Money, Budget, and Shopping for Iran

Money

Currency

Currency: rial (100 shahi).

Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 rials.

Coins: 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 rials.

Exchange:

Exchange

Which currency to bring

In all cases, plan your entire budget in US dollars or euros (for Europeans); all in cash.

Payment methods

Credit cards and traveler’s checks are not accepted or usable in Iran. You must therefore bring cash in foreign currency for the duration of your stay, in dollars or euros. These can then be easily exchanged at banks. Note that while there is a small black market, it is rarely worthwhile and can lead to scams.

Upon return

Budget

What can be expensive

What may not be expensive

Price range

Double room in a "budget" hotel:

Double room in a "tourist" hotel:

Snacks, meal in a "local" restaurant:

Meal in a "tourist" restaurant:

"Budget" car rental:

100 km by "local" bus:

100 km by express/comfort bus:

100 km by train:

Urban taxi:

Urban bus: