Fuel in Iran
 

Hello biker- fellows,
this year we will try to make a ride from Belgium to Japan, passing through Iran. What about getting fuel in the country ?
Are there enough possibillitys to get fuel for 4 bikes crossing the country (near the border) ?
Is fuel still reduced and are there coupons needed ?

Like to hear !
www.four2japan.be (in Dutch)

Stijn

Last October I had no problems at all finding fuel. If you have a fuel card, the fuel is very very cheap (1000 rial/litre), but I have no idea how to get hold of one. Without a fuel card, you pay the black market price (4000 rial/litre) which is still very cheap compared to Europe. I was lucky on many occasions to be offered to use a local's fuel card, or they even bought the fuel for me, but with 4 bikes I don't see much chance of that happening.

Hey bud,

I went through there a few years ago and had awful problems getting fuel for the first few days. We finally managed to get a fuel card off the mayor ( at least I think he was the mayor ) of Yasd. We entered into the country from Pakistan and never new about fuel cards untill we tried to get fuel. The locals are very helpful but they don't even get enough fuel for themselves so it's hard or them to part with some of there rations.

As far as I know you can get fuel cards at the borders and if you can make sure that you do, It will make everything much easier.

Enjoy Iran, it's a fantastic place with the friendliest people.

WE came in through Turkey about a year ago, and spent about an hour insisting that we get a fuel card, and eventually they gave in (it never seemed like we wouldn't get it, just no one seemed to know what to do).

The card makes life a lot easier and cheaper, but without it everyone survives. The biggest thing in Iran is make sure you have enough dollars for your trip - there is very little chance of getting them inside the country.

came through iran 3 weeks ago. no problems finding leaded, but if you want super / unleaded it can be hit and miss. from the north crossing into barzagram there is no unleaded. i came from esfahan with unleaded to qazvin bypassing tehran and stopped at most stations without finding more unleaded.

never looked for a fuel card. leaded is 4000 rials or 0.40 USD without card, 1000 rials with card. super i think was 5500 or 6000 and 1500 respectively but the pump never showed the over-quota / tourist rate for super. never managed to get locals to loan card or pay for fuel... maybe it was the beard.

dont forget to fill up in greece or bulgaria before entering turkey - much cheaper!

Money and fuel
 

I was in Iran on my bike a couple of months ago, all OK and easy re fuel. As mentioned you cannot use wester cards at all in Iran. Although, if you head to the airport you can use Visa, it will be expensive though as the cards are processed in a different country.

Locals very friendly in general!

These days you only need a card to purchase petrol at the subsidised and rationed price of 100 tomans (US$0.10). To buy it at the 'free' price of 400 tomans requires no card at all. Apparantly petrol prices will go up to 500 tomans soon.

Daniel