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A great achievement of the 20th century.
Stretching between the sparkling shores of the Caspian Sea and the fertile plains of the Persian Gulf, the 1,393-kilometer-long Trans-Iran railway is hailed as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century.
To build this railway, brilliant engineers from around the world faced an extraordinary challenge: how to lay a railway line across four distinct climate zones, while simultaneously connecting towering mountain ranges, deep canyons, salt deserts, ancient forests, and plains.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, the Trans-Iran Railway is the result of more than 174 large railway bridges, 186 smaller railway bridges, and 224 tunnels built between 1927 and 1938. This feat was accomplished by over 70,000 workers, a massive topographic surveying strategy, and advanced aerial imaging technology.
The train travels northeast, from Andimeshk to Dorud, crossing the Zagros Mountains in western Iran.
This road is like a needle stitch, connecting the places it passes through into a magnificent tapestry of scenery: from the towering skyscrapers of Tehran to the tombs and mosques of Qom, to the nomadic homes in the Zagros Mountains.
Yeganeh Morakabati, a travel researcher and Associate Professor at Bournemouth University, said of the Trans-Iran train journey: "In just a few hours, the train from Tehran heading south will take you through all four seasons. And that's not all; you even feel like you've just traveled from one country to another, because the cultures and people in each region are so different – I mean, the landscapes and languages change completely. It's truly extraordinary."
The landscape seems to stretch on endlessly during the 8-hour train journey from Tehran to the holy city of Mashhad.
In fact, Iran's tourism image has been negatively impacted since the 1979 revolution. Yeganeh Morakabati says that decades of sanctions and negative media portrayals of Iran have only exacerbated the situation. But now, as more and more tourists return to Iran to experience its beauty and hospitality firsthand, those prejudices are gradually being dispelled.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Iran's tourism industry was booming. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup about to be held in neighboring Qatar, Iran expected a large influx of tourists. And this railway line – initially one of the country's most controversial infrastructure projects – became central to ongoing efforts to revive Iran's tourism sector.
The emergence of railways and tourism in the Middle East.
Today, this railway line is considered a symbol of modernity and unity in Iran, but its construction was fraught with controversy.
Mikiya Koyagi, an assistant professor at the University of Texas Austin, said Iran's railway system developed relatively late compared to its neighbors such as the Ottoman Empire, British India, and Egypt – all of which had railway networks in the latter half of the 19th century, except for Iran. This is because during the global railway boom that lasted until World War I, Iran was sandwiched between two superpowers: the Russian Empire and the British Empire.
The sun shines on the ancient city of Yazd, illuminating its ruined buildings. Behind them is the Masjed-e Jameh Mosque – an image featured on Iran's 200 rial banknote.
Bisheh Falls and the nearby old oak forest are popular tourist attractions located near Bisheh train station.
The change came in 1925 when the Qajar Empire of Iran collapsed. The new Pahlavi state wanted to build the country's infrastructure and expand trade without relying on foreign powers. They financed the entire domestic railway line by borrowing from domestic banks and imposing high taxes on sugar and tea. Besides the leading Danish company Kampsax, more than 40 companies from various countries participated in the construction project.
The completed railway line has undoubtedly transformed Iran, but the experience varies from person to person. Many have gained the opportunity for faster and more convenient travel; others are resentful of being forcibly relocated without compensation for their land. Those living in isolated villages nestled between key tourist destinations – who previously relied on income from domestic tourism – have lost a significant source of revenue because the line no longer passes through their area.
"Most Iranians hated the railway project at the time," Mikiya Koyagi revealed, "But I think now many people feel proud of this line."
On an overnight train carrying passengers from the holy city of Mashhad back to the desert city of Yazd.
The desert city of Yazd is famous for its Persian architecture, wind-catching structures (structures that provide passive cooling through cross-ventilation), and the ancient Zoroastrian people.
