Overland Iran Travel

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Currency to display:

Visiting Iran

Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.

Entering Iran with a Car or Motorbike

Correct as of: July 2013

Required Paperwork

Process at border

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Iran, application instructions and fees see: Iran Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
The Iranian borders are a little different from other borders. You will need to get your passport stamped and after that your car papers stamped. From there you will probably need to get a document allowing you to get fuel, which is a big problem in Iran. Lately I have heard stories that you have to pay for this fuel card, but it might not be official so be careful. After this you are probably required to state your route and they will print a route permission paper from which you are not supposed to deviate. Police on the way will check this document.

Cost of entry

Except for the possible fuel permit there should be no cost involved.

Permitted length of stay

State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle

Extension of stay

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Exiting with a vehicle

Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.

Driving in Iran

Insurance requirements

Yes or No if insurance is mandatory, and what kind is acceptable.

Cost of insurance

State the price of insurance and a time period.

Where to purchase insurance

Describe where insurance can be purchased.

Driving license

State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.

Driving side of road

Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Iran

Mandatory items in vehicle

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads

General Road quality

Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.

Road signs

Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.

Toll roads

List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.

Bribery in Iran

I have had a few encounters with Iranian police. Even got a ticket for crossing a solid line. Found them to be correct and suborn. Had to pay my fine at a local bank before he wanted to return my passport. And it was a bank holiday! I have not encountered any bribery attempt but have encountered fake police who tried to rob me of my money.

Checkpoints

describe the frequency of checkpoints (police or military and what to expect.

Traveling with pets

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas and Diesel price in Iran

Last updated: March 2011

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Regular $1.44 USD per Gallon (US)[1]
Super (88)  ??
Premium (90)  ??
Ultra (95)  ??
Diesel  ??

Link to external websites with price & quality information, if available.

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency

Its extremely hard to find fuel in Iran. Especially in border areas almost impossible. Once you find a petrol station with fuel, there are long lines.
Only the major towns have fuel stations. Usually in town only petrol and just out of town for diesel.

Gas and Diesel Quality

Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.

Safety and Security Considerations

Driving at night

Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.

Vehicle parking

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

Special driving considerations

A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.

Security advisories and information

Camping in Iran

I know of no campsite in Iran. Many hotels will yet you camp in their parking lot.
Wild camping is not a good idea in Iran although I have done so. Around borders things tend to get dangerous at night due to heavy smuggling. If police see you wild camp, and they are well informed, they tend to send you away. There are a few spots where camping is allowed, usually parks in big towns. The Khomeiny burial site in south Teheran is such an example.

Camping guide books

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Iran

Iran
Iran
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $11.07 on Amazon
Iran Classic [laminated] (national Geographic Referenc...
Iran Classic [laminated] (national Geographic Referenc...
by National Geographic Maps - Reference
From $19.99 on Amazon
Iran
Iran
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $11.07 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Middle East (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Middle East (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Anthony Ham, Sofia Barbarani, Jessi...
From $15.99 on Amazon

GPS Maps of Iran

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Iran

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Travel Guide Books

Lonely Planet Iran (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Iran (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet
From $26.99 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Hezbollah: The Global Footprint Of Lebanon's Party Of ...
Hezbollah: The Global Footprint Of Lebanon's Party Of ...
by Matthew Levitt
From $click on Amazon


Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Iran

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.

  1. Gas Prices Around the World

Helpful External links

Add any helpful external links here.