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.
Kabul
Kabul is Afghanistan's capital, set in a valley at about 1,800 meters, with Babur's garden on the hillside above the city and old bazaars to explore.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan, in the east of the country. The city lies in a valley along the Kabul River, at about 1,800 meters (roughly 5,900 feet) above sea level, with mountain ridges on several sides. Its position on the trade routes between South Asia, Central Asia and Persia shaped its past, and the Mughal emperor Babur is buried in a garden on a hillside above the city.
Travelers come for the historic sites, the old bazaars and the views over the valley. It suits trips built around history and city life. Check current government travel advice before you plan, because security in Afghanistan can change quickly. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since winters are cold and snowy at this altitude. Plan two to three days for the main sites.
Kabul in five
- Read your government's advice on AfghanistanRead the current advice from your own government before you book, because conditions change quickly.
- Check insurance exclusions for AfghanistanPolicies vary on Afghanistan. Read the exclusions before you buy and get the insurer's answer in writing.Travel insurance
- Carry afghanis in cashCard payments are rarely accepted for visitors, so bring enough afghanis and small notes for each day.Money and costs
- Set up mobile data before you landCompare an eSIM with a local SIM plan before the trip, since your home operator may not cover Afghanistan.Phones and eSIM
- Arrange your transport before you arriveAsk your hotel or guide to arrange airport pickup and the driver, and agree the route and times the day before.Getting around
Need to know
- Currency
- Afghan afghani (AFN)
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; confirm with the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate
- Emergency
- Not verified here; save your embassy's 24-hour emergency number before you travel
- Tipping
- Not fixed; small tips for drivers and guides
- Time
- UTC+4:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold, snow
- MarchCool, rain
- AprilMild, green
- MayWarm, green
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberMild, dry
- OctoberAutumn, clear
- NovemberCooling, cold
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Kabul
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Kabul
01:10 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°6°6%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Wed17°5°78%Wednesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Thu13°4°51%Thursday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Fri18°2°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat21°4°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun21°5°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 09:38 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
- Paghmanabout 1 hour by carGardens and hill resorts on the road out of the city, a common day trip from Kabul.Read the guide
- Istalifabout 1 hour by carA hill village known for its pottery, with views over the valley.Read the guide
- Bamiyanseveral hours by roadThe Buddha niches and the Band-e Amir lakes. The road is long, so plan it as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Kabul
Rules for Kabul, checked
- Check the current travel advice for Afghanistan from your government before you book, since official warnings change often.Source
- Dress modestly in public and ask before photographing people, especially women, as local custom expects.
- Check current entry and visa rules with the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate before you book flights.
Plan around Kabul
What to check before you apply and what to carry to the border
Read the guideCash, afghanis and costsWhat to carry and what to expect to pay each day
Read the guideGetting around KabulShared minibuses, taxis and hired drivers, compared
Read the guideWhere to stay in KabulThree districts compared by price and access
Read the guidePhones and mobile dataSIM and eSIM options to compare before you leave home
Read the guideAll of AfghanistanCountry overview, regions and entry rules
Read the guideKabul FAQ
Is Kabul safe for tourists?
Check your own government's current advice before deciding, since conditions in Kabul can change quickly.
Do you need a visa for Kabul?
Most passports need a visa to enter Afghanistan. Confirm the current requirements with the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate before you book.
Can you pay by card in Kabul?
Card payments are rarely accepted for visitors. Bring afghanis in cash for the whole trip and keep small notes for taxis and small purchases.
What is the best month to visit Kabul?
May and September are the most comfortable months, with mild weather. Winters are cold with snow, and July and August are hot and dry.
Is there a day trip from Kabul?
Paghman and Istalif are reachable within about an hour by car. Bamiyan is a long road journey, so it works better as an overnight trip.