Mashhad International Airport (MHD) – Complete Guide to Flights, Facilities & Transportation

Introduction

Mashhad International Airport (IATA: MHD), officially known as Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport, is the main airport serving Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city and one of the world’s most important pilgrimage destinations. It is one of the busiest airports in Iran, as it serves millions of people annually. Domestic passengers and international visitors fly to Mashhad as a pilgrim to the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza.

It is 8 km (5 miles) southeast of Mashhad’s city center and is 995 m (3,263 ft) above sea levels. Mashhad International Airport offers convenient access to the city’s religious, historical, and cultural attractions.

History

Mashhad International Airport was established in the early 1950s. Initially it had only one flight to Tehran daily. Since Mashhad is the home to the Imam Reza shrine, receiving approximately 20 million visitors a year, the airport was expanded over the years to accommodate the visitors.

Airport Terminals

Mashhad International Airport has three passenger terminals.

Terminal 1 – Domestic Flights

The largest terminal, serving flights to destinations across Iran.

Popular routes include:

• Tehran
• Shiraz
• Isfahan
• Kish Island
• Tabriz
• Ahvaz
• Bandar Abbas

Terminal 2 – International Arrivals

This terminal handles the international arrivals, customs, baggage claim, and passport control.

Terminal 3 – International Departures

Terminal 3 is dedicated to outbound international flights, including check-in counters, immigration, and duty-free shopping.

Domestic Connections

Mashhad Airport offers flights to Iran’s largest cities like:

• Tehran
• Shiraz
• Isfahan
• Tabriz
• Kerman
• Yazd
• Ahvaz
• Kish Island
• Bandar Abbas
• Qeshm Island

International Destinations

Depending on airline schedules and seasonal demand, Mashhad offers international flights to destinations such as:

• Istanbul
• Dubai
• Doha
• Najaf
• Baghdad
• Muscat
• Kuwait City
• Various cities in Central Asia

Airport Facilities

Mashhad International Airport offers a good variety of facilities for the passengers to use.

• Restaurants and cafés
• Coffee shops
• Duty-free shopping
• Currency exchange
• ATM machines
• Banking services
• Tourist information
• VIP and CIP lounges
• Left luggage facilities
• Medical center
• Pharmacy
• Free Wi-Fi (availability may vary)
• Prayer rooms
• Car rental
• Large parking area for private vehicles

Transportation to Mashhad City Center

The airport is relatively close to the city center. There are a few options available to get to the city center.

• Official Airport Taxi: Depending on the traffic, it can take up to 20 minutes to reach the city center.
• Bus: There are buses at the airport connecting to different parts of the city and providing an economical option for travelers.
• Private transfer: Many hotel or tour operators provide private transfer for their clients.
• Snapp & Tapsi ride-hailing apps: you can easily use these reliable Iranian apps to get to any part of the city. To know more about these apps. See Snapp & Tapsi in Iran – A Traveler’s Complete Guide.

Travel Tips

• Make sure to arrive 2-3 hours before your international departure.
• During Nowruz or pilgrimage seasons, Mashhad will be at its busiest. Make sure to consider that when going to the airport.
• Don’t exchange all your money at the airport. You can usually get a better rate in the city. Carry some Iranian Rials for taxi payment.
• if you are arriving late at night, it’s better to arrange airport transfer in advance.

Nearby Attractions

Within 20–30 minutes of the airport, visitors can reach:

• Imam Reza Holy Shrine
• Kooh Sangi Park
• Nader Shah Museum
• Bazaar Reza
• Tomb of Ferdowsi (approximately 35 km away)
• Mellat Park

FAQ