Major city · 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.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (cooler than Tehran, less rain)
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional smog)
- Airport
- IKA
- Nights
- 1
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
Emergency numbers for Karaj110 ▾
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 Karaj, 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
- SafetyKaraj is generally safe for tourists; stay in well‑lit areas after dark and keep an eye on belongings in crowded markets.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 125 fire · 115 EMS (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIKA Tehran Imam Khomeini International (≈35 km (22 mi) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail).IKA Tehran Imam Khomeini International (≈22 mi (35 km) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail).
- Getting aroundMetro Line 5 runs east‑west with three stations; commuter rail links Tehran in < 1 h; taxis and rideshare are common…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeIRR 30,000–45,000
- Street or quick mealKebab plateIRR 120,000–200,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))IRR 150,000–200,000
- Metro or bus rideMetro ridecheckIRR 15,000–20,000
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomIRR 250,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomIRR 350,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomIRR 500,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 300,000 · Mid IRR 500,000 · High IRR 800,000
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
- IKA Tehran Imam Khomeini International (≈35 km (22 mi) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail)IKA Tehran Imam Khomeini International (≈22 mi (35 km) east, 45 min by car or metro‑rail)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Care
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Nov (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Karaj: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 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
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 & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Taleqan
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus or shared taxi 30 km (19 mi) north, ~45 minBus or shared taxi 19 mi (30 km) north, ~45 min
Historic town with mountain lakes and forts.
Dizin Ski Resort
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
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
Open Dec–Mar; winter road may be icy.
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.
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
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
- IRR 200,000–300,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 300,000–500,000 excl. bed
- High
- IRR 500,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 1 night × IRR 350,000 | IRR 350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IRR 500,000 | IRR 500,000 |
| Metro Line 5 day ticket1 × IRR 15,000 · check | IRR 15,000 |
| Taxi Tehran‑Karaj (one way)1 × IRR 120,000 · check | IRR 120,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 99,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 1,084,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 1,084,000 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | IRR 30,000–45,000 |
| Kebab plate | IRR 120,000–200,000 |
| Metro ridecheck | IRR 15,000–20,000 |
| Taxi (5 km) | IRR 150,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last metro trains depart around 23:00; plan return before then.Last metro trains depart around 11:00 PM; plan return before then.
- Winter on Chalus Road can be slippery; check conditions if driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 125
- EMS
- 115
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KarajKaraj
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire125
- EMS115
Embassy
US consular services are in Tehran; check the embassy website for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro Line 5 Tehran ↔ Karaj: about IRR 15,000 per ride, 45 min (check)
- Taxi Tehran → Karaj: ≈IRR 120,000, 45 min (check)
Say or show
- ببخشید — Excuse me / Sorry (bebakhshid)
- متشکرم — Thank you (moteshakeram)
- چقدر است؟ — How much is it? (cheghadr ast?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (dastshuyi 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 Karaj. 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: Apr–Oct (cooler than Tehran, less rain) · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional smog)
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Karaj
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