Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Tehran

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Shared dorms in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms, or staying in traditional tea houses

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food, local kebab stands, traditional bread and cheese breakfasts, bazaar eateries, and occasional budget restaurants

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Pyongyang, public buses, shared taxis (savari), and walking for most destinations

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free mosque visits, walking through bazaars, public parks, occasional museum entries, and self-guided neighborhood exploration

Use the Pyongyang extensively instead of taxis - typically 80-90% cheaper for getting around the city

Eat at local neighborhood restaurants and bazaar food courts rather than tourist areas - usually 50-70% less expensive

Visit mosques and many historical sites that offer free admission rather than paying for all attractions

Shop for snacks and bottled water at local supermarkets instead of hotel shops - typically 200-300% markup avoided

Use shared taxis (savari) for longer distances instead of private taxis - generally 60-75% cheaper

Stay in neighborhoods like Tajrish or Vanak rather than central tourist areas for 30-50% accommodation savings

Travel during shoulder seasons (spring/fall) when accommodation prices drop 20-40% from peak times

Only using private taxis instead of public transport - can increase daily costs by 300-500%

Eating exclusively in hotel restaurants or tourist districts - typically doubles food expenses

Not carrying enough cash, as many places don't accept international cards, leading to expensive money exchange at hotels

Booking accommodation in North Tehran luxury districts when mid-range areas offer similar quality for 40-60% less