Is crossing Iran to Pakistan safe? (page 3 of 5)

Try looking up the difference between danger and risk. There’s none so deaf as those who won’t hear…

You're right, there's no one worse at listening—we agree on that. 🙂

Well, let's just say there are quite a few risks when crossing Iran... but you can minimize them if you avoid getting involved in protests, don’t try to mingle with the locals too much, don’t film sensitive sites, don’t fly drones all over the place—basically, if you visit the country and not its people... which works perfectly for me, since I’m not a people person. I’m there for the landscapes... 😏

Well, has Iran done something to you? Because from what I’m reading, it’s becoming an obsession! Iran isn’t any more dangerous than any other country as long as you respect the local customs. It seems to me this forum is a place for sharing information. Some travelers who’ve been there and come back (with smiles) have explained things pretty clearly. If you don’t like Iran for political reasons, that’s fine, but don’t discourage others from having their own experience.

I never said anywhere that I don’t like Iran.

I don’t like the theocracy that oppresses the people of this country, that’s all.

And liking or not liking has nothing to do with the question asked.🤪

Is traveling through Iran to Pakistan safe?

The answer is no. Because of the current geopolitical situation.

Can an adventurer travel through Iran?

The answer is yes—nothing prohibits it despite the current geopolitical situation.

You’d rather deal with Central Asian cops, huh? 😛

Unfortunately, traveling in that direction is going to get tricky too...😕

"I don’t like the theocracy that martyrs the people of this country, that’s all." We got that—reminder: travelers don’t get involved in politics outside their own country. That concept understood, no problem.

"Is traveling from Iran to Pakistan safe?" No more dangerous than driving in Europe. There are areas to avoid, like the rough neighborhoods and drug-dealing hotspots in Marseille, Nantes, Rennes, or Grenoble. And of course, don’t try to play the activist—like Greenpeace types breaking into nuclear plants for clout—or the GoPro journalist. In Iran, that’ll land you in prison.

"Can an adventurer travel through Iran?" For travelers too.

I’ll quietly join the conversation.

I can understand Attila not wanting to endorse any particular political regime, and I get why you might not agree.

That’s the whole debate, really. Should we avoid visiting a country—or just passing through—if the leaders are a bit too heavy-handed politically?

Some vacationers supposedly cancel trips to the U.S. because of the blond guy, while others skip Middle Eastern countries because they see the government as far-right. Well, that’s fine—everyone makes their own choices.

For me, if I’m thinking about my vacation plans, I don’t overcomplicate it. If a country appeals to me, I couldn’t care less about who’s running it. What am I supposed to do—march in the streets there? Yeah, right.

Anyway, everyone has their own choices, as I said earlier.

And to wrap up, I’m really envious of Tiger3 and their amazing moto-trips through countries that are *way* less traveled. 😉

a traveler doesn’t meddle in politics outside their own country

I completely agree. But travelers do take geopolitics into account when planning their trips...

No more dangerous than driving in Europe

Really? So, are the risks of being taken hostage in Europe the same as in Iran? Is the chance of Europe erupting in conflict the same as the Middle East? Are the odds of a revolution breaking out in Europe equal to those in Iran? Does Europe fund Hamas and Hezbollah?

For travelers too.

I have a broader definition of the word "traveler" than you do.

Personally, I’d call someone who currently visits countries like Venezuela, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, or Pakistan an "adventurer."

For North Korea, I’d say they’re a "seeker of the unusual."

I’ve traveled to areas that are now labeled high-risk around the world—they weren’t at the time.

And while French authorities often sound alarmist, that’s not always the case with other countries’ advisories.

In Iran’s case, the advice from Western embassies is consistent everywhere.

I really hope the mullahs’ dictatorship will be overthrown soon. The tension keeps rising—it should happen eventually.

No, you didn’t quite catch what I meant. It’s not because I don’t support the mullahs’ regime that I’m advising against going to Iran. It’s simply because now isn’t the right time—it’s not safe.

If I only traveled to democracies, I wouldn’t get very far... Safety isn’t my only deciding factor.

No, you misunderstood my point. It’s not because I don’t support the mullahs’ regime that I advise against going to Iran. It’s simply because now isn’t the right time—it’s not safe.

If I only traveled to democracies, I wouldn’t get very far... That’s not one of my criteria for choosing a destination.

My bad, I misread. So sorry.

We’d like to travel overland from Turkey to India in our converted van, but very few options are available to us these days. Crossing Iran seems risky and not particularly safe. Has anyone here already done it? And if so, which route can you take without too much insecurity?

Hi, I did it in 1972 from Paris to Kathmandu (via Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) using only public transport. It took two and a half months one way. I wouldn’t recommend it these days. It’s not really a security issue in Iran, but there’s a risk of being arrested and imprisoned. If I were the same age as I was during that trip, maybe I’d see things differently. Back then, I didn’t worry about possible dangers, and Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were politically stable.

1—I have no idea what the French tourists still imprisoned in Iran actually did. I only know what they’re accused of. Did they really commit punishable acts? Did they actually take part in protests? Did they get involved in politics? Not sure... 2—It’s not just Iran; crossing Pakistan doesn’t seem risk-free either. Different dangers than in Iran (banditry). In any case, I wouldn’t cross Balochistan.

Hi Agnès,

In the case of Iran, the advice from Western embassies is the same everywhere.

I completely agree with all your points. It so happens that I know the diplomatic circles quite well. They are serious and responsible people who know how to assess risks. Their own safety is also at stake. And if an area is marked in red, there are very serious reasons for it—sometimes, to avoid offending the host country (diplomacy obliges), an embassy might propose a more moderate zoning to the MEAE despite the risks.

Traveling in Iran in 2017 and in 2025 is no longer the same journey at all. The Iranian regime is on edge, feeling threatened from within and without. It’s very unstable, and the geopolitical situation is extremely volatile. Crossing Iran right now is therefore a very bad idea!

And claiming to travel in this country without having contact with the local population is absolute nonsense. It’s a country where we received an exceptional welcome from the people.

But as you say, everyone will do as they please with full awareness of the situation...

I won’t name the consul I had dinner with in the country where he’s posted, but honestly, they travel in semi-armored cars—so much so that even the 4x4 acting as their carriage couldn’t drive on sand...

Treated like a minister, with an "ambassador’s dinner" and a private folk evening... I was invited because I’m French (and a particular reason caught their attention, but that’s another story...). I wouldn’t trust their judgment! An ordinary traveler who doesn’t try to impose our Western perspective can easily cross Iran or other countries without any issues—even today. (I know several motorcyclists who are currently there.)

So saying it’s nonsense is a personal opinion—it’s not a war zone.

When the regime falls, probably someday, let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a civil and religious warzone under the guise of economic and geopolitical interests. *That* would make entering truly nonsensical.

It won’t be my next destination, but I’ll return for a third time without fear.

probably one day, it

This is what it’s been about from the start...

Even a revolution seems likely to you...

What happens to the traveler who entered 5 days ago?

Those 5 days could be today, could be tomorrow...

No one can predict the near future in a powder keg.

Unfortunately, driving in that direction is also going to become problematic...😕

For what reasons?

Personally, I’d call anyone who’s currently heading to countries like Venezuela, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, or Pakistan an adventurer.

For Israel, you’re taking it a bit too far. You don’t have all the facts on that one. Too bad.

Hello to all you Iran lovers! If you think adventure is dangerous, I suggest you try routine—you’ll quickly realize which one is DEADLY. So, I think you’ve understood and recognized this magnificent quote from Mr. Paulo Coelho. Travel shapes youth and deforms the wallet—I love that too. The philosophy of travel belongs to the traveler who lives it. A few years ago, we also traveled in Iran: two months backpacking in 2014, two weeks in 2015, and two weeks in 2016. As usual, with our backpacks, hitchhiking, taxis, trains, getting as close as possible to the different ethnic groups we met. No issues during these three trips, especially in 2016, from the northeast to the southeast, from Sarakh to Chabahar, near the Afghan and Pakistani borders. Of course, we avoided lifting the tarps of trucks loaded with opium in Zahedan, but in the souk, a very good Baloch tailor made me a magnificent *salva kamis*. We’re still in touch with the families we met—they always ask us, "When are you coming back to see us?" There aren’t more problems now, but here’s the thing: are we older, more worried? Doubt lingers. But the time for regrets will surely come—why haven’t we returned to Iran? Gilles, April 2025

Is Israel a country at war, or did I just have a bad dream—or even a nightmare? Explain to us...

So saying it's nonsense is a personal opinion; it's not a war zone.

You have to read to the end—I added this:

It's a country where we received an exceptional welcome from the people.

And where did you read the word war in my message? I didn’t talk about war but about the people. I’ll have to break it down since I wasn’t clear.

When I say that crossing this country without making contact with the people—a tip given several times in this thread—is absolute nonsense, I mean it’s a shame. Iran isn’t just about the landscapes (often monotonous, by the way) or its immense cultural heritage, but also about meeting Iranians—including those covered in black from head to toe—and the Iranian people. A cultured, generous, and incredibly hospitable people. You get invited everywhere. So going to Iran without meeting its people makes no sense! This people doesn’t deserve this detestable and hated theocracy.

You say it’s not a war zone. True, there’s no high-intensity war right now, and let’s hope it stays that way. However, you’re forgetting the Israeli strikes in April 2023 and the 200 missiles Iran launched—thankfully intercepted—at the Hebrew state on October 1st. You’re forgetting that this country is involved in the current war in the Middle East through its proxies (see the Houthis in Yemen) and that its nuclear facilities regularly receive threats.