Iran: unmarried couple + camper van... bad idea??
 

Maybe this isn't the best place to ask. But then any time I try to find out info about over-landing through Iran I get a totally different story depending on who or where I ask.

So... Planning to pass through Iran this Autumn, entering from Turkmenistan exiting to Turkey and plan to spend about 3 weeks looping south towards Shiraz etc...

Vehicle is a 4wd Hiace camper, which we hope to camp in. So can anybody who knows Iran well can tell me:

- Does Iran even have campsites?
- Is it even legal for us to sleep in the same bed / van / room?
- What are the alternatives?
- What if we wear wedding rings and say we haven't had our Passports changed yet?

Thanks.

I can answer one of these questions for you.

My wife and I have been twice, once in 2000 (before we were married) and again in 2009 (this time we were married). The first time we were backpacking and this time we were on our motorcycle.

In both instances we had rings and said we were married (even if the first time we were not). The thing is that we are from Quebec in Canada and it is customary to keep your family name. Having different family names was never a problem for authorities. We just told them that this was the way things were done back home.

Good luck,

By the way, I recall some people had camped near the ruins at Persepolis so it must be possible elsewhere.

Unmarried in Iran
 

Hi Tobyb,

Me and my girlfriend travelled Iran Oktober/November last year in our Landy, unmarried. We just told everyone we were married and it wasn't a problem anywhere. My girlfriend is wearing a ring, which she made her ''weddingring''. The one time I have been asked I told the friendly Iranian I didn't like wearing a ring, and that was it ;-) They haven't asked us for our passports to check and if they do you just tell them that's the way it is in your country.

There are no proper campsites as we know them, but Iranians camp everywhere they want, usually near (almost inside) a mosque. So generally it isn't a problem to camp. In some cities (eg Tabriz) they have a special ''Passenger Parking'' for travellers (with toilets, no shower). At those places you can stay as long as you want, without paying.

But you'll probably find it hard to NOT stay in people's homes because you get invited all the time... (it is the best way to experience Iran and it's food :thumbup1:)

Have fun and take your time for Iran (we loved travelling there and ended up extending our visa)

Happy wheeling!
Don

travelsick.nl

I agree with the two posts above.

I travelled through Iran in 2008 with my girlfriend (on two bikes). We free-camped in a tent whenever we weren't in bigger towns (shared rooms was fine) or invited home by locals. No rings, no marriage and never had any problems. Everyone is too busy falling over themselves to be friendly and welcoming.

Ben

was there 2008
easy to stay, very very friendly people and feel safe

go go go

Hi
just lie thats what we did last year, your biigest problem will be getting time alone as every body wants to talk to you, feed you especially in the country side "wher they will insit on taking you home what ever you do dont miss esfehan its amazing.

Jo and Mark Overland