What airlines are there?
In Afghanistan there are two main airlines that service the country, Ariana Afghan (the national carrier) and Kam Air. Both of them operate out of Kabul International airport and service domestic routes across the country.
How is the service?
The service is actually quite good on each one. Domestic flights in Afghanistan are never that long at about an hour for each respective destination. During this hour you will get a drink and a small snack such as a samosa or sandwich with a chocolate bar too.
Tickets include baggage allowance for check in bags, so in our minds they are both way better than budget carriers in Europe or the USA who now won’t even let you take a bag small bag of skittles without charging a fee.
What to expect from the airports?
Airports in Afghanistan will have many layers of security that you won’t find in other countries. Just think of body checks and bag checks, but overall, it’s all pretty straightforward.
Airports will all have very simple basic kiosks where you can buy drinks and snacks. They will have both cold and hot drinks with drinks like tea and coffee (instant of course). The Kabul domestic terminal is more simple than its international counterpart with quite a cramped waiting room. Check in processes are usually very simple and staff are always friendly.
Where can you fly?
There are services to the following cities: Herat, Kandahar (currently only Ariana Afghan is flying this route), and Mazar-e-Sharif.
Each flight is roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour and will save you a lot of time driving. Previously it was also possible to fly from Kabul to Bamiyan, however since the takeover this service has not returned. The drive to Bamiyan however is only about 4 hours now anyway.
Can you book flights online?
Yes, you can book flights online for both Ariana Afghan and Kam Air online. Sometimes there can be an issue with the payment system online for Kam Air, but this can be solved by downloading their app and paying there. They both accept foreign credit cards for payment.
Is it safe to fly in Afghanistan?
Obviously, safety is a big concern for many who travel to the country. In recent years, the security situation has dramatically in Afghanistan. As for flying there have been no major incidents in Afghanistan in the last 15 years and things are only getting better. With the improvement of overall safety in the country, air travel has many less risks associated with general security. We certainly feel very comfortable flying in Afghanistan.
What airlines fly internationally to Afghanistan?
Currently, you can fly into Kabul with Ariana Afghan, Kam Air, FlyDubai, air Arabia, Turkish Airlines, and Iran Air.
The majority of these airlines fly internationally into Kabul International Airport. There are also some minor routes from Khost and Mazar as well, but these are only served by Kam Air and don’t have regular services. A Kandahar to Dubai route also will operate occasionally beginning in Kabul and making a stop in Kandahar on the way.
What else to note?
Air travel in Afghanistan is a great way to get around such a mountainous country. The geography of Afghanistan does make the views from the flights quite spectacular so if you can, try and get yourself a window seat. The route from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sherif is particularly amazing as you cross the Hindu Kush.
How do I book a group tour to Afghanistan?
To join us on one of our Afghanistan group tours, you can send us an email to [email protected] . Our numbers are capped for each Afghanistan group tours for security reasons, so best to get in quick before places sell out.
Where can I find more information on travel to Afghanistan?
Check out our comprehensive destination guide on our website with more in-depth information about travel to Afghanistan.
