Farshad Although Iran is located in full tense area (the Middle East), Iran’s safety is fairly acceptable. You should put aside wrong preconceptions about Iran and make your own unforgettable experience by travelling to unique places in Iran.
Thanks to vigorous effort of police officers and military forces, Iran has no problem in term of safety, but it does not mean that tourists do not have to take the wise precautions. Even if you are in safest country in the world, you might be in danger of mugging, scams, pickpockets, kidnap or other sorts of crime, so it is better to keep yourself away from perilous places, and highly dangerous situations. As case in point, avoid walking along streets late at night.
We’ll give you assurance that Iran is safe enough even for backpackers, hitchhikers, and cyclists, you can contact with our former costumers and use their valuable experiences via our forum.
Definition of safety does not only related to life-safety, it has a lot of aspects with itself such as:
Money, health, feeling relax, etc.
Several important tips:
1. Under no condition do not participate in demonstrations protest and keep your distance from them. (It is happening usually in the main-drag or bazaar.)
2. If you stopped by a police officer on the road or in the town, make sure they are genuine by their ID card or their patrol, then show your passport. Usually police officers do not hassle tourists unless they have done something wrong.
Some notes:
I. Taking Photo from military areas and governmental installations: Do not take photo from military areas or other forbidden areas, (like metros stations, Iran’s borders, police stations, etc.) at all. If you arrested because of unintentionally taking photo from forbidden places, immediately apologize and delete the pictures then emphasis that you took them unintentionally, and do not argue under no condition.
II. Passport and Iranian Visa: police officers may asked you to check passport and visa, so always carry them with yourself.
Note: Iranian hotels will take your passport for inspector checking, so hold several photocopies of passport and visa always with yourself.
III. Border: It is recommended that tourists do not approach Afghanistan-Iran, Pakistan-Iran borders (at least 50 km), and Iraq-Iran borders (at least 10 km).
IV. Natural disaster risk: natural disasters can cause serious problems all over the world, and most of them are unpredictable. Most dangerous and common natural disasters happening in Iran is earthquake, and it happens rarely.
Note: In small part of Sistan-Balochestan, sand storm happens over a period of 120 days each year.
V. Water: tap water is completely safe to drink, but in some provinces, it might be a little tasty ( have mineral substance more than usual) like in Boushehr, Hormozgan, Qom, Yazd, and southern part of Khozestan.
Note: before use tap water, make sure it is potable by asking local people.
Note: try not to use Ahvaz tap water as much as possible.
Note: it is recommended to use bottled mineral water (called ‘Ab-Madani’ in Iran). where you are not sure about tap water. It is available almost in every sites, shops, kiosks.
VI. Emergency phone numbers:
Police control center: 110
Ambulance: 115
Fire and rescue team: 125
VII. Pickpocket in Crowded places: unfortunately pickpockets do rarely exist in Iran, so keep your wits about you, and watch out for your passport, money, and other important items in places like bazaar, metro, bus, etc. With simple precaution, you’ll be safe form pickpockets.
VIII. Crossing streets: maybe most dangerous thing you might face is crossing streets in Iran. Unfortunately there is no regular and comprehensible rule for crossing streets, so it is better act exactly like Iranian people in such cases.( if they pass the street, pass with them; if they stay behind red-light, stay with them.)