Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the main international gateway, about 35 kilometres south of the city centre. It handles virtually all international flights. The metro Line 1 connects the airport to the city, though the journey takes about an hour. Taxis to central Tehran are negotiable; agree a price before you get in.
Mehrabad Airport (THR) is the older domestic airport, closer to the city in western Tehran, used for domestic flights within Iran. It is easy to reach by metro.
Overland from the north: the bus and train network from Istanbul (via Tabriz) and from Central Asia is how most overland travellers arrive. The train journey from Istanbul to Tehran takes about 60 hours and passes through some of the most dramatic landscape in the region. Check current schedule and visa requirements, which have changed frequently.
Visa arrangements for foreign nationals are complex and depend on nationality. Most Western passport holders require advance visa arrangements and many cannot obtain visas at all. Check the latest requirements carefully before travelling.