Trying to avoid paying crazy ATM fees while traveling in Iran. Anyone found ATMs that are free for foreign cards? Would love specific banks or locations if possible.
Foreign cards generally don’t work at Iranian ATMs, so don’t count on fee-free withdrawals. The economy largely runs on cash. Some travelers get by with UnionPay cards or have local bank accounts, but most carry a solid stash of cash. Bureau de change in Tehran offer decent rates if you need money.
Most overseas Visa and Mastercard cards won’t work in Iran, but certain banks like Bank Melli and Bank Saderat issue cards for foreigners and expatriates. Daily withdrawal limits are around 5 million IRR, but the real challenge is finding ATMs that accept international cards. Cash in USD or EUR is king here.
I tried my Visa card in Tehran, but only ATMs linked to local cards worked. Iran’s banking system isn’t very friendly to foreign debit or credit cards due to sanctions. If you must use cards, check if your card is UnionPay-it’s more accepted here. Otherwise, bring plenty of cash and exchange at official rate bureaus.
Using foreign cards in Iran is pretty challenging due to sanctions. Most ATMs in Tehran and major cities don’t accept international Visa or Mastercard cards. Locals and expats recommend bringing cash and using exchange offices. However, some travelers reported limited success with cards issued by UnionPay or other alternative networks at specific banks like Bank Tejarat.