Safety notice. The US Department of State rates Afghanistan at Level 4, Do Not Travel, and says not to travel for any reason. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel, even with an organised tour group. Both warn of terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention and almost no consular help. The warnings cover the whole country, including Kabul, Bamiyan, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. This Afghanistan travel guide is for information only.
Getting around Afghanistan means a short list of domestic flights, long road journeys by car or bus, and local taxis inside cities. There is no metro or tram, and regular passenger trains for visitors are not confirmed. Services change often, so treat this page as background and confirm every detail with an official or registered local source.
Last checked: November 2026
How do you travel between cities in Afghanistan?
Between major cities, people fly when a scheduled flight exists and otherwise travel by road, either in a hired car with a driver or on intercity buses and shared cars. Roads cross mountain passes and checkpoints, and journeys can take far longer than the distance suggests. Visitors normally arrange routes through a registered local operator.
| Option | Best for | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight | Long distances, such as Kabul to Herat | Few routes, schedules and cancellations change |
| Hired car with driver | Flexible stops, door-to-door trips | Checkpoints, road quality, winter closures |
| Intercity bus or shared car | Lowest cost, local experience | Long hours, limited comfort and safety control |
| City taxi | Short trips inside a city | Prices are agreed in advance, quality varies |
Are there domestic flights in Afghanistan?
Yes, a small number of domestic flights link Kabul with cities such as Herat. Flight-tracking listings show Ariana Afghan Airlines running a Kabul to Herat service with a scheduled time of about one hour and fifteen minutes. Kam Air is the other Afghan carrier usually named for domestic and regional routes.
Timetables move from season to season, and listed flights are sometimes cancelled or retimed at short notice. Check the airline directly, for example through Kam Air, and confirm the fare there, because no official fare table is published for visitors. Airports used for domestic flights are separate from the international arrival points covered in the flights to Afghanistan guide.
Is there a passenger train in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has only short rail lines, mostly used for freight, including links from Hairatan towards Mazar-i-Sharif and from Iran towards Herat. A regular passenger timetable for visitors is not confirmed, so do not plan a journey around a train. If a service is offered to you, ask the operator for written details first.
What are intercity buses and shared cars like?
Buses and shared cars connect the main cities and are the cheapest way to cover long distances. Departures often wait until the vehicle is full, and journeys include several checkpoints. In winter, snow and avalanche risk can close high mountain roads, including the Salang route north of Kabul, so a bus that runs in October may not run in January.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office describes travel throughout Afghanistan as extremely dangerous. Its safety and security page sets out the risks on roads and around crowded places. Rules for women who travel long distances without a male relative have also been reported, so read the current advisory before any journey.
Can you rent a car and drive in Afghanistan?
Traffic drives on the right. Self-drive rental for foreign visitors is not something we can confirm, and licence requirements for foreigners are not published in an official source we could verify. The usual arrangement is a car with a driver, booked through a registered operator or your accommodation, with the route agreed in advance.
What about taxis and city transport?
Taxis operate in Kabul and other large cities. Meters are not the norm, so agree the price and destination before you get in. Use a driver your hotel or host has arranged, and avoid unofficial cars that approach you at transport hubs.
Cities have local minibuses and buses, but no metro or tram, and no travel card for visitors is confirmed. Ride-hailing apps are not confirmed as a dependable option, so ask your accommodation what works that week. Details on where lodging helps with transport are in the where to stay in Afghanistan guide.
How long do journeys between main places take?
Only a few times can be quoted with confidence. Others depend on the road, the season and checkpoints, so ask a registered operator for a current estimate.
| Route | By air | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Kabul to Herat | About 1 hour 15 minutes scheduled | A very long journey; ask an operator |
| Kabul to Bamiyan | No regular service confirmed | About 4 hours in good conditions, per local operators |
| Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif | Check the airline | Depends on the pass and the season |
| Kabul to Kandahar | Check the airline | Depends on the route and checkpoints |
Which option should you choose?
- Choose a flight if you need the fastest option between far cities and a scheduled service exists.
- Choose a hired car with a driver if you want flexibility and a driver who knows the checkpoints.
- Choose a bus or shared car if cost matters more than comfort and you accept long hours.
- Choose the Bamiyan road if scenery matters most, since it passes through high valleys. See the best places to visit in Afghanistan for what lies at the end.
What are the common mistakes?
- Buying a non-refundable domestic ticket before the visa and entry plan are settled.
- Taking an unofficial taxi from a station or bazaar without agreeing the price.
- Assuming a timetable stays the same from one week to the next.
- Travelling on mountain roads in winter without checking snow closures.
- Moving between provinces without the permits that a local operator would normally arrange. The Afghanistan visa guide explains the entry side.
Getting around checklist
- Confirm each flight or road leg with the airline or a registered operator.
- Carry printed copies of your passport, visa and accommodation details.
- Share your route and check-in times with someone you trust.
- Keep small amounts of cash, because cards generally do not work.
- Leave extra time between connections, since delays are common.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists fly inside Afghanistan?
Scheduled domestic flights exist on a few routes, such as Kabul to Herat. Services are limited and can change or be cancelled quickly. Book only directly with the airline or a reputable agent, and keep a flexible plan.
Is it safe to take a bus in Afghanistan?
Governments advise against all travel to Afghanistan, and road journeys carry the risks of terrorism, kidnapping and accidents. Buses stop at many checkpoints. Anyone who must travel should rely on a registered operator and current official advice.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Afghanistan?
Traffic drives on the right. Road surfaces, lighting and driving habits vary widely between cities and rural areas, and mountain roads can be narrow. Most visitors use a driver rather than driving themselves.
Does Afghanistan have a metro or tram?
No. Cities rely on buses, minibuses and taxis. There is no metro or tram network, and no visitor travel card is confirmed. Ask your host or accommodation which local transport is practical and safe that week.