Kabul

Understand

thumb|400px|A section of Kabul, the capital of [[Afghanistan]]

Get in

thumb|Afghan customs officials at the Kabul International Airport in 2010.

Get around

Maps of Kabul are available from Afghanistan Information Management Services who can print out custom wall maps of the city.

See

thumb|Inside the Gardens of Babur.

Buy

thumb|Lycee Maryam Road in the Khair Khana 2 neighborhood

Eat

There are many places to eat delicious food in Kabul without needing to spend too much money. Restaurants can crudely be split into "places for locals" and "places for expats", with the latter having higher quality, higher prices, and higher security. Restaurants that are UN-approved are particularly expensive. There are vendors on almost every street in the city.

Restaurants open and close with surprising frequency, so it is a good idea to check whether a place is still operating before heading out.

Sleep

Kabul is not a cheap place to stay, principally due to the costs of running a generator and providing security. The hotels are good if you are just passing through, however for long term stays opting for a guest house is more popular. There are several in Wazir Akbar Khan and Shar-i-Naw, often in huge Pakistani style mansions.

It is wise to look closely at the security arrangements for any of these hotels. Many, especially those in the Splurge section, have been attacked by Taliban or other insurgent groups. Always think about escape routes and safe places to shelter.

Stay safe

See the warning on the Afghanistan article for information about the security situation.

The security situation in Kabul has deteriorated significantly due to the Taliban's control since August 2021. While Kabul remains relatively safer than other parts of Afghanistan, the risk of bombings, kidnappings, and targeted attacks persists, particularly for foreigners and expats. The presence of expats and visitors continues, but incidents, though rare, can be severe. Exercise extreme vigilance: avoid traveling after dark, minimize time in public spaces like hotel lobbies, and vary daily routes and schedules for longer stays. Protests and riots, though less frequent, can escalate quickly, with authorities often responding with lethal force—avoid these at all costs.

Female visitors: The Taliban enforces strict dress codes. Women must wear a full-body covering, such as a burqa or chador, that conceals the face and body, starting from arrival at Kabul Airport until departure. A headscarf alone is insufficient to meet these requirements.

Social interactions with locals are generally safe, as Afghan culture values hospitality toward guests. However, exercise caution, especially in public settings, due to the unpredictable security environment and strict Taliban oversight.

In Kabul, it’s common to encounter children begging for money, especially in busy areas or near markets. While their requests may seem harmless, giving money can attract more children, quickly escalating into a cro…

Go next

Most expats take any opportunity they can to leave Kabul. Istalif in a side valley of the Shamali Plain makes for an excellent overnight or day trip destination. A day trip to the north (Shamali Plain, Salang Pass, Panjshir Valley and Jabal os Saraj), Qargha Reservoir to the west of Kabul.

If you are short in time, consider a day trip to Panjshir Valley with a local agency. This picturesque valley is where to mujahideen people resisted Soviet invasion. Some ruined tanks are near the river, and more of them on the field at the valley entrance.

To the North, there are several daily buses to Mazar-e Sharif, one or some go over the night. Ask your hotel or your guide for help to get to the bus station. The journey is long, takes about 12 hours (bus goes very slow around Salang Pass, shares road with standing trucks) and costs 750 Afs (2025). From Mazar-e Sharif you can visit nearby Balkh and go to Uzbekistan via Termez.

Pakistan can be reached by a shared taxi (US$15, 2025) to Torkham border (Khyber Pass). From there take another shared taxi to Peshawar (Rs 2000, 2025).

You can fly to Dubai, Dushanbe or Delhi for the weekend also.