Can I visit Afghanistan as a Tourist in 2025?
Can you visit Afghanistan as a tourist in 2025? Do tourists go to Afghanistan?Discover visa requirements, safety tips, and essential advice for an unforgettable adventure in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, the graveyard of empires, home of the Hindu Kush, and the Islamic Emirate, a land of rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. It hasn't been on most travellers wishlists for decades, but it is steadily drawing in adventurous and curious travellers. Since 2021, over 15,000 tourists from all over the world have explored this captivating country. If you’re wondering, “Can I visit Afghanistan in 2025?” the answer is yes — but it’s not quite as simple as booking the tickets and packing your bags.
In this post, we’ll look at what it takes to visit Afghanistan as a tourist, explore safety considerations, and provide tips for a fulfilling journey.
Can I visit Afghanistan?
Do Tourists go to Afghanistan?
Absolutely. Afghanistan is open for tourists. Thousands of tourists have visited Afghanistan in the last few years. The number has increased each year. Travellers from all over the world have been to Afghanistan, including from the US, Canada, the UK, EU, Australia, India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and many other countries.
Travellers of all descriptions have visited Afghanistan, including budget travellers hitchhiking across the central Highlands, to families overlanding through Central Asia, to solo travellers exploring independently. Travellers have come independently, with private tour guides and with group tours.
Afghanistan's tourism industry is relatively under-developed. Accomodation, transport, roads, and other infrastructure is likely not up to the standard you're accustomed to. More luxurious accommodation is an option in most large cities, but if you're looking for luxury Afghanistan may not be the destination for you at this point in time.
Is there a travel ban to Afghanistan?
No country has issued a ban stopping their citizens from visiting Afghanistan and Afghanistan does not routinely refuse visas to citizens of any country, with the exception of Israel. Afghanistan does not recognise Israel and will not issue visas to Israeli passport holders.
However, many countries' official travel advice for Afghanistan is do not travel. This is likely partly because these governments no longer have any consular services in Afghanistan and are therefore unable to assist their citizens. Whether this official travel advice accurately reflects the threat or potential danger of travelling in Afghanistan is questionable, but still it's worth finding out how to contact your nearest embassy or consulate if you do need help from within Afghanistan.
Whilst your government may not recommend it, the vast majority of travellers who've been there recently have had positive experiences.
Can you visit Afghanistan?
Yes, you can visit Afghanistan. Afghanistan is open to tourists, including those from Western nations, solo travellers and women. The only exception is Israeli passport holders. Afghanistan doesn't recognise Israel and won't issue visas to Israeli passport holders.
To visit Afghanistan all tourists need to get a tourist visa. See our post on How to get a Visa to Visit Afghanistan. Some female solo travellers have occasionally been refused a visa out of concerns for their safety. Being prepared with a Letter of Invitation or a guide arranged has been enough to assure the visa officers.
Is Afghanistan safe to visit?
Afghanistan is currently safer than it has been in decades, including for tourists, and provided you're willing to respect local customs and laws you're likely to find Afghanistan both safe and hospitable.
However, the unpredictability of life applies here as much as anywhere else. In the words of Bilbo Baggins: "It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door."
Of course, no one can guarantee your individual safety, and there are some factors to be taken into consideration before travelling; but the vast majority of travellers report overwhelmingly positive experiences.
The one group who should be more cautious are those with sensitive backgrounds. This includes those with current or past connections to missionaries, military, security and aviation.
Foreigners with these backgrounds have been detained for extended periods in Afghanistan. Charges may not be made public, and the judicial system may not work the way you'd expect. If detained, foreigners may not have access to consular services, especially if there is no embassy or consulate in Afghanistan.
Can Americans visit Afghanistan?
Yes, Americans can visit Afghanistan, both as