How to Get to Arak. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Airports & Airlines

Major Airports

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA): Iran's main international gateway, approximately 280 km (174 miles) north-northeast of Arak. Most international visitors arrive here.

Arak Airport IDQ

Domestic Focus: A smaller domestic airport.
Routes: Primarily serves ways to Tehran's Mehrabad Airport (THR).
International Connections: No direct international flights.

Airlines & Routes

From IKA (Tehran): Various international airlines operate flights, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa, connecting Tehran to global hubs. Find flights on Skyscanner or check Dollar Flight Club for deals.

Domestic Airlines to Arak

From Arak Airport (IDQ): Domestic airlines like Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Aseman Airlines mainly serve Arak Airport.
Route: Connects Arak to Tehran's Mehrabad Airport (THR), Tehran's main domestic airport.
Booking: Reserve internal flights in advance during peak periods.

Domestic Flight Seasonality

Prices fluctuate with demand, often rising significantly around public holidays and Nowruz (late March/early April). Advance booking during these times is a good choice.

International Flight Prices

Prices to IKA vary by season, airline, and booking lead time. Booking several months beforehand frequently results in better fares.

Airport Facilities IKA

IKA provides standard international airport facilities: currency exchange, car rental counters (local payment issues), shops, restaurants, lounges.

Transfer Options from Airports to Arak

From IKA Tehran to Arak

Private Taxi: Pre-arrange or hire upon arrival. Journey: 3-4 hours, has direct and convenient transfer.
Bus: From Tehran's main coach terminals (Jonub, Gharb) to Arak. Economical, but requires taxi transport from IKA to bus terminal.
Train: Taxi ride from IKA to Tehran Railway Station, then train to Arak. This option brings a comfortable journey with scenic views.
Car Rental: Consider DiscoverCars.com for options (with driver for foreign travelers).

From Arak Airport IDQ to Arak City Center

Taxis: Readily available outside IDQ. Short ride (15-20 minutes) to city center. Negotiate fare before starting.
Local Transport: Restricted public transit from IDQ; taxis are the main option.
Pre-booking: Hotel or travel agency can arrange pick-up.
Payment: Have local cash (Rials/Tomans) for taxis.

Air Travel Tips

Book Ahead

Secure better international flight prices by booking several months in advance, especially during peak seasons.

Domestic Flights

Expect price fluctuations for domestic flights around holidays.

Currency for Transfers

Have enough local cash (Rials/Tomans) for taxis and buses leaving from IKA or IDQ to your destination.

Land Transportation: Reaching Arak by Road or Rail

Train Travel

Arak sits within Iran's national railway network. The railway station links the city to other large cities. Direct train services run to Tehran, Mashhad, and other significant cities nationwide.

Train Comfort & Booking

Comfort: Iranian trains generally provide comfort, with various classes (4-bed, 6-bed compartments, recliners).
Booking: Advance ticket reservation is a good choice, especially for long distances or peak travel.
Views: Train travel has relaxing views of the countryside.

Bus Services

Arak has a large central bus terminal (Terminal-e Arak) with extensive connections to urban areas throughout Iran. Numerous private bus lines operate intercity routes.

Bus Routes & Types

Connections: Frequent bus services to Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, and many other cities.
Companies: Royal Safar Iranian and Hamsafar Co. Are examples. Tickets available at the terminal.
Comfort: Buses range from standard (air-conditioned) to VIP (more spacious seats, occasionally with meal service).

Self-Driving Considerations

Renting a car for self-drive has less commonality for foreigners in Arak due to local conditions for driving along with certain requirements.

Requirements & Risks

Requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP) with home country license, vehicle registration, and insurance.
Road Conditions: Main roads are generally well-maintained. Mountain roads pose challenges, especially in winter.
Safety: Iranian driving may be assertive and unpredictable. Night driving has no recommendation for foreigners.

Border Crossings

Iran shares several land borders. Travelers entering via land borders must possess pre-arranged visas. Voa has no availability at land borders. Securing your visa before attempting a land crossing is a good option.

Visa & Entry at Borders

Visa Needed: Pre-arranged visas are required for land border entry.
VOA Not Available: Visa upon Arrival does not apply at land borders.
Neighboring Countries: Borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq.

Driving Safety & Rules

The Driving lane: Driving occurs to the right of the road.
Speed Limits: Typically SIXTY kilometers/h urban, 90 kilometers per hour main roads, 120 km/h freeways.
Pedestrian Yield: Drivers often do not yield to pedestrians, even at crosswalks.

Driving Style: Iranian driving can be aggressive. Extreme wariness is a solid choice for self-driving.
Night Driving: Not recommended for foreigners due to poor lighting plus different road conditions.
Alternative: Hiring a driver is an alternative for road trips without driving yourself.

Sea/River Arrivals: Not Applicable to Arak

Arak is Inland

Arak is a city not on the coast, positioned in west-central Iran. Its geographical location means it has no direct access to sea or major river routes for transportation.

No Sea/River Routes

No maritime ports for arrival.
River finding your way for transport does not apply.
Focus on air and land travel for access.

Land & Air Access Only

Given Arak's inland location, all access for visitors is via land or air transportation.

Travel Modes

Air travel via IKA (Tehran) and connecting domestic flights or ground transport.
Train services connect Arak to major Iranian cities.
Extensive bus network for travel between cities.

Main Travel Modes

Flights and land transport are the only means of reaching Arak.

Inland Location

Arak's central Iran location precludes sea or a way to the river.

Travel Planning

Focus on domestic flights from Tehran or intercity buses/trains.

Departure Information: Plan Your Exit

Exit Procedures

Departure Timing

International Flights (IKA): Be THERE two-3 hours before departure.
Domestic Flights (IDQ): Arrive 1.5-2 hours before departure.
Train/Bus Stations: Arrive 30-60 minutes before departure.

Airport/Station Facilities

IKA (Imam Khomeini International Airport) offers duty-free shops, restaurants, and lounges for departing international travelers.

Local Facilities

Arak Airport (IDQ): Provides basic facilities, including waiting areas and little cafes.
Bus/Train Stations: Offer basic facilities for departing travelers.
Security: Standard security checks apply at the airport and sometimes at train stations.

Departure Checklist

Exit Fees/Taxes

Exit taxes apply to foreign nationals departing Iran. These fees typically possess inclusion in the air ticket price. Verify current regulations.

Passport Control

Standard passport control upon departure. Be ready to remove electronics and liquids from bags during security checks.

Final Confirmation

Confirm your flight, train, or bus schedule. Ensure all documents are easily accessible. Keep some local currency for last-minute purchases or taxis.

Smooth Departure

Plan your journey to the airport or train station with sufficient time, accounting for potential traffic. Keep essential documents readily available. A final check of your belongings ensures nothing important stays behind.

How to Get to Arak