Expenses, places to stay/visit and border-crosings to Iran
 

Hi all,

I read a lot of posts here on the hubb but still have some questions about Iran.

First, how much money did you guys need a day. As I know that foreign Bank debit/credit cards do not work in Iran, I would have to bring all the required money, and I do kinda feel uneasy to carry to much cash around with me…

I was thinking of passing Iran in about 2 weeks and doing following route:

Van (Turkey) - Essendere/Sero - Urmia - Hamadan - Isfahan - Shiraz - Yazd - Mashad - Sarakash (Border??) to Mary in Turkmenistan.

Does anybody have some tips about places to stay there and about the two mentioned borders?

I know thats a bunch of unclear questions so I am really great full to any inputs :-)

Thanks a lot in advance
eagle

Hi

-Iran is cheap country for traveling at least you'll not have problem with fuel because it is so cheap...but be aware ATMs in Iran do not accept foreign (non-Iranian) cards,so bring all the money you might need in cash for the duration of your stay of course this is the only option.

-Your route sounds good don't miss Caravan sara's in Iran ,they are great,as exit point is better to cross at Bajgiran border which is not far from Ashgabat.

-On your mentioned route you can stay in xxxxxxxxxx.
In Yazd city you can stay at "Silk road Hotel",just amazing place to chill out and located near Jamme mosque in city center.

Greetings

Hi Eagle1985

When do you plan to travel? I start around mid April from little Switzerland. Do you have already your Visa & CdP ?

Greets from Switzerland

Marsupilamio

Hi Marsipulamo,

yes I do have my Iran Visa already, currently applying for the Stans...
So far I haven't got my CDP, apply for that later this week.

Where do you plan to go?
I leave last weekend in March and have planned to be in Iran around April 19.
If our schedules match a bit, why not do part of the way together ;-)

PM me if you want more specific details.

eagle

Watching this thread with interest.Hoping to ride to Qatar via Iran in a couple of years. Beware, incoming questions when you are on the move.Will you be doing a R R?
Have a great trip.
John

If I were you, I would change my itinerary slightly.

Orumiyeh (sorry!) and Hamadan are not particularly interesting cities by Iranian standards (Hamadan has a lot of history, but very little to show for it). Tabriz does however have one of the best bazaars in the world, possibly the greatest now that those of Aleppo and Damascus are destroyed.

There is also Soltaniyeh, the mausoleum of Hulagu Khan, which is a very fine piece of Islamic architecture.

Don't bother with Tehran.

Definitely don't miss Yazd, then the desert drive to Mashhad is very nice if you like deserts (go via Moalleman and Damghan, then Neyshapur to Masshad if you like architecture, or via Kerman, Nehbandan, Birjand to Mashhad if you like real desert).

With a bit more time, you could check out my recommendations in a separate thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...try-what-53158

Or you could even read some of my blog, which covers almost all parts of Iran!

Iran | EurasiaOverland

Whatever you do, don't be shy if you are invited to join some people for a meal etc, Iranian hospitality is legendary!

Daniel

Hi Daniel

thanks for the Info on Orumiyeh (learnd something new :smartass:) and Hamadan.
Orumiyeh is only on my list, as it is the clossed bigger town after the sero border crossing. I only listed it to give a general plan about my route and not even sure if I stay there or not. Probably depends on how long the border crossing takes me, as I don't really want to ride nights ;-)

I will definitly get more information on Tabriz and Soltaniyeh, sounds like a more intresting place to visit than Hamadan.

Any recomendations about daily expenses you needed?

Thanks
eagle

I'm not a good person to ask on expenses. I drove a diesel engined vehicle, so fuel was practically free. I couchsurfed and never stayed in hotels, so accommodation was free, and other than that it was just food, visa extensions and entrance fees... very cheap country for me!

Tabriz Kashan and Garmeh
 

Definately agree with Daniel that Tabriz bazaar is unmissable.

Kashan is a great place that is not full of tourists and has great bazaar and palace gardens.

Try and find time to get into the Dash e Kavir via Garmeh, huge differences in desert landscapes. And don't miss the Zoroastrian sites between there and Isfahan/Shiraz.

Do the mountain road between Shiraz and Isfahan even if it means doubling on some parts of your route.

Go South from Shiraz thro the mountains to Fasa rater than the desrt highway to Bandar Abbas - simply beautiful.

And last but not least Minab south of Bandar Abbas where the local people are more like Omani Arabs and the ladies in their bright red burkahs really don't mind having their photos taken(helps to have your girl/wife:thumbup1: with you).

Hi Guys thanks for you tips

I will check and try to update my route acording to it :-)
really looking forward to Iran, but only have little less than a month time :-(

Looks like I will have to plan an other trip to Iran on a later time to see all :-D