Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Minibuses are marginally more expensive than buses, and can be faster because they
have fewer passengers and spend less time dropping off and picking up. On the downside,
they're uncomfortable and usually leave only when they're full, which can mean a wait.
Private Taxi
Almost every car in the country is available for private hire. Needless to say, prices are
open to negotiation. One way to avoid getting ripped off is to ask the driver of a savari for
the price per person of a certain trip then multiply it by four or five.
To hire a taxi for the whole day costs between about US$50 and US$120, depending on
factors including your ability as a negotiator, the quality of the car, the distance you plan
to drive and where you are. The smaller the town, the cheaper the price.
Savari (Shared Taxi)
You can almost always find a savari for a trip between towns less than three hours apart.
Savari means 'shared taxi' and is usually applied to intercity versions of the species.
Speed is the main advantage because savaris are generally less comfortable than buses.
Sometimes two people will be expected to squeeze into the front passenger seat, though
for longer journeys a total of four passengers is normal.
Savaris rarely leave with an empty seat unless a passenger (or all passengers) agrees to
pay for it. These days most savaris are Kia Prides (or the rebadged Saipa Saba) and bigger
Peugeot 404s. Peugeots usually cost a bit more.
As a general rule, savaris cost two to three times more than
mahmooly
buses. This is
still cheap and worth using for quick trips, especially through dull stretches of coun-
tryside. As usual, lone women will normally be given the front seat.
Savaris usually leave from inside, or just outside, the relevant bus terminal, or at major
squares at the beginning of whichever road they're about to head down. If in doubt,
charter a private taxi and tell the driver
'savari'
and your destination.
Train
Travelling by train is an inexpensive way to get around Iran and meet Iranians.
Iran's first line was the trans-Iranian railway, built in the 1930s to connect the Caspian
Sea at Bandar-e Torkaman with the Persian Gulf at Bandar-e Imam Khomeini. A useful
