How to Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad: Best Options
How to Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
Traveling between Tabriz and Mashhad, two of Iran’s most captivating cities, offers a journey through history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in the northwest, Tabriz boasts a rich heritage with its bazaars and ancient architecture, while Mashhad, in the northeast, draws millions for its religious significance and bustling energy.
Spanning roughly 1,500 kilometers, the Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad route provides multiple transportation options—plane, train, bus, taxi, or car—each catering to different budgets, schedules, and travel styles. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, this guide breaks down every method to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
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Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad by Plane
Looking for the fastest way to reach Mashhad? Flying tops the list. The Tabriz to Mashhad flight covers 1,203 kilometers in about two hours, making it ideal for those short on time. Booking is straightforward—visit platforms like OrientTrips, select your flight, and head to Tabriz International Airport (also known as Shahid Madani Airport) with your ticket and ID.
The process of Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad is simple: arrive at the airport, pass through security, check in at your airline’s counter, grab your boarding pass, clear final inspections, and relax in the waiting area before boarding. Once you land at Mashhad International Airport (Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport), metro, bus, or taxi services whisk you to the city center.
Ticket prices vary based on the airline, travel date, and class—expect fluctuations between peak seasons and off-peak times. For cheap flights, aim for midweek departures or last-minute charter deals during quieter months. Airlines like Ata, Iran Airtour, Varesh, Meraj, Saha, and Sepehran operate regular flights, ensuring plenty of options.
Tabriz International Airport
Built in 1950, Tabriz International Airport ranks among northwest Iran’s largest hubs. With separate terminals for domestic and international flights, it’s well-equipped for travelers. For your Mashhad trip, head to the domestic terminal. Find it at: Tabriz, Shahid Madani International Airport. Need assistance? Call +98 41 3526 0405 or visit tabriz.airport.ir.
Mashhad International Airport
Spanning 540 hectares, Mashhad International Airport opened in 1967 and serves as a key gateway in eastern Iran. Its three terminals handle domestic flights (Terminal 1), outbound international flights (Terminal 2), and inbound international flights (Terminal 3). After landing from Tabriz, you’ll exit via Terminal 1. The airport lies southeast of Mashhad at Boulevard Firoozeh, Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport. Contact them at +98 51 3340 0001 or check mashhad.airport.ir.
Book Tabriz Hotels
Traveling by Train from Tabriz to Mashhad
Prefer a slower pace with scenic views? Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad by train offers a safe, comfortable ride across 1,542 kilometers of rail, taking about 24 hours. Trains feature cozy seats, ample rest space, and the freedom to stretch your legs while passing through Iran’s diverse landscapes.
Stops include cities like Nishapur, Sabzevar, Shahroud, Damghan, Semnan, Garmsar, Tehran, Qazvin, Varamin, Mianeh, Maragheh, and Zanjan—perfect for glimpsing regional life. Options range from budget-friendly to luxurious:
- Khalij-e Fars: Four-berth cabins with standard amenities at reasonable prices.
- Milad: Six-berth cabins, ideal for families or students, offering the cheapest fares.
- Simorgh: Luxury perks like audio-visual systems, PlayStation, and snacks—pricey but plush.
- Sabz-e Raja: Four-berth cabins with upscale features and higher rates.
Book tickets online, with costs reflecting train type and travel season. It’s a cost-effective alternative to flying, blending affordability with comfort.
Tabriz Railway Station
Opened in 1916, Tabriz Railway Station is one of Iran’s oldest, designed by a French architect and now a national heritage site. Located at Rahahan Square, it’s accessible via BRT buses or taxis. Expect prayer rooms, shops, ticket counters, restrooms, and parking. Reach it at: Tabriz, Rahahan Square, Azerbaijan Railway Administration. Phone: +98 41 3444 0052. Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad by train offers a unique and historic journey.
Mashhad Railway Station
Since 1955, Mashhad Railway Station has grown into a modern marvel, designed by Iranian architect Heydar Ghiaï. Its facilities—shops, restrooms, prayer rooms, ATMs, phone charging stations, luggage storage, restaurants, and hotel booking kiosks—cater to every need.
Find it at: Mashhad, Shahid Keshvari Boulevard, Rahahan Square. Call +98 51 3222 4681 for info. Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad by train provides convenience and comfort with well-equipped stations.
Traveling by Bus from Tabriz to Mashhad
On a budget? The Travel from Tabriz to Mashhad bus delivers affordability over 1,540 kilometers, taking around 16 hours—though traffic or weather might adjust that. You’ll pass through Tabriz, Zanjan, Qazvin, Garmsar, Semnan, Damghan, Shahroud, Sabzevar, and Nishapur before arriving at Mashhad’s Imam Reza Terminal.
Online tickets let you hop off at intermediate stops, with companies like Tak Safar Iranian (Cooperative 13), Lovan Noor (Cooperative 8), and Giti Peyma Iran running daily routes. For comfort on this long haul, opt for VIP buses with reclining seats and air conditioning. Depart from Tabriz Central Terminal and disembark at Mashhad’s main bus hub.
Tabriz Central Terminal
Launched in 1995, Tabriz Central Terminal offers waiting halls, free Wi-Fi, craft shops, eateries, parking, a library, bank branches, and a mother-and-child room. It’s at: Tabriz, Abourihan Square, End of Manzariyeh Street. Contact: +98 41 3479 1177.
Imam Reza Terminal in Mashhad
Covering 14,000 hectares since 1990, Imam Reza Terminal ranks among Iran’s top bus stations. Enjoy restaurants, coffee shops, ticket offices, a playground, parking, restrooms, and commercial stalls. Locate it at: Mashhad, Shahid Kalantari Highway, Enghelab-e Eslami Square. Phone: +98 51 3859 9001.
Traveling by Taxi from Tabriz to Mashhad
Need flexibility? Taxis provide a tailored option. At Tabriz Terminal, shared taxis operate at fixed rates, while online services like ride-hailing apps let you start from any address in Tabriz and end wherever you choose in Mashhad. Private taxis skip the wait, carry more luggage, and allow stops along the way—perfect for a personalized journey.
Driving from Tabriz to Mashhad
Love the open road? Driving your own car across the 1,500-kilometer stretch offers unmatched freedom. Stop in cities like Zanjan or Semnan, rest when you need, and soak in the scenery. Two main routes connect the cities, with travel time averaging 18 hours in good conditions. Check road updates and fuel up—your adventure awaits.
Which Travel Option Suits You Best?
Each method has its perks. Planes save time but cost more. Trains balance comfort and price, with stunning views. Buses keep expenses low, while taxis and cars offer control. Weigh your budget, timeline, and priorities—speed, savings, or flexibility—to pick the perfect ride.
Iran’s vast landscapes and cultural depth shine through on this route. Tabriz, with its UNESCO-listed bazaar, and Mashhad, home to Imam Reza’s shrine, promise rich experiences. Choose your transport for travel from Tabriz to Mashhad, pack your bags, and set off on a journey bridging northwest to northeast Iran.
