Flights to Iran

A country that is steeped in history and rich in tradition and local culture, Iran is an off the tourist track country that really rewards those who have the curiosity to venture there – whether for business or leisure.

Find the cheapest flights to Iran with TravelSupermarket and then put aside everything you think you know about the Middle East...

This country is packed with natural attractions such as the Garmeh desert oasis, the towering Zagros mountains and the Kerman deserts. Persian traditions such as the making of colourful carpets and rugs with natural dyes form part of the culture here and there are many beautiful handicrafts to take home. The ornate mosques, such as the Jameh Mosque in the historical city of Esfahan, are another major draw and make wonderful photo opportunities, while the Golestan place in Tehran is another outstanding work of architecture.

Iran's natural landscape is fascinating – taking in arid deserts, plunging natural pools and waterfalls (the Margoon waterfall and Shalmash waterfalls are among the most famous). The mountainous terrain is now even starting to attract the international ski community, with ski areas such as the Dizin, Alvares and Shemshak increasingly finding favour among those looking for a ski destination with a difference.

Anyone considering a trip to Iran should be sure to check out current FCO travel advice before booking flights to the country. In general visitors who take care to dress and act appropriately will find a warm welcome. However, this is not the place for revealing clothes or drunken behaviour.

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The Iranian capital Tehran is where the vast majority of flights arrive into Iran from overseas...

Only Iran Air operates a non-stop flight from the UK, leaving Heathrow several times daily and taking around six hours.

Connecting flights over Istanbul with Turkish Airlines from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Heathrow take around eight to nine hours. Low cost airline Pegasus connects Stansted with the Iranian city. Lufthansa has connections via Frankfurt and Air France flies via Paris giving additional UK departure points.

You’ve touched down on your flight to Iran, now what? It’s easy to get away from the airport and begin your adventures in western Asia...

Most visitors to Iran will arrive at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport (THR) or Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), while some will fly into Ababa Airport (ABD). Khomeini has now replaced Mehrabad as the main hub for international air traffic into Tehran, while the latter now serves mainly domestic flights. A shuttle bus links the two airports and Khomeini is located 20 miles from the centre of Tehran.

Flights can also be booked to land at Mashhad International Airport (MHD), in the north east of Iran; Shiraz International Airport (SYZ) in the south; Kish International Airport (KIH) on Kish Island; Ahwaz International Airport (AWZ), which serves the city of Ahvaz; and Esfahan/Isfahan International Airport (IFN), perhaps the most centrally located airport in Iran.

There are plenty of taxis waiting to greet international travellers on Iran flights, while many major hotels can arrange airport transfer for guests.

Car hire is another option worth considering. Pre-booked vehicles can be collected at some of the airports mentioned above.

Discover the most popular tourist areas in Iran, where visitor amenities include plenty of good-value hotels...

Many of Iran's major tourist attractions are located within its culturally rich major cities such as Tehran, Shiraz and Esfahan, although there are many natural attractions such as waterfalls and even skiing opportunities to be enjoyed by those who venture a little further afield.

As most flights to Iran land in Tehran, visitors to the country should begin by getting to know this most fascinating and historic of cities – there are many beautiful palaces to be seen in Tehran, of which the Golestan is particularly worth a visit, as the oldest historic monument in the city. It is in fact a complex of 17 palaces set in beautiful gardens, and visitors should set aside a few hours in their schedule to really appreciate its complex and ornate beauty.

Another city worth a visit for those with an interest in history is Esfahan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is packed with castles, palaces and other historical buildings, as well as being home to the famous Imam Square, with its fountains, gardens and intricate maze.

Visitors continue to discover Iran and its treasures, and more and more hotels emerge as tourist numbers grow. Those currently welcoming visitors are fairly evenly placed along the price range; you can check in at cheap hostel-style hotels or opt for all-out luxury, especially in destinations such as Tehran and Esfahan (also known as Isfahan).

The outrageously ornate hotels of Kish Island are well placed to explore beaches and dive sites, though moderate dress is the norm on these sands.

It makes sense to book mountain hotels as early as possible if you plan to visit during the ski season in Iran.

When you’ve found a cheap flight to Iran use the search tool on TravelSupermarket to compare prices on hotels in Iran.