Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) Guide: Tehran, Iran

Imam Khomeini International Airport is Tehran’s main international airport and the gateway most foreign travelers see first. IKA is far from the city, separate from domestic Mehrabad, and connected by a metro branch, so the big planning mistake is treating it like a downtown airport or confusing it with THR.

This guide is written for travelers who want the useful details first: the real airport name, where it sits, how much to budget for transport, what to expect in the terminal, where to search for flights, and which services to arrange before landing. Prices and routes are updated for June 2026 and should be treated as practical planning ranges rather than fixed promises.

Quick airport facts

Item Details
Full airport name Imam Khomeini International Airport
Short codes IKA / OIIE
Also searched as Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport, Tehran IKA Airport, IKIA, Tehran International Airport
City and country Tehran, Iran
Practical address Imam Khomeini International Airport, Imam Khomeini Airport City, Tehran Province, Iran; coordinates 35.416100, 51.152199.
Distance to city About 40-50 km southwest of central Tehran, commonly 45-90 minutes by road and longer in heavy traffic or security disruption.
Updated 2026-06-15
  • Best for: Tehran international flights, long-haul/regional connections, Iran entry and exit, and international airline networks.
  • Main route logic: international routes to Turkey, Gulf states, Iraq, China, Russia, Europe/near-Europe, and regional hubs by date.
  • Airport style: major international airport with terminals, immigration, metro branch, taxis, food, retail, hotels nearby, and passenger services.
  • Planning rule: never self-connect IKA to THR without a generous buffer; they are different airports across Tehran traffic.

Address and location

Use Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) for flight searches and Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport, Tehran IKA Airport, IKIA, Tehran International Airport as backup search wording in maps, hotel messages, and taxi conversations. The practical address is:

Imam Khomeini International Airport, Imam Khomeini Airport City, Tehran Province, Iran; coordinates 35.416100, 51.152199.

About 40-50 km southwest of central Tehran, commonly 45-90 minutes by road and longer in heavy traffic or security disruption. For a serious itinerary, save the airport coordinates offline, download the city area in Google Maps or Organic Maps, and keep your hotel address in both English and the local language where possible.

How to get from the airport to the city

Option Typical time Approximate cost Best use
Official taxi/private transfer to Tehran 45-90+ min Cash/local quote; fares volatile Best door-to-door transfer.
Tehran Metro Line 1 airport branch 60-100+ min Low local fare; frequency can be limited Best budget/traffic-proof option if timing fits.
Airport hotel shuttle 5-15 min Often included or quoted Best overnight connection.
Transfer to Mehrabad THR 75-150+ min Pre-booked taxi strongly recommended Only with long buffer.

FlightsFrom lists IKA with 22 airlines flying to 102 airports in June 2026, while FlightConnections shows 20 airlines to 27 airports. Welcome Pickups notes the Line 1 metro airport branch with a change at Shahed-Baghershahr; other Tehran metro guides warn frequencies can be limited.

Transport tips

  • 🧾 Confirm the fare before loading luggage, especially when there is no visible meter or posted rate.
  • 📍 Save the exact hotel pin offline; airport drivers may know districts better than street names.
  • 💵 Carry small local cash for the first transfer, baggage carts, snacks, or phone calls.
  • 🌐 Install an eSIM before departure so you can message your driver immediately after landing.

Public transport and metro

Tehran Metro Line 1 has a branch to Imam Khomeini International Airport, but airport-branch frequency can be limited. Use it only if the timetable works; otherwise use an official taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Where public transport exists, it is usually best for daylight arrivals with light luggage. For late flights, family travel, heavy bags, or first-time visits, a taxi, hotel transfer, or pre-booked private driver is usually worth the extra cost.

Taxi prices and transfer strategy

Taxi prices around airports are rarely as neat as an official table. Time of day, luggage, driver availability, fuel prices, and whether the destination is inside or outside the central city all matter. The ranges above are realistic planning budgets, but the best practice is simple: agree the fare before moving, keep your phone map open, and avoid changing money with random drivers.

For smoother arrival logistics:

  • 🚕 Use official taxi ranks or a hotel-arranged driver where available.
  • 🧳 Pre-book a transfer if you land late, carry equipment, or travel with children.
  • 🚗 Compare rental cars before arrival with DiscoverCars if you need regional freedom.
  • 🏨 Use Expedia to check hotels near the airport and in the city before choosing a transfer.

Airport facilities, shops, and restaurants

  • IKA has immigration, customs, domestic-style services for international departures, food, coffee, small retail, duty-free where operating, prayer rooms, airport hotels nearby, taxis, parking, and assistance.
  • Currency/payment issues are serious: foreign cards may not work, so plan cash and legal payment options before arrival.
  • Security or regional airspace disruption can change schedules fast.
  • Check whether your next flight is from IKA or THR before booking any connection.

