Afghanistan Travel Guide - Getting There

The national airline is Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG) (tel: (2) 200 274; website: www.flyariana.com). There is a United Nations presence in the country, with aid mission flights in operation. For further information, consult a local embassy or the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (website: www.fco.gov.uk). 

Currently, the British government advises against its employees (and therefore all travellers should take note) travelling to Afghanistan on Ariana Afghan Airlines or Kam Air due to suspected safety concerns that have not yet been fully addressed and assessed.

Kabul Airport (KBL) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. The airport was largely destroyed during the conflict at the end of 2001 but has now re-opened for limited international commercial flights as well as military and aid flights. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the city centre (journey time - 30 minutes). Facilities: Bank, bar and restaurant.

AFN200. Children under two years of age are exempt.

Overland travel is currently very dangerous in some parts of the country, with rural roads often unpaved, and the official advice is that it should be avoided. Prior to US bombing, buses used to operate along the Asia Highway, which links Afghanistan to Iran and Pakistan. There were also good road links from Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat to the countries in the north. However, 80% of all roads and bridges were destroyed in the 2001 conflict and repairing the damage remains a slow process.