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TEHRANLeaving Imam Khomeini International Airport: transport guide

Imam Khomeini International Airport · Iran
IKA
Medium riskUpdated June 2026Medium confidence

Airport is 30km south of Tehran. Snapp! (Iran's Uber) is the safest option but requires a local SIM.

TL;DR

IKA (Imam Khomeini International Airport) is the main international airport serving Tehran, Iran. The recommended way out is Use Snapp! app or pre-arrange hotel pickup (~IRR 800,000–1,500,000 (~USD 15–25 at black-market rate), 45–80 min to central Tehran). Pickup is at Designated rideshare zone outside arrivals. The most common scam to watch for is "Currency rate scam". Fares on the IKA → central Tehran route typically run USD 15–25 equivalent; anything above USD 100+ taxi flat is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Use Snapp! app or pre-arrange hotel pickup

Typical fare
IRR 800,000–1,500,000 (~USD 15–25 at black-market rate)
Journey time
45–80 min to central Tehran
Pickup
Designated rideshare zone outside arrivals
WARNING · International cards do NOT work in Iran — bring USD/EUR cash to exchange
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Snapp! / Tapsi
IRR 800k–1.5M5–15 min💵Cash
Hotel pickup
USD 30–50 equivPre-arranged💵Cash
Official airport taxi
IRR 1.5M–2.5M5–10 min💵Cash—
Metro Line 1 + bus
IRR 100,000Every 15 min💳Card / Cash—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Clear immigration (visa pre-arranged)
  2. 2Exchange USD/EUR cash to IRR at airport bank
  3. 3SIM at Hamrah-e-Aval / Irancell counter (passport required)
  4. 4Open Snapp! and walk to designated zone
  5. 545–80 min to central Tehran
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
56/ 100
Stay sharp
  • Scam risk60
  • Public transport50
  • Ride-hailing70
  • Signage clarity70
  • Payment convenience30
04

Fare reality check

IKA → central Tehran
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    USD 15–25 equivalent
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    USD 50+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    USD 100+ taxi flat
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Snapp! / Tapsi

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    IRR 800k–1.5M
    Journey
    45–80 min
    Wait
    5–15 min
    Payment
    💵 Cash
    Pros
    • Fair price
    • Tracked ride
    Cons
    • Needs Iranian SIM for OTP
  2. 2

    Hotel pickup

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    USD 30–50 equiv
    Journey
    45–80 min
    Wait
    Pre-arranged
    Payment
    💵 Cash
    Pros
    • Driver with sign
    • Removes friction
    Cons
    • Premium
  3. 3

    Official airport taxi

    Cost
    IRR 1.5M–2.5M
    Journey
    45–80 min
    Wait
    5–10 min
    Payment
    💵 Cash
    Pros
    • Set rate
    Cons
    • 1.5x Snapp
  4. 4

    Metro Line 1 + bus

    Cost
    IRR 100,000
    Journey
    90–120 min
    Wait
    Every 15 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Cheapest
    Cons
    • Slow
    • Transfers needed
06

Paying without surprises

  • NO international cards work in Iran. Bring USD or EUR cash.
  • Use airport bank or licensed sarrafi (exchange) — never street touts.
  • Get an Iranian Mah Card (prepaid debit) if staying long.
07

Common scams

Currency rate scam

High risk

Street 'changers' offer dramatically worse rates than official sarrafi.

HOW TO AVOID · Use airport bank or known city sarrafi only.

USD flat-rate taxi

High risk

Touts quote USD 50–100 for the airport run.

HOW TO AVOID · Use Snapp! or hotel pickup.

08

What locals & travellers say

IKA·Tehran
“Iran requires bringing all cash you'll need. ATMs are completely closed to foreign cards.”
Official AirportUK FCDO travel adviceChecked Apr 2025confirmed
01 / 02
  • "Iran requires bringing all cash you'll need. ATMs are completely closed to foreign cards." — UK FCDO travel advice
  • "Snapp! needs an Iranian SIM and OTP — install it after getting the SIM." — r/iran
09

Arrival checklist

  • Bring sufficient USD/EUR cash for entire trip
  • Exchange at airport bank only
  • Iranian SIM for Snapp!
  • Hotel pickup if you want zero friction
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10

IKA arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Imam Khomeini International Airport?
Use Snapp! app or pre-arrange hotel pickup. International cards do NOT work in Iran — bring USD/EUR cash to exchange.
Are taxis at IKA safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: usd flat-rate taxi — Touts quote USD 50–100 for the airport run. Use Snapp! or hotel pickup.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at IKA?
Ride-hailing availability at IKA varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
How much should a taxi from IKA to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the IKA → central Tehran route is roughly USD 15–25 equivalent. Anything around USD 50+ is high — USD 100+ taxi flat is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at IKA?
Carry small local notes — Snapp! / Tapsi expects cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Imam Khomeini International Airport?
Designated rideshare zone outside arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is IKA safe to arrive at late at night?
IKA is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
What scams should I watch for at IKA?
The most reported at IKA: Currency rate scam; USD flat-rate taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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