Updated November 2026 Folding bikes are still allowed on Tehran Metro trains every day, but restrictions apply at rush hour; check signs at your station, as rules can be tightened at short notice.
Yes, you can take a folding bicycle on the Tehran Metro. Folded bikes have been allowed on trains every day of the week since late 2018, when the municipality opened the network to them as part of a push to get more Tehranis cycling. Full-size bikes are treated differently and are only allowed on Fridays and public holidays, which makes a folding bike the most practical way to combine cycling with the metro on a working day.
When the rule was introduced, the municipality set a maximum folded size of 90 x 60 x 30 cm, which covers most compact folding bikes from the common brands. A bike that only half-folds, or a large-wheeled folding mountain bike, may be turned away at the gate, so measure yours if you are unsure.
Off-peak, a folded bike can travel on any train as long as it can be stowed out of the way, ideally in a luggage space or against the end wall of the carriage. In the rush hours, roughly 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays according to Tehran Times, bikes are restricted, and staff can refuse entry if the platform is crowded. Fridays and public holidays have no peak period.
A few tips for travelling with a folding bike:
- Fold before the ticket gates. Staff expect the bike to be folded before you enter the station, not on the platform. Wheel it in folded or carry it.
- Use a cover bag. A simple cover keeps oil off other passengers’ clothes and makes the bike look more like luggage, which tends to mean fewer questions.
- Choose the right carriage. Avoid the women-only carriages at either end of the train unless you are a woman, and head for the less crowded middle or end carriages where there is more floor space.
- Use lifts and escalators with care. Many stations have lifts; on escalators, keep a firm grip on the bike and stand still.
- Expect discretion. Station staff have the final say. Be polite, and if a busy station turns you away, wait for the crowds to thin.
A folding bike is especially useful in Tehran because the city slopes steeply from north to south. Many riders take the metro uphill to the north and cycle back down, or use the bike for the last stretch between a station and home or the office. The municipality has added cycle lanes in parts of the centre, covered in our piece on downtown bicycle paths, though traffic means you still need to ride defensively.
If you have a standard bike rather than a folding one, read our guide on how to take your bike on the Tehran Metro, which covers the Friday and holiday rules.
