If you tell most people that you are planning a trip to Afghanistan in 2026, they will think you’re a little crazy. To be honest you can’t really blame them after everything you see in the news and the blaring government warnings that say “DO NOT TRAVEL”. Well it just so happens that we go to Afghanistan all the time and time again we have great experiences in this absolutely worthwhile country. While there are certain risks in the country, there is definitely a safe way to travel in Afghanistan and we are here to explain how.
What is it like to travel in Afghanistan in 2026?
Firstly, what is it actually like on the ground? Well, we would have to say that it is one of the most authentic countries that you can visit. There are very few tourists, people are extremely friendly and genuine, most people wear local clothes (and you should too) and for many parts of the country life hasn’t changed for generations. If you’re looking to experience a country that is raw and feels like going back in time, then Afghanistan is totally for you!
Despite what people here have been through with so many years of conflict, they are still extremely friendly, hospitable and even generous. People will constantly invite you for tea or to eat with them and they will be both grateful and curious as to why you came to visit their beautiful country.
What do Government Advisories say versus the reality
Every western government advises against travel to Afghanistan, due to fears of terrorism, kidnapping and a range of other terrible things. In reality, the situation has drastically improved in the country and the likelihood of this happening to a foreign traveller is very low. You are far more likely to get pickpocketed in Barcelona or Paris than on the streets of Kabul. Probably the major danger to every traveller in Afghanistan will be traffic as people in Afghanistan have an interesting driving style.
One of the major threats to stability in Afghanistan has previously been from the group ISIS-K the Afghan branch of the Islamic State. In 2024, there was an attack on several tourists in Bamiyan, however before this attack and since there has been no targeted attack on foreigners. The Taliban has gone to great lengths to improve security across the country in the form of checkpoints and going through the country to get rid of IS. Random attacks have decreased significantly across the entire country and travel is much safer than it was prior to 2021 namely because foreigners are no longer targeted by the Taliban but instead protected.
Is it Safe to Visit Kabul in 2026?
In general, it is safe to visit Kabul. It would not be advised to go walking around alone at night, especially if you are a solo travelling lady. This is mainly due to street kids that can be quite persistent and sometimes travel in big groups in well-frequented areas. The street kids in Kabul may be persistent but we have never felt any danger from them, just make sure you don’t watch your pockets.
When visiting tourist sites or markets in the city it is always a good idea to never spend too long in one place. Especially when it comes to places like the Bird Market, try and visit quickly. As soon as you enter somewhere like the Bird Market everyone will know that there are foreigners and they will all be talking about you, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but the key to safety is keeping a low profile. The safest part of Kabul for tourists is Shahr-e-Nawr and the area near the park. There are many hotels and restaurants in the area and it is safe to walk even at night.
Overall, we would consider Kabul safe to visit, however, to make your trip go as smoothly as possible, travel with a guide and make sure your permits are in check.
Where are the safest areas to visit?
The safest parts of Afghanistan to visit are the areas with known tourist sites that are frequented by tourists. This is because the current government takes a lot of care for ensuring the safety of tourists that visit. It is a requirement that when you enter and visit a new province in Afghanistan that you must register with the local ministry of tourism who will sometimes even assign you an escort for your visit.
All main cities of Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kandahar, Herat and Bamiyan are safe to visit for tourists as long as you are following local rules and have a guide.
Travelling to Afghanistan as a woman: what you need to know
When travelling as a woman to Afghanistan you have to understand that you will have more restrictions than your male counterparts. If you are planning on travelling solo to the country our biggest recommendation would be to join a group tour. While it has previously been fine for foreign women to travel solo with a guide, restrictions on female travellers are becoming stricter overall and you will have much less travel when part of a group.
As a female you may be denied entry into some tourist sites such as Band-e-Amir National Park. You will also not have as many interactions with locals as you technically cannot speak with men on the streets. If you are in stores talking to someone about buying something this is fine, but for the most part local men will have few interactions with you. Local women however will be very curious and we would encourage you to talk with them if they engage you.
What to expect at Taliban checkpoints
Across the country and even within cities there are numerous checkpoints where the Taliban will do random searches. Most of the time you will be waved through, however if stopped they will usually ask to see a passport and your travel permit. These checkpoints are usually quick and painless and done so with a smile.
Is it safer travelling to Afghanistan on a Saiga group tour?
Yes absolutely. We have many years of experience of travelling through Afghanistan and are experts at navigating the complex cultural rules of this beautiful country. We work with trusted guides and have certain security measures in place that ensure each of our trips are done so in a fun and safe manner.
For security purposes we have caps on the amount of people that can join any group tour and we do not publicly post itineraries online. To make sure you don’t miss out on one of these places get in quick to join our Afghanistan group tours by sending us an email at [email protected].
