Tehran Travel Forum

We (with 3 small kids 6 months – 4 years old) are planning to spend 4 nights in Tehran on 23rd December onwards.

Could a VT member in Tehran help with the following information’s:-
1) Does my wife need to wear a hijab. Or sufficient with loose clothing.
2) Can we expect some snow nearby mountain area. If yes, where is the nearest location to the snow area + suitability for kids.
3) What is the exchange rate for 1 USD to Iran Rial
4) Is it any tax imposes to check-in/out item e.g Iranian carpet at the airport.

Many thaanks.

1) Your wife needs to wear a long sleved coat and a head scarf. No need for a hijab.
3) 1 USD is aprox 9200 Rial
4) You need an export licence to take out most carpets. Inquire with Iranian customs for details.

hi.
gee. you are asking a lot of questions.

of course, your wife will need to wear 'hijab' but a scarf, a pair of pants, and a long coat/jacket (a must!) will do. women cannot wear skirts alone in iran in public but..... they can wear skirts as long as they alo put on pants to cover their 'behinds'!lol. i know this sounds totally absurd (and out of fashion?)but it is true.

the exchange rate , i think, is about 9360 and 14000 rials per USD and euro respectively.

no, i do not think there is an export tax on carpets for foreign travelers

for snowsurfing/skiing i think you need to go to Dizin!

take a look at www.LonelyPlanet.com. Go to Iran Forum and there are much more useful hints on travellng to Iran. take care.bye.

PS where are you from if you dont mind? British? what is your first name?

George5b and amiriniran,
Thanks a lot for the reply. By the way, I’m from Malaysia. Trip to Tehran will be our first trip to Iran. 2ndly, did anybody have the information on English-speaking driver with car for daily rental & what will be the expected cost? And, last but not least, is it advisable to bring along kids stroller inside Tehran Bazaar.

Thanks.

Hi Razin,

You asked, "did anybody have the information on English-speaking driver with car for daily rental & what will be the expected cost? And, last but not least, is it advisable to bring along kids stroller inside Tehran Bazaar."

The answer, in my opinion,is: no, it is NOT advisable at all to take small kids there, in stroller or not! did you get it? do you know what kind of unimaginably crowded and busy place that is? and... please note there are NO car-rental companies in Iran, in the sense that you have in mind. Nevertheless you may find the kind of 'service' you are asking for -- but at a very high price ($100 or more for a day?). And for that I think you need to contact a reputable travel agency. If can help you more, please let me know.

PS I just sent you a VT email. Please check it out. Thanks.

Hi
It will snow around Tehran very soon, and others answer the rest of the questions.
4) Each person can export a piece of carpet but the size musn't exceed 12 m2, if they want to export more carpets they need to pay tax, you need to ask again my info. is 2 years old.
I do not think you need to go to Tehran's bazar to buy carpet they are better carpet stores in north of Tehran, in Valiasr st. i bought one from there.
What kind of carpet you want exactly? It's better to have some info. about Persian carpet before you buy one.

Taking a stroller to Tehran's bazar!!!
you won't be able to walk easily in Tehran's bazar , it's packed!

Hi Azadeh,
Thanks for the info. I’m planning to buy only 1 pc of Persian carpet w/ size will be less than 12m2 (something to bring back).

Based on your experience, do you mind to share the tips on buying the carpet eg. What kind, what to expect, quality, price range, bargaining etc. Sorry, too many to ask for.

By the way, is it convenience to bring stroller around Valiasr St.

Thanks in advance.

I am not an Expert in carpet, but i have some limited info. as you might actually know i do not live in Iran either, I personally love the 100% silk rugs from Qom (ghom) they are amazing, i love them . they are ofcourse very expensive too. Carpets from Tabriz, NAeen and Esfehan are very good too. it depends on your budget and what you exactly look for.
I do not know any one who ownes a carpet store but i will send you an email with the address of the carpet store i bought my carpet from they are very reliable and I had a good experience with them.
I will send an email to you tomorrow.
be in touch
Azadeh

I've seen Mouslem Malaysian women with their local cloths in Iran,
check it:
http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-385984-1-1-Travel-0-0-Iran-discussion.html

Snow:our mountains are snowy now!
nearest one is Tochal
http://i11.tinypic.com/6ugn6ee.jpg

exchange: it's not constant & may change, 1$ = 9200 - 9800

Bazaar: don't take your kids, Bazaar is very very crowd.
Bazaar is close on Fridays & Thursday afternoon

Rugs: It depends what you need & how much you want to spend

as Azade said, You can find precious carpets in Valiasr st. especially in north part of this 42km

street
I know Shafaghi & Azimzade co. carpets as greatest & most precious rugs, both are in Pasdaran

st.
in great bazaar is area which is center of rug sellers, usually they are more inexpensive than what

are sold in Valiasr st. & in my opinion Bazaar is more reliable

I advice you check both Bazaar & north city shops & then decide

A brief history of Persian Carpet and its patterns
http://www.iranchamber.com/carpet/brief_history_persian_carpet.php