Afghanistan

Understand

Afghanistan has been in the news since the late 1970s for all the wrong reasons. While visiting has not been advisable for many years, it has much to offer the intrepid traveller. However, even the more adventurous tourists should consider looking elsewhere for thrill-seeking.

History

Afghanistan borders Persia, Central Asia and South Asia, and various Silk Road routes cross it to connect those regions. It has been described as "the crossroads of Asia" and has history of trade going back to before 2000 BCE. The country has a long history of conflict – raiding and banditry, battles between tribes, and resistance against invaders including several Persian Empires, Alexander the Great, the Arabs during the great expansion of Islam (starting with their capture of Herat in 652 CE and spread over several centuries), the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, and the British Empire in the 19th. Its recent history is no exception: the Soviet Union invaded late in the 20th century and a U.S.-led coalition invaded early in the 21st. The Afghans have given all invaders trouble; the country has been so difficult to conquer that it is known as the Graveyard of Empires. The modern-day country was founded by secession from the Persian Empire in 1709. Since then, there have been several dynasties and at times the Afghans ruled what are now Iran, Iraq, most of Pakistan and parts of India. Mohammed Zahir Shah was the last king, ruling from 1933 until 1973, when the constitutional monarchy was overthrown in a coup and the country became a republic.

In the late 19th century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in the "Great Game" between the British Empire and the Russian Empire. After the Second Anglo-Afghan War Britain gained control of Afghanistan's foreign relations as part of the Trea

See

While Taliban repression has put an almost full

Getting there

Border crossings may get closed on short notice. Regulations on entry and exit may change without notice.

Visas All visitors need to apply for a visa in advance. Since March 2026, the easiest way for tourists from almost any country to obtain a visa is to apply online through the new eVisa system. These visas require entry at Kabul International airport, are valid for a 30-day visit within a 90-day validity period, and are single entry. Israel is the only country whose citizens may not obtain any kind of visa, though a small number of other nationalities or people residing in those countries are ineligible for the eVisa and must apply for a physical one. See Visa policy of Afghanistan on Wikipedia for an up-to-date list. The official site for visa applications is eafghans.com. The visa process is paid in two halves. The first, which is less than $10, is paid at application. You only pay the remaining amount (US$205 for US citizens or US$125 for others) after approval of the application. Though expensive, it is more generous than other countries since you only lose a few dollars if your application is denied. For physical visas, the Taliban does not accept visas issued by embassies that do not cooperate with them, meaning that visas issued by many Afghan diplomatic posts in Western countries will not be accepted. Some Western missions still run by the former government are considered by the Taliban to be cooperative, though the list changes frequently. Only diplomatic posts bearing the name "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" are fully staffed and operated by Taliban appointees. An embassy run by the Taliban may be a safer choice for obtaining a visa, even though some others are designated by the Taliban as acceptable posts for obtaining a visa. See List of diplomatic m

Getting around

To visit different places and objects in the country you need to buy permits. These are both for your security (checked at police checkpoints, need to register them in local tourist bureaus) and to support the country. In Kabul these permits are issued by Afghan Tour (Abdullhaq crossroad, {{phone|+93 20 210 6837]) and cost 1000 Afs (2025) for each area you want. Getting these permits can take considerable time, and the officers demand you to have a "translator" (kind of guide which helps you with language and getting around). You may want to find a local travel agency or a guide to help you with this. They would also give you practical information, safety tips and take you on a tour. To find an agency or a guide, search the Internet or Facebook at home, or ask at your hotel when you come.

By plane Flag carrier Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air both operate flights between Kabul, Herat, Mazar-I-Sharif and Kandahar.

By car As of 2007, there was a network of public transportation between the country's cities. Buses plied some routes and Toyota vehicles had a near monopoly on minivan (HiAce) and taxi (Corolla) transportation. A highway connects Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif. The highway goes through the Salang Pass and across the Hindu Kush mountain range. Another highway links Kabul to Kandahar. There were no metered taxis in large parts of Afghanistan. As of 2011, taxis were yellow and clearly identifiable. You were expected to strike a deal with the driver before entering the cab. Jeeps and Land Cruisers were available for hire, as of 2011, along with drivers who spoke some English. There were tour operators in Kabul that could have provided a car and guide; these people were available for hire at Kabul International Airport. Petrol stations were scarce in the country