Updated November 2026 We have refreshed this guide with the current network size, the newer stations on Lines 1 and 6, revised advice on tickets and journey-planning apps, and a note on recent fare suspensions.
The Tehran Metro is the quickest and cheapest way to cross the city, and it is easier to use than its size suggests. With seven lines, more than 160 stations and around 2.5 million passengers a day, it is the largest metro system in the Middle East, according to Wikipedia. This guide covers how the network works, how to pay, how to plan a route and what to expect on board.
The network
Lines 1 to 4, 6 and 7 are urban metro lines, while Line 5 is a commuter railway running west to Karaj and Golshahr. The lines are colour-coded on maps and signs, and the main interchanges, such as Imam Khomeini, Theatre Shahr and Darvazeh Dowlat, connect most of the places visitors want to reach.
- Line 1 runs north–south from Tajrish to the south of the city, with a branch to Imam Khomeini International Airport and an extension west to Parand.
- Line 4 crosses the city east–west and has a short branch to Mehrabad Airport, Tehran’s domestic airport.
- Line 6 has been extended in stages, with Khorasan Square opening in March 2025.
The Grand Bazaar is served by Panzdah-e Khordad (15 Khordad) station on Line 1, and Tajrish station at the northern end of the same line puts you next to Tajrish Bazaar and the foothills. New stations open regularly, so use an up-to-date map. Our guide to new stations and route changes has more detail.
Operating hours
Trains start early in the morning, with slightly later starts on Thursdays and Fridays, and the last trains generally leave at around 10pm. Darvazeh Dowlat station stays open around the clock, and Line 1 runs a limited overnight airport service. Hours on Line 5 and the suburban branches are announced separately and can change at short notice, so check notices at the station if you are travelling late.
Tickets and payment
Fares are very cheap by international standards. You can buy a single ticket at the ticket booth, but if you will travel more than once, get a rechargeable metro card. Cards are sold at station booths and can be topped up there or at machines in the station, with cash or an Iranian bank card. Foreign bank cards do not work in Iran, so carry some cash or an Iranian card for top-ups. Tap your card at the gates and keep it somewhere safe.
Fares have been changed or suspended at short notice in recent years. Tehran made metro and bus travel free for a period during the 2025 conflict, as reported by Trend, and free travel was offered again in 2026. Check the current position at the booth, and see our Iran price trackers for everyday costs.
Planning your journey
Station names are signed in both Persian and English, and announcements on board name each stop. For route planning, Iranian map apps such as Neshan and Balad include metro lines and walking directions and work far better in Tehran than international apps. Older standalone Tehran Metro apps have not been updated for years and miss newer stations, so treat them with caution.
- Find the nearest station and check which line and direction you need; platforms are signed by the final station on the line.
- Buy or top up your card at the booth and tap it at the gates.
- If you need to change lines, follow the coloured signs for the next line at the interchange.
- Count your stops or listen for announcements, then follow the exit signs at your destination.
Women-only carriages and etiquette
The carriages at each end of every train are reserved for women. Women are free to use any carriage, but men should stay out of the women’s sections, which are usually marked on the platform and the train. Trains are busiest between about 7am and 8am and 5pm and 6pm, when the central interchanges can be very crowded; travel outside those hours if you can, especially with luggage.
Offer your seat to older passengers, let people off before boarding and expect vendors selling small items in some carriages. You can even take a folding bicycle on the metro.
Safety tips
The metro is generally safe and well policed, and locals are usually happy to help a lost foreigner find the right platform. As on any busy transport system, keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag in crowds, and watch your belongings at the gates. For more background, read our earlier piece on what you need to know about the Tehran Metro.
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