What is the best way to book flights to Iran, and also inside the country? I read somewhere that internal flights are amazingly cheap, but can¹t seem to find any. - Paul Tompkins, Bedford

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds:

Booking flights to Iran is straightforward ­ using net-based flight searches or travel agents will help you get the best deals. At the moment there are fares with Bmi (0870 6070 555, www.flybmi.com), which flies non-stop from Heathrow from about £425 return. Alternatively, about the best indirect option is from Heathrow with Turkish Airlines (0 844 800 6666, www.thy.com) from £333, via Istanbul.

Iran Air (020 7409 0971, www.iranair.co.uk) has just launched a new website for the UK, which takes bookings via the UK-based Alternative Airlines (see below), and has fares from £483.

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I¹m guessing that you might have picked up an old guidebook with your mention of dirt-cheap domestic fares. It was true though; long before the days of the low cost airlines domestic flights in Iran were almost at give-away prices ­ Tehran to Shiraz for around a fiver for example.

However, though fares have gone up considerably, they are still set by the government and very good value - Tehran to Shiraz (430 miles) is about £66 return. Some booking sites will short circuit if you try and book domestic flights in Iran, but Alternative Airlines (0871 222 9233, www.alternativeairlines.com), and Kayak (www.kayak.co.uk) can cope.

If you are on a short trip, then be sure to book before you travel. If you have more time, there are a few other domestic airlines too, which you can use when you get to Iran. Most local travel agents can sell flights on Mahan Air (www.mahan.aero), Caspian Airlines (www.caspian.aero), and Iran Aseman (www.iaa.ir).

However, all Iranian domestic flights are subject to delays and the odd cancellation, and your chances of getting away as planned are probably the best with Iran Air, despite its 22-year average aircraft age.

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