Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Iran or if card payments are common. Advice?
Forget about cards in Iran. Bring cash (euros or USD), exchange them once in Tehran, and use rials for everything. Get a metro card if you’re staying in big cities. Taxis, buses, and minibuses are cheap but all cash-based. Keep small bills handy for smooth rides.
I landed in Tehran with just my Revolut card, thinking I could withdraw. None of the ATMs worked, and it was a nightmare until another traveller loaned me some cash to exchange. Public buses and taxis are all cash. Don’t make my mistake - bring plenty of euros or USD.
I stayed at See You in Iran Hostel in Tehran and found transport simple once I had rials. Metro cards cost about 20,000 IRR and rides are super cheap. For taxis, always cash. I exchanged euros near Ferdowsi Square at a good rate. No foreign card worked, but once I had rials it was smooth.
International cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) don’t work in Iran at all due to sanctions. Public transport in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz is cash-based, though metro systems use prepaid cards you can top up with rials. For buses and taxis, it’s all cash. Bring euros or USD to exchange at official bureaux in Tehran or use trusted exchange shops near Ferdowsi Square.