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Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus stopped flying to Iran on 21 September. You can still fly across Turkey. Domestic flights from Istanbul reach the eastern cities of Van and Ağrı. Both sit close to the road crossings into Iran.
Iranian airlines do still fly between Turkey and Iran, and Istanbul to Tehran is the busiest route. Mahan Air’s flights to Turkey are suspended. Iranian airlines are under US sanctions, so LiT does not promote them or link to them. Our flights guide lists who is flying. This page covers the road route.
At a glance (last checked 14 November 2026)
- Crossings for travellers: Gürbulak to Bazargan, and Kapıköy to Razi
- Status: both open, with heavy congestion reported
- Hours: Gürbulak runs around the clock, while Kapıköy keeps daytime hours
- Nearest airports: Ağrı for Gürbulak and Van for Kapıköy
First, fly to eastern Turkey. Book a flight to Ağrı or Van, usually with a change in Istanbul. Turkish airlines fly both domestic routes, and the tickets book as normal. Which airport you choose depends on which crossing you want to use. Compare fares below. (Affiliate widget.)
Then pick your crossing. There are two realistic options.
Option one: Gürbulak to Bazargan, via Ağrı
- Fly to: Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Airport
- To the border: a bus or taxi from Ağrı airport to Doğubayazıt, then a taxi for the last 35 kilometres to Gürbulak
- Opening hours: around the clock
- On the Iranian side: taxis wait at Bazargan for the road to Maku and Tabriz
- Bazargan to Tabriz: about four hours by road
Gürbulak is the busier crossing and sits below Mount Ararat. It suits anyone arriving late in the day, because it never closes.
Option two: Kapıköy to Razi, via Van
- Fly to: Van Ferit Melen Airport
- To the border: about two hours by road east of Van
- Opening hours: daytime only
- On the Iranian side: the road from Razi runs to Khoy and on to Tabriz
- Razi to Tabriz: about three hours by road
Kapıköy suits travellers who land at Van. Plan to cross in daylight, because the gate shuts at night.
Not recommended: Esendere to Serow. This third crossing lies far to the south in Hakkari province, a long way from any airport. Turkish authorities report that Iran has closed it to daily traders.
At the border. Both crossings were described as congested in October, so leave several hours to get through. You need your Iranian visa before you reach the border. Our visa guide explains how to get one.
From Tabriz to Tehran. The overnight train from Tabriz railway station takes about 12 hours. Long-distance buses are quicker. Domestic flights take a little over an hour, but Iranian airlines are under US sanctions and LiT does not link to them. Buy train and bus tickets at the station or through an Iranian agency, because foreign cards do not work in Iran.
Other routes. You can also enter Iran overland through Armenia, or through Turkmenistan if you can arrange the Turkmen paperwork.
Money and phones. Bring all the cash you will need in euros or dollars. Our money guide explains how to change it. Set up a travel eSIM such as Airalo or Saily before you leave Turkey. Our eSIM guide compares the options.
Insurance and delays. Most travel insurers will not cover Iran right now. Our insurance guide explains how to stay covered as far as the border. If your flight to Turkey is delayed or cancelled, AirHelp can claim any compensation you are owed.
In Tehran. Once you arrive, our Tehran hotels guide covers where to stay. The trip cost calculator gives a daily budget for your stay.
Gürbulak has been open as a crossing into Iran since 1953.
Header photo: Mount Ararat near the Gürbulak crossing. Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
