@teheran.diplo.de
Web: www.teheran.diplo.de
Austrian representations in Iran
Austrian Embassy in Tehran
Bahonarstr., Moghaddasi Str., Zamani Str., Mirvali, No. 6 and 8
Tehran, Niavaran, 19796-33755
Tel: 0098 – (0) 21 – 22 75 00 38
Email: teheran-ob @ bmeia. gv.at
Web: www.bmeia.gv.at/teheran
Representations of Iran in Austria
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Vienna
Jaurèsgasse 9
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 71 22 650
Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 71 34 694
Email: public@iranembassy-wien.at
Swiss representations in Iran
Swiss Embassy in Tehran
2 Yasaman Street
Sharifi Manesh Avenue
PO Box 19395-4683
1939614484 Tehran
Tel: 0098 – 21 – 22 00 83 33
E-mail: teh.vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/ tehran
Representations of Iran in Switzerland
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bern
Case postale 227
Thunstrasse 68
3000 Berne
Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 351 08
Email: secretariat@iranembassy.ch
www.iranembassy.ch
