Planning a trip to Iran? The most important thing to know about money is simple: bring cash. Because of international sanctions, foreign Visa and Mastercard cards generally do not work in Iran, and you cannot withdraw money from Iranian ATMs with a card issued abroad.
Which currency to bring
US dollars and euros in clean, recent banknotes are the easiest to exchange. Exchange shops in large cities also handle other major currencies such as the UAE dirham and the British pound.
Where to exchange
Licensed exchange offices (sarrafi) in city centers give rates close to the open market rate, which is far higher than the reference rates shown by international converters. Check the dollar to rial rate today before you go so you know what a fair price looks like.
Rial or toman: don’t get confused
Prices are usually quoted in toman, and 1 toman = 10 rials. If a taxi driver says “200”, he may mean 200,000 toman. Always confirm. Rial vs toman explained.
Tourist debit cards
Some local companies sell prepaid tourist cards that you load with rials after exchanging cash. They work in Iranian shops and save you from carrying large piles of banknotes.
Quick tips
- Carry more cash than you think you will need, split across bags.
- Exchange small amounts as you go, since the rate can move quickly.
- Use our USD to IRR converter or EUR to IRR converter to check prices.
Rules for travelers can change. Check your government’s travel advice before any trip to Iran.