What other routes are available to travel from the UAE to Iran?

Ground Travel Guide from the UAE to Iran in the Context of Flight Cancellations

From Turkey and Armenia to Iraq; Iranians in the UAE can currently reach Iran through which routes?

With the widespread cancellation of flights to Iran, ground travel has become one of the main options for travelers wishing to return to their country. For Iranians in the UAE, several ground routes through neighboring countries can be considered; routes that typically start with a flight from the UAE and continue by car, bus, or train to one of Iran's land borders.

Turkey, Armenia, and Iraq are the most important routes proposed for alternative travel to Iran. However, the status of borders, flight schedules, and transportation options may change rapidly, and travelers should recheck the status of their chosen route before departure.

Route One: UAE → Istanbul → Van → Razi Border → Iran

One of the most important options for entering Iran by land is reaching the city of Van in eastern Turkey and crossing the Kapikoy-Razi passage.

Travel Route:

✈️ UAE → Istanbul
✈️ Istanbul → Van
🚗 Van → Kapikoy/Razi Border → Khoy → continue in Iran

Van Airport is about 110 kilometers from the Kapikoy passage, and traveling this route by car takes about an hour and a half. The distance from the city of Van to the border is also about 90 kilometers and takes nearly two hours.
The Razi passage is located on the Iranian side and Kapikoy on the Turkish side. This border operates 24 hours a day according to published information, and customs procedures and crossing the border usually take about two to three hours.

Travelers should be aware that part of the route in the border area may need to be walked with luggage. Therefore, this route may be challenging for the elderly or individuals with mobility limitations.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Dubai or Sharjah to Van, and to reach Van, one must use another city in Turkey.

Route Two: UAE → Turkey → Bazargan Border → Iran

Bazargan is another one of the main land crossings between Iran and Turkey.

Travel Route:

✈️ UAE → Turkey
🚗 Turkey → Gorbulagh/Bazargan → Makoo → continue in Iran

The Bazargan passage is known as Gorbulagh on the Turkish side and is located in West Azerbaijan province.
This border operates 24 hours a day and is one of the busiest crossings between Iran and Turkey. A significant portion of the traffic at this border is related to trucks and cargo transit.

Distances:
Istanbul to Bazargan Border: about 1550 kilometers, 18 to 20 hours of driving
Bazargan Border to Tehran: about 900 kilometers, 10 to 11 hours of driving
This route is suitable for travelers who can cover a long part of the journey on Turkish soil by land.

Route Three: UAE → Turkey → Serow Border → Iran

The third important crossing between Iran and Turkey is the Serow border near Urmia.

Travel Route:

✈️ UAE → Turkey
🚗 Turkey → Serow Border → Urmia → continue in Iran
The Serow border is about 55 kilometers from Urmia and operates 24 hours a day.

Distances:
Istanbul to Serow Border: about 1700 kilometers, 19 to 22 hours of driving
Serow Border to Tehran: about 800 kilometers, 10 to 12 hours of driving

The route between the Serow border and Urmia is mountainous and can be difficult in adverse weather conditions. Sharp turns, fog, reduced visibility, and the possibility of rockfalls are among the factors travelers should consider.

Special Suggestion: To view the real-time Dubai flight status, click on the link.

Route Four: UAE → Istanbul → Van → Van-Tehran Train

For travelers who do not wish to cover the entire route by car or bus, the Van-Tehran train is also an option to consider.

Travel Route:

✈️ UAE → Istanbul
✈️ Istanbul → Van
🚆 Van → Kapikoy/Razi → Tehran by train

According to the published schedule, the Van to Tehran train operates on Mondays and Thursdays.
However, travelers disembark from the train at the border for passport and customs procedures. This process is done on both sides of the border, and based on the experience of some travelers, the total waiting time on both sides of the border can be at least five hours.
Additionally, the existence of a train in the schedule does not necessarily mean that tickets are available, and travelers should check the possibility of purchasing tickets separately before planning.

Route Five: UAE → Yerevan → Norduz Border → Iran

Another important option for travelers from the UAE is entering Iran through Armenia.

