Why visit Afghanistan?
When most people hear Afghanistan, travel is far from their minds. Everything you have seen in the media is usually about terrorism, extremism, war and in general nothing too positive. However, Afghanistan while it does it is certainly rough around the edges is currently in a new era of stability with the new government that took over after the US forces left the country.
For travellers this has opened up an opportunity to explore this amazingly misunderstood country and it is now much more accessible. We have been travelling to Afghanistan for many years now and can safely say that a journey to Afghanistan will certainly be one to remember. There are not many places left in the world that are truly as authentic as Afghanistan. If you feel like stepping back in time and going back to a world of travel that is about as off-the-beaten-path as it gets then, Afghanistan should definitely be on your bucket list.
From some of the most jaw-dropping natural beauty sites on the planet to getting up close and personal with locals at chaotic markets, Afghanistan is the place to go.
How to get a visa for Afghanistan?
Tourist visas for Afghanistan are surprisingly not that difficult to get. If you need to visit an embassy in person you have a few limited options mainly in the Middle East in locations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Tehran, Islamabad, Peshawar, Tashkent and Mashhad. As of April 2026, however a new e-visa system has been implemented and now there is no need to visit a consulate or embassy in person.
To get the visa online you will need the following documents:
- Passport
- Passport-size photo
- Letter of Invitation from a local sponsor
- Local Sponsor ID – with Taskira number (this is the number on the local sponsor’s ID card)
You will then pay the $8 processing fee followed by $120 for the visa fee which are both paid online. Usually, the visa is issued within 3 days, however we have seen it take about a week as well. This visa will be valid for 30 days and can be applied for 3 months in advance. If you would like a full in-depth look at the process please read out blog A Guide to New Afghanistan E-Visa.
Getting into Afghanistan – Flights and land borders
The main way tourists arrive in Afghanistan is via flight arriving at Kabul International Airport. Currently, there are 6 airlines that service Kabul, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai, Kam Air, Ariana Afghan, Air Arabia, and Etihad.
The most popular way to fly into Kabul is via Dubai or Istanbul, with Dubai having the most daily flights by far. The flights to Dubai are usually also the cheapest available and have some of the most reliable service. Ariana Afghan, Fly Dubai and Kam Air all fly to Dubai. For a full look at the schedule for each airline, check out our blog here:
Which Airlines Fly into Afghanistan in 2026.
Afghanistan shares a land border with China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Iran. Currently it is possible to cross the land borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. The Chinese border is too remote and mountainous for normal travellers and it is highly unlikely that foreign tourists would be allowed to cross here. The border with Pakistan has recently been the site of conflict between the two countries and at the time of writing this is May 2026 the border is currently closed while they are in the process of making a lasting peace deal. For more information on the land borders and logistics of using them read this blog here
: A Guide to Afghanistan’s Land Border Crossings in 2026.
Money – Currency and costs
The currency of Afghanistan is called the Afghani, and contrary to what you may think about a place like Afghanistan, their currency has maintained a fairly strong value over the years. The biggest problem that they have with the currency in Afghanistan is the supply of notes in the country which means sometimes the notes are in very poor condition and fall apart. The rate of the Afghani hovers usually between 60-70 to 1 USD.
Changing money is very easy in Afghanistan, however you should bring all you want to change in cash into the country as the ATMs can be unreliable and will give you an unfavourable rate. Money changers are found on nearly every street corner, not just in Kabul but nearly every city and town in the country. You will get the best rate for good condition high value notes such as 100 dollar bills. The smaller the denomination the lower the rate you will receive, however it is usually only about 0.5 -1 different.
sometimes if the denomination is quite small such as a 10 or below (for the USD) then they may not even change it. It is also possible to change euros and some other currencies, however USD is usually preferred.
Health
You do not need to have any particular vaccines to travel to Afghanistan. The biggest concerns regarding health in Afghanistan are food poisoning from eating dirty foods or consuming contaminated water. It is always best to eat at reputable restaurants and to never drink tap water. Absolutely only drink bottled water in Afghanistan otherwise you may be spending the evening hovering over a toilet bowl.
Other health related things to consider are dehydration and sunburn. Much of the country sits at altitude where the UV from the sun is much stronger than usual. In high mountain areas above 2500m you may begin to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Make sure you drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and don’t over exert yourself at high altitudes.
We would recommend bringing diarrhea medications such as Imodium and electrolyte packets just in case you do get sick.
Safety
Now this is the part you’ve all been waiting to read about. Is it safe to visit Afghanistan. Well yes and no. There is a safe way to visit Afghanistan, but would we suggest you to rock up and head off solo into the country? No.
If you read about the risks in Afghanistan government websites will tell you all about kidnapping, terrorism, natural disasters you name it. Across the board the consistent things that governments will tell you is “do not travel”. The reality on the ground is of course quite different. If you are with people who know what they are doing such as a good local guide or a Saiga guide then you will have no issues navigating the country and its complex cultural rules.
