Afghanistan is open to foreign tourists in 2026. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip — visa, flights, best time to visit, getting around, what to pack, and entry rules. Written by our Kabul team, the people who run tours there every month. Updated after every tour.
Travel to Afghanistan — quick facts 2026
Can you travel to Afghanistan?
Yes. Afghanistan is open to foreign tourists. There is no blanket ban on foreign nationals entering. Tens of thousands of foreigners currently live and work in Afghanistan — UN staff, NGO personnel, journalists, businesspeople, and a growing number of tourists. Visitor numbers have grown every year since 2022.
Nationalities — can you go?
* Chinese citizens can obtain the e-Visa, but only if not currently residing in China or another restricted country. See full visa eligibility map →
Afghanistan visa — how to get one in 2026
Since March 2026, Afghanistan has an official e-Visa system — the first time in the country's history that tourists can apply for a legal entry visa entirely online. No embassy visits, no queues. Apply at eafghans.com, pay online (~$133 USD total), and receive your visa by email as a PDF within 24 hours.
e-Visa application — 6 steps
- Book your tour & receive your LOI
Book with Darya Expeditions and pay your deposit. Your Letter of Invitation is emailed to you. Do not apply without it.
- Register at eafghans.com/e-visa
Create an account with your email. All payment links and your final visa PDF arrive here.
- Complete identity verification & fill in the application
Live photo plus passport scan. Select Tourist, 3 months. Enter your Afghan address and sponsor details (provided by Darya Expeditions).
- Upload documents
Passport-size photo (white background), passport bio page scan, and your LOI from Darya Expeditions.
- Pay both fees
Portal service fee (~$9 USD) first, then the government visa fee ($120 USD). Links arrive by email a few hours apart.
- Receive & print your e-Visa in colour
Approval arrives within 24 hours. Print in colour — required at check-in and at Kabul immigration. Valid for a 30-day stay, 3-month entry window, single entry, KBL airport only.
Afghan diplomatic missions (for business/medical visas)
| Country | Mission |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Afghan Interest Section (limited operations) — apply by email/appointment |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Afghan Consulate, London — in-person and postal applications |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Afghan Embassy, Berlin |
| 🇫🇷 France | Afghan Embassy, Paris |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Afghan Embassy, The Hague |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | Afghan Embassy Abu Dhabi + Consulate General Dubai (e-Visa hub) |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Afghan Embassy Islamabad + consulates in Peshawar, Quetta |
| 🇹🇯 Tajikistan | Afghan Embassy, Dushanbe |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | No Afghan mission — apply via third country or postal; allow 6–8 weeks |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Limited representation — contact us, we assist with routing |
Flights to Kabul
All commercial flights to Afghanistan land at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul (IATA: KBL). Most travellers from the US, UK, and Europe connect via Dubai — typical routing is home city → Dubai (6–12 hour direct flight) → Kabul (1 hour 55 minutes).
Current direct scheduled services to Kabul
| Route | Airline | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 Dubai → Kabul | flydubai | Daily |
| 🇹🇷 Istanbul → Kabul | Turkish Airlines | Several/week |
| 🇵🇰 Islamabad → Kabul | Multiple carriers | Daily |
| 🇺🇿 Tashkent → Kabul | Uzbekistan Airways | Several/week |
| 🇮🇷 Tehran → Kabul | Multiple carriers | Several/week |
| 🇰🇿 Almaty → Kabul | SCAT Airlines | Weekly |
Approximate return ticket prices (economy, 2026)
Best time to visit Afghanistan
Warm days, cool nights, green valleys. Snowmelt fills Band-e Amir to maximum. Best wildflower season. Some afternoon rain.
Best for most travellersHot in Kabul and valleys (30–37°C). Comfortable at altitude — Bamiyan 20–25°C, Wakhan 15–20°C. Wakhan Corridor accessible.
Best for altitude destinationsClear skies, harvest season, pomegranates and grapes. Warm days, cold nights at elevation. Best light for photography.
Best for photographyCold in Kabul (−5°C nights), snow at elevation. Band-e Amir partially freezes. Mountain roads can be impassable.
Experienced cold-weather travellers onlyGetting around Afghanistan
All Darya tours use private 4WD vehicles (Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux). Our drivers are experienced, know road conditions, handle all checkpoints, and speak Dari and Pashto. No public transport or taxis are used on our tours.
Road journey times (4WD, approximate)
What to pack for Afghanistan
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Afghanistan e-Visa (printed in colour)
- Tour confirmation from Darya
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Emergency contacts list
- US Dollars in cash — most important item
- No ATMs for international cards
- Cards not accepted (except a few Kabul hotels)
- Bring full trip amount + 20% contingency
- Use a money belt, not a wallet
- Altitude meds (Diamox — get prescription)
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Anti-diarrhoea medication
- Painkillers & antihistamine
- High-factor sunscreen
- Personal prescriptions (+ 10 days extra)
- Loose-fitting, lightweight walking clothes
- Warm layers for evenings at altitude
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes or light boots
- Women: headscarf, loose tops, loose trousers
- Power bank (unreliable rural electricity)
- Universal travel adapter (Type C/F plugs)
- Afghan SIM card (buy at KBL airport on arrival)
- AWCC or MTN (~$5 with data credit)
- Declare cash over $10,000 USD
- No alcohol or pork products
- Prescription meds: bring doctor's letter
- Darya rep meets you in arrivals with sign
Tour prices — what does a trip to Afghanistan cost?
Frequently asked questions
Can Americans travel to Afghanistan?
Can British citizens travel to Afghanistan?
Can Australians travel to Afghanistan?
How much does a trip to Afghanistan cost?
What is the best time to visit Afghanistan?
Is Afghanistan safe to visit?
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Ready to plan your trip?
We're an Afghan-owned, Kabul-based operator — we provide your LOI, sponsor details and accommodation confirmation, and walk every client through the whole process personally.
Book with the Kabul office