Iranshahr

Introduction

Iranshahr is the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan province, in the far southeast of Iran, and also serves as the seat of Iranshahr County and its Central District. It sits near the borderlands between Iran and Pakistan, in a region where Baloch people live on both sides of the frontier.

Getting around

Iranshahr is a smaller Iranian city, so don't expect an extensive urban transit network. Taxis do most of the work of moving people around town and should be your default way of getting from place to place. Standard taxis are relatively cheap, typically carry up to four passengers (one in front, three in the rear), and many are fitted with taximeters. Fixed-route taxis charge according to the tariff set by the taxi organisation, which makes them a predictable option for common trips, while taking the whole car for yourself costs more than sharing. Taxi vans, which carry around ten passengers, are a feature of big cities such as Tehran and may or may not be available in a city of Iranshahr's size. Carry cash: local taxis are cash-based, and intercity taxis are paid directly to the driver with no ticket issued.

Iran's two largest ride-hailing apps are Snapp and Tapsi, and several cities also run their own e-taxi apps, but app-based ride-hailing is most established in the larger urban centres, so don't assume full coverage here — it is still worth checking the apps when you arrive, since they are the easiest way to avoid haggling over fares. A useful fallback is the TBT (Bisim) metered taxi service, reached by dialling 133, though the number can vary from city to city; these metered taxis are cheaper than app taxis and remain genuinely useful in smaller cities. Iranshahr has no metro or tram system — Iran's metro networks are limited to Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Karaj and Shiraz — and the two-tier intracity bus network found in the big metropolises is not something to count on here. Walking is a reasonable way to cover short distances in the immediate area where you are staying, but it is not a practical way to cross the city as a whole; for anything beyond a short stroll, take a taxi. From Iranshahr Airport, the realistic options are a taxi (agree the fare or confirm the meter before setting off, and pay in cash), a ride-hailing app, or a metered TBT taxi — there is no airport metro link or formal express bus service.

Three days in Iranshahr

Day one: Start in Iranshahr itself, the seat of Iranshahr County in the Central District of Sistan and Baluchestan, and take your bearings on foot before the heat builds. Walking is the best way to get a feel for the city's Baloch character and its bazaar life. From Iranshahr Airport you can reach the centre by taxi; taxis are the standard way of getting around, and fixed fares apply. Ride-hailing apps such as Snapp and Tapsi also operate, alongside local services like TBT and Bisim. Carry small change for fares.

Day two: Use Iranshahr as your base for exploring the wider Sistan and Baluchestan region, whose landscapes and Baloch culture reward a slow pace. Arrange your transport in advance through your accommodation or a local taxi, and keep the day flexible rather than fixed to a strict schedule. Remember that the province borders Pakistan, so carry identification and check your route before setting out.

Day three: Spend a final morning revisiting the parts of Iranshahr you liked most, then plan your onward travel. If you are flying out, allow time for the run to Iranshahr Airport; if you are heading overland, taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the first leg. Iranian cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Karaj and Shiraz are all reachable by longer journeys, so book connections ahead.