Iran often appears in headlines for all the wrong reasons, leaving many travelers—especially solo women—unsure of what awaits them. A spectrum of social environments coexist side by side: some strikingly progressive, others more conservative. Neither environment is less friendly or less safe; they simply reflect different cultural norms. The following guidance is designed to help you navigate Iran as a solo female traveler with confidence—and to open the door to a journey that is safe, enriching, and truly memorable. Be adaptable, but don’t feel the need you must be more strict than everyone else.
Guidelines for Women traveling in Iran
- Dress code: You are expected to cover your hair, arms and legs. Read more on What to Wear in Iran
- Public spaces: You can use the women/family sections on buses, metros, and restaurants; but it’s not expected everywhere. Enter shrines through women’s entrances.
- Shaking hands or hugging can be normal among some, but a taboo among others. As a foreigner you are not expected to be fully familiar with such norms, but it’s a good practice to adapt to the behaviour of others.
- Swimming is not allowed for women in mixed areas. Women only pools or beaches are rare. Enforcement is more relaxed on the islands in the Persian Gulf, where women would wear a long t-shirt and shortpants on top of a bathing suit to swim.
Things you CAN DO
- You can freely ride your bicycle, motorcycle or car in Iran without limitations..
- You can stay in hotels or guesthouses on your own, without a male companion.
- You can walk and join activities freely as you please. Exceptions to this are rare.
- You can engage more easily with Iranian women or children.
- You can smoke.
Things you SHOULD AVOID
- Social etiquette: Friendly conversation is welcome, but one-on-one familiarity with men can be misinterpreted. Approach women or families first for help.
- Public displays of affection are banned (applies to all couples).
- Front-seat taxi rides. Sit in the back and decline shared rides with unknown men. Use the Snapp App for getting taxi rides.
- Hitchhiking with single drivers. Favour rides from families or women. Read more on hitchhiking here.
- Revealing you’re traveling alone to strangers. Instead, mention “friends” or “tour.”
- Walking alone down dark or empty streets at night. Use main, lit routes or take a taxi from Snapp App instead. Avoid deserted streets sor parks.
- Over-sharing location details online. Post after leaving, not in real time.
- Couchsurfing is officially forbidden; yet there is a very active community in Iran. Choose female/family hosts; carefully read references and verify profiles; have a fallback hotel; keep first meet in public. Be even more cautious with invitations on the street by unknown. Read more on Couchsurfing in Iran.
General Safety Tips
(for men and women, in Iran and worldwide)
- Trust your instincts. If a person or place feels uncomfortable, leave immediately — no explanation needed.
- Stay connected. Share your itinerary and enable live location when possible. Buy a local SIM for navigation and emergency contact. Read more on getting a SIM.
- Research and plan ahead. Know safe neighborhoods, emergency numbers, and how to reach your accommodation before arrival.
- Keep valuables secure. Use money belts or inside pockets; split cash and cards in different places.
- Stay in verified lodgings. Prioritize recommended hotels and registered guesthouses.
- Camping in isolated spots or near borders. Iran is safe, but military zones and remote areas may draw questions. Camp near villages or parks instead. Read more on Wild Camping in Iran.
- Arguing with authorities. If stopped, stay calm, show your passport, and politely explain you’re a tourist.
