Transportation

The bus service in Tehran is extensive and thorough. There are four bus terminals, the western, eastern, southern and central bus terminals, that service Tehran and the many intercity routes. The sheer number of buses running at any one time means that simply turning up at the closest terminal is enough to find a bus that can take you where you want to go.

The metro system in Tehran is new compared to most other things in the city, the first line became operational in 1999 and the newest in 2007. The clean and conspicuously systematic carriages are getting progressively more useful a means of transport as more stops and lines open up. Tickets can be bought in various forms, seasonal, stored value etc, and are moderately priced at around 1500 IR per single trip.

Getting a separate taxi for yourself is expensive but safe and convienient way to get around short distances. To get the real feel of the city however, there must be a few rides in shared taxis. The fare for shared taxis must be agreed on beforehand to avoid being excessively charged. They cost about three times more than a bus ride of the same distance but are still fairly cheap. The downside of course, is comfort.

A private taxi is the best way to get from the airport as other forms of public transport can be difficult to figure out on such short notice.

Driving yourself is not recommended as the traffic can be quite hectic in the city. If you wish to drive, be sure to obtain enough insurance and drive defensively. A valid driving license is required.

Cars can be rented in Tehran through the newspaper (Tehran Times has advertisements) or several rental places in the city. Generally cars come with a driver so be sure to specify if you wish to drive yourself. Rental without a driver also tends to be exorbitant. Most rental places will keep your passport and/or ticket while the car is in your possession and do not accept credit card payments. http://www.irpedia.com/iran-travel/car-rentals/