Travel advisory · AfghanistanGovernments advise against all travel to Afghanistan.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel | Feb 20, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen nach Afghanistan wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel (level 4 of 4) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé, whole territory | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Herat
Herat is known for Timurid-era mosques and shrines, a large Citadel and old bazaars, in a Persian-speaking city near the Iran border.
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Herat is a city in western Afghanistan and the capital of Herat Province, the country's third-largest city. It lies in the fertile valley of the Hari River, south of the Paropamisus Mountains and close to the Iran border. For centuries it sat on the Silk Road, a trading hub linking West, Central, South and East Asia.
Under the Timurids, especially Shahrukh and Husayn Bayqara, Herat was a center of arts and learning. Key sites include the Musalla Complex, where five of its original minarets survive, the Gawhar Shad Mausoleum, the Sultan Husain Madrasa, the Gazargah Sharif shrine, and the Herat Citadel. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with summers near 40°C, winters near -10°C and strong winds from about May to September. A few days is enough for the main monuments and bazaars, and the trip suits travelers who want history and architecture. Check current government travel advice before you plan.
Herat in five
- Get your visa before you leaveMost foreign visitors need a visa arranged before arrival. Check current rules and application routes with the Afghan embassy or consulate that covers your country before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Carry afghani cashCard payments are rarely accepted in Herat. Bring enough afghani cash for the whole stay, and keep small notes for drivers and shops.Money and costs
- Book a driver through your hotelArrange transport through your hotel rather than flagging cars on the street, and confirm the driver and route in advance. Check road security before any trip out of the city.Getting around
- Dress for the mosques and bazaarsWomen should wear a headscarf and loose, long clothing in public. Men should avoid shorts at the Friday Mosque and the Abdullah Ansari shrine, and carry a scarf on every outing.
- Register with your embassyEnrol in your government's traveller service, such as the US STEP programme, so you receive security alerts and can be found in an emergency.
Need to know
- Currency
- Afghan afghani (AFN)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most nationalities; apply before you travel Read more
- Emergency
- Numbers not verified here; ask your hotel or embassy before travel
- Tipping
- Not formally expected; rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC+4:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, bare trees
- FebruaryCold, rain
- MarchSpring, windy
- AprilGreen, mild
- MayMild, green
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyVery hot
- AugustVery hot
- SeptemberWarm, dry
- OctoberAutumn, mild
- NovemberCooling, clear
- DecemberCold, short days
Right now in Herat
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 32%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Herat
01:07 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°10°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed24°12°33%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Thu26°12°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri25°15°85%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Sat28°12°2%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun28°11°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 09:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 64.87 AFN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gazargahabout 15 to 30 min by taxi from the centreThe Abdullah Ansari shrine complex with a tiled mosque and courtyards.
- Musalla complexabout 10 to 20 min by taxi from the centreRuins of a 15th-century mosque and minaret built for Gawhar Shad.
- Minaret of Jamabout 4 to 5 hours by roadA 12th-century brick minaret in Ghor Province, reached by long road with a guide. Check security advice first.
Before you go to Herat
Rules for Herat, checked
- Most nationalities need a visa arranged before arrival; check entry requirements on the FCDO page before you book anything.Source
- Alcohol is banned in Afghanistan. Do not carry it into the country or buy it locally.Source
- Dress rules are enforced in public. Women should cover their hair and body; check the FCDO page for current advice on movement.Source
- Travel outside Herat carries security risk. Read the regional advice on the FCDO page before any road trip.Source
Plan around Herat
Regions, travel advice and entry rules
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, hotel drivers and city transport
Read the guideMoney and costsCash in afghanis and where cards fail
Read the guideVisas and entryApplication routes and documents to carry
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area
Read the guideCulture and dressMosques, bazaars and local etiquette
Read the guideHerat FAQ
Is Herat safe to visit?
Check the current FCDO advice before you decide. The UK advises against all travel to Afghanistan, so the choice depends on your own risk tolerance and on what your insurer will cover.
Do I need a visa for Herat?
Most foreign visitors need a visa arranged before arrival. Check the Afghan embassy or consulate for your country and the FCDO page for entry rules, because routes can change.
What is the best time to visit Herat?
April, May and October. Summer is very hot and dry, and winters are cold.
Can I pay by card in Herat?
Rarely. Bring afghani cash for hotels, taxis and shops, and keep small notes for drivers.
How do I get from Kabul to Herat?
Domestic flights run between Kabul and Herat, but airline schedules change. The road journey is long and carries security risk, so check FCDO advice first.
Do women need to cover their hair in Herat?
Yes. Women should wear a headscarf and loose clothing in public and cover their arms and legs. Men should avoid shorts in the bazaars and at mosques.