Flying into Tehran means arriving at one of two major airports: Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) for most international flights, or Mehrabad International Airport (THR) for domestic and some regional international services. Together, they form Iran’s primary aviation hub, offering extensive domestic connectivity and a wide international network focused on the Middle East, Asia, and Europe for inbound travelers.
The most frequent and budget-friendly flights into Tehran are domestic routes from other Iranian cities. Key inbound destinations include Mashhad (MHD), Shiraz (SYZ), Isfahan (IFN), and Tabriz (TBZ). Internationally, IKA welcomes a vast network from regional hubs, with numerous flights from Istanbul (IST), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Kuwait (KWI). It also receives direct connections from major cities across Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, though options are shaped by geopolitical factors.
The inbound market is served by Iranian airlines and a select group of foreign carriers. Mahan Air, Iran Air, and Caspian Airlines operate extensive networks into Tehran. Foreign airlines like Turkish Airlines, Emirates, flydubai, Qatar Airways, and Kuwait Airways compete on regional inbound routes. European carriers may have limited or no service due to sanctions. Competition is strongest on routes from Turkey and the Gulf into IKA.
To secure cheap flights to Tehran, book domestic inbound flights 4–8 weeks in advance. For international travel into Tehran, start searching 2–5 months ahead. Compare Iranian carriers with Turkish Airlines and Gulf carriers for the best deals on regional routes into IKA. Use Tehran’s hub status to find competitive fares from within the Middle East and from Central Asia. For travel from Europe or beyond, connecting through Istanbul (IST) often provides the most options and value. Be prepared for complexities related to international sanctions affecting payments and booking platforms when buying tickets to Tehran.