Is Iran a safe country to travel? Is it safe to travel alone in Iran? Is it safe to travel to Iran as a woman? These are frequently asked questions by tourists who wish to travel to Iran. Generally speaking, most foreigners suppose that Iran is not a safe country because of the western media portraying Iran as an unsafe country who is proceeding to gain nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism in the world.

Traveling to IRAN, what is the problem?

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Is Iran a safe country to travel? Is it safe to travel alone in Iran? Is it safe to travel to Iran as a woman? These are frequently asked questions by tourists who wish to travel to Iran? Generally speaking, most foreigners assume that Iran is not a safe country because of the western media portraying Iran as an unsafe country which is pursuing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism in the world. However, when they travel to Iran, they realize that what news had said is not true and they admit undoubtedly that Iran is safe to travel.

However, one should always try to consult his common sense and follow his vigilance when travelling to a quite different country. Here we talk about why Iran is safe to travel even for solo travelers including women and what are some of the precautions one should consider while visiting Iran.

Why Iran is safe to travel?

Indeed, Iran is one of the safest countries in the world according to the 2019 Travel risk map released by International SOS. According to this map, Iran is considered as a low-risk country based on some factors such as crime and terrorist attack, emergency services and efficient transportation.  According to the result, Iran is safe to travel like other European countries, Australia and even Canada. Therefore, you can be sure about safety in Iran

Iran is safe to travel for any age, gender or race. Boasting a rich history and culture Iran is a country with tremendous respect toward other religions and minorities groups. You may rarely hear about racism or criminal activities against others including foreigners. Indeed, Iran is one of the friendliest countries in the world. Iranian people are really friendly and generous individuals who are interested in foreigners and are always ready to help without even asking for it.

Iran is the safest country in the Middle East. One of the reasons regarding the question of safety in Iran is related to the fact that Iran is located in the Middle East, one of the most disputed and unrest regions in the world. While you may hear about many terrorist attacks in one region or another in the Middle East, you can be sure that none of these so-called disputes happens in Iran. The reason is that Iran borders are well protected by the Iranian army and the Information Ministry of Iran perform really well inside the country to avoid any attack or terrorist activities. Hence fore, Iran is safe to travel at any times of year regardless of what is happening in its neighbours.

Speaking of the Middle East, visitors should avoid travelling to the tourist destinations near the borders of Iran such as Afghanistan and Pakistan in the East or Iraq in the west.

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What about women? Is it safe to visit Iran as a solo female?

Travelling as a solo female to Iran might seem intimidating, but you can rest assured that Iran is safe to travel for tourists including solo backpackers and particularly solo female travelers. However, as for any country, there are some Do’s and Don’ts when visiting Iran as a woman. Here are a few tips for solo female traveling in Iran. Some of these tips may also be helpful for other tourists rather than a solo female.

Desert is one of the most unique tourist attractions in Iran

Do not talk about politics at all

If you want to be on the safe side in Iran never talk about Iranian politic issues or political authorities especially the leader. Iranian people are used to speaking about their everyday issues regarding their politics which affect their economy. If you find yourself in this situation, just listen and do not offer your opinions.

Wear modestly in Iran

What should I wear in Iran? This may be the first question women ask when they want to travel to Iran. Iran is a religious country and it is determined by the state authorities to wear hijab in public places. They say it is for more women safety in Iran. Therefore, you should respect the law and wear accordingly. However, it is not necessary to wear Chador (long black veil) in Iran except in religious places. You just need to cover your body to the arms and to the legs and cover your hair with a scarf.

Be vigilant when interacting locals

Iran is safe to travel for tourists due to one simple fact that Iranians are very friendly and intimate individuals, especially toward foreigners as mentioned previously. You will probably experience the time when a local try to get close to you or stare at you in public places. Don’t feel uncomfortable in this case. They might not be pickpockets or bag snatchers but those who are just curious about you as a foreigner and are interested to accompany you without ever having any bad intention. If you find yourself in such a situation, just consult your common sense to accept or reject their company in a polite manner.

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Cross the Iranian streets cautiously

Iran is safe to travel; however, this might not be 100% true about Iran streets. There are times when you may see drivers crossing the red light or exceeding the speed limit. Therefore, it is advised to watch the street and the traffic light when crossing the street. Always wait a bit more after the flash green appears for the passengers and make sure the road is clear of cars and motorcycles in particular. Besides, always use crosswalks or flybridges.

Act prudently to accept or reject an invitation

Iran is safe to travel because Iranian people are very hospitable. They love foreigners a lot. You may be invited by them to their home or to a nearby restaurant even they visit you for the first time. It can be a unique and joyful experience for you. However, if you are a solo female traveler who is invited by a man, consult your common sense to accept the invitation or decline it. We don’t advise it unless there is a female relative with him, particularly at his home.

Take the bus between cities as a means of transportation

Iran is safe to travel if you take the right means of transportation between cities. The rate of the car accident in Iran is relatively high in comparison with other countries, especially during holidays. This may be related to road infrastructure problems or driving regulations. Travelling by flight is also not a good option because it is more expensive and not 100% reliable. The best modes of transportation when travelling around Iran is by bus. It is not only safe but also affordable and comfortable enough with relatively good standards.

Couch surfing in Iran is not advisable

Finding accommodation for travelers is easy in Iran. There are plenty of options for them. One of these options is couch surfing. However, we should notify that couch surfing is not an official kind of accommodation in Iran. For this reason, we advise travellers especially women to stay at hotels, hostels or registered local houses. After all, if you know a local individual well enough it is up to you to stay at their home or not.

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Call 110 in case of harassment

One of the reasons Iran is safe to travel is due to the presence of local police booths and street patrols in the city. If you feel some sort of sexual harassment in rare instances or lose your belongings, simply refer to the nearest police booths or contact 110 which is the police number in Iran. Besides that, you can refer to female police who is present in the police booths in the city.

Take your sanitary items with you

When travelling between cities in Iran there is one important health issue which is related to your safety in Iran. In some public toilets between the cities, you may not find hand washing liquid. Therefore, always bring your hygiene items with you such as hand soap or sanitizers for more safety.

Final words

Travelling to Iran means discovering a rich history and culture, exploring amazing nature, being fascinated by the unparalleled architecture and visiting wonderful people. Pack your next journey to Iran and do not worry about any safety issues, or you may lose visiting the real Iran. Iran is safe to travel for sure.