Travel Route:

✈️ Dubai / Sharjah / Abu Dhabi → Yerevan
🚗 Yerevan → Norduz Border → Tabriz → continue in Iran
The Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan has air connections with Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.
After arriving in Yerevan, the traveler must head south towards Armenia and the Norduz passage. Norduz is the only official land crossing between Iran and Armenia for passenger transit.

Distances:
Yerevan to Norduz Border: about 380 kilometers, 6 to 9 hours of driving
Norduz to Tabriz: ... Route: Approximately 160 kilometers
Tehran to the Norduz border: Approximately 760 kilometers, 10 to 12 hours of driving

According to published information, the Norduz crossing operates 24 hours a day.
Holders of Iranian passports can also enter Armenia without a visa and stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
 

Route Six: UAE → Iraq → Western Borders of Iran

Iraq is also another alternative route for land entry into Iran.

Travel Route:

✈️ UAE → One of the cities in Iraq such as Najaf or Basra
🚗 Iraq → One of the land crossings into Iran → Continue the journey in Iran
Depending on the traveler's final destination in Iran, several different crossings can be considered.

Among the notable land borders between Iran and Iraq are Mehran, Shalamcheh, Chazabeh, Khosravi, Parvizkhan, Bashmaq, and Tamarchin.
Mehran is one of the most important and busiest borders. Shalamcheh and Chazabeh are located in the southwest of Iran. Khosravi and Parvizkhan are in Kermanshah province, and Bashmaq and Tamarchin are considered communication routes with the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The choice of the appropriate border largely depends on the traveler's final destination within Iran. A traveler whose destination is southwest Iran may choose a different route than someone intending to go to the west or northwest of the country.
Considering that the situation at the Iraqi borders may change under different security conditions, it is necessary for travelers to check the status of the same crossing on the day of travel.

Which route is more suitable for travelers from the UAE?

The choice of route largely depends on the final destination in Iran, the duration the traveler can spend on the road, and their physical condition.
For destinations in northwest Iran, routes such as Van-Razi, Bazargan, Sarv, or Yerevan-Norduz can be considered.
For cities like Tabriz, Urmia, and Khoy, entering from Turkey or Armenia will result in a shorter distance after crossing the border into Iran.
For those whose destination is west or southwest Iran, the route through Iraq and crossings such as Mehran, Khosravi, Shalamcheh, or Chazabeh can be another option.
For destinations like Tehran and central cities of Iran, in addition to the route to the border, several hours of land travel after entering Iran should also be considered.

What should the elderly and those with mobility limitations pay attention to?

Land travel under current conditions can be much longer and more difficult than a regular air trip.
At some crossings, travelers may have to walk part of the way or get off the vehicle, bus, or train for border controls along with their luggage.
For the elderly, young children, individuals with disabilities, or those who need wheelchairs, checking the available facilities at the border crossing before departure is particularly important.
At the Razi crossing, reports have been published about limited wheelchair services and the need to walk in part of the border area. Traveling by bus or train may also involve several stages of getting on and off for inspections and passport control.

What should we check before departure?

Under current conditions of flight cancellations, the status of alternative routes may change in a short time. Therefore, it is better for travelers to double-check a few items before departure:
The status of flights to the intermediary country, the opening of the border crossing, the possibility of purchasing train or bus tickets, the status of the roads, entry regulations for the intermediary country, and travel conditions on the day of travel.
The times mentioned for land routes are also merely approximate driving times. Border queues, customs formalities, checkpoints, traffic, and weather conditions can significantly increase travel time.

Summary

Under current conditions and with flight cancellations to Iran, three main corridors for travelers from the UAE can be considered:
Turkey → Razi, Bazargan, or Sarv borders
Armenia → Norduz border
Iraq → Western and Southwestern borders of Iran

Among these options, the Van-Razi route due to the proximity of Van to the Iranian border and the Yerevan-Norduz route due to the air connection between Yerevan and the UAE are routes that many travelers may initially consider.
However, none of these routes are a simple substitute for a direct flight, and the choice of route should be made considering the destination, travel duration, the traveler's physical condition, accompanying children or elderly, and the current status of the borders.

Save this guide; under current conditions of flight cancellations, you may need it for planning a land trip from the UAE to Iran.