Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ferdowsi Coffeenet
(Ferdosi Sq, Enqelab Ave; per hr US$1.50; 9am-9.30pm)
South-
west corner of the square.
Pars Internet
(369 Ferdosi St; per hr US$1.50; 9am-8pm Sat-Thu)
Opposite the Brit-
ish embassy; also has international calls at US$0.15 a minute.
Valiasr Commercial Centre
(Valiasr Sq; per hr US$1.50; 9am-9pm)
Several small,
fast
coffeenets
and tech stores on lower ground floor. Good for meeting tech-savvy young
Tehranis.
Left Luggage
Most hotels are happy to hold luggage at no cost. Alternatively, there are reasonably
priced left-luggage offices at Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini International Airports (US$4
a day).
Media
English-language newspapers are available from newsstands on major thoroughfares
across Tehran. One option is the
Tehran Times
(
www.tehrantimes.com
)
.
Medical Services
Hospitals
The quality of care in Tehran's hospitals is reasonably high by international
standards. Many doctors are Western trained, with English, French and German-speakers
among them. Embassies and hotels can recommend a doctor or hospital. Alternatively, the
following are accessible, clean and reputable:
Mehrad Hospital
( 8874 7401; Miremad St, off Motahhari Ave)
Tehran Clinic
( 8871 2931; Farahani St)
Recommended.
Pharmacies
Tehran is well stocked with pharmacies, and medications (often generic
brands) are cheap. For the nearest 24-hour pharmacy ask your hotel to phone
pharmacy
line
( 191)
, or head for
Ramin Drug Store
( 6673 8080; southeast of Ferdosi Sq;
24hr)
.
Money
Tehran has perhaps the greatest concentration of bank branches of any city on earth; along
a 1.5km stretch of Enqelab Ave there are more than 20! Unfortunately, the rates of ex-
change (the Central Bank rates) are usually poor.
Instead, the easiest and most common way of changing money is in an official
moneychanging shop on Ferdosi St south of Ferdosi Sq. They won't smile, but neither
(usually) will they rip you off and it's all done in about 30 seconds.
