Tehran Metro

If all goes according to plan, this metro network could go into the record books for something. It currently runs on just 5 lines over a length of 170km, but this could change drastically in the next 10 years. The Tehran metro, which serves the capital of Iran, has expansion plans, with a total of 9 lines and a length of 430 km in the pipeline. Of the 5 operational lines, 4 are rapid transit lines and 1 is a commuter line. The metro currently has 103 stations. Construction of the first of the five lines began in 1999. Since then, it has grown considerably and, if all goes according to plan, its annual ridership, which is currently 670 million (2015), could easily exceed 1 billion. The Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Company is responsible for its operation.

Tehran’s metro system sees a significant daily influx of 4,000,000 passengers. Although it doesn’t operate 24 hours a day, it operates from 6:00 to 22:00 (M-D).

The metro provides air conditioning for passenger comfort. However, it doesn’t allow passengers to walk between platforms, nor does it have driverless trains or screen doors on platforms.

A trip on the Tehran Metro costs 750 rials, making it an affordable option for daily commuters.

Tehran Metro Map

Map of Tehran Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Tehran Metro map in PDF format.

Tehran Metro: A Comprehensive Overview

The Tehran Metro, a major transport network, has become one of the most important transport mechanisms in the region. With a total length of 221 kilometres, the system is predominantly underground, with the exception of a few surface stations that were part of the original construction. The system incorporates a number of safety mechanisms to ensure an optimal travel experience. Here is a detailed examination of the Tehran Metro lines:

Line 1

Line 1, the second line of the Tehran Metro, was inaugurated in 2000. It is currently 39 kilometres long, making it the longest line in the system. A unique feature of Line 1 is that almost half of its length is above ground. This line is shown in red on Metro maps. Following numerous extensions, Line 1 currently has 29 stations, 18 of which are underground and 11 on the surface. The line operates eight trains, which can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h. These trains mainly serve southbound routes. Line 1 terminates at Tajrish and Kahrizak.

Line 2

Line 2, also inaugurated in 2000, is marked in blue on metro maps. Trains on this line travel east to the central station, where they begin their journey south. The terminal stations of Line 2 are Farhangsara and Tehran (Sadeghiyeh). The total length of the line is 26 kilometres, of which 19.6 kilometres are underground and the remaining 6.4 kilometres are on the surface. This line has 22 stations. Line 2 has undergone several expansions since its inception and is currently undergoing further growth.

Line 3

Line 3, identified by its light blue colour on maps and plans of the Tehran Metro, runs diagonally from the north-east to the south-west of Tehran. It is currently the second longest line in the system, with a length of 37 kilometres. Line 3 has a total of 27 stations and plays a key role in easing traffic congestion in the city. The line terminates at Azadegan in the southwest and Shahid Bahonar and Ghaem stations in the northeast.

Line 4

Line 4 is another section of the Tehran Metro, with 22 kilometres of track and 14 stations. This line is shown in yellow on metro maps, and its trains run from east to west, underneath Line 2. Its eastern terminus is Shahid Kolandooz, while to the west it splits into three terminals after a junction to Bimeh. The first terminal, Eram-e-Sabze, is on the northern branch of the junction and connects to Line 5. The other two terminals are at Mehrabad airport on the southern branch of the junction.

Line 5

Line 5, the first line of the Tehran Metro, operates trains similar to suburban trains and covers a considerable distance of 43 kilometres. This line consists of 11 stations and starts at the Tehran Terminal Station (Sadeghiyeh), one of the main hubs of the system. From here, trains head west to the second terminus, Golshahr, on the outskirts of Karaj, Iran’s fourth most populous city. Line 5 is shown in green on metro maps.

Line 6

Line 6, shown in pink on the maps, is currently under construction. When completed, it will be a major part of the Tehran Metro with 38 kilometres of track and a total of 30 stations. The planned route for this line crosses the city from north-west to south-east, with terminal stations planned at Sulaghan in the north-west and Hazrat-e Abdol Azim in the south-east.

