Major city · Iran
Mashhad
Spend 1–2 days: visit Imam Reza shrine, nearby parks and bazaars; add a half‑day trip to Tus or Torghabeh if time permits.
Mashhad is Iran's holiest city and provincial capital. The Imam Reza shrine dominates the centre, surrounded by museums, parks and bazaars. A full day covers the shrine complex and nearby attractions; a second day allows a short excursion to Tus (Ferdowsi) or the Torghabeh countryside.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded pilgrimage season)
- Airport
- MHD
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iran before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iran ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iran before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iran ↗Entry rules, visa type and nationality restrictions differ sharply by passport and change quickly.
- Iran ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iran before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mashhad110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mashhad, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.Iran-wide
- SafetyMashhad is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas and respect dress codes.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 125 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMHD Mashhad International Airport (Shahid Hashemi Nejad) (Located a few kilometres south of the city centre).
- Getting aroundMashhad Metro (06:00‑22:00, 20,000 IRR per ride) and city buses.Mashhad Metro (6:00 AM‑10:00 PM, 20,000 IRR per ride) and city buses.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMeal (kebab + rice)250,000–470,000 IRR
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride20,000 IRR (check)
- Budget bedDorm bed, a night, per personIRR 150,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomIRR 1,500,000
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomIRR 3,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 30,000 · Mid IRR 100,000 · High IRR 250,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MHD Mashhad International Airport (Shahid Hashemi Nejad) (Located a few kilometres south of the city centre)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
Feb
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
4°C (40°F)40°F (4°C)
Apr
Best
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
May
Best
14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C)
Jun
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
Best
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
Nov
not flagged
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C) low), wettest Mar (56 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mashhad: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
27 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C)
35 rd
Mar
4°C (40°F)40°F (4°C)
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
56 rd
Apr
10°C (49°F)49°F (10°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
39 rd
May
14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
30 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)
5 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
35°C (96°F)96°F (35°C)
1 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
1 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
3 rd
Oct
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
4°C (38°F)38°F (4°C)
16°C (60°F)60°F (16°C)
17 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Mashhad Metro (06:00‑22:00, 20,000 IRR per ride) and city buses. Taxis from the shrine to the airport cost ≤150,000 IRR.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tus (Ferdowsi Tomb)
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Bus from Mashhad main station, ~45 min
Visit the poet's tomb and historic bazaar.
Torghabeh
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Taxi or rideshare, ~30 min
Scenic village restaurants and walking trails.
Shandiz
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Taxi, ~30 min
Known for kebab restaurants.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotels near Imam Reza Shrine
10‑min walk; range US$30–120 per night
Budget hostels / homestays
Dorms US$10–15; good for pilgrims
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ≈ 30,000 IRR (≈ $0.70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ≈ 100,000 IRR (≈ $2.30) excl. bed
- High
- ≈ 250,000 IRR (≈ $5.80) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 1 night × IRR 1,500,000 | IRR 1,500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 100,000 | IRR 200,000 |
| Mashhad Metro single ride2 × IRR 20,000 · check | IRR 40,000 |
| Taxi airport‑city centre2 × IRR 150,000 · check | IRR 300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 204,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 1,122,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 2,244,000 |
2026 estimate in IRR; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Tea (traditional) | 150,000 IRR |
| Meal (kebab + rice) | 250,000–470,000 IRR |
| Saffron (3 g) | 330,000 IRR |
| Metro ride | 20,000 IRR (check) |
| Taxi city centre → airport | ≤150,000 IRR |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pickpockets in crowded shrine areas – keep bags close.
- Women must wear a headscarf; shorts are not allowed.
- Peak pilgrimage periods fill transport; book tickets early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 125
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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MashhadMashhad
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire125
- Ambulance115
Embassy
US consulate in Mashhad (check address); other countries have consulates in Tehran.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro single ride: 20,000 IRR per trip (check)
- Taxi airport → shrine: ≈ 150,000 IRR (check)
Say or show
- ببخشید — Excuse me / Sorry (bebakhshid)
- متشکرم — Thank you (moteshakeram)
- چقدر است؟ — How much is it? (cheghadr ast?)
- میتوانم با کارت پرداخت کنم؟ — Can I pay by card? (mitavanam ba kart pardakht konam?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (dastshooei kojast?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mashhad. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded pilgrimage season)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night‑bus schedule from Tehran to Mashhad for longer stays.
- Link to detailed shrine‑visiting guide (ticket‑free entry).
- Add budget‑hostel comparison page.
Sources
Ask about Mashhad
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