Iran's Currency Information
Iran’s official currency is Rial. However you will see and hear Toman a lot more commonly in the country.
Toman is one tenth of a Rial. So when purchasing, if someone quotes 23000 Toman (or 23 Toman), it works out to be 230,000 Rial.
Most prices written on the items in the bazaars, stores, or restaurants are in Toman but before you pay if you are not sure ask the shopkeeper whether the price is in Rial or Toman.
The tourists who travel to Iran cannot use their Visa or Master card or to withdraw any cash from ATM machines in the country, because of sanctions still in place on banks of Iran. So the travelers must bring cash only for their entire stay. US Dollars & Euros are the most preferred in private exchange offices named Sarāfi. Other currencies can be exchanged as well but US Dollars & Euros are more common and have a better rate.
The Sarāfi offices offer you a better rate of exchange compare to the banks and you can find Sarāfis at the airports, large cities, and tourist centers.
Important Telephone Numbers
Ambulance 115
Fire & Rescue 125
Police 110 (112 from mobile (cell) phones will also get you through to the local
police)
Iranian Red Crescent Society 147
Internet Access and Social media
This is a good idea to buy a simcard right in the airport, Two main mobile operators in Iran are Irancell & MCI(Hamrah-e-Aval ).
Notice: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Telegram and some other social platforms are all blocked.
Most of people in Iran use VPNs to bypass these censorships, In order to don't lose your communication with your hosts/friends when arriving Iran, It is recommended to purchase a confirmed working VPN for duration of your trip or ask a local for the latest bypassing solutions.
Calendar
Iranians have their own calendar. The Iranian new year (Nowruz) begins on the first day of spring at the exact time of the vernal equinox.
Spring is the first season of the year and each month corresponds to a zodiac sign.
بهار | bahâr | spring |
فروردین | Farvardin (31 days) | Aries |
اردیبهشت | Ordibehesht (31 days) | Taurus |
خرداد | Khordâd (31 days) | Gemini |
تابستان | tâbestân | summer |
تیر | Tir (31 days) | Cancer |
مرداد | Mordâd (31 days) | Leo |
شهریور | Shahrivar (31 days) | Virgo |
پاییز | pâyiz | fall |
مهر | Mehr (30 days) | Libra |
آبان | Âbân (30 days) | Scorpio |
آذر | Âzar (30 days) | Sagittarius |
زمستان | zemestân | winter |
دی | Dey (30 days) | Capricorn |
بهمن | Bahman (30 days) | Aquarius |
اسفند | Esfand (29/30 days) | Pisces |
Days of the Week
In Iran, the week begins on Saturday and ends on Friday. So, Thursday and Friday are weekend.
Persian | Pronunciation | English |
شنبه | shanbe | Saturday |
یکشنبه | yekshanbe | Sunday |
دوشنبه | doshanbe | Monday |
سهشنبه | seshanbe | Tuesday |
چهارشنبه | chahârshanbe | Wednesday |
پنجشنبه | panjshanbe | Thursday |
جمعه | jomøe | Friday |
آدینه | âdine | Friday (literary) |