Alborz Province · Iran
Karaj travel guide
Karaj is a city in Alborz Province, Iran, home to about 1,592,000 people.
- Best months
- April, May and October
- Nearest airport
- PYK16 km · Payam International Airport
- Currency
- IRRIranian rial
- Time zone
- Asia/Tehran
- Language
- Persian
About
About Karaj
Karaj is a city in the Central District of Karaj County, Alborz province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. Earliest evidence of inhabitation in Karaj can be dated to the Bronze Age at Tepe Khurvin.
Karaj (Persian: كرج pronounced [kæˈɾædʒ]) is a city in and the capital of Karaj County, Alborz Province, Iran. In 2011, its population was estimated to be about 1.6 million, making it the fifth-largest city in Iran. It is 20 km (12 mi) west of Tehran, in the foothills of the Alborz mountains. The city is surrounded by mountains which give it great landscapes. The history of Karaj dates back many centuries. The stone built Zoroastrian fire temple of Takht-e-Rostam from the Parthian era is a testament to this.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Karaj
See
Karaj has a very pleasant climate in all four seasons. It is very famous for the natural attractions. The stunning Alborz Mountain Range provide a natural beauty to the landscape of Karaj. Karaj is also the starting point for a pleasant drive along spectacular Chalous Road forced north through the Alborz Mountain to the Caspian Sea.
- Pearl Palace
- Suleymanieh Palace
- Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Karaj
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Karaj are April, May and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; November is the wettest, with about 58 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Karaj: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Payam International Airport (PYK), about 16 km from the city centre in a straight line; Mehrabad International Airport (THR, 33 km) and Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA, 49 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Karaj is easily accessible using Metro system of Tehran. Line 5 takes passenger in less than an hour to city. There are 3 metro stations in Karaj at east, center and west. The trains are very comfortable. There are numerous local trains between Karaj and central Tehran. A few long-distance trains call here too.
Getting around
By metro: Karaj Metro is an efficient way to travel inside the city. One line connects west and east of the city (from Karaj Station to Golshahr Station). It continues eastward until Tehran. On its way to Tehran, it stops at Chitgar park and Azadi stadium. The second line of Karaj metro (north to south) is under construction.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
PYK · Payam International Airport
THR · Mehrabad International Airport
IKA · Imam Khomeini International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Karaj
Stay safe
At late nights and when the streets are not crowded and full of people, it's better to avoid going out or to go out with a native partner.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Karaj: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Karaj?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Karaj are April, May and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; November is the wettest, with about 58 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Karaj?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Payam International Airport (PYK), about 16 km from the city centre in a straight line; Mehrabad International Airport (THR, 33 km) and Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA, 49 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Karaj?
Iranian rial (IRR).
Nearby
Destinations near Karaj
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.