Midsummer has arrived, typically offering prime conditions for travel to escape the anxieties of daily routine, particularly in a country caught in limbo between war and peace. Yet, amidst mounting economic turmoil, Iranian citizens report that travel has been pushed to the very bottom of household priorities
“The weather is hot, and water recreation seemed like a great option,” a Tehran resident told IranWire. “I looked into a white-water rafting tour along the Zayandeh Rud, a 1.5-day trip from Tehran to Shahrekord by VIP bus. The cost was 5 million tomans per person, excluding lunch and dinner.” Pausing, he added, “I gave up on the idea.”
While travel remains an essential part of life globally, it is increasingly out of reach for Iranians. Spiraling inflation and soaring costs have drastically shrunk household budgets, forcing families to focus strictly on basic survival
According to the Donya-e-Eqtesad newspaper, point-to-point inflation reached 83.9 percent in July 2026, indicating that average consumer basket prices surged by over 80 percent compared to the same period last year
Soaring Costs Put Domestic and Foreign Trips Out of Reach
Shahin, a government employee, lives in Tehranpars, a neighborhood frequently shaken by loud explosions and bombardments during the recent war. Recommended by a doctor to take a short trip to alleold daughter attempted to plan a modest vacation on his monthly salary of 50 million tomans
Overland Tour to Van, Turkey: A 5-day overland bus tour, the most budget-friendly international option, started at 30 million tomans per person for transport and hotel alone. Factoring in meals and sightseeing fees, the total estimated cost reached 135 million tomans ($45M per person), equivalent to two and a half months of Shahin’s entire salary
Kish Island: Seeking cheaper domestic summer options, the family searched low-cost listings for Kish Island. The lowest rate for a 3-night, 4-day stay at a 3-star hotel started at 25 million tomans per person without meals, bringing the total cost for three people above 90 million tomans
Regional Bus Tours: Short-haul tours from Tehran offered little relief: a 3-day trip to Asalem-to-Khalkhal cost 12 million tomans per person, a 4-day tour to Tabriz cost 17 million tomans per person, and a 1-day excursion to nearby Tangeh Vashi cost 1.5 million tomans per person (4.5 million tomans total). Taking any of these trips would consume an entire month’s salary, leaving no funds for rent, utilities, education, or loan payments
Shifting Travel Behaviors and Empty Promises
With traditional travel options unaffordable, many citizens have resorted to roadside camping to secure time away from home
“We can no longer afford air, rail, bus, or long-distance car travel,” said Samaneh, a commuter on the Tehran metro. “The most we can do is pack a tent and basic food, drive to the north, and set up camp in a park or by the roadside for a few days. Even for that, we have to calculate every penny. Villa rentals in Mazandaran start at 4 to 10 million tomans per night.”
She noted that highway traffic during holidays largely reflects internal migrants visiting family or budget travelers roadside camping rather than traditional tourism spending. “Travel has become a longing rather than an option,” she added
Retirees have experienced similar rollbacks in support. Nahid, a retired teacher, noted that previously available 50 percent travel discounts for pensioners have been eliminated, while school accommodations that once offered free housing for educators now charge fees
Despite official announcements such as Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Bandpey’s promise of an “Iranian Tourism Card” and contingency plans for crisis management in 2026, industry insiders report that no effective relief has materialized. Agencies face staff layoffs, particularly among women, while hotel occupancy rates in key regions have dropped to 15 to 20 percent. As a result, tourism’s contribution to Iran’s GDP has fallen to approximately 2 to 3 percent, well below the global average of 10 percent.
