Getting Around Kermanshah

Getting Around Kermanshah

Kermanshah is a large city in western Iran, and getting around it is fairly straightforward for a visitor. There is no metro or tram system here, so day-to-day movement relies on taxis, ride-hailing apps, city buses, and your own two feet. For longer trips out of town, buses and trains connect the city to other major Iranian cities, and the airport handles both domestic and international flights.

Ride-Hailing and Taxis

For most visitors, the easiest and most hassle-free way to move around Kermanshah is by ride-hailing app or licensed taxi. Two apps dominate: Snapp and Tapsi (also written Tap30). Both work much like Uber and are easy to use. Outside Tehran, fares are cheap, though rates for Snapp and Tapsi are higher in Tehran than elsewhere in the country.

• Both apps show you the driver and vehicle details before you get in, which adds a layer of safety.
• Licensed taxis and ride-sharing services are generally considered safe.
• Avoid unregistered private cars unless the arrangement has been made through a trusted source.
• At Kermanshah Airport, designated taxis are available, with fares to the city core typically fixed or negotiated. Ride-hailing apps also operate from the airport.
• Similar taxi and app arrangements exist at the bus and railway stations.

City Buses

Buses are the budget option if you are comfortable navigating local routes. They generally run from roughly 6 AM to 9–10 PM. Frequency varies by route and time of day: buses are more frequent at peak hours and less frequent off-peak and on Fridays.

• Expect to pay very little compared with taxis.
• Service thins out in the evening and on Fridays, so plan around those gaps.
• Public buses typically lack ramps or wheelchair spaces, so they are not a practical option for travelers with mobility needs.

Walking and Cycling

Walking works well in specific parts of the city. The traditional bazaar of Kermanshah is pedestrian-friendly, and the city parks and the Taq-e Bostan area have walking paths. Elsewhere, be prepared for imperfect conditions.

• Sidewalks can be crowded, uneven, or obstructed.
• Cross at designated crossings, and check both ways even on one-way streets.
• There are few dedicated bicycle lanes, and cycling on city streets is not recommended because of dense traffic.
• There are no formal self-guided walking tours in English; guided tours can be arranged through local operators or hotels.
• There are no specific "no-go" areas, but take care in heavy traffic or on poorly lit streets at night.

Driving and Car Rental

Renting a car is extremely rare and complex for international tourists, and few if any global rental companies operate here. If you do drive, you will generally need a national driving license, an International Driving Permit, a passport, and often a significant deposit. Hiring a car with a driver is more common and is the recommended option, especially for long trips and excursions such as those into the Zagros Mountains.

• Drive on the right. Speed limits are posted but often ignored, and traffic signals and signs are not always obeyed.
• Road signs are mainly in Persian.
• Parking is difficult in crowded city centers; marked lots are available for a fee.
• Main inter-city roads are generally well maintained, but rural roads vary. Iran has a relatively high rate of road accidents, so avoid night driving on rural roads, where lighting is poor and livestock can be an obstacle.

Trains

Kermanshah has a railway station, which opened in March 2018. Direct trains run to Tehran and Mashhad, with two weekly departures on each route. This makes the train a viable option for reaching the city from those destinations, though service is limited rather than frequent, so check schedules in advance.

Intercity Buses

There are buses to Kermanshah from Tehran and other major cities, making the bus a practical way to arrive from across Iran. In addition, bus groups travel daily to Karbala via Baghdad in Iraq; for this route you should first go to a travel agency to make arrangements.

Getting from the Airport into the City

Kermanshah has an international airport, served by flights from several Iranian cities — especially to and from Tehran and Mashhad — as well as regular flights from Istanbul. Once you land, you have two main options for reaching the city:

• Taxi: Designated taxis are available at the airport, and fares to the city core are typically fixed or negotiated.
• Ride-hailing: Snapp and Tapsi also operate from the airport, letting you book a car with driver and vehicle details shown in the app.

Other Things to Know

• There are no hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses; tour buses run only as part of pre-arranged package tours or private groups.
• There are no cable cars, funiculars, or other unusual local transport systems.
• There is no water transport — the city is landlocked with no navigable waterways.
• Accessibility infrastructure is limited: ramps, accessible restrooms, and specialized transport are scarce, and many historical sites have stairs and uneven terrain. Travelers with mobility needs should plan in advance with a specialized tour operator and consider traveling in off-peak seasons.

Practical Summary

For hassle-free movement around Kermanshah, rely on the ride-sharing apps Snapp and Tapsi or on licensed taxis. City buses are the budget option if you are comfortable navigating local routes. For intercity travel or excursions into the surrounding mountains, hiring a car with a driver is the most practical choice.