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Iran flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide

Public transit, airports, and getting around in Iran

Iran, with a population of 84 million, features a robust transportation landscape dominated by extensive road and rail networks connecting its vast territory. Key strengths include a doubled road system to 88,821 km with 3,053 km of expressways, a trebled rail network at 15,700 km, 290 airports (64 major), and major ports handling 296 million tonnes. Challenges involve sanctions limiting aviation modernization, urban congestion in cities like Tehran, and uneven rural connectivity. Residents and visitors rely on affordable metros in major cities, intercity trains, buses, taxis, and domestic flights for mobility.
Public Transport
Moderate
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
5.2/10

Good metro systems in major cities: Tehran (busy, multi-line, 2-4M daily riders), Shiraz (Line 1 operational, Line 2 under construction), Tabriz (Line 1 open). BRT and buses widespread in urban areas. Regional rail connects cities like Tehran-Isfahan-Mashhad-Shiraz. Limited integration and rural coverage.

Road Infrastructure
6.1/10

Extensive paved road network (199,000 km total, 88,821 km main/secondary) links all cities/towns. Expressways expanded 20x to 3,053 km. Recent improvements in intercity networks and safety conversions. Urban congestion high; maintenance varies, with some rural gaps.

Internet Speed
3.8/10

Average fixed broadband speeds around 40 Mbps in 2025, with mobile at 35-50 Mbps. Urban areas have better access via fiber/TD-LTE; significant rural-urban gap due to sanctions and infrastructure limits. 5G limited to Tehran/Tabriz, expanding slowly.

Avg: 42.5+ Mbps • Limited to major cities (20-30% coverage); ADSL/TD-LTE dominant elsewhere

Airport Connectivity
6.8/10

290 airports total, 64 major (large/medium) provide strong domestic coverage across cities. International links via Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) hub to Middle East/Europe/Asia, despite sanctions limiting fleet/routes. Bandar Abbas key for regional connectivity.

Hubs: Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA), Tehran Mehrabad (THR), Mashhad (MHD), Shiraz (SYZ), Tabriz (TBZ)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
500,000 IRR/month (Tehran)
Bus Trip
20,000-50,000 IRR/ride
Taxi
100,000 IRR start + 20,000 IRR/km
High-speed Train
1-3M IRR Tehran-Isfahan (no true HSR, fastest ~200km/h)

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Limited to major cities (Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz); pilot expansions 2024-2026 by MCI/Hamrah Aval
4G Coverage: 85-90% population coverage; strong urban, patchy rural/mountainous areas

Reliable MCI, Irancell, Rightel networks with good urban speeds (30-60 Mbps); occasional throttling due to filtering/sanctions. 4G dominant, 5G emerging.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

Foreign licenses valid 3 months with IDP (required for non-Persian). Right-hand driving. Long-term residents (>1 year) must convert to Iranian license via exam/translation. Tourists: IDP + passport recommended.

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