Afghanistan Travel Facts
The Basics
Country: Afghanistan
Where is it?: Afghanistan is in Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran.
Why do people go here?: Afghanistan is currently in a state of turmoil and traveling outside the capital of Kabul is downright dangerous.
What are the main entry points?: The countries around Afghanistan, except for Iran, have security problems. It’s best to avoid traveling around or in Afghanistan.
Currency used: Afghani
Country Code for Phones: 93
Area codes for Major Cities: Heart 40 to 43, Jallelabad 60 to 64, Kabul 20 to 25 Kandahar 30 to 34 Mazar-I-Sherif 50 to 53
Religion: Sunni Muslim 84%, Shi’a Muslim 15%, other 1%
Population: 28.1 million
Ethnic Breakdown: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4%
Government: Islamic Republic
Languages: Pashtu (official) 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism.
Travel Information
Major Cities: Kabul, Islamabad
Attractions: Herat, Kandahar
Accomodation: None
Tourism Office locations and links: None
Off-the-Beaten-Path: The Vakhan
Health Issues: cholera, Congo-Crimea hemorrhagic fever, measles, meningitis, pertussis, scurvy and malaria
Tips for Visiting
When to go: The most ideal time to go to Afghanistan is during the spring or autumn, specifically in April to early June as well as September until October.
Specific Events/Holidays: Since Afghanistan is a Muslim country, they celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Ashura, Mawleed Al-Nabi, Nowroze and Jeshen
Getting Around: Outside of Kabul, you better have a militia to escort you.
Good to know: Afghanistan is a junction between the East and the West, and served as an ancient central tip of the Silk Road and migration.
Cheapest airport to fly into: At present only Kabul International Airport gets commercial flights to Afghanistan.
Need more information?: Check out the Afghanistan travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
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