Citizens of Tajikistan and Iran have been able to travel between the two countries without visas since October 5, including by land. However, as the countries do not share a border, the overland journey from Dushanbe to Tehran requires transit through third countries. Asia-Plus explains the available routes and their costs.
Under the visa-free agreement, citizens of both countries with valid foreign passports can enter, leave, transit through or stay in the other country for up to 30 days within any 90-day period. The rules apply to travel by air or land, including through third countries.
However, the visa-free arrangement does not cover transit countries. Travelers may therefore need visas to pass through them.
What does the map show?
Asia-Plus has prepared an interactive infographic showing the available routes from Dushanbe to Tehran, border crossings and approximate travel costs.
Clicking on a border crossing reveals its name, a description, the cities on either side of the border and other details. Users can also filter routes by the countries they pass through.
For those traveling from other countries, including Russia and countries bordering Iran, the infographic includes information on Iranian border crossings in a separate section titled “From neighboring countries and Russia.”
What routes are available?
There are four main options: through Afghanistan, through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, or by flying from Dushanbe to Baku and continuing overland to Tehran.
The route through Afghanistan is the shortest overland option. Tajik citizens traveling by land will need Afghan and Turkmen visas for the respective routes. These can be obtained through the countries’ embassies or consulates.
The infographic also includes a Moscow–Tehran route, given the large number of Tajik citizens living in Russia.
There is no direct train from Moscow to Tehran. Two trains a week operate between Moscow and Baku, after which travelers must continue to Tehran by bus or taxi. The cost depends on the transport option chosen.
Is flying the easiest option?
A direct flight is the most convenient way to travel between the two capitals. Varesh Airlines operates flights between Dushanbe and Tehran three times a week.
Following Turkmenistan’s closure of its airspace to Iranian aircraft, the route became longer. The flight now takes between 2 hours 15 minutes and approximately 3 hours 20 minutes.
The travel costs shown in the Asia-Plus infographic are based on accounts from at least four Tajik and Iranian citizens who traveled overland during the visa-free period.