We Iranians are very interested in traveling, and whenever we talk about traveling, we all plan it in our dreams. But what percentage of people are really determined and go there when they have a destination? Usually one of the reasons people ignore travel is financial issues. They say that travel costs money and you can’t travel on a low budget. But we must say that low-cost travel in Iran is very easy. Just follow a few tips and see how easy, cheap and carefree it is to travel.
Transportation
One of the trivial issues that seems very big and difficult in people’s minds is transportation. We want to go everywhere with our car or we always say that flights are expensive. One of the things you need to know about low-cost travel in Iran is that each destination has multiple access routes. You need to consider your budget and choose one that works for you.
Plane: The easiest and fastest way to transport is by plane, but keep in mind that this is the reason why this type of transportation is so expensive. If you want to spend less on transportation, skip this option and use other ways.
Intercity taxis: If comfort is important to you, you may be able to choose intercity taxis. These are cheaper than airplanes and you can also enjoy the road.
Train: The next option is always the train. Currently, Iran’s railway network has trains to many parts of the country, which greatly reduces your cost. You can compare different train tickets that have different prices and buy it for a low cost trip.
Bus: You may think the bus is a bit difficult, but you should know that there are various VIP buses for most places that you can use to reduce your costs a lot. Choose one of the night buses and in the morning when you reach your destination, you can easily get ahead of the accommodation for one night.
Travel to the destination
The point here is that if you haven’t brought a personal car with you, you shouldn’t use a closed taxi! To make your trip cheaper, when you want to visit an attraction, choose cheaper routes such as intercity buses to travel around the city with an internet search or asking locals.
Residency
The second option for low-cost travel is to stay in Iran. Usually we all think that staying somewhere is only possible in one hotel and because hotels are usually expensive, we give up our trip altogether.
Okay! There is a solution to this:
Accommodation is not limited to hotels, and there are many accommodation options throughout Iran.
Hostels: Hostels are usually shared accommodation. That means you rent a bed in a shared room. Although these accommodations are more common in foreign countries, there are hostels in many cities in Iran.
Guest Houses: One of the types of accommodation in Iran are the guest houses who are cheaper than the hotel. Guests usually have fewer facilities than hotels, which makes them cheaper. In our opinion, this feature is also very good for tourists who want to see a destination and have a low-cost trip.
Apartment Hotel: Apartment hotels are usually cheaper than hotels and their good feature is that they usually have a kitchen where you can reduce your food expenses by cooking.
Local house: Local house can be considered one of the most popular low-cost accommodation. Staying in local homes is very exciting. Because in addition to seeing a destination, you can also help people’s economic situation and better understand the mood of the people of that city or village.
Ecology or ecotourism accommodation: These resorts are similar to local homes, except that they are designed and built for tourists. These are usually resorts established in different areas for tourism, and their purpose is to acquaint tourists with the customs, culture, history and architecture of an area. This type of accommodation is also very suitable for low-cost travel in Iran.
Tent: Yes! Tents are another cheap way to travel. Instead of staying in an expensive hotel, you can buy a tent wherever you go, where the municipality itself usually prepares each city, or if your destination is somewhere in the heart of nature or a village, camping. In addition to being low cost, it will be a very interesting experience for you.
Many families, especially those traveling with their children, worry that they will not find a place to stay if they do not travel to a destination with a tour, for example. But this is a misconception that you should keep in mind right now. There are accommodation options throughout Iran. For example, when you go to Qeshm, finding a local house is like drinking water, or in Shiraz you will find cheap guesthouses.
Eating
Another issue is the discussion of meals, which is easier than the first two. During your travels, it is best to stay away from restaurants full of tourists. Instead, look for local restaurants or caterers in whatever city you are in. In this way, you both eat cheaper food and contribute to the local community’s economy. Cooking and eating canned food is always a good option for low-cost travel in Iran.
Go Dutch!
So far, you know how small and solvable the issues that may seem big in your mind are. Another thing to consider for a low-cost trip is to travel by share costs.
If you want your personal car to be your vehicle to travel, it’s a good idea to plan for share costs. For example, the cost of gasoline will be cheaper for you if you divide it among 4 people. This also applies to accommodation. For example, when renting a local home, your trip will be much cheaper if the cost is shared between several peopleI. t’s also worth the hassle of spending money on food.
Cheap travel on Nowruz
Traveling can be considered an integral part of Nowruz. In order to have a low-cost trip to Iran these days, you can follow the above tips.
For example, you decide to travel to Isfahan on Nowruz:
Get your bus or train ticket earlier so you don’t have to take a car with you if you don’t have a ticket.
If you have a personal car with you, go Dutch and share the cost of the car. You don’t have to stay in a hotel. The good thing about Nowruz is that the number of accommodations is increasing! This means that other places, such as schools, are being prepared for Nowruz travelers: you will never be without a roof over your head.
Bring food for a few meals and enjoy other meals at cheap local restaurants, not those tourist restaurants whose prices skyrocket.
Use intercity buses to get around the city, even if you have a car with you. This has two advantages: you don’t drive in the crowded city, which is full of tourists, and you don’t waste your time looking for a parking space.
By following these tips, you can easily have a low-cost trip in Iran and get rid of the belief that you always have to pay a lot for a trip.