Tehran Transportation

Train leaves Tehran to Mashhad 12 times in a day & vise versa.
~6:45 am to ~22:50 (it's not constant for every day)
Best one is Ghazal trains costs 215,000 IR, 12hours.
& Sabz Trains costs 199,500 IR, 12hours.

Pardis Trains leves every morning 6:45, costs 197,000 IR, 7:30hours.

in the year 2007/86

Mashhad Railway Station located at head of Azadi st. north of Imam Reza Shrine

Main stops are Neyshapor, Shahrod & Semnan

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The Metro is a very modern network connecting the whole of Tehran along 3 lines. Tickets are easy to buy at the ticket window and you’re off. You can buy tickets for single round trips, 10 journeys and 1,3 and 7 days. Trains start running at 5:30 am and close at 11pm. The trains run every 2 to 10 minutes depending on peak periods. The stations and platforms are clean and modern. The first trains only started running in 1999. Its nice and cool down here so you can escape the heat, move around quickly and the prices are very cheap. Enjoy.

The signs for the Metro are bright yellow (pictured) and look like a picture of a car window.

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Ladies please make sure you read this. The Metro is segregated. You must ride in the train cars marked for women. Small children can go with you, but young boys ride in the Men’s cars. These cars get very packed, but do not attempt to ride in the Men’s cars. That’s is a big no-no. If you haven’t guessed yet, the Women’s cars are the ones at the very back. I don’t make the rules, just report on them.

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My flight was booked through Persian Voyages, who were my travel company. I had to pay for the flight separately (£420), which was then deducted from the cost of my tour.
Flights are Tuesday/ Thurs/Sat and Sundays from Heathrow T3

I flew with Iranair - I understand British Airways also fly this route. I've since found that there are now direct flights from Manchester (Which will be more convenient for me, when I decide to go to Iran in the future)

Waiting to board my flight at 17.15, I was aware that I was possibly the only English passenger. I wasn't sure whether I should be wearing my hejab. I'd bought a black cotton scarf in my hand luggage. ( I'd understood that I only needed to put it on before leaving the plane), but as every female had their hair covered, I followed suit.
Looking back now, I'm laughing at how afraid I was not to show any hair. (It wasn't too long into my trip that I learnt that black scarves are considered a bit of a 'No - No' too - a bit too fundamental!).

The flight was quite interesting, though I did feel quite conspicuous, I'm not used to being stared at by so many people, something that I got used to by the end of my trip.
I tried communicating with my neighbour, but her English was as good as my Farsi!

Entertainment was an Iranian film - a Kramer v Kramer type story.
My meal was quite tasty - Kebab and Rice - Great I thought, - one of Iran's typical meals! - Little did I realise how quickly I would get bored with this dish, particularly when eating it some days for my lunch AND Evening meal!

Getting ready to land, I felt a bit apprehensive - please don't let my scarf fall off!, mentally checking that I hadn't got anything unsuitable in my luggage - I hadn't even dared bring a magazine with me, as I couldn't find any with a 'suitable' cover' etc etc.

At passport control, there were separate lines for men and women, and nationals and foreigners. Unsurprisingly, I joined the shortest queue, and didn't have to wait too long, before it was my turn.
My passport/Visa was checked briefly, and returned with a smile and a 'Thank You'! I didn't have to wait long for my luggage, I was surprised at how easy this had been, and how 'non - threatening' .
I was straight out into the Arrivals Hall, (which was crowded), and luckily spotted my guide holding up a card with my name.

We had a bit of a wait, as we had to queue for the lift to the car park, but eventually we found our driver, and we were speeding off towards Tehran. I was enjoying the sights, and that I had arrived in another new place in the early hours. (I love arriving in new places, when it's still dark)

My return journey was an early morning flight, Majid had collected me from my hotel around 0500, and had thoughtfully brought a flask of tea for me! He also did a detour to the Azadi Tower, Tehrans landmark monument, as I hadn't had chance to see it during my trip.

This time, I was seated next to a young woman (who spoke English) and her 18 month old son (who was adorable - and I don't usually like to be sat near babies! (pic 3 )

I had been feeling quite sorry for myself, having a long coach journey from Heathrow to Sheffield after this flight. She was having to connect with a flight to Canada, then had a car journey!!!!!I didn't envy her, especially having luggage and a pushchair.

Address -No.221,Second Floor, Public Relations, Support Services BLd., IranAir H.Q. ,Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran

I took this train to Istanbul. It cost me IR689 000 (Nov 2008). It was a nightmare to buy the tickets. Only selected travel agents (how would I know which one ???) sell the tickets. I went to 3 travel agencies in Tehran but all three didn't sell the tickets. I went to Tehran Rah Ahan (R'way station), but they only sell the ticket on the departure date (how if the ticket sold out ???). Finally, after searching at another 3 travel agencies in Esfahan, and almost give up, I found an agency who sell the tickets. And yet (what a bad luck !!!), the server was down, and after waiting for 2 hours at the agency and still no tickets, they told us that they will send the tickets to our hotel (extra payment for the svc of course). Luckily, we got it when we reached our hotel. The journey took 69 hours (10 hours late) but the Iranian train was more comfortable compared to the Turkish train, and also a lot faster. Even though I had to go through lots of hassles to get the tickets, and even though it was a long slow journey, I didn't regret it at all. The view from Mus to Elazig and Malatya (Turkey) was unforgetable.

I took a morning train at 9am from Qazvin to Tehreh. The trip was 2 hours, whilst bus may take up to 3 hours. It was 2nd class and costs IR6,000 (May 08). The train is double deck and it is like the communter trains in other countires. It is comfortable with air-con.

Taxi fare from Hotel Iran to Qazvin to train station (2KM) costs IR10,000 (May 2008), although it could be cheaper.

Upon arrival in Tehren train station, a taxi to Fedosi St, Bank melli area costs IR25,000-30,000 (May 2008).

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1st day arrival early morning at Tehren, I went to Air2000 travel agent at 9am. Thinking to fly to Ahvas, but seats full for next 2 days. Then I had to reorganise my travel itinerary for the next 14 days by starting out at Kerman, and that's is, there was a seat to Kerman from Tehren at 3:30pm. So I took it and just spent few hours in Tehren before heading to domestic airport.

Air ticket is IR457,000 (May 2008). Taxi costs IR40,000 (May 2008) from Ferdesi square to domestic airport.

See more pics for the snack you can expect from Iran Air.

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I took the first class train from Tehren to Zanjan. It tooks about 3:40 hours. The depature for the train I took was 6:10am. It is nice and very comfortable. It even serves free breakfast, see more pics. But the cost is IR37,000 (May 2008), compared to usual IR11,000 in 2nd class.