Line 7

Line 7, the most recently inaugurated line of the Tehran Metro, opened its services in June 2017. Identified by its purple colour on metro maps, this line begins in the southeast at Varzeshgah-e Takhti station and ends in the northern region of Tehran at Yadegar-e Emam station. The current length of the line is 22 kilometres. However, forthcoming extensions will extend the line to a total length of 35 kilometres with 27 stations. Once completed, Line 7 will offer the longest underground journey within the metro system, reaching depths of up to 56 metres.

Line 8

Line 8, inaugurated in 2016, is a modern transit line in the southern part of Tehran. It starts at Shahed station, which connects to Line 1, and ends at Shahre-e Parand. The total length of the line is 32 kilometres, which will be extended to 50 kilometres upon completion of the ongoing construction works. A notable feature of Line 8 is its connection to Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, the city’s main airport, especially for international flights. Notably, it is the only Tehran metro line that provides continuous service to the airport. Line 8 trains can reach a top speed of 120 km/h, demonstrating the line’s modernity.

Public Transport Links in Tehran

As the bustling capital of a powerful nation, Tehran is home to over 8 million people. While Tehran’s metro continues to grow, surface public transport systems remain an integral part of the city, providing widespread connectivity across the city. Tehran’s traffic congestion is often cited, with over 5 million cars estimated to be in use, although the city has a capacity for only 700,000. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on various forms of public transport.

Buses, as you might expect, form a significant part of the transport infrastructure. Buses have been a staple of the Iranian capital since the 1920s, with hundreds of routes crisscrossing the city, many of which intersect with metro stations. Bus fares are modest, costing just a few American cents. Regular bus services cover the entire city, providing transport solutions for millions of residents. In addition to buses, there are two other major surface transportation systems.

One is the trolley bus network, which was introduced in 1992. Although it experienced a decline in popularity and subsequent closure, the system was recently reopened with a single route running between Meydane-Khorasan (Khorasan Plaza) and Bozorgrah-e-Be’sat. Although it no longer has a direct connection to the metro following its closure, there are several metro stations in close proximity to the trolley bus stops.

The other prominent transport system is Tehran’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). These buses operate in dedicated lanes, bypassing regular traffic congestion. Compared to trolley buses, this system has a more extensive network, covering over 100 kilometres on 10 lines. Throughout their routes, BRT buses offer multiple connections to Tehran Metro stations.

Rahahan station, located on Line 3, provides a valuable link between the Tehran Metro and the city’s main railway station. From this station, passengers can board long-distance trains operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways to various destinations, including southern cities such as Bandar Abbas. The station also provides connections to the BRT bus network.

Airport Connectivity

Due to its size, Tehran is served by two different airports. The city was originally served by a single airport, Mehrabad International Airport (THR), which was the country’s main airport until 2007 due to its volume of domestic and international flights. Following the inauguration of Khomeini Airport, Mehrabad Airport has been used primarily for domestic flights. Access to Mehrabad Airport is easy as there are two metro stations within the airport. Line 4 terminates at these two stations, which each serve different terminals: one station serves Terminals 1 and 2, and the other serves Terminals 3 and 4.

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), which is larger than Mehrabad, is the city’s other major airport. Inaugurated in 2004 and located 30 kilometres south-west of Tehran, it has managed to attract all international flights from Asia and Europe. It currently has one terminal and two more are under construction. Getting to the airport by metro is easy, thanks to Line 8, which was built specifically to serve the airport. As the fastest line in the system, Line 8 operates around the clock. To reach the airport, passengers simply board Line 8 and alight at Shahr-e Forudgahi-e Imam Khomeini station.

Operating Hours and Train Frequency

The Tehran Metro operates to a strict timetable with uniform operating hours on all lines. For example, Line 1 begins service at 5:30 am and ends at 10:30 pm, with a complete end-to-end journey taking approximately 69 minutes. Similarly, Line 2 operates between 5.30am and 10.30pm, with an end-to-end journey time of 47 minutes.

Line 4, shown in yellow, operates from 5.30am to 10.30pm, with trains taking 40 minutes to complete a journey between terminal stations. Line 5, a suburban line, runs from 5.30am to 11.05pm, with an end-to-end journey time of 52 minutes.

