Money is one of the easiest things to get right in 테헤란 — and one of the easiest to quietly overpay on. Here's how to pay smart in 테헤란, 이란: the currency, cards versus cash, what to budget, transport payments and tipping, with the local specifics just an in-app question away.
The currency & how to pay
이란 리알(IRR); 대부분의 가격은 토만(1 토만 = 10 리알)으로 표시되며, 국제 카드가 작동하지 않으므로 현금이 필수적입니다. 충분한 현금을 소지하거나 현지 환전 서비스를 이용하세요. 팁: 공식 환율을 얻으려면 메흐라바드/이맘 호메이니 공항 또는 공인된 상점에서 환전하고 택시 요금으로 소액권을 챙기세요. In short, lead with a card that charges no foreign transaction fees for most spending — it gives you the best exchange rate and the most protection — and keep a little local cash for markets, tips and the small places cards don't reach. Whether you're at a shop terminal or an ATM in 테헤란, always choose to be charged in the local currency, never your home currency: the 'home currency' option builds in a markup that's almost always worse than your card's own rate.
- Lead with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for most spending
- Carry some local cash for markets, tips and small vendors
- Always pay in the local currency in 테헤란, never your home currency
What things cost in 테헤란
As a rough guide, plan around 저렴: $30–60, 중간: $60–150 in 테헤란 — adjust up for boutique hotels and fine dining, down for hostels, street food and free sights. Set a daily number before you go and track it loosely so a few splurges don't quietly blow the budget. Many of the best experiences here — wandering neighborhoods, markets and viewpoints — cost little or nothing.
- Budget guide: 저렴: $30–60, 중간: $60–150
- Set a daily spend for 테헤란 and track it loosely
- Mix paid highlights with free walks, markets and viewpoints
Getting around & paying for transport
테헤란에는 광범위한 지하철, 믿을 수 있는 택시(미터기 및 앱 기반), 대중버스가 있습니다. 교통 체증이 심할 수 있으므로 출퇴근 시간을 고려하여 이동 시간을 충분히 확보하세요. Snapp 또는 Tap30과 같은 차량 호출 앱은 영어 사용자가 널리 사용하고 편리합니다. Wherever you can, use the official transport payment method — a transit card, pass or contactless tap — rather than paying a premium in cash, and agree fares or use a meter or a rideshare app for taxis to avoid being overcharged.
- Use the official transit card, pass or contactless tap
- Agree the fare or use a meter / rideshare app for taxis
- Keep small change for short rides and tickets
Tipping in 테헤란
Tipping customs vary a lot between countries, so it's worth knowing the local norm in 이란 before you arrive rather than assuming your home habit. As a sensible default, round up or leave a small token for good service where tipping is customary, and never feel pressured where it isn't. For the exact, up-to-date tipping etiquette in 테헤란 — restaurants, taxis, hotels and guides — just ask Mike in the app.
- Learn the local tipping norm for 이란 before you go
- Round up for good service where tipping is customary
- Ask Mike for the exact tipping etiquette in 테헤란
Money-smart in 테헤란
A few habits keep more money in your pocket in 테헤란: withdraw cash from bank ATMs (not airport or tourist-strip exchange kiosks, which have the worst rates), take out larger amounts less often, decline any machine's offer to 'convert' to your home currency, and keep a backup card stored separately in case one is lost or blocked.
- Use bank ATMs, not airport exchange kiosks
- Decline 'home currency' conversion at every ATM and till
- Carry a backup card stored separately from your main wallet
