Essential Info | Visiting Mashhad

Visiting Mashhad

How Safe is Mashhad

Mashhad is relatively safe compared to other metropolises of the world. However, as in any other places in the world, commonsense precautions should always be taken.
Some common sense safety tips are: always notify someone of your plans when going out; never leave your valuables unattended anywhere and at anytime; do not take rides or accept invitations of strangers no matter how kind they appear; do not travel alone late at night, especially out of the city; and do not flash around a lot of money.
However, take note that parks are never closed and it is very common for groups of women or families to picnic in the parks throughout the night; enjoying hot tea, fruits, nuts and seeds, and hot homemade meals. The areas around the Holy Shrine are usually alive at all hours of the day and night. In fact, this area never sleeps and the Holy Shrine welcomes its devout pilgrims 24/7.
As far as water safety, the local tap water is 100% drinkable and safe to shower in, brush your teeth with, wash your dishes with, and so on. However, outside of the city limits, it is questionable because the area many not be hooked up to the city water and instead may use tanker water.
Laws

There are a few laws that everyone should be aware of, so as not to end up in a predicament.
1. The hijab law is compulsory in all public areas.
2. Drinking alcohol and public drunkenness are strictly forbidden.
3. Drug use of any type and selling/disturbing is harshly punished.
4. A non-Muslim man cannot marry a Muslim woman. The only way possible is if he converts to Islam.
5. Sexual harassment of any type is punishable by law.
6. Sexual relationships outside of marriage are illegal and punishable by law.
7. Bring in and/or distributing pornography or any type of sexually explicit material is illegal and punishable.
Banking & Money Exchanging

Banking hours are 7:30 am to 2 pm, a few government and private banks are open in the afternoon.
Private money exchange offices in downtown are open 9:00 am and close around 2:30 pm. However some money exchange offices in commercial area are also open 5:30 pm to about 7:30 pm.
Exchanging Money: It is easy to exchange major currency, such as the US Dollar, Euro, and British Pound, upon arriving in Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. In fact, there is a bank right after passport control and it is open 24/7. In the international terminal of Mashhad’s airport there is a kiosk for money exchange but it is not open 24/7. Moreover, throughout all major cities of Iran, there are plenty of banks and official money exchange centers that can easily convert your currency.
For up-to-date information on money exchange rates the Internet is the best resource.
Iranian Currency

The currency of Iran is the rial. Paper bills of Iran are printed in 5,000; 10,000; 20,000; 50,000; 100,000; 500,000; and 1,000,000 rials.
The official name of Iran’s currency is the rial. But, in the streets it is referred to as toman and the last digit of the rial is dropped. As an example, 1,000 rial is 100 toman.
Water & Food

Nowadays, food and drinking products are well-packaged and come with a mark of approval for being clean and free from contaminates. Hence, it is very safe to eat or drink these sealed products.
Always order and eat well-cooked meats and poultries and if you are an unseasoned traveler to Iran, be careful when eating or drinking opened foods such as fresh herbs, salads, or fruit/milk drinks.
Toilets

In Iran, squat toilets are the norm. But, don't worry, so are sitting toilets in tourists areas. In public restrooms, usually one stall will have a sitting toilet. Most new hotels only have sitting toilets and in older ones, you'd have to request a room with one. In private homes, they may have both types. Also, another option to a sitting toilet is a seat placed over a squatting toilet. However, it's not a bad idea to carry toilet paper or napkins with you as they maybe out.