Question: I am a female PhD student and I will be in Tehran next January to attend a two-months Persian Language Course at ICPS.

I am arranging the whole study trip by myself and I need some tips in order to logistic problems.

- First of all, the accommodation. I would like to stay in a dormitory or in a host-family around ICPS or University of Tehran (where I will conduct some academic researches), but their websites are not very clear about availibity and costs. What you suggest me to do?

- Secondly, it will be safe for me to go around the city of Tehran alone? I could use the system of transportation without problems?

- Thirdly, I would like to catch the opportunity meanwhile to visit other cities in Iran, but I don't think it's a good idea to go around alone... Do you know if someone are arranging this kind of trip during the weekends?

Thank you a lot for your attention! Motshakram!

Answer: Here are the answers to your three questions:

1. ICPS Institution surely has dormitories available for its students which I think costs something about US$25 per night. It is better to get in touch with them directly through the below gates:

Website: http://icps.ut.ac.ir/en

E_mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel : +98 (0)21 22717120 , 22711902

Fax : +98 (0)21 22717118 , 22711700

Address: Loghatnameh Dehkhoda & International Center for Persian Studies Vali-e-Asr Ave., Pesyan Bus Stop, Shemiran, Tehran Iran

Furnished rooms, suites and houses are also available which can be rented in the case you prefer not to lodge in a dorm; it is of course more expensive and needs a bit time to find one. Real estate agencies can help you better in his regard.

2. Being the capital of Iran, Tehran is a crowded city with a great number of people rushing everywhere but still they are helpful. What is depicted on the media is not the reality but a narrow focus on the negative points due to the political controversies. It is better to search about the safety in Iran for the travelers and I am sure you will not find enough evidences of problems occurring for the tourists in Iran. The people are helpful and civilized and so keen to the tourists. Yellow taxis, public buses and metros can be used to commute fast and cheap and of course safe.

Plenty of solo travelers both men and women enter Iran each day and travel in the country hassle-free.

3. Weekend tours from Tehran are offered in the Tehran based agencies, you can also book those through www.uppersia.com. Those tours usually are to some destinations near Tehran such as the northern areas, Abyaneh, Kashan and Ghamsar especially in April for the rose distillation ceremony.

But it will be a great pity if you travel in Iran and don’t spend time for visiting the great highlights of Shiraz and Esfahan. You can either consider a week to visit all or travel to each in a weekend.

Try to devote a time to visit Tehran itself, since this city has a number valuable museums and castles considering both the anthropological and historical points.

For more information you can contact me, we will be happy to help you with the information and services if needed.