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Tehran Airport to City Center (2026)
Official airport taxis are available at the arrivals hall. A trip to central Tehran costs around 800,000 to 1,200,000 IRR (about $3-5 USD) depending on your destination. Always use… 🚕 Taxi Options
Official airport taxis are available at the arrivals hall. A trip to central Tehran costs around 800,000 to 1,200,000 IRR (about $3-5 USD) depending on your destination. Always use the official taxi counter inside the terminal to avoid scams, and confirm the price before boarding.
🚌 Airport Bus Service
The Tehran Airport Bus (line 997) runs from Imam Khomeini Airport to the city center, with stops at Azadi Square and Enqelab Square. The fare is approximately 50,000 IRR ($0.20 USD) and the journey takes 45-60 minutes. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
🚇 Metro Connection
The Tehran Metro Line 1 now extends to Imam Khomeini Airport, offering a direct link to the city. The metro station is located at Terminal 1, and trains run from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM. A single ticket costs 15,000 IRR ($0.06 USD), and the trip to downtown takes about 50 minutes.
🚗 Ride-Hailing Apps
Local ride-hailing apps like Snapp and Tapsi are widely used and often cheaper than taxis. Download the app before arrival, as you'll need a local SIM card or Wi-Fi to book. A ride to central Tehran typically costs 500,000 to 800,000 IRR ($2-3 USD), and you can pay in cash or by card.
💵 Currency and Payment
Most airport transport services accept Iranian rials (IRR) or toman (1 toman = 10 rials). Cash is preferred, but some taxis and ride-hailing apps accept credit cards. Avoid exchanging money at the airport as rates are poor; use ATMs in the city instead.
⚠️ Avoiding Taxi Scams
Be wary of unofficial taxi drivers who approach you inside the terminal; they often overcharge by 2-3 times the standard rate. Always use the official taxi kiosk or a ride-hailing app. If you must negotiate, agree on the price in writing before getting in, and insist on using the meter if available.
🕒 Travel Time Tips
The drive from Imam Khomeini Airport to central Tehran takes 45-60 minutes without traffic, but can exceed 90 minutes during peak hours (7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-7:00 PM). The metro is the most reliable option during rush hour. Allow extra time for Friday prayers when traffic is lighter.
📱 Booking in Advance
For a hassle-free experience, pre-book a taxi through Snapp or Tapsi before your flight lands. You can also arrange a private transfer through your hotel for around $10-15 USD. Booking ahead ensures a fixed price and avoids language barriers at the airport.
one thing the guide doesn't mention is that the metro from the airport can get really packed during rush hour, especially around 5-6 pm when people are heading home. i'd suggest taking snapp instead if you have luggage, the 500k-800k range is accurate but it can spike to 1m+ if there's surge pricing. also the atms at the airport do work fine for most international cards, just ignore the money exchange guys they hang around the baggage claim area. for the bus, the 997 drops you at azadi square which isn't super central but you can catch the metro from there easily
another thing worth mentioning is that the metro card (called "metro card" or "bilit") can be bought at the station with cash, but you can also use the same card for the bus if you're planning to switch lines. the airport metro station is actually pretty new and clean, not like some of the older stations in the city. i've used it a few times and it's fine for solo travelers without much luggage, but yeah the crowds are real after work. also if you're staying near valiasr street or the northern parts, the metro drops you at shahr-e-rey or haram-e-motahhar which are still a bit far, so you might need to switch to a taxi from there anyway. the 997 bus is a good budget option but the last time i took it the driver didn't speak english and i had to show him a map on my phone to make sure i got off at the right spot, so have your destination written down in farsi just in case
solid writeup, pretty much covers everything. one thing i'd add is that if you land late, like after 10pm, the metro and bus are done so you're stuck with taxis or snapp. snapp still works but drivers might cancel on you if they think the fare is too low, i've had that happen a few times. the official taxi counter is still running though, just a bit more expensive. also for the money exchange bit, i actually disagree a little - the exchange rate at the airport isn't that bad compared to city center rates, maybe 5-10% worse, so if you need cash right away it's fine for a small amount. just don't do the guys inside the terminal, they're the real ripoff. and if you're heading to north tehran like tajrish or vanak, add another 15-20 minutes to whatever time they say, traffic gets real heavy past enqelab.
Tehran neighborhoods for a 5 month stay?
If you want something a bit more laid-back with good cafe culture and metro access, consider the areas around Sadeghiyeh or Ekhtiarieh. Sadeghiyeh has a major metro hub and a lot of small bakeries and tea shops tucked into the residential streets, but it's less polished than Vanak. Ekhtiarieh is quieter and greener, with a few solid cafes near Shariati Street, and you can walk to the Tajrish metro line if you don't mind 10-15 minutes. The trade-off is that these spots feel more local and less international, so you won't find as many chain places, but the rent is noticeably lower and you get a real sense of neighborhood life.
fwiw i'd throw Yousefabad into the mix. it's a bit south of Vanak but still on Valiasr, so metro access is solid and the cafes around Yousefabad square are more lowkey and cheaper than Vanak's. theres this stretch on Sanaei Street with a couple of hidden gems that do good filter coffee, and you can walk to the weekly fruit market on Fridays near the intersection with Jomhouri. rent is noticeably less than Gholhak and you get a more lived-in vibe, less expat bubble if that matters to u. just know the sidewalks are even more chaotic down here, its part of the charm i guess
honestly if you want walkable cafes and metro access, focus on the north-central parts like Gholhak or Vanak. Vanak Square area has a decent metro stop and plenty of those little coffee shops tucked into side streets, plus you're close to the main commercial drag on Valiasr. Gholhak is a bit quieter but still has a handful of nice spots around the main street, and the metro's right there too. just be aware that "walkable" in Tehran still means a lot of uneven sidewalks and crossing wide streets, so it's more about density of stuff than actual pleasant strolling. rent will be higher up north, but for 5 months it's worth it