In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Iran - any experiences?
I'd recommend a daily budget of about $90 for a comfortable trip to Iran. This allows you to stay in mid-range hotels, eat at a variety of restaurants, and take private taxis when you need them. The country has a dual-currency system with the Iranian rial and the toman, so you have to be careful with the exchange rate. The cost of living is very low, and you can get a lot for your money. Remember to budget for a visa, which is around $50-$100.
A friend of mine just got back from Iran and said it's a great place to travel on a budget. She got by on $50 a day. She used public transport like the metro in Tehran, which is super cheap, and took overnight buses between cities, which saved on hotel costs. She said the locals are so hospitable that she was often invited to meals, which cut down on her food budget. The only thing you need to worry about is having enough cash for the entire trip.
My experience in Iran was a mid-range trip, and I budgeted around $60-$80 a day. I stayed in lovely traditional hotels, which were around $40 per night. I took a few domestic flights, which were cheap at about $30-$50 for a one-way ticket. Taxis in the cities are also very affordable. The biggest cost was a private tour of Persepolis, which was definitely worth the price. The food is incredible, and a good dinner with a drink was about $15.
Travel in Iran is incredibly affordable once you're there, but you need to budget carefully for a trip. I found that I could get by on about $40 a day as a budget traveler. My main expenses were hotel in places like a hostel in Tehran for around $20 per night, and entrance fees to historical sites, which are usually around $5-$10. Food is very cheap, with a delicious meal at a restaurant costing about $5-$10. The biggest thing to remember is that you need to bring all your cash in US dollars or Euros.