Getting Around Kashan

Getting Around Kashan

Kashan is a compact, walkable city with a well-defined historic core, and most visitors find that a mix of walking for the center and taxis for the outer sights covers everything comfortably. The city sits in the northern part of Isfahan province, on the main north–south road and rail corridor, so it is also easy to reach and to leave by train, bus, or car.

On Foot

Walking is the best way to see the heart of Kashan. The historic center is compact, and the traditional houses and the bazaar sit within walking distance of one another. The Agha Bozorg Mosque and most of the historical houses can easily be reached on foot, so you can plan a morning or evening loop through the old streets without needing any transport at all.

Two practical notes shape how you plan those walks. First, summers in Kashan are very hot and dry, so loose natural-fabric clothing and early-morning or late-afternoon outings are sensible; winter and early-spring evenings are cool, so bring a light jacket or sweater. Second, many shops, bazaar stalls, and some offices close roughly between 13:00 and 16:00, so schedule your walking and shopping for the morning or the evening rather than the middle of the day.

Rail

Kashan has its own railway station, located on the eastern fringe of the city, and it sits along the main north–south railways of Iran. The city is well served by trains as a stop on the main line between Tehran and Isfahan, and overnight trains also connect Tehran with cities in central and southeastern Iran such as Yazd, Shiraz, and Kerman. Regular service links Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz.

For a visitor, the practical points are these: buy tickets in advance, and expect to take a taxi from the station to your hotel or to the historic center, since the station is on the edge of town rather than in the middle of it.

Metro and Tram

Kashan has no metro or tram network. Getting around the city relies on walking, taxis, ride-hailing, and buses, with rail reserved for intercity journeys.

Buses and Public Transport

Intercity buses are a popular and affordable way to reach Kashan, and VIP liners with wide seats are available. Buses from Tehran's South Terminal (Terminal-e-jonub) take at least three hours, and there are frequent buses from Isfahan's Kaveh terminal. Buses sometimes drop passengers at Valiasr Square or Montazeri Square, particularly transit buses that are merely passing through Kashan on their way elsewhere; you can generally expect taxis waiting around those squares. When you are ready to leave Kashan, head to the Kashan Bus Terminal.

Note that the bus terminal is some distance from the center, so you will need a taxi on arrival or departure.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis are the most convenient option for trips that are too far to walk, especially to the Fin Garden or the train station. A taxi to the Fin Garden should not cost more than 80,000 rials (as of January 2016), and for sights further outside the city it is worth considering hiring a taxi for the outing. Local ride-hailing apps, similar to Uber, show fixed prices and spare you from having to bargain.

Payment is a practical consideration: international Visa and Mastercard do not work in Iran, so bring cash (USD or EUR) in good condition and exchange it at official exchange offices ("Sarrafi") in the city center rather than with street money changers.

Getting from the Airport into the City

Kashan has its own airport, but it serves very few flights and is practically unused for tourism; the only flight serving it as of April 2019 connected the city with Mashhad. Most travelers therefore fly into Tehran or Isfahan and continue overland.

• Tehran (Imam Khomeini International Airport): roughly a 2h43m ground journey to Kashan. A taxi to Tehran Airport cost 1,200,000 rials in April 2017, and private transfers or "darbast" taxis are a common and reasonably priced option.
• Isfahan: roughly a 2h19m ground journey, with frequent buses from the Kaveh terminal taking about 2.5 hours.
• Hamadan: a longer overland trip of roughly 4h24m by road, or about 5–6 hours by bus.

Whichever airport you use, the onward leg is by road — bus, shared taxi, or a private transfer — since Kashan's own airport offers no practical tourist service.

Practical Tips for Moving Around

• Language: Persian (Farsi) is the local language. English is often spoken in tourist hotels and museums but less so in the bazaar or in taxis, so an offline translator or a few basic phrases will help.
• Dress code: Women must wear a headscarf and a tunic or cardigan covering the hips; men should not wear shorts in public.
• Water and health: Tap water is considered clean, but tourists are advised to drink bottled water. Pharmacies exist in the city, and it is wise to bring any specific medications you need.
• Etiquette: Hospitality and "Taarof" are common — politely refuse an offer once, and accept if it is repeated insistently. Men shake hands; a man should not be the first to extend a hand to a woman, and a nod and smile suffice.
• Photography: Do not photograph government institutions, police stations, or military personnel, and avoid public displays of affection between men and women.