According to lawschoolsinusa, Afghanistan (Pashto: افغانستان, Afġanestān) is a country in Asia bordering Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul (Kabul). Some major cities in Afghanistan are: Kandahar, Herat, Kunduz, Mazar-e Sharif and Jalalabad.
According to localtimezone, Afghanistan is best known for the ongoing wars in which it has been embroiled in recent years. Because of these wars, a large part of the population is dependent on aid organizations. During these wars, many places of interest were lost and tourism has almost come to a standstill. Afghanistan is also known for the dry and hot desert areas interspersed with large expanses of lakes.
Where is Afghanistan located?
Travel information of Afghanistan
Official name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Continent: Asia
Area: 652,090 km²
Capital: Kabul (Kabul)
Country code: AF, AFG
Population: 36,643,815 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Islamic Republic
Highest point: 7,485 m (Noshaq)
Distance (Amsterdam – Kabul): 5,366 km
Flight time: approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes
Negative travel advice
Current status: All trips to Afghanistan are discouraged.
Current color code: Red. Due to this status, a negative travel advice
is in effect for Afghanistan.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Afghanistan that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Afghanistan, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to Afghanistan. It is possible to book airline tickets.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Afghanistan?
Weather and climate
Afghanistan includes a steppe climate, desert climate and continental climate. Afghanistan has hot summers and cold winters. The average summer temperature in Afghanistan is around 25 degrees, with peaks of up to about 45 degrees. The average winter temperature is around 5 degrees, but can drop to -20 degrees, especially in the higher areas. Afghanistan has virtually no precipitation.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Afghanistan can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of Afghanistan can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to Afghanistan. This way you avoid the relatively cold winter period.
Language
Pashto (Pashto) and Dari (Afghan Persian) are both an official language in Afghanistan. In addition, Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi and Pashayi are spoken.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Afghanistan.
A visa is required. You can apply for this at the consulate of Afghanistan in The Hague.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Afghanistan: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Afghan Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
It is advisable to get one or more vaccinations before visiting Afghanistan.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Afghanistan. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Afghanistan, people pay with the Afghanistan Afghani (AFN). In addition, you can pay with the US dollar (USD) in many places.
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Afghanistan can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Afghanistan are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -33% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (63% cheaper), food (31% cheaper), imported beer in catering (11% cheaper), cigarettes (69% cheaper) and public transport (90% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 2.5 hours later in Afghanistan.
During our winter time it is 3.5 hours later in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Afghanistan can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Afghanistan you must drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Afghanistan you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Afghanistan.
Electricity
In Afghanistan the same plugs and sockets are used as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Afghanistan can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: Local numbers
– Fire: Local numbers
– Ambulance: Local numbers (Kabul 112)
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Afghanistan can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Afghanistan can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Afghanistan end with.af.
Afghanistan’s official website: president.gov.af.
Telephone
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Afghanistan is 0093 or +93.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Afghanistan? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Afghanistan.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Afghanistan.
Holidays
The national holiday of Afghanistan falls on August 19 (Independence Day).
An overview of all other holidays in Afghanistan can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotel), restaurants and destinations in Afghanistan, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Afghanistan?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Afghanistan. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and landscape
Afghanistan has a predominantly mountainous landscape with barren peaks of more than 7,000 metres. In the center of the country lies the Hindu Kush Mountains, where the Band-E Amir River meanders through the valley. Over time, dams have been created here, which have led to colorful lakes. Minerals turn the water clear blue or emerald green. In the south of Afghanistan are vast hot desert areas such as Seistan and Registan. In the north of the country you will find the highlands with mostly snow-capped peaks. This is also the habitat of the snow partner.
An overview of protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Afghanistan can be found on Protected Planet.
World Heritage
There are two world heritage sites in Afghanistan on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Both registrations have been designated as cultural heritage.
1. Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam. (2002)
2. Cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan valley. (2003)
More information about these world heritage sites in Afghanistan can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sights
A number of well-known and much-visited sights in Afghanistan are as follows:
– Buddhas of Bamyan
– Band-e Amir National Park known for its lakes
– Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif
– Friday Mosque of Herat
– Afghan National Museum
– Minaret and archaeological ruins van Jam
– The Gardens of Babur
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Afghanistan? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Afghanistan, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Afghanistan, including: opportunities, import and export rules, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, current sanctions, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Afghanistan.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking prohibited.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Not allowed. Imprisonment up to 10 years or death penalty.
Did you know that…
…Oil painting was invented in Afghanistan?
…New Year in Afghanistan is celebrated on March 21?
…Afghanistan is the largest producer of opium in the world?
…Approximately 80% of the Afghan population has Sunnism as their religion?
