The Pakistan to Iran trip was done in June & July 2024. I will share all details and expenses in that I did in Iran in my 25-day trip. Also, we updated this blog regularly.
GETTING AN IRAN VISA
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An Iran visa can be applied for by yourself or by contacting a tour agency. I used my visa through travel agency they are not trusted that I found on Facebook. Initially, they said PKR 6,000 that I provided in advance, and later they said Give us PKR 4,000 more for insurance and document photocopies. So, I gave them a total of PKR 10,000 for an Iran visa.
The process is simple if you apply by yourself:
Fill the online visa application form: https://evisa.mfa.ir/en
Iran issues 4 types of visas. So, choose wisely:
ZIARAT VISA: Choose this option if your goal is to visit shrines and religious sites (PKR 6,000)
TOURIST VISA: Choose this option if you want to explore Iran other than religious sites (PKR 16,000)
TRANSIT VISA: Choose this if you want to just cross Iran, OR stay in Iran is less than 7 days and you have onward booking/travel to another country like Azerbaijan / Turkey / UAE.
BUSINESS VISA: Choose when your purpose is to do business meetings, etc.
When filling out the online form, if you’re asked for a “hotel address or phone number,” just search for “Hotels in Zahedan or Tehran” on Google and use any hotel’s name and contact details. It’s only required as a formality.
Print out the completed form and take it to the Iran Embassy in your city—Lahore, Islamabad, or Karachi.
It’s mandatory to get Iran insurance (Rs. 4000). Now Iran Embassy takes the insurance cost in visa fees.
Attend a short interview at the embassy and pay the tourist visa fee of PKR. 16,000. The embassy will keep your passport for a few days and provide you with a date for passport pickup.
KARACHI TO IRAN BORDER
The distance from Karachi to the Gabd Rimdan Border is about 900 km.
– Al Mumtaz Bus ticket from Yusuf Goth to the Gabd Rimdan Border = PKR 3,000
– Now, I heard Al Mumtaz Bus service starts from Sohrab Goth or Al Asif Square in Karachi. It takes 12 hours to reach the Iran border (05:00 pm to 05:00 am)
BORDER CROSSING EXPERIENCE
– To avoid any issues at the border, carry at least 500 to 1000 USD or Euros in cash, as Pakistani bank cards won’t work in Iran.
– Also, you can politely request Iranian immigration to avoid stamping your passport—they may stamp your e-visa paper instead.
In my case, Immigration put the stamp on the passport, not on the e-visa paper.
IRAN BORDER TO CHAHBAHAR CITY
From the border, a shared taxi will take you to the Makran Terminal in Chabahar, located 120 km away. The journey takes around 2 hours, and the fare ranges from PKR 1200 to 1500.
At Chabahar Bus Terminal, you can find buses heading to major Iranian cities like Shiraz, Mashhad, and Zahedan.
At the Chabahar Bus Terminal, they told me there were no available seats for buses to other cities like Shiraz, Mashhad, or Zahedan. The only option they had was a bus to Tehran, costing PKR 5000.
The bus journey to Tehran takes about 28 hours, covering a distance of approximately 1800 km.
COST OF PAKISTAN TO IRAN BY BUS
One of the most frequently asked questions is about the cost of traveling to Iran by bus. There isn’t a fixed amount, as the total cost depends on how many days you spend in Iran. Below, I’ll provide an estimated cost in both PKR and USD.
i) Karachi to the Gabd Rimdan Border Bus = PKR 3,000 (USD 11)
ii) The Gabd Rimdan Border to Chabahar by shared Taxi = PKR 12,00 (USD 3.50)
iii) Chabahar to Tehran by Bus = PKR 5,000 (USD 18)
iv) Every day hostel in Iran will cost = PKR 12,00 to 2,500 (USD 4 to 8)
So, roughly the total cost of traveling by bus from Karachi to Tehran will be around 40 USD.
The total number of days required to travel from Karachi to Tehran by bus will be around 3 to 5 days.
TAXI SCAMS IN IRAN
Traveling to a new country is always an exciting experience, but it can also come with its challenges, particularly when it comes to getting around. In Iran, taxis are one of the most common modes of transportation for both locals and travelers. However, like in many countries, there are a few taxi scams that tourists should be aware of to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
While hitchhiking in Iran, I was picked up by a taxi driver who initially seemed friendly. However, during the journey, the driver suddenly asked me to buy some water, which I thought was a harmless request. He pretended not to speak English, which added to my confusion, but he stopped at the supermarket and said Go buy some water.
To my horror, when I came back out of the store, the taxi had driven off, and with it went all my belongings. My MacBook, $200, 50,000 PKR, a power bank, laptop charger, camera charger, clothes, and other personal items were all gone. The driver had tricked me, dropped me at the market, and run away with my luggage.
After realizing I had been robbed, I immediately reported the incident to the local police. Fortunately, they were able to investigate, and after six days of intense work, the thief was caught. However, while the police recovered my MacBook, it had been completely wiped clean. They also managed to recover my 50,000 PKR, but unfortunately, the thief didn’t return my $200 or the rest of my belongings.
If you’re traveling in Iran or any other country, it’s always a good idea to take preventive measures. A simple action like taking a picture of the taxi’s number plate can help you avoid unnecessary trouble.
