Question: Can anyone tell me if there are ATM machines so cash can be withdrawn easily? I am guessing in the big cities only? And do they work?

Answer: Due to the economic embargo, you cannot use credit cards or ATMs in Iran, so cash is the only way to go. Iran is cheap but bring plenty of cash since if you run out of it, you can do nothing. As a tourist bring only cash to Iran because no kind of cards and cheques are acceptable in Iran. Dollar and Euro are both acceptable in Iran and can be exchanged to Rial in the banks, exchanges and airports.

Be aware that in Iran people use two currencies. The currency in Iran, or the money used, is called Rial. Toman is no longer an official currency. However it is still used on a daily basis in Iran and it refers to the amount of ten Rials.