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Voykit pocket guide · Iran
Karaj
Spend 1 day in Karaj as a quick day‑trip from Tehran; go if you have a half‑day, otherwise skip.
Karaj lies 20 km west of Tehran in the Alborz foothills. It offers historic sites, mountain scenery and easy metro/rail links, making it a convenient half‑day stop on a Tehran‑based itinerary.
- Country
- Iran
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (cooler than Tehran, less rain)
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, occasional smog)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IRR
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IRR 200,000–300,000 excl. bed · Mid IRR 300,000–500,000 excl. bed · High IRR 500,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire 125 · EMS 115
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | IRR 30,000–45,000 |
| Kebab plate | IRR 120,000–200,000 |
| Metro ride | IRR 15,000–20,000 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | IRR 150,000–200,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- IKA · Tehran Imam Khomeini International
- ≈35 km (22 mi) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail≈22 mi (35 km) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail
Typical fares
- Metro Line 5 Tehran ↔ Karaj
- about IRR 15,000 per ride, 45 min (check)
- Taxi Tehran → Karaj
- ≈IRR 120,000, 45 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Metro Line 5 runs east‑west with three stations; commuter rail links Tehran in < 1 h; taxis and rideshare are common; car drives on Tehran‑Karaj highway.
See and do
Known for
- Takht‑e‑Rostam fire temple
- Soleimanieh Palace
- Shahzadeh Soleiman mausoleum
- Alborz mountain views
- Chalus Road drive
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taleqan | Bus or shared taxi 30 km (19 mi) north, ~45 minBus or shared taxi 19 mi (30 km) north, ~45 min | ≈1 h |
| Dizin Ski Resort | Car 70 km (43 mi) east, ~1 h 20 min via Chalus RoadCar 43 mi (70 km) east, ~1 h 20 min via Chalus Road | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Amir Kabir
- Central, US$25‑30 per night
- Hotel Saman
- Near Karaj Square, US$30 per night
- Mar Mar Hotel
- US$25‑30, central location
- Pardis Hotel
- Quiet area, price check
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ببخشیدbebakhshid |
| Thank you | متشکرمmoteshakeram |
| How much is it? | چقدر است؟cheghadr ast? |
| Where is the toilet? | دستشویی کجاست؟dastshuyi kojast? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Last metro trains depart around 23:00; plan return before then.
- Winter on Chalus Road can be slippery; check conditions if driving.
Karaj is generally safe for tourists; stay in well‑lit areas after dark and keep an eye on belongings in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Karaj yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Takht‑e‑Rostam fire temple
- Soleimanieh Palace
- Shahzadeh Soleiman mausoleum
- Alborz mountain views
- Chalus Road drive
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Karaj, revision 5332631 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5332631
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/karaj). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.