Major city · Iran
Shahdad
Half a day is enough to see the town and its castles; add a dawn trip to Gandom Beryan (the hottest place on Earth) and the Kalouts, which needs a full day from Kerman.
Shahdad is a small desert town in eastern Kerman Province, the gateway to the Lut Desert and the Gandom Beryan plateau. Its main draws are ancient castles, caravanserais and the nearby Kalouts (yardangs). Most travellers visit as a day trip from Kerman or spend one night in an eco-lodge to catch sunrise over the desert.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- KER
- 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 Shahdad110 ▾
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 Shahdad, 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
- SafetyShahdad is a quiet desert town; the main risks are heatstroke in summer and the lack of medical facilities.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKER Kerman Airport (About 2 h by car/taxi from Shahdad; domestic flights from Tehran and Mashhad.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealEco-lodge dinnerIRR 300,000–600,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad (one way)IRR 1,500,000–2,500,000
- Metro or bus rideBus Kerman–ShahdadIRR 200,000–400,000
- Budget bedEco-lodge bed (dorm or basic room), a night, per personIRR 500,000
- Mid-range bedHotel in Kerman (double room), a night, per roomIRR 3,000,000
- High-end bedHotel in Kerman (double room), a night, per roomIRR 6,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 1,500,000 · Mid IRR 3,000,000 · High IRR 6,000,000
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
- KER Kerman Airport (About 2 h by car/taxi from Shahdad; domestic flights from Tehran and Mashhad.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Mar (4 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shahdad: 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
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
3 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 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
The town is walkable. For the Kalouts and Gandom Beryan you need a private taxi or a guided tour from Kerman.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kerman
goDoor to door: 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 2 h
Base yourself in Kerman and visit Shahdad as a day trip.
Kalouts (Lut Desert yardangs)
goDoor to door: 1 h
Private taxi from Shahdad, about 30 min
Best at sunrise or sunset.
Gandom Beryan plateau
goDoor to door: 2 h
Private taxi from Shahdad, about 1 h
Visit at dawn in winter/spring; extreme heat otherwise.
Rayen
overnightDoor to door: 3.5 h
Taxi via Kerman, about 3 h
Rayen Castle is worth a separate trip.
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.
Eco-lodges near the Kalouts
Basic but atmospheric; book ahead via phone (+98 9393926423).
Kerman city
More hotels and guesthouses; 2 h drive from Shahdad.
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 1,500,000–3,000,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 3,000,000–6,000,000 excl. bed
- High
- IRR 6,000,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Eco-lodge bed (dorm or basic room)2 × 1 night × IRR 1,000,000 | IRR 2,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 3,000,000 | IRR 6,000,000 |
| Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad return1 × IRR 3,000,000 · check | IRR 3,000,000 |
| Guided tour to Kalouts and Gandom Beryan2 × IRR 2,000,000 · check | IRR 4,000,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 2,250,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 8,630,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 17,250,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; flights and international transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Kerman–Shahdad | IRR 200,000–400,000 |
| Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad (one way) | IRR 1,500,000–2,500,000 |
| Eco-lodge dinner | IRR 300,000–600,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | IRR 15,000–30,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is extreme: carry water, sun protection and a hat.
- Gandom Beryan is best visited at dawn in winter or spring.
- No ATMs in Shahdad; bring enough cash (Iranian rials) from Kerman.
- Check your own government travel advice for Iran before planning.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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ShahdadShahdad
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
Most foreign embassies are in Tehran; the nearest consular services are in Kerman (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Kerman–Shahdad: about IRR 200,000–400,000, about 2 h
- Private taxi Kerman–Shahdad: about IRR 1,500,000–2,500,000, about 2 h
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چقدر؟ — How much? (cheghadr?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (dastshooyi kojast?)
- نمیفهمم — I don't understand (nemifahmam)
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 Shahdad. 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, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Eco-lodge booking with phone confirmation.
- Private driver for Kalouts and Gandom Beryan.
- Guided tour from Kerman including Shahdad and the Lut Desert.
Sources
Ask about Shahdad
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