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Visas & entry
A visa is required for U.S., British and Canadian passport holders, and travellers should not assume visa on arrival or that older Afghan visas issued abroad will be accepted. Confirm in writing with both the issuing Afghan mission and the airline that the visa format will be accepted before purchasing non-refundable travel; verify current rules for every nationality. Passports carrying Israeli visas or certain border stamps may cause refusal of entry, and proof of polio vaccination may be requested on departure.
Getting in
- Kabul International Airport: Kabul is the country’s main international air gateway, reached through regional hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul, Jeddah, Delhi and Islamabad. Flight schedules can change abruptly; reconfirm before travel, and note that UK and U.S. authorities raise serious concerns about Afghan aviation safety oversight.
Getting around
There is no useful passenger rail network. In Kabul, use pre-arranged transport from trusted local hosts or security providers rather than taxis, public transport or self-driving; outside the city, roads, checkpoints, criminality, poor driving and sudden closures make even short trips unpredictable. Domestic flights exist but reduce distance, not risk, and should not support a tight onward itinerary.
Money
The currency is the Afghan afghani (AFN). Cash is essential: foreign-card ATMs may not work, card acceptance is limited and surcharges can be high; carry funds discreetly rather than displaying large amounts. UK guidance states that taking more than US$5,000 through airports or US$500 through land borders is illegal; tipping, where appropriate, should be modest and discreet.
- Treat official travel warnings seriously: the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia advise against travel because of terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary detention, limited medical care and negligible consular support.
- Do not self-drive or wander independently, particularly near government buildings, religious sites, military areas, checkpoints or heritage sites; photography can attract scrutiny and may be restricted.
- Women, LGBT+ travellers, journalists, aid workers, former military personnel, and people with government or NGO links face heightened risks and restrictions; women may be barred from many public recreational spaces.
- Carry cash discreetly, keep contingency funds separate, and do not rely on ATMs, international cards, stable mobile service or an easy emergency evacuation.
- During Ramadan, do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, play loud music, dance or swear in public during daylight hours; public-behaviour restrictions can be enforced strictly.
- Confirm accommodation, local transport, access permissions and each day’s movements through credible local contacts; a cancelled outing is a normal operational outcome, not a minor inconvenience.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.