The smart rule at IKA is to treat the terminal as a transfer point rather than as a shopping destination. Eat before arriving when possible, keep a refillable bottle where security rules allow, and bring a small power bank. If you have a long delay, an airport-area hotel or city hotel is usually more comfortable than waiting in the terminal.

Airlines and where the airport flies

FlightConnections lists 20 airlines from IKA to 27 airports, while FlightsFrom shows a much broader 102-airport feed. Common checks include Istanbul, Sabiha, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, Najaf, Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, China routes, Moscow, and European routes by date.

Mahan Air, Iran Air, Caspian Airlines, Qeshm Air, Flydubai, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, China Southern, Lufthansa, Aeroflot, and other regional operators may appear by route/date.

Cheap routes to check first

  • IKA to Istanbul/Sabiha: core international benchmark.
  • IKA to Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, or Sharjah: Gulf connection checks.
  • IKA to Najaf, Baghdad, Erbil, or Sulaymaniyah: Iraq route checks.

Cheap airport strategy is different from simply sorting by lowest fare. Always compare the final cost after checked baggage, seat selection, payment fees, transfer costs, and missed-connection risk. A slightly more expensive flight into the correct airport can be cheaper than a low base fare that forces a long taxi ride or overnight hotel.

Where to buy flights and hotels

Start with broad searches, then verify the exact airport code before paying. This is especially important in cities with more than one airport or with airport transitions.

Need Recommended booking link Why it matters
Internet on arrival 🌐 Yesim eSIM Install before flying so maps, airline apps, WhatsApp, and hotel messages work as soon as you land.
Flights and hotels 🏨 Expedia flights and stays Useful for comparing nearby hotels, airport overnights, and onward tickets in one search.
Tours and transfers 🎟️ Viator tours and airport transfers Best for guided city tours, day trips, private arrival transfers, and skip-the-line activities.
Rental cars 🚗 DiscoverCars Compare local and international rental agencies before accepting a walk-up airport rate.
Travel medical insurance 🛡️ SafetyWing Check coverage, exclusions, and country wording before travel, especially on complex itineraries.
Support this airport-guide project 🤝 Patreon: HEDONISMcloud Helps keep airport guides updated with fares, route changes, and city transport notes.

eSIM, internet, insurance, and car rental

  • 🌐 Internet: install Yesim eSIM before the flight. Airport Wi-Fi can be slow, blocked by SMS verification, or unavailable exactly when you need maps.
  • 🛡️ Insurance: compare policy wording with SafetyWing. Read exclusions for the destination, adventure activities, medical evacuation, political/security events, and pre-existing conditions.
  • 🚗 Cars: compare vehicles on DiscoverCars before arrival. Airport counters can run out of automatic cars or quote higher walk-up rates.
  • 🎟️ Tours: use Viator for airport transfers, city tours, day trips, and guided experiences when independent transport is inconvenient.

Practical arrival checklist

Before you fly Why it matters
Check the IATA code on the ticket Prevents booking a hotel or transfer for the wrong airport.
Save airline, hotel, and driver contacts offline Messaging apps may not work until data is active.
Carry local cash Useful for taxis, snacks, and small airport expenses.
Recheck live departures Regional schedules can change more quickly than major-hub schedules.
Keep insurance documents accessible Helps at medical facilities and during airline disruption.

Safety and travel notes

Iran is under severe travel advisories. The U.S. State Department says do not travel to Iran for any reason; Canada says avoid all travel; the UK also advises against all travel. Read government advice, sanctions/payment limitations, airspace disruption, and insurance exclusions before booking.

The most reliable traveler is the boringly prepared traveler: documents printed, data working, transport confirmed, hotel address saved, and enough time between every moving part of the itinerary.

Short airport excursion idea

If you have a long layover or an overnight stop, choose one simple plan rather than trying to see everything. Stay close to the city center or a known hotel district, keep the return transfer booked, and avoid cutting the return to the airport too close. In smaller airports, a missed flight may mean waiting a day or more for the next practical departure.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Imam Khomeini International Airport from Tehran?

About 40-50 km southwest of central Tehran, commonly 45-90 minutes by road and longer in heavy traffic or security disruption.

How much is a taxi from IKA airport?

Typical taxi planning ranges are shown in the transport table above. The safest method is to confirm the price before loading luggage and to use a hotel-arranged driver when arriving late or visiting for the first time.

Are there restaurants and shops at Imam Khomeini International Airport?

Yes, but the depth of choice depends on the airport size and operating schedule. Expect practical cafes or snack options at smaller airports and a better range at major hubs. Carry backup snacks and water for delays.

Which airlines should I check first?

Mahan Air, Iran Air, Caspian Airlines, Qeshm Air, Flydubai, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, China Southern, Lufthansa, Aeroflot, and other regional operators may appear by route/date.

Is there a metro to the airport?

Tehran Metro Line 1 has a branch to Imam Khomeini International Airport, but airport-branch frequency can be limited. Use it only if the timetable works; otherwise use an official taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Sources checked