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deedee17:27 UTC30 Mar 2008

Leaving for Iran in just a few days. Yes, I know about the money situation and I'm taking lots of cash. I would like to get the absolute latest on this. Does anyone know of any place in Iran where plastic can be used for cash or where traveler cheques can be cashed? I am thinking about emergencies or perhaps staying on in Iran longer than planned. One can only carry so much cash. Thanks in advance.

paulsawers20:53 UTC30 Mar 2008

Hi there. I'm off to Iran in Early May for 9 days too, and have done a lot of digging around on this subject. Basically, cash seems like the only way. Apparently, some of the big hotel chains take plastic, but that won't be of much use to anyone unless they're staying there. Travellers cheques - forget it! Take lots of Euros or American dollars, and only change a bit at a time, you don't want to be coming back with any Iranian currency, as they can't be changed anywhere, apparently. Enjoy your trip!

george511:52 UTC31 Mar 2008

Yes, essentially cash is the only choice.
You may find the odd carpet shop or 5* hotel that has foreign connections and will accept credit cards at a premium, but for everything else plastic is worthless.
In an emergency, your embassy might be able to organize a cash advance against your credit card or traveller's cheque.

greenhil12:10 UTC31 Mar 2008

Although it feels uncomfortable to carry lots of cash, its really not a problem if you exercise common sense. If you stay in a good hotel, they will put it in their safe for you (and give you a receipt). Remember to take Euros or dollars that are in pristine condition!

amiriniran14:32 UTC01 Apr 2008

hi.
There is no place in Iran where you may use your (international) credit cards and ATM/debit cards (with Visa, MasterCard, American Express logos, etc.). Same for travelers checks! Bring in new, crisp banknotes only, preferably US Dollar, Euro and British Pound but I think Canadian and Australian dollars are just as good especially at major private exchange shops (called Sarafi in Iran). why? because of the big demand that exists for these currencies due to large number of iranian dual citizens, expatriates and businessmen, who tend to travel back and forth throughout the year! Good luck.Bye

vvt18:16 UTC01 Apr 2008

I've always carried surprising amounts of cash (clean, un-torn US$ 20, 50, 100s), stashed in several places for security, and have NEVER had any problem, anywhere. (Never used a hotel safe either -- though I know it's absolutely recommended.) I never show my stash in public. (Remove your daily/exchange funds in your room, before going to a FOREX or bank).

Shops in tourist areas, had no problems with exchanging cash. And, if you are bargaining for an expensive carpet ($1000 or more), I suspect the dealer will find a way to transfer funds from your bank or credit-card to his (or his brother's) account.

I found many middle-class ($60) hotels had no hesitation exchanging US$-20cash at their front desk. This covered most of my daily expenses.

There is an exchange at the airport No matter the rate, I always change US$-100 for my initial (taxi, food, etc) expenses. (IRR-910,000 !!!)

yakkalot03:18 UTC03 Apr 2008

It should be noted that in years gone by it was a lot easier to change money at cheap hotels etc, in the past they used to be ecstatic to take hard currency, these days a lot will tell you rials only.

Why i've never quite discerned...

alobarkudra13:32 UTC03 Jun 2008

Just returned from Iran on 01 June 2008. As all previous posts confirmed it's cash only.Take your local currency (USD or EUR, GBP not always popular) and you can change money in every major city. I took (new) USD100 notes only and insisted on getting 50,000 Rial notes in return as these take up very little space in your normal wallet. Keep your daily expense cash separately. In emergency situation late at night I could even pay in a restaurant in USD and got my change in Rial at an acceptable rate. Hotels very often accept USD but you'll lose out on about 2-3%. The airport rate was very good, the same as in major city branch banks. Commission is usually USD 1 (1,000 toman/10,000 Rial), there's no commission and sometimes a slightly better rate in money changer shops but don't waste too much of my holiday time for saving one dollar.

When returning from IKA in Tehran I changed all of my Rials into Euro ("no GBP") at a good rate without commission and no need to show any receipts in 1 minute.

