Taxi vs Bus at Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Verdict
Take Taxi — cheaper on typical fares.
Side by side
| Factor | Taxi | Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Option | Official airport taxi | Metro Line 1 + bus |
| Cost | IRR 1.5M–2.5M | IRR 100,000 |
| Journey | 45–80 min | 90–120 min |
| Wait | 5–10 min | Every 15 min |
| Payment | Cash | Card & Cash |
| Locals recommend |
Taxi — Official airport taxi
- ✓ Set rate
- ! 1.5x Snapp
Bus — Metro Line 1 + bus
- ✓ Cheapest
- ! Slow
- ! Transfers needed
Scams to watch either way
- Currency rate scam
Street 'changers' offer dramatically worse rates than official sarrafi.
Avoid: Use airport bank or known city sarrafi only.
- USD flat-rate taxi
Touts quote USD 50–100 for the airport run.
Avoid: Use Snapp! or hotel pickup.
Frequently asked
Q.Taxi or Bus from IKA — which is better?
Taxi — cheaper on typical fares. Official airport taxi: IRR 1.5M–2.5M, 45–80 min.
Q.How much is Taxi from Imam Khomeini International Airport?
IRR 1.5M–2.5M typical. Journey 45–80 min, wait 5–10 min. Payment: Cash.
Q.How much is Bus from Imam Khomeini International Airport?
IRR 100,000 typical. Journey 90–120 min, wait Every 15 min. Payment: Card & Cash.
Q.What should I watch for on arrival at IKA?
Currency rate scam: Street 'changers' offer dramatically worse rates than official sarrafi. — Use airport bank or known city sarrafi only.
FULL ARRIVAL PLAYBOOK
Imam Khomeini International Airport airport exit guide Fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist, all transport options ranked, and every reported scam.