After World War II, tourism in Iran boomed. According to Yeganeh Morakabati, from 1967 to 1977, it was considered a top Middle Eastern destination, ranking higher than places like Egypt. But after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, followed by the Iran-Iraq War, the steady stream of tourists dried up. The country then struggled under decades of international sanctions, its economy devastated, and the livelihoods of millions destroyed.
Yeganeh Morakabati said: “Compared to the rest of the world, the Middle East has yet to reach its full potential. The Middle East and North Africa region has enormous tourism potential, but it is also a magnet for violent conflict. These two extremes are clashing.”
Before the Revolution, Western Europe and the United States were Iran's most important tourist markets. In 1977, Iran received over 70,000 American tourists; but by 2010, that number had dropped to just 400. The tourism market then changed dramatically, with the majority of international visitors coming from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, India, the Arab world, Turkey, and Afghanistan – including those traveling for religious or business purposes.
A man looks out the window as the train stops in Dorud, western Iran.
Tourists on an overnight train from Yazd travel southeast, across the desert, to Zahedan (Iran).
People enjoy themselves and cool off on a summer night along the Dez River in the city of Dezful.
A boy plays outside a magnesite mine (a mineral used in steelmaking and metallurgy) in the city of Zahedan, on the edge of the Lut Desert.
A new era for rail tourism in Iran.
In 2015, nuclear sanctions against Iran were lifted following successful negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Agreement. The tourism industry recovered almost immediately.
According to a report by the World Tourism Organization, the Middle East recorded the highest tourism growth in 2019, and Iran is one of the region's fastest-growing destinations. The country aims to attract 20 million tourists by 2025 and has been investing in hotels, tourism facilities, and transport infrastructure. This includes the completion of nearly 7,000 km of new railway lines in the past seven years, including a high-speed rail line connecting the three major cities of Tehran, Qom, and Isfahan.
The Trans-Iran Railway alone passes through dozens of national parks and wildlife habitats, such as the Caspian Hyrcania mixed forest, or Mount Damāvand – Iran's highest peak, attracting climbers from around the world. This train journey also takes you back in time – to historic Khuzestan, one of the oldest regions on the Iranian plateau, home to the 5th-century BCE hydraulic labyrinth system at Shushtar.
A 3D mural on a wall in the city of Mashhad – a city named after the shrine of Imam Reza. Every year, this shrine welcomes millions of pilgrims from all over the world.
The Tower of Silence, a structure located on the outskirts of the city of Yazd, was built for sky burial according to Zoroastrian custom. This practice has been banned for over 50 years.
Matin Lashkari, an Iranian travel blogger, shared: "It's very peaceful, very safe; it's a kind of slow tourism that doesn't leave a large carbon footprint. I think Western media has focused too much on the dark side of Iran. I'm not denying the negatives, I mean this beautiful aspect has been completely overlooked."
Lashkari also believes that a new era of tourism is approaching. She recently visited Yazd, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its iconic earthen buildings, ancient markets, traditional Turkish baths, and handcrafted textiles. "Everything has completely changed," she said. "In just five years, a whole host of new cafes, shops, and hotels have sprung up."
"I have never met anyone who came to Iran without being surprised by what they witnessed," Lashkari concluded. "They were amazed by the hospitality and openness of the people. I understand that many people think Iranians are not welcoming to foreigners because the country has been isolated for many years, but the reality is quite the opposite."
Passengers on the train from Dorud town to Bisheh Falls.
A passenger travels from Andimeshk to Dorud on a trans-Iranian train.
Two women stood waiting on the platform as the eight-hour train journey from eastern Tehran to the holy city of Mashhad stopped for prayer.
A girl took a night train from Dorud to Tehran on the Trans-Iran railway line.
Koyagi, a tourist who has been visiting Iran since 1997, shared that his fondest memory of taking this train is meeting people from different cultures. He has spent many nights in the same compartment with unfamiliar faces he'd never seen before.
"One of the best things about traveling in Iran is that you're not alone. Everyone in the carriage is happy to talk to you, they share food with you, ask you all sorts of questions and tell you all sorts of stories – I've never experienced this kind of rail travel anywhere else," said Koyagi.
