Major city · Iran
Tchogha Zanbilچُغازَنبیل
Half a day is enough: see the ziggurat and the Elamite temple complex, then move on to Shush or Ahvaz. Overnight only if you are on a slow archaeological tour.
Tchogha Zanbil is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved ziggurat outside Mesopotamia, built by the Elamite king Untash-Napirisha around 1250 BCE. The site is compact — the ziggurat, the royal quarter and the temple enclosure — and can be covered in 2–3 hours. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Shush (about 30 km) or Ahvaz (about 120 km). There is no town at the site; accommodation is in nearby cities.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 45 °C (113 °F))avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 113 °F (45 °C))
- Airport
- AWZ
- Nights
- 0
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 Tchogha Zanbil110 ▾
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 Tchogha Zanbil, 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
- SafetyThe site is safe for tourists; the main risks are extreme heat and the lack of facilities.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAWZ Ahvaz International Airport (About 120 km (75 mi) from Tchogha Zanbil; taxi or private car about 1.5 h.).AWZ Ahvaz International Airport (About 75 mi (120 km) from Tchogha Zanbil; taxi or private car about 1.5 h.).
- Getting aroundThe site is walkable on foot; a savari (shared taxi) from Shush or Ahvaz is the usual way.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Shush–Tchogha Zanbil, one wayIRR 700,000–1,000,000 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Tchogha ZanbilForeign tourists may pay a higher rate; check on arrival.IRR 500,000 (check)
- Budget bedGuesthouse in Shush, a night, per roomIRR 1,500,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse in Shush, a night, per roomIRR 3,000,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse in Shush, a night, per roomIRR 5,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 2,000,000 · Mid IRR 5,000,000 · High IRR 10,000,000
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
- AWZ Ahvaz International Airport (About 120 km (75 mi) from Tchogha Zanbil; taxi or private car about 1.5 h.)AWZ Ahvaz International Airport (About 75 mi (120 km) from Tchogha Zanbil; taxi or private car about 1.5 h.)
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
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
not flagged
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Jul
Avoid
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
Aug
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Sep
not flagged
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Oct
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tchogha Zanbil: 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
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Jun
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Jul
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Aug
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
0 rd
Sep
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 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 site is walkable on foot; a savari (shared taxi) from Shush or Ahvaz is the usual way. There is no public transport directly to the site.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Taxi or savari, about 30 km (19 mi), 30–40 minTaxi or savari, about 19 mi (30 km), 30–40 min
Visit the Shush Castle and the Tomb of Daniel; combine with Tchogha Zanbil in one day.
Ahvaz
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi or private car, about 120 km (75 mi), 1.5 hTaxi or private car, about 75 mi (120 km), 1.5 h
Ahvaz has bridges, the Karun River and better accommodation.
Shushtar
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi or private car via Shush, about 100 km (62 mi), 1.5 hTaxi or private car via Shush, about 62 mi (100 km), 1.5 h
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is a UNESCO site; a full day if you add Tchogha Zanbil.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi or private car, about 150 km (93 mi), 2 hTaxi or private car, about 93 mi (150 km), 2 h
Dezful has a bazaar and the Dez River; better as a separate day 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.
Shush
Closest town with hotels, about 30 km (19 mi) away; basic guesthouses and a government-run hotel.Closest town with hotels, about 19 mi (30 km) away; basic guesthouses and a government-run hotel.
Ahvaz
Largest city in Khuzestan, about 120 km (75 mi); more accommodation options, from budget to mid-range.Largest city in Khuzestan, about 75 mi (120 km); more accommodation options, from budget to mid-range.
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 2,000,000–4,000,000 (about USD 10–20) excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 5,000,000–10,000,000 (about USD 25–50) excl. bed
- High
- IRR 10,000,000+ (about USD 50+) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse in Shush1 × 1 night × IRR 3,000,000 | IRR 3,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 5,000,000 | IRR 10,000,000 |
| Taxi from Shush to Tchogha Zanbil, round trip1 × IRR 1,500,000 · check | IRR 1,500,000 |
| Taxi from Ahvaz to Tchogha Zanbil, round trip1 × IRR 5,000,000 · check | IRR 5,000,000 |
| eSIM for travel2 × IRR 2,000,000 · check | IRR 4,000,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 3,530,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 13,520,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 27,030,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; prices are approximate due to exchange rate volatility. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Entry to Tchogha ZanbilForeign tourists may pay a higher rate; check on arrival. | IRR 500,000 (check) |
| Taxi Shush–Tchogha Zanbil, one way | IRR 700,000–1,000,000 (check) |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | IRR 30,000–50,000 |
| Simple meal in Shush | IRR 300,000–600,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Extreme summer heat: carry water, a hat and sun protection; the site has little shade.
- The site closes at sunset; plan to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon.
- No food or drink vendors at the site; bring your own supplies.
- The ziggurat core is fenced off; you can walk around the outer walls and the temple enclosure.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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Tchogha Zanbilچُغازَنبیل
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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به چغا زنبیل، لطفاًTo Tchogha Zanbil, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
Most embassies are in Tehran; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Ahvaz (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Shush → Tchogha Zanbil: about IRR 700,000–1,000,000, 30 min (check)
- Taxi Ahvaz → Tchogha Zanbil: about IRR 2,500,000–4,000,000, 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salam)
- ممنون — Thank you (mamnun)
- چقدر؟ — How much? (cheghadr?)
- ورودی کجاست؟ — Where is the entrance? (vorudi kojast?)
- آب میخواهم — I need water (ab mikhaham)
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 Tchogha Zanbil. 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 Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 45 °C)
- 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
- Place pages for Shush, Shushtar and Ahvaz with verified opening hours and transport schedules.
- Eat pages in Shush and Ahvaz with last-order times.
- Golden-hour and heat-wave fixtures so the site can go green only in safe conditions.
Sources
Ask about Tchogha Zanbil
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