Money in Iran?

[Camtracey]

My last minute decision to come to Iran, has brought me here with little idea of what expect. A beautiful country, but.........

How do I get money?? None of the banks or ATM's accept my cards!!!

Help!

[Dessertstrom]

Camtracey,
I have just run a search and it is not good news. Due to trade embargoes banks are not accepting cards to get cash but it was suggested that some big stores will give cash if you are buying something from them. It might depend on how much you spend with them. Also they suggest that a big central bank in a big city will advance money on a card but it takes a lot of official running around and lots of signatures.:confused1:
Good Luck, I hope this helps.
Ian

[SKILLO]

Camtracey,

oooopps, BIG MISTAKE, what were you thinking Cam? Sorry, I know that doesn't help... but just a few minutes reading the HUBB would have pre-warned you of that problem.

One possibility is a bank money transfer to an Iranian account. When we were in Iran, another Aus traveller (hi Marcus) had a major GS gearbox breakdown and ran out of money while waiting to get it fixed. He transferred money to an iranian account as described, but of course you need to know a very trustworthy Iranian willing to help you. After more than 2 weeks in the one town, Marcus had made some iranian friends and took a risk they would pass on the money transferred to their account. It worked out OK for him on that occasion.

Good luck
John

[alexpezzi]

so the best is coming with a stash of euros or dollars?

[petefromberkeley]

Yeah, you either need to get out of there on the money you have or get help from an Iranian. The BMW shop in Tehran has an excellent reputation for helping moto-travellers (regardless of what make of motorcycle they ride) but I have never met them. If you don't know anyone personally, you might roll the dice with someone there, like the owner.

The bad news is the situation that you are in. The good news is the people who you are surrounded with right now. They are (mostly) great.

[petefromberkeley]

Originally Posted by alexpezzi

so the best is coming with a stash of euros or dollars?

It's not just the best, it's really the ONLY.

[Camtracey]

Thanks for the tips guys. I just got off the phone with my UK bank and they are having money transferred to the Iran Melli (national) Bank's major branch in Tabriz. They just needed the "Swift code" Bank and Branch name, And my full name and Passport number. Hopefully in the next couple of days I can get my money without a 3rd party involved.

(tip supplied by local tourist info office legend "Nasser" in Tabriz)

Will post again when "the fat lady sings" and the cash is in my hot little hands!

Tc

[Dessertstrom]

Good news then.
I hope the " Fat Lady" sings " money money money "

Cheers
Ian

[seanh]

I managed to cash a travellers cheque in Shiraz at a terrible rate. The guys who cash it ask for a copy of your passport and when they collect enough cheques, they fly to Dubai and cash the cheques themselves.

[petefromberkeley]

Originally Posted by Camtracey

(tip supplied by local tourist info office legend "Nasser" in Tabriz)

Tc

Nice work. I forgot about "Nasser". He is a good resource.

[SKILLO]

Hey, well done Camtracey, when you are successful, let us know and will have to remember this is possible.

That guy Nasser again! We pulled over in Tabriz late afternoon, traffic jam, lost, wanting to find a hotel. Instantly surrounded by the usual crowd, we were consulting the Lonely Planet guide while still on the bike when someone in crowd pointed to a name on the opened page of the LP and said "this is me, can I help you?". The name said Nasser and referred to the tourist information office, we looked at the guy and said "yeh right, sure that's you", we were not born yesterday! But sure enough it was Nasser, he had left work, but saw us and stopped to help, directed us to a hotel and appologised he could not take us there himself as he had a family function to get to. Guess he deserves to be in the LP.

John

[metta]

You guys rock in helping cam! This is what makes motorcyclists motorcyclists!

Cammo, don't forget to see Bahmain on the way to Rasht.

[Camtracey]

The fat lady is singing a sweet tune just for me!!!!

Well went to the bank this morning (Saturday), and there was my money waiting for me. Just had to decide one the breakup of cash I wanted, (59% euros, 40% rials) they took their 1% commision (note:- commission is only taken on euros, not rials) signed a couple of forms and at the second counter I was away with my cash within the hour.

Things to note :-

Allowing for time difference between UK and Iran, I could have had my money the same day, had the bank been open in the afternoon of the day I called my bank. Thursday afternoons are closed here, and Friday (of course) all day.

My bank is Lloyds TSB London branch and the friendly girl on the phone specifically had my transaction fast-tracked due to the urgency. I don't think all banks would be so efficient.

Any details I left out feel free to ask!

Happy days

Tc

[Walkabout]

Nice result Tc; glad to hear that the UK banking system can get it done right first time and quickly.
Maybe you have beaten the new sanctions that have been in the news in the past few days, but anyway, have a good birthday (or maybe you have had it already - been following your predicaments on here these past few days!!).

Detail left out: do you close that account in Iran now or do you keep it open for next time you are passing by?

ps I was going to suggest Western Union when I first read this thread; not all people seem to be happy with their service so hung off from that - glad I did.

Cheers,

[Camtracey]

Thanks for the wishes mate!

Big 30 is in a couple of days, Thursday I think. So thanks for the thought.

Apparently there is no Western Union here! Tourist office said there not in Iran at all, but thanks for the thought.

But the good news is, I didn't even need to open an account here. So I've not got one to close or keep. I just had to visit the bank here and get their Swift code and branch name and told them that I was getting money sent there. Then I called Lloyds and they sent it via this swift code etc, with my name and passport number attached. Then I went to the bank, they checked my name and passport number, and Bob's my uncle (although he prefers "Uncle Robert")

Hope its as clear as mud!! Tc