General rules to keep in mind are to not spend too much time when out in public. For example, if you visit markets, make the visit quick. Avoid travelling at night if you can, however if you need to travel at night use only main roads. And most importantly travel with a guide. This is technically now a regulation, and while the enforcement can be very relaxed, bureaucracy in the country is increasing so it is best to stick to the rules in a country where things can change quickly.
Major cities are considered safe, however, it is best to not be out at night time by yourself. Kabul, Mazar, Kandahar, Herat, Ghazni and Bamiyan are all considered safe to visit as long as you follow the rules and stay with a guide.
Women and men will have different restrictions in the country and it is important to pay attention to these differences. Ultimately, people in Afghanistan including the Taliban will be incredibly friendly to you, however, to keep people friendly it is important to follow local customs such as the dress code and etiquette around greetings. Again, this is most easily navigated when visiting with people who know the country like Saiga guides.
For a full explanation about the safety situation in Afghanistan in 2026 read our blog here:
Is it Safe to Travel to Afghanistan in 2026?
Food
Afghanistan overall has great food. Being sandwiched (yes, we used this word on purposed) between South Asia the Middle East and Central Asia means that you can find influence from all 3 of these regions on the menus of Kabul restaurants.
Some of the main things you can expect to eat are tikka kebabs (meat on a stick usually beef or lamb that have pieces of fat grilled together with the meat making it extra delicious). You can also find many curry type dishes such as handi or karahi if you’re looking for that hit of spice. Many restaurants in the country have huge menus and will also have Chinese food, fast food and lots of derserts and smoothies too.
If you like fruit, then one thing you must try in Afghanistan are the pomegranate. It is said that the best pomegranate in the world come from Kandahar and from experience we can say that’s probably true!
Local Afghani foods that you must try are Kabuli Pulao, ashak (handmade spinach dumplings), bolani (fried stuff pastries) and chainaki (lamb stew cooked in a teapot). To wash it down you’ll be drinking buckets of tea, sometimes with saffron and the local sour yoghurt drink called dugh. We love dough but if you don’t like yoghurt then it won’t be your thing
. Here is a list of 10 Must Try Foods in Afghanistan.
What are the main sites to see in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is a great place to visit a mix of history and nature with some of the most stunning mountain scenery you could imagine mixed in with every time period and empire you can think of.
You should start off your journey in Kabul seeing both the beautiful mosques and markets of this chaotic city. If you head north you should definitely be visiting the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-sharif and the ancient ruins of Balkh city nearby. In the centre of Afghanistan you need to head to Bamiyan for the beauty and the Buddhist history as well as the incredible Band-e-Amir National Park.
To full experience Pashtun culture head to Kandahar and the southern desert areas which are a true contrast to the rest of the country. For silk road history Herat will be your best bet and will stun you with its amazing Islamic architecture.
For a detailed insight into how you should plan your journey and what you should see, read our blog here: What are the top 10 Things to do in Afghanistan .
Languages
The main languages spoken in Afghanistan are Dari and Pashto. Dari is common in most cities in the country including Kabul, Herat, Bamiyan and Mazar. Pashto is more common in the southern provinces with Kandahar being a mainly Pashto-speaking city. Most members of the Taliban are from the Pashto ethnic group and are majority Pashto speaking.
Outside of major population centres it is uncommon to find an English speaker, so it is always best to travel with a guide who speaks both Pashto and Dari.
For some more in-depth information on the linguistic diversity of Afghanistan you should read our
blog here: Languages of Afghanistan.
When is the best time to visit Afghanistan?
Due to the varied elevation across the country different places are better at different times of the year, however both spring and autumn do stand out as ultimate times for you to visit the country.
April is a great month to visit as the mountains are accessible and the flowers are blooming in Kabul. During this time the temperature is pleasant across most of the country with both Kandahar and Mazar being warm but not too hot. If you are heading to Bamiyan at this time it can still be cold at night and you may even get the of snowfall, but for the most part roads are usually clear and easily accessible.
October is also a great month as the weather is cooler across the country and it still won’t have started to snow too heavy in the mountains.
Visiting in the summer will be hot in Kandahar and Mazar with temperatures usually in the high 30s. The heat is very dry and the cities do become quite dusty at this time. Bamiyan and other mountainous areas are beautiful during the summer with the high altitude keeping it cooler and often with amazingly clear blue skies.
Winter can be very cold and snowy and is general not as recommended to travel because roads can be blocked by ice and snow and the cities general become more polluted from the burning of coal for heat. It is beautiful in winter, but just make sure you bring proper winter clothing.
We have spent years running tours in Afghanistan and have seen it go through some big changes. We think visiting Afghanistan is one of the most meaningful trips you will ever do and there is something truly special about the country. Our tours are always small groups and for security purposes we don’t publish itineraries online. To see our itineraries and sign up to an Afghanistan tour, send us an email to [email protected]. To see our Afghanistan group tour dates check out our
website here.
