Search Tehran Intl. Airport Flight Tickets

About Tehran Intl. Airport

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport is located in Tehran Province, in the airport district southwest of the capital, around 30 to 40 km from central Tehran. Opened to civil air traffic in 2004, it is operated by Imam Khomeini Airport City Company under Iran's transport authorities and serves as the country's main international gateway, supporting business travel, tourism, cargo movement and regional air connectivity.

The airport is structured around international passenger terminals, while most domestic flights for Tehran continue to use Mehrabad Airport. Imam Khomeini Airport offers annual capacity in the range of 10 to 12 million passengers, with modern check-in areas, air bridges, cargo facilities, long runways, hotels, parking, banking services and road links to Tehran. Traffic typically rises during Nowruz, summer holidays and pilgrimage periods, while business demand remains steady through much of the year.

Airlines operating from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport include Iranian carriers such as Iran Air and Mahan Air, alongside selected regional and international operators. Key direct destinations commonly include Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Baghdad, Najaf, Muscat, Vienna and other Middle Eastern and Eurasian cities, while domestic flights are generally connected through Tehran's wider airport system. Demand for flight tickets is driven by family travel, religious journeys, trade links, student mobility and international flights serving Iran's capital region.

Tehran Intl. Airport to Tehran City Center Transport

Travelers arriving at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), also known as Tehran Intl. Airport, can reach Tehran city center by bus, airport shuttle or minivan, metro, taxi, car rental, or pre-booked private transfer. Journey times vary widely with traffic, especially on the Tehran-Qom Freeway and inner-city roads.

Bus

Municipal and airport-linked buses are among the cheapest ways to travel from Tehran Intl. Airport to Tehran city center. Services usually depart from outside the terminal area and connect passengers with major transport hubs, where onward metro or taxi travel may be needed. The average journey to central Tehran is about 70 to 95 minutes, depending on waiting time, route, and traffic.

• Imam Khomeini Airport to Azadi Square, useful for onward taxi, metro, and bus connections.
• Imam Khomeini Airport to Haram-e Motahar or Shahed-Bagher Shahr metro area for connections with Tehran Metro Line 1.
• Imam Khomeini Airport to Mehrabad Airport, useful for domestic flight transfers and western Tehran access.

Airport Shuttle (Havas/Havabus)

Tehran does not generally operate the same Havas or Havabus-branded airport coach system found in some other cities, but airport shuttle buses, minibuses, and shared vans serve practical routes between IKA and key Tehran transport points. These services are useful for budget travelers with light luggage. The average travel time is about 60 to 90 minutes to central connection points, plus any onward ride into the city center.

• Azadi Square, a major western Tehran landmark and transport interchange.
• Shahed-Bagher Shahr metro station area for access to Tehran Metro Line 1.
• Mehrabad Airport terminals for passengers connecting to domestic flights.

Metro

Tehran Metro is a low-cost option from Imam Khomeini International Airport to the city center. The airport is served by the Imam Khomeini Airport metro station on the Line 1 airport branch, with onward service toward central Tehran stations such as Meydan-e Mohammadiyeh, Imam Khomeini, Darvazeh Dowlat, Shahid Beheshti, and Tajrish. The average journey to central Tehran is about 70 to 90 minutes, depending on train frequency and the final stop.

• Imam Khomeini Airport station to Shahed-Bagher Shahr for Line 1 connections.
• Imam Khomeini station for central Tehran and interchange with Line 2.
• Tajrish-bound Line 1 trains for destinations in northern Tehran.

Taxi

Official airport taxis are available 24/7 outside the arrivals area and are the most straightforward door-to-door option from Tehran Intl. Airport to Tehran city center. Use the official taxi counter or marked airport taxi rank and confirm the fare before departure. The average journey takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact city-center destination.

• Airport taxi to Imam Khomeini Square or the Grand Bazaar area.
• Airport taxi to central hotels near Valiasr Street or Ferdowsi Square.
• Airport taxi to Tehran Railway Station for onward train travel.

Car Rental

Car rental is available through airport rental offices and local providers at or near Imam Khomeini International Airport. Vehicles can usually be collected at the terminal exit or nearby rental parking areas, making this option suitable for travelers planning to drive beyond Tehran. Driving to the city center usually takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic, route, and parking conditions.

• Terminal-exit pickup for pre-booked rental cars.
• Airport office pickup with paperwork completed on arrival.
• One-way rental arrangements may be available for trips to other Iranian cities.

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the most comfortable option for traveling from Tehran Intl. Airport to Tehran city center, especially for first-time visitors, families, late-night arrivals, or passengers with heavy luggage. Booking in advance is recommended so the driver can meet you in arrivals and track flight delays. The average transfer time is about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Private sedan transfer from IKA to a central Tehran hotel.
• Minivan transfer for groups, families, or passengers with extra luggage.
• Meet-and-greet airport transfer with a driver waiting in the arrivals hall.