Afghanistan is a landlocked country at the crossroads of the Silk Road between West, Central and South Asia. It borders Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north. In the extreme north-east, a short border with China runs through the Vakhan Corridor, but in extremely inaccessible terrain.
need to know for traveling in Afganistan
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Quick facts
| Capital City | Kabul |
| Official languages | Pashto, Urdu, Dari |
| Area | 652,867km² |
| Currency | Afghani / AFS |
| Population | 38.3 milion |
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Visa
Afghanistan requires a valid visa to enter the country. These can be arranged in Dubai (most expensive), Islamabad ($80) and Peshawar ($100) usually within a day.
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Getting in
KamAir airline serves Kabul from both Dubai and Islamabad.
You can also get into Afganistan from the Khyber Pass in Pakistan and also from Tajikistan, Iran and Uzbekistan.
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Best time to visit
In the winter, most parts of Afghanistan are covered in snow, but it can be a good time to visit the south, including Kandahar and Herat.
Summer is ideal for trekking in Bamyan and inside the Wakhan Corridor. Expect temperatures up to 40°C in some parts.
Spring and autumn are the best times to travel anywhere around Afganistan. If Afghanistan had a tourist season, it would probably start in the fall or spring.
Is Afghanistan safe during the Taliban regime?
Before the Taliban took power in 2021, the country was in a state of civil war and the risk of being kidnapped was extremely high.
Now that the Taliban are in power, this war has been ended, but is it safe to visit Afghanistan?
Afghanistan today is only unsafe for 2 groups of people: local women and the Hazara people.
On the other hand, foreign visitors will be safe as long as they behave and respect Afghan culture.
Best experiences in Afghanistan
Extraordinary Kabul
Kabul is one of those places where there is always something to see, especially in the Old City.
The mountains of Bamyan
This is a must stop for a nature lover. The peace, tranquility and beautiful natural scenery of Bamyan and Band-e-Amir National Parks will make you see Afghanistan from a whole new perspective.
Experiencing the well preserved culture
Afganistan got very little exposure to the western world, which means that many things they still do their own way, which is fascinating to watch or even be a part of!
tips for Afghanistan
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Accommodation
There aren’t a lot of hotels that are used to accommodate foreign visitors, but you can always find a few in Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar, Bamyan and Herat.
Alternatively just ask local people, even with a joined palm hand gesture and they may point you into some local guesthouse.
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Independent travel
It is possible to travel independently in Afghanistan, but you must be prepared for the many Taliban checkpoints, which are sure to make you waste a lot of time. You’ll also need permissions to travel to various provinces of Afganistan.
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Transportation
You’ll probably be taking a taxi, but independent travellers should know that public transport is cheap. You can get around most towns and cities.
ALL MY ARTICLES ABOUT AFGHANISTAN
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How to travel Afganistan and be safe during Taliban regime (2024)