How to Travel Between Cities in Iran: VIP Buses, Train and Savaris

Travelling on your own, throughout Iran, with public transportation is a piece of cake! There are many options for trains and buses. Those latter are most appreciated by travellers. Indeed, “VIP” buses are extremely comfortable, cheap, flexible and safe! Tickets are easy to book and buses between main cities are numerous each day.

Another option to travel while enjoying the landscape is the train. Even though they are not faster, they offer a highly comfortable trip by day and night.

VIP buses to travel all around Iran

Can you get around Iran by bus? The answer is yes, buses are available in all cities, towns and rural areas. They are one of the cheapest ways to move around between cities, and often one of the most comfortable!

There are many bus companies operating in Iran, most of them with very modern vehicles. The best companies are Seiro Safar, Ham Safar, and Royal Safar. We recommend taking “VIP buses” because the seats are wide and comfortable, they have snacks and drinks, and sometimes TV screens and USB plugs. If your travel is longer than six hours, taking an overnight VIP bus can be the best choice.

Travelling by bus in Iran is safe, even for women alone, and stops are frequently made by the drivers to have some break in the resting areas.

How to buy bus tickets in Iran?

Buses between the main cities are frequent. For instance, there are more than ten buses per day between Tehran and Shiraz. For such a route, you can simply go to the bus station and buy a ticket for the next departure, which should be in one or two hours.

It’s really easy to do on your own: once at the bus station, you can find several counters representing all companies. Usually, the cities’ names are written in Farsi, but men are constantly shouting them too. If you do not hear your destination, simply ask one of those sellers to indicate the right counter.

You can also ask your hotel to book tickets online or by phone, a few days in advance. It’s recommended during weekends and holidays.

For indication purposes, here are the prices for the most popular routes. They can be subjected to changes:

In Tehran, there are four bus terminals. The biggest is the Western terminal (Terminal-e Gharb), close to Azadi Square and Sadaghieh metro station. It’s the departure for all buses toward the Caspian Sea region, as well as many big cities in the west and the centre, and international buses to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The Eastern Terminal (Terminal-e Shargh) mostly handles buses to and from the Khorassan province and some to the North.
The Southern Terminal (Terminal-e Jonoob), near Tehran’s main train station, can be reached by metro (Terminal-e Jonoob metro station). Buses heading toward the south and southeast go from there.
The Beihaghi terminal (Terminal-e Beihaghi or Terminal-e Arzhantin) offers rides to and from most central cities, such as Shiraz and Yazd.

Riding trains in Iran

Trains are among the best ways to get around in Iran. It’s rather inexpensive, comfortable, and a lovely experience. Tehran is the main hub, and many other cities have a train station. From the capital, there are daily trains to several destinations, such as Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas and Kerman.

For long-distance rides, you can choose to travel by overnight train. Whereas a bit slower than the buses, they are more comfortable, and equipped with beds and shared bathrooms. They also provide snacks and sell food on board. Women can opt for women-only cars if they prefer.

How to book a train ticket in Iran?

It is advised to book your train ticket a few days in advance, especially during weekends and holidays. Your hotel can help you to book it online or by phone. Otherwise, you can buy your ticket at the train station.

There are usually two classes and different types of trains. Prices go from 250.000 to 700.000 rials. The most luxurious type of train is probably the “Simorgh”, which includes breakfast, a comfortable bed, and even a TV in first class.

Travelling with “Savaris”, the local shared taxis

Savaris is the word used to designate the shared taxis which navigate between the cities, for rides up to three hours. Minibuses, or simple taxis, are far less comfortable but way faster and more flexible. It’s also really cheap.

Taking a Savari is similar to taking an inner-city shared taxi: the driver, who operates on a fixed line between two cities, waits for the car to be full to start the ride. Savaris can be found in the squares and terminals, near the entrance of the cities.

You can also hire a private car for any destination. Expect a price between 50 to 150 dollars for a day, depending mainly on your destination and the ability of the driver to speak English. Ask your hotel to help you find a professional and reliable driver.

There are many possibilities to travel on your own between the cities in Iran. Trains and buses are the favourite options of most travellers. Indeed, it’s cheap, comfortable, safe, and can be booked last minute. The only requirement is to have enough time to travel, but night buses and trains also provide a great alternative to save precious hours.