Tehran Metro
The Tehran metro, run by the Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Operation Company, with a rechargeable smart card that also works on city buses and BRT.
About Tehran Metro
The Tehran metro is the main rapid transit network of the Iranian capital and a practical way to avoid road traffic. It is operated by the Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Operation Company, and its official site is metro.tehran.ir. Line 1 serves Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Mehrabad Airport has its own station on another line. A rechargeable smart card works on the metro and also on city buses and BRT, and the Tehran municipality's MyTehran app can charge cards and sell single metro tickets.
Key Features
- Wide Network: Several metro lines across Tehran and to nearby cities, with stations near many sights and bus terminals.
- Smart Card: A rechargeable card for the metro, buses and BRT, bought at station counters or BRT terminals without ID.
- Airport Connections: A station at Imam Khomeini International Airport and one near Mehrabad Airport.
- Women-Only Areas: Women-only cars and platform areas, marked in the stations.
How to Get Started
- Look at the official metro map and plan your route.
- Buy a smart card at a station counter or BRT terminal, or a single paper ticket, with cash.
- Tap the card at the entrance gate, and recharge it at machines or counters when it runs low.
- Follow the signs for your line and direction, and note the women-only cars.
Pay with cash, since international bank cards do not work in Iran because of sanctions. Service hours differ by line and day, and the metro can be very crowded at peak times, so check the current times at the station or on metro.tehran.ir. Most signs and apps are in Persian, with some English, and service can be disrupted at short notice.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tehran Metro work with a foreign bank card in Iran? Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Tehran Metro available in English? Yes, Tehran Metro has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use Tehran Metro? No, an international phone number generally works for Tehran Metro.
Do I need local ID or residency for Tehran Metro? No, Tehran Metro doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.