Iran flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · Iran

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Iran

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Iran's transportation landscape is dominated by an extensive road network exceeding 170,000 km, linking nearly all cities and towns, bolstered by $6.63 billion investments in highways, intelligent systems, and rural connectivity. Key strengths include affordable, subsidized public options like Tehran's expanding 179 km metro, reliable intercity trains, and modern buses, alongside 290 airports for domestic reach. Challenges encompass urban congestion, heavy private vehicle use (72% of Tehran trips), and air pollution, yet strategic upgrades and Bandar Abbas port position Iran as a Central Asia transit hub for residents and visitors seeking cost-effective mobility.
Public Transport
Moderate
Road Infrastructure
Moderate
Public Transport
6.2/10

Good metro in Tehran (179 km by 2023, expanded from 78 km in 2010) with frequent service to beat traffic; buses and BRT common in cities; reliable Raja trains on 11,106 km rail for intercity (faster than buses); rural coverage limited but improving. Integration moderate, 52% access to public transport; affordable due to subsidies.

Road Infrastructure
6.5/10

Extensive 173,000 km network (73% paved, 1,429 km expressways); plans for 5,000 km new highways, 10,000 km main roads; $6.63B upgrade includes ITS for congestion/safety, rural repaving, border facilities. Urban congestion high (Tehran 1 km road/1,000 capita vs national 6), maintenance ongoing but variable.

Internet Speed
3.8/10

Average fixed broadband ~38 Mbps (2026 Speedtest data), mobile ~25 Mbps; urban 4G/5G decent but government restrictions limit speeds; fiber limited to major cities, rural gaps significant; improving via investments but lags regional peers.

Avg: 38.2+ Mbps • Limited to Tehran/urban centers; ADSL dominant in rural areas

Airport Connectivity
7.1/10

290 airports total, 64 major (large/medium) provide strong domestic coverage; Tehran Imam Khomeini key international hub, Bandar Abbas major entry; good regional links to Middle East/Central Asia, though sanctions limit global routes.

Hubs: Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA), Tehran Mehrabad (THR), Bandar Abbas (BND), Mashhad (MHD)

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass
IRR 200,000/month (Tehran)
Bus Trip
IRR 10,000-20,000/ride
Taxi
IRR 50,000 start + IRR 20,000/km
High-speed Train
IRR 500,000-1.5M Tehran-Mashhad

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Major cities (Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan) since 2023, expanding to highways 2025-2026
4G Coverage: 90%+ population coverage, strong urban/rural from MCI, Irancell, Rightel

Reliable 4G nationwide with good speeds in populated areas; 5G growing but throttled; service quality high despite occasional restrictions.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

Foreign licenses valid 3 months with IDP (required for non-Persian); long-term residents must convert to Iranian license via exam after 3 months. Drives on right.