Iran has well-maintained but undeveloped railway network. The authorities invests a lot of money in railways. New railway lines have been built in recent years, some of the existing main lines were double tracked. Improvements are ongoing. Due to geopolitical situation is impossible to obtain an up-to-date information about train travel in Iran.
Last updated: 19.01.2024
The first railway in present day Iran was narrow gauge railway from Tehran to Rey (8,7 km) inaugurated in July 1888. Initially the pilgrims preferred to walk the 9 kilometers from Tehran to Rey instead to travel by train comprised of passenger carriages hauled by a steam locomotive. The railway was demonized. The train from Tehran to Rey ran on a regular schedule to 1901, later trains ran occasionally. The line was closed in 1952 or 1962. Today Tehran and Rey are connected by metro line 1, largely paralelled the original route.
In 1915 the railway line from Tabriz to Jolfa, on the border with present day Azerbaijan, was opened.
In 1920 line Mirjaveh – Zahedan (93 km), close to the border with Pakistan, was completed.
The famous Trans-Iranian Railway between Teheran and Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni on the Persian Gulf in the south and Bandar Torkaman on the Caspian Sea in the north was built in 1927-1938. The official opening of the line took place in 1939. In 1961 the line was extended to Gorgan.
In 2009 construction of the new railway line to Zahedan was finished. This line connects previously isolated line Mirjaveh to Zahedan with the rest of the Iranian railway network.
In 2017 the new railway line between Tehran and Kermanshah was opened (422 km).
Train travel in Iran – domestic trains
Passenger trains in Iran connects almost all of the major cities. Trains are reliable and safe. Traveller reports, that fellow passengers are very friendly and offer help in various matters related to transport and explore the country. Don’t be naive – they are agents and Iranian security forces know all about foreign travellers and plain security officers monitor every move of tourists throughout the whole journey. Don’t underestimate Iranian intelligence.
The state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IR) is responsible for an infrastructure. The Raja Passenger Train Company manages passenger trains but some of the trains are operated by private companies, which means standards of quality differ and laws and regulations differ depends on operator.
Main railway junction are Tehran, Mashad and Bandar Abbas.
There are daytime and overnight trains. Local and long-distance trains. Iran has one of the quickest growing networks in the world – in the nearest future new passenger trains will be launched and new passenger carriages will be acquired.
Long-distance trains are usually sold-out and you need to buy ticket with advance. On most trains you can choose between first and second class.
Useful websites:
iranrail.net – unofficial web with a timetable and online shop
Islamic Republic of Iran Railways – official website (may work or not)
Raja – official website (may work or not)
Private companies:
Joopar – passenger trains operate on the following routes: Tehran – Mashhad, Tehran – Kerman, Tehran – Zahedan, , Tehran – Bandar Abbas, Tehran – Kerman, Mashad – Karaj.
Rahahan Hamlonaghl – currently, website contains no information about passenger trains
Raad Tabriz – official website, may work or not
Rahahan Sharghi Bonyad – official website
Rail Tarabar Saba
Most important long-distance routes:
Tehran – Mashhad
Tehran – Zanjan
Tehran – Qom
Tehran – Sari
Tehran – Yazd
Tabriz – Jolfa
There are a several categories of daytime trains in Iran. Most comfortable and fastest are Pardis trains. These trains are air-conditioned and travels at a speed of 160 or 200 kilometers per hour. Very comfortable are also Negin trains. Secon-hand European carriages from Germany and Italy are replaced by new carriages.
Most important overnight trains:
Tehran – Tabriz
Tehran – Kermanshah
Tehran – Zahedan
Tehran – Bandar Abbas
Mashhad – Tabriz
Mashhad – Karaj
Mashhad – Esfahan
Mashhad – Ahvaz
Mashhad – Shiraz
Mashhad – Arak
Mashhad – Semnan
Esfahan – Bandar Abbas
Not all trains run every day.
Overnight trains are comprised of sleeping cars, some trains have also couchettes and restaurant cars. Quality of rolling stock varies. There are a several categories of sleeping cars. Highest quality service has a Noor car. Some of sleeping cars are equipped with air-conditioning. Usually there are 4-bed compartments – 8 or 9 compartments in each carriage.
Couchettes have 4-bed or 6-bed compartments. Most luxurious are Fadak trains.
Train travel in Iran – international trains
Iran has international links with most of adjacent countries, but currently, passenger trains probably do not run between Iran and neighboring countries.
Azerbaijan
The international railway crossing between town Astara in Azerbaijan and Astara in Iran was opened in 2017. The construction of the railway link with the rest of the Iranian rail network is underway.
Pakistan
Passenger train from Zahedan to Quetta ran once a month but was suspended due to COViD-19 pandemic. The train was famous for a very slow ride and dangerous conditions.
Turkmenistan
Iran has three railway links with Turkmenistan. Before pandemic of Covid-19 there was passenger service from Serakhs to Mashhad in Iran, probably once a week, but service was suspended.
Turkey
There are no passenger trains between Turkey and Iran. Trans-Asia Express train from Ankara to Tehran was suspended in 2015 and resumed in 2019 but shortly after suspended again.
There is presently no direct railway connection between Iran and Armenia. The railway line from Iran to Afghanistan (Khaf to Rahzanak) is used for freight transport only. In 2021 the governments of Iran and Iraq reached an agreement for the construction of the 32km line between Shalamcheh and Basra.
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