Is Shiraz Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Unofficial taxi drivers at Shiraz International Airport (SYZ) approach arriving passengers before the official taxi desk and quote fares of 1,000,000–2,000,000 IRR (100,000–200,000 toman) for the 45-minute ride into the city center — three to five times the legitimate rate. They often claim the meter is broken or that a flat rate is standard for foreigners. Currency confusion between rials and toman is frequently exploited to make the inflated fare sound more reasonable.

How to avoid: Use only the official airport taxi counter inside the arrivals hall, which issues a fixed-price receipt before you reach the vehicle. The legitimate fare to central Shiraz is approximately 250,000–400,000 IRR. Alternatively, arrange an airport transfer with your hotel in advance. Never accept rides from men approaching you before baggage claim.

Where: Shiraz International Airport (SYZ) arrivals hall and outer curb; the unofficial drivers congregate near the exit doors before the formal taxi rank

Touts operating near the Shiraz bazaar district and outside major hotels offer cut-price day tours to Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam, then inflate the price on arrival or deliver a poor-quality "guide" with no official credentials. The 60km drive from Shiraz creates a captive situation — once you are at the site, renegotiating fare or guide fees is extremely difficult. Some operators collect payment upfront and then fail to show up at the agreed time, leaving tourists stranded.

How to avoid: Book Persepolis tours only through licensed travel agencies with a posted ITTO (Iran Tourism and Touring Organization) registration number. Agree on the full price including entrance tickets, waiting time, and guide fee in writing before departure. Pay no more than 50% upfront.

Where: Tout activity concentrated near Vakil Bazaar entrances on Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street and outside hotels on Karim Khan Zand Boulevard; touts also approach at the Persepolis ticket booth itself

Street money changers near the Vakil Bazaar and in the area around Karim Khan Zand Boulevard approach tourists offering exchange rates for USD or Euros that are 10–20% above the official sarafi rate. While the black market rate is real and widely used, tourist-targeting operators use sleight-of-hand during the count, shortchanging the visitor, or switch the agreed denomination partway through. In some cases a third party posing as police then appears and demands a bribe from both parties, effectively double-victimizing the tourist.

How to avoid: Use licensed sarafi (exchange bureaus), which are marked with a government-issued license displayed in the window. The legal rate is favorable enough that the marginal gain from black market exchange is rarely worth the risk. Never exchange money on the street, and never hand over your own currency until the full amount you are receiving has been counted out and verified in front of you.

Where: Street approaches concentrated near the north entrance of Vakil Bazaar on Vakil Square and along the pedestrian section of Karim Khan Zand Boulevard near the Arg; also reported near the main post office on Zand Street