Imam Khomeini International Airport
Tehran, Iran
Imam Khomeini International Airport
Iran's primary international gateway serving the capital Tehran.
- ›Named after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- ›Located approximately 35 km southwest of Tehran city center near Robat Karim.
- ›The airport occupies one of the largest land areas of any airport in the Middle East.
- ›International sanctions have significantly restricted foreign airline operations at the airport.
- ›The airport was originally conceived in the 1970s but construction and opening were delayed for decades.
Imam Khomeini International Airport, opened in 2004 after years of delays, serves as Iran's primary international aviation hub located approximately 35 kilometres southwest of central Tehran. Named after the founder of the Islamic Republic, it was designed to handle the bulk of the country's international passenger traffic and relieve pressure from the older Mehrabad Airport. The airport reflects Iran's ambitions as a regional aviation power, featuring expansive terminal facilities amid the vast plateau landscape south of the capital.
- Terminal 1 — The main international terminal handling the majority of arriving and departing international flights with immigration, customs, and duty-free facilities.
- Terminal 2 — A secondary terminal used for additional international operations and charter services, expanding the airport's overall capacity.
- Tehran Metro Line 1 extension to IKA station connecting directly to the city centre
- Iran Peyma airport bus service operating routes to central Tehran
- Licensed airport taxis available at designated ranks outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing apps such as Snapp and Tap30 operating from the airport
- Car rental desks available in the arrivals hall from local providers
- Private transfer and shuttle services bookable through hotels and agencies
- Parsian Enghelab Hotel (airport vicinity)
- Mahan Hotel
- IKA Transit Hotel (on-site)
- Espinas Palace Hotel
- Novotel Tehran (city-side property)
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a mix of Iranian fast food outlets, cafes, and international-style restaurants spread across the departure and arrivals levels. Traditional Persian dishes including kebabs, stews, and fresh flatbread are widely available, giving travellers an authentic taste of local cuisine before or after their flight. Outside the airport perimeter, roadside restaurants along the highway toward Tehran offer heartier sit-down meals at more affordable prices.
- Allow extra time for security and immigration formalities, which can be lengthy during peak travel periods.
- Currency exchange counters inside the terminal operate at official rates; compare before exchanging large amounts.
- The Metro connection is the most reliable way to avoid Tehran's notorious road traffic, especially during morning and evening rush hours.
- Keep a small amount of Iranian rials in cash as many airside vendors do not accept foreign cards due to sanctions-related banking restrictions.
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Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport is the international airport of Tehran, the capital of Iran. It is located 2 kilometers (1 mi) from Vahnabad and 35 kilometres southwest of Tehran and is named after Ruhollah Khomeini (1900–1989), Iran's first supreme leader. The airport is operated by Imam Khomeini Airport City Company. It covers 13,400 hectares and has two terminals and two runways. All international flights into Tehran are served by the airport, and all domestic flights land at Mehrabad Airport. Imam Khomeini Airport is a hub for multiple airlines. As of the fiscal year ending on 20 March 2019, it ranked third in terms of passenger traffic in Iran.
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