Afghanistan

2025

Highlights:

Summary

Afghanistan is a country caught between worlds. On the one hand, you have the overbearing Taliban with strict sharia law and frankly nonsense rulings.

On the other, you have the wonderful people, each have a story that will squeeze your heart but also a personality that will put a smile on your face.

Beyond the government, Afghanistan has an incredible amount of history and unique traditions to experience, it's somewhere every seasoned traveller should attempt to visit.

Scores

Beauty

Affordability

Food

Hospitality

Safety

Accessibility

Video

Final Score

6 / 10

Advice

Trip Duration

2 - 3 weeks

Currencies Used

Afghan Afghani AFN

Best Months

March - November

Daily Budget

$20 USD

Official Travel Advice

From the Australian DFAT Smartraveller

Do not travel

Challenges

The Visa for Afghanistan is a huge headache with ever changes requirements. The easiest way currently is at the Peshawar consulate or on arrival at the Tajik border.

It's illegal for foreigners to take a bus or enter a locals home, the loophole is to hitchike where you can still get close with locals and also where you need to be.

Due to sanctions you cannot use any ATM. Bring crisp USD with you, it can be exchanged in almost every town centre easily.

Do

Wear local clothing. You can easily buy what you need on arrival in Kabul.

If you're a woman, cover your hair at all times.

Dont

Bring a drone, they are exteremely illegal to even have on you.

If you're a man, take photos of or approach women, especially in the conservative centres like Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. If they approach you it's fine.

Itineraries

Complete Afghanistan

3 weeks

Complete trip that goes to all major cities and wonders, recomend utilizing internal flight as commutes are often 8-12 hours a-piece

Kabul

Day 1 - 2

Fly into Kabul, lightly explore the city while purchasing local clothes & cash

Book your Herat > Kabul (And optional Mazar-i-Sharif > Kabul and/or Herat > Kabul) internal flight(s) at a local agency

Bamyan

Day 3 - 7

Long commute to Bamyan (6+ hours)

You should be able to get a bus ticket at the Kabul depo in advance

Explore Bamyans Buddhas, screaming city and Band-e-Amir Lake

Mazar-i-Sharif

Day 8 - 10

Long commute to Mazar-i-Sharif (9+ hours)

Explore Mazar and Balkh

Quazni

Day 11 - 12

Flight or 12+ hour drive back to Kabul

Commute to and explore Quazni

Kandahar

Day 13 - 14

Commute to and explore Kandahar, the seat of power for the Taliban

Herat

Day 14 - 16

Commute to and explore Herat

Optional: Minaret of Jam

Day 17

Very long commute to the Minaret of Jam, a famous lone menaret tower in the middle of a hidden oasis

It's located far from any settlements, halfway back to Kabul