We recommend having a translation app on your phone. Finding people who speak English in Iran is pretty easy these days, especially in the big cities. However, having Google Translate or any translation app on your phone can be very helpful.
Wi-Fi is not available in public places in Iran. To have access to the internet everywhere, it’s best to use a portable modem or have a tourist SIM Card.
- Iran’s official currency is the rial. Iranians do not speak in rials but in tomans. One toman is equal to ten rials. This means that whatever price you see in Iranian Rials (IRR) is one zero less: 100,000 Rials becomes 10,000 Tomans.
- Due to international sanctions, it’s impossible to make transactions or withdraw money with an international credit card within Iran. Exchange offices in other countries do not accept or have rials. You can only change money inside Iran.
Two Solutions:
- Changing your foreign currency to Iranian Rials (IRR) in cash at the New Horizon office.
- Using the Iranian prepaid debit cards designed for tourists and temporary visitors as an alternative to carrying cash that New Horizon offers.
- You may need to change money several times during your stay in Iran. The New Horizon Coordinator’s office is available 24/7 to provide you with exchange services whenever you need them.
In Iran you are obliged to follow certain dress code:
- As a man, you should avoid wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts.
- As a woman, you should cover your hair with a scarf, wear long-sleeve shirts below the waist, and long pants.
It’s best to pay attention to no photography signs and ask permission before taking photos if you’re not sure.
- Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Iran, an Islamic country, and are not served in restaurants. There are also no bars in the country. Restaurants and bars offer a variety of other beverages, ranging from the typical Coca-Cola to juices, various coffees, teas, and various local drinks.
- Tap water is drinkable in most cities in Iran, but it’s necessary to ask the locals to make sure.
- Drinkable bottled water is also available everywhere. We recommend having a refillable bottle with you throughout your trip to avoid buying numerous plastic bottles.
- Unlike European food culture, most traditional Iranian dishes do not require a knife to be served. In most cases, you can easily eat with a spoon and fork. Some foods require only a spoon. Others are wrapped in bread and eaten by hand.
Ramadan is the month of fasting. Most restaurants, juice bars, and cafes are closed from sunrise to sunset. However, hotel restaurants are open.
If you are traveling during Ramadan, you can have lunch in the hotel restaurants.
- The Persian week begins on Saturday and ends on Friday, with Thursday and Friday being the weekend.
- Restaurants and cafes in major cities usually have long opening hours.
- Shops are usually open from Saturday to Thursday and from 10 am to 9 pm. Grocery stores usually open around 7 a.m. and close around 10 p.m. every day.
- In addition, malls and shopping centers usually open at 10-11 a.m. and are open until 11:30-12 p.m. and are also open on Fridays.
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Fridays and open half day on Thursdays. Tajrish Bazaar is open every day except for some national holidays.
- Most tourist sites are open every day except 6 days per year due to religious holidays which change each year (about 10 days backward) due to the basis of the Islamic calendar.
Please check with the Crew Coordinator at the New Horizon office for holidays and opening day/time before planning a visit
- In Iran, cell phone numbers start with 09 followed by nine digits (11 digits in total) like 0912 123 4567.
- Landline numbers have a specific area code for each city. (021 for Tehran, 031 for Isfahan). The primary number is an 8-digit number (recently 5 digits for business lines) that follows this code like 021 2222 3333.
- To call a fixed number with your SIM card, you should enter the city code and the phone number. No need to dial +98 as Iran’s international code.
In Iran, police, emergency, fire, etc. have different 3-digit numbers that can be dialed from anywhere in the country.
- Police: 110
- Medical Emergency: 115
- Fire Brigade: 125
Please maintain contact with the Crew Coordinator and the New Horizon Office Supervisor while in Iran.
New Horizon Emergency Contact: +98 918 956 6168