I never worried about my cash for a second.

george517:20 UTC09 Feb 2009

(removed by me as it refered to another post which has now been deleted)

Edited by: george5

changing money in Iran Country forums / Middle East / Iran
deedee17:27 UTC30 Mar 2008	Leaving for Iran in just a few days. Yes, I know about the money situation and I'm taking lots of cash. I would like to get the absolute latest on this. Does anyone know of any place in Iran where plastic can be used for cash or where traveler cheques can be cashed? I am thinking about emergencies or perhaps staying on in Iran longer than planned. One can only carry so much cash. Thanks in advance.
paulsawers20:53 UTC30 Mar 2008	Hi there. I'm off to Iran in Early May for 9 days too, and have done a lot of digging around on this subject. Basically, cash seems like the only way. Apparently, some of the big hotel chains take plastic, but that won't be of much use to anyone unless they're staying there. Travellers cheques - forget it! Take lots of Euros or American dollars, and only change a bit at a time, you don't want to be coming back with any Iranian currency, as they can't be changed anywhere, apparently. Enjoy your trip!	1
george511:52 UTC31 Mar 2008	Yes, essentially cash is the only choice. You may find the odd carpet shop or 5* hotel that has foreign connections and will accept credit cards at a premium, but for everything else plastic is worthless. In an emergency, your embassy might be able to organize a cash advance against your credit card or traveller's cheque.	2
greenhil12:10 UTC31 Mar 2008	Although it feels uncomfortable to carry lots of cash, its really not a problem if you exercise common sense. If you stay in a good hotel, they will put it in their safe for you (and give you a receipt). Remember to take Euros or dollars that are in pristine condition!	3
amiriniran14:32 UTC01 Apr 2008	hi. There is no place in Iran where you may use your (international) credit cards and ATM/debit cards (with Visa, MasterCard, American Express logos, etc.). Same for travelers checks! Bring in new, crisp banknotes only, preferably US Dollar, Euro and British Pound but I think Canadian and Australian dollars are just as good especially at major private exchange shops (called Sarafi in Iran). why? because of the big demand that exists for these currencies due to large number of iranian dual citizens, expatriates and businessmen, who tend to travel back and forth throughout the year! Good luck.Bye	4
vvt18:16 UTC01 Apr 2008	I've always carried surprising amounts of cash (clean, un-torn US$ 20, 50, 100s), stashed in several places for security, and have NEVER had any problem, anywhere. (Never used a hotel safe either -- though I know it's absolutely recommended.) I never show my stash in public. (Remove your daily/exchange funds in your room, before going to a FOREX or bank). Shops in tourist areas, had no problems with exchanging cash. And, if you are bargaining for an expensive carpet ($1000 or more), I suspect the dealer will find a way to transfer funds from your bank or credit-card to his (or his brother's) account. I found many middle-class ($60) hotels had no hesitation exchanging US$-20cash at their front desk. This covered most of my daily expenses. There is an exchange at the airport No matter the rate, I always change US$-100 for my initial (taxi, food, etc) expenses. (IRR-910,000 !!!)	5
yakkalot03:18 UTC03 Apr 2008	It should be noted that in years gone by it was a lot easier to change money at cheap hotels etc, in the past they used to be ecstatic to take hard currency, these days a lot will tell you rials only. Why i've never quite discerned...	6
alobarkudra13:32 UTC03 Jun 2008	Just returned from Iran on 01 June 2008. As all previous posts confirmed it's cash only.Take your local currency (USD or EUR, GBP not always popular) and you can change money in every major city. I took (new) USD100 notes only and insisted on getting 50,000 Rial notes in return as these take up very little space in your normal wallet. Keep your daily expense cash separately. In emergency situation late at night I could even pay in a restaurant in USD and got my change in Rial at an acceptable rate. Hotels very often accept USD but you'll lose out on about 2-3%. The airport rate was very good, the same as in major city branch banks. Commission is usually USD 1 (1,000 toman/10,000 Rial), there's no commission and sometimes a slightly better rate in money changer shops but don't waste too much of my holiday time for saving one dollar. When returning from IKA in Tehran I changed all of my Rials into Euro ("no GBP") at a good rate without commission and no need to show any receipts in 1 minute. I never worried about my cash for a second.	7
george517:20 UTC09 Feb 2009	(removed by me as it refered to another post which has now been deleted) Edited by: george5	8

changing money in Iran