One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
THR5.5
IKA6.6+1.1
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
THR4.5
IKA6.4+1.9
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
THR4.0
IKA6.2+2.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
THR6.0
IKA7.2+1.2
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
THR3.0
IKA5.4+2.4
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
THR4.0
IKA6.6+2.6
Best for
THR
Domestic flights across IranMetro access close to central TehranPaid 24-hour CIP lounge for all terminals
IKA
International arrivals who printed the MFA grant noticeDaytime metro to Tajrish with light bagsTravellers willing to pay CIP to skip Terminal 1
Watch out for
THR
Germany's travel warning and request to leave Iran; risk of arbitrary arrestAirspace can close and flights can be cancelled without warningMost international flights use IKA, not MehrabadForeign cards don't work; bring cashNo photography: the airfield is shared with the air force
IKA
UK/US/Canada cannot visa-on-arrival; Israeli ink can refuse entryNo Priority Pass; leftover 'all flights suspended' Wikipedia copy is leftover-stale after 25 April 2026EASA still advised EU operators out of FIR Tehran through 30 September 2026
THR · Iran's busiest airport, in western Tehran, with about 13.75 million passengers in 1403. It is mainly a domestic hub; most international flights use Imam Khomeini (IKA), and Mehrabad runs only a few trial international and pilgrim flights. Four terminals are in use, linked to Tehran Metro Line 4 by two stations. A paid 24-hour CIP in Terminal 1 is the only lounge option. Germany warns against all travel to Iran, and EASA advises EU airlines to avoid Iranian airspace.
IKA · Tehran's international airport is a 2005 arc plus a 2019 Salaam hall with a live but infrequent metro: paid CIP is the only lounge that changes the day, Uber does not exist, and European metal is still a maybe after the 2026 closure.