Line 8, which connects the city to Imam Khomeini International Airport, operates 24 hours a day with no specific opening or closing time.

Fares, Tickets, and Cards

There are two main payment options available to passengers on the Tehran Metro. One is the Stored Value Card, a practical choice for regular commuters. These cards are pre-loaded with a certain amount of money, from which the fare is deducted after each journey based on the distance travelled. The card is scanned at the platform exit at the end of the journey. A major advantage of these cards is their compatibility with city buses and the entire BRT network. These cards cost 5000 Rials (equivalent to USD 0.15) and the fare for each trip depends on the distance travelled, as shown below:

Zone 1: Distance travelled: 0-10 km. Fare: 2800 Rials (0.08 USD.)
Zone 2: Distance travelled: 10-20 km. Fare: 3000 Rials (0.09 USD.)
Zone 3: Distance travelled: 20-30 km. Fare: 3500 Rials (0.10 USD.)
Zone 4: Distance travelled: 30-40 km. Fare: 4000 Rials (0.12 USD.)
Zone 5: Distance travelled: 40-50 km. Fare: 4250 Rials (0.13 USD.)
Zone 6: Distance travelled: 50 km and more. Fare: 4500 rials (0.15 USD).

The second way to access the Tehran Metro is by using magnetic cards, which allow unlimited travel. There are currently two types of ticket available. The first type, which is blue and has a QR code, allows for a single trip and costs 7000 rials ($0.21). The second type, which is an orange return ticket, also has a QR code and costs 11000 rials ($0.33).

Regulations

Animals are not allowed in the Metro.
Smoking is strictly prohibited within the premises of the system.
The transport of toxic materials is forbidden.
Bicycles or similar vehicles are not allowed on the system.
The carriages at both ends of the trains are reserved for women only and men are not allowed to enter.

Future Developments

Despite being less than two decades old, Tehran’s metro has undergone significant expansion. Several new lines and stations are currently under construction. Line 6, which is yet to be inaugurated, promises to be a major addition with an extensive railway. Line 9 is currently being considered by a committee dedicated to its construction.

Most of the existing lines are also slated for expansion. Studies are underway to extend Line 2 towards the city of Pardis. Line 3 will extend its terminal stations and add more tracks to the southeast and northwest. In addition, the recently constructed Line 8 will be built in three phases. Finally, there are plans for additional express lines to connect Tehran with other nearby urban centres.

Travel Tips

Women must adhere to the Muslim dress code imposed by the Iranian government, which includes wearing a veil and covering arms and legs.
Men should avoid the women-only carriages.
It is advisable to load a minimum amount of money on metro cards if they are chosen as a means of payment.
It is useful to familiarise yourself with Persian numbers, which differ from Arabic numerals, as some signs may only show numbers in Persian.
Even for those who do not understand Persian, many station signs can provide useful guidance.

Interesting Facts

The Tehran Metro has a French-inspired design, as it was originally planned by RATP and built before the Islamic Revolution.
It is one of the most important metro systems in the Islamic world.
The Shahr-e Aftab station within the system has the distinction of being the largest station in the Middle East.

Attractions Accessible via Tehran Metro

As a highly attractive tourist destination, Iran offers a wealth of sightseeing options, especially in its well-organised capital city, Tehran. Some notable places that can be reached via the Tehran Metro include

The National Jewellery Treasury: This museum showcases the jewellery heritage of the Iranian state, a collection accumulated over 200 years and previously owned by the royal family of Iran. It can be accessed from Sa’adi station on Line 1.
Golestan Palace: A palace complex that housed members of the Kayar Dynasty monarchy before Reza Pahlavi took over, the Golestan Palace is an architectural marvel that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To visit this palace, get off at Panzdah-e Khordad station on Line 1 and walk one block.
Tajrish Bazaar: To truly experience Iranian gastronomy, a visit to a bazaar is essential, and the Tajrish Bazaar offers a wealth of traditional dishes and variety. It can be reached by getting off at Tajrish Station on Line 1.