Afghanistan is becoming more and more popular amongst intrepid travellers and the easiest way to get there is by flying into Kabul Airport.
Now, when I say that we have been many times through Kabul Airport, this would be an absolute understatement. We fly through Kabul both internationally and domestically almost more than any other airport in the world.
Here is our guide to what is available in Kabul Airport, both for international arrivals and departures and for domestic travel as well.
Security Checks (international departures)
The biggest difference with Kabul Airport for you will be the security. When you are planning on exiting Kabul you will have to go through several checks. This is the order you should expect it:
- Just at the roundabout on the outside of the airport there is your first security check which will be a quick body check and a bag quick bag scan. Men and women will use the same bag scanner even though the body check is different.
- You will then walk about 150m to the next check which will comprise of a metal detector and another bag check. This bag check on the Xray can be a little more thorough, but is also still fairly quick. Again, there are separate entrances for men and women. There will be people directing you at each step so don’t worry if you can’t read Dari.
- After this, you will then walk through a bunch of shops, money changers and airline offices. Walk through this area into the carpark and past the crowds to enter the airport area. They will see you have a foreign passport and wave you through or they may want to see your ticket. For foreigners they are usually very relaxed once they see a foreign passport.
- Once you are through here, you will walk past the “Afghanistan” sign and enter the international departures area, where you will (you guessed it) go through more checks. These checks will be a very thorough body check, followed by yet another bag scan, followed by a customs check where they will ask you how much cash you have on you. Again, for foreigners this last check is fairly relaxed.
- Once through you will be inside the airport at the check in counter. You will then check in and go to the next step which is passport control. First there is a desk on the left that will check your visa, then you go to a separate window, where they will stamp you out of the country.
- Finally, you will have to go through one more security check where you (annoyingly) will have to remove your shoes. Once past here you will be in the waiting area.
Food and drink (International departures)
Airside in Kabul Airport, there are several cafes that have food. Don’t expect a McDonalds or full food court, but if you’re looking for a snack then you can get chocolate bars, samosas and sometimes the famous Afghani German roll. Tea and coffee are also available as well as soft drinks. Most of the time the vending machines don’t work or will have an attendant selling drinks manually from the machine – yes you read that right.
Security check (domestic departures)
For the security to get to the domestic terminal you will need to repeat steps 1-3 the same as the international departures. After this you will then be at the “Afghanistan” sign and instead of entering the international departures you will instead head to domestic.
- Once inside the domestic terminal, you will go through a very thorough bag and body check followed by putting your bag through a scanner once again. Men and women will once again use the same scanner.
- You will then be in the domestic check-in area when you will continue to your final security check.
- You are now in the domestic terminal where you will wait for your flight.
Food and drink (domestic departures)
There are several kiosks selling snacks and drinks inside the domestic terminal so if you are looking for something cheap and quick they will have it. Don’t eat too much though or you’ll miss out on the wonderful either cold samosa or chicken sandwich served on your Kam Air or Ariana Afghan domestic flight. Yes that’s right even on short flights in Afghanistan they give you better service than RyanAir, Jetstar or Spirit Airlines.
What to expect when arriving
The arrival process into Kabul now is fairly straightforward. Here is how it will work:
- Go through passport control where they will stamp your visa;
- You will then head to a registration counter (don’t worry you can’t miss it as there will be airport staff directing you). Previously you needed to fill out lots of details on both a registration form and an identity card form. Both of these have now stopped and someone will fill in your details electronically. You will need to know who your local guide is, their number and also the name of your hotel.
- You will then collect your bags, which actually come super fast. Definitely faster than any major airport you will have been to.
- You then go through a security check where they will check your bag tag. Don’t throw your bag tag away! You will then put your bag in a scanner and you’re free!
- After the bag scan there are money changers which don’t offer terrible rates, but make sure you look the rate up and bargain with them if they do try and give you a bad one. Rates downtown will be better for you but only but about 1 or 2 afghanis per 1 USD.
- You then walkthrough the carpark past the “Afghanistan” sign then exit on the right side exit towards the carpark where there will be crowds waiting for you. This is where you will be met by your Saiga guide if you are on a Saiga Afghanistan group tour.
Anything else you should know?
Traffic at the airport can be crazy and trying to get a car into the airport takes a long time, so our tip is to get dropped off at the roundabout outside and walk through the security as it will be exponentially quicker!
The best way to be guided through Kabul Airport on an Afghanistan trip is of course to join a Saiga Afghanistan group tour. To see our departure dates, check out our website here.
Our Afghanistan group tours sell out fast as we have limited spaces, so to secure your place, send us an email to [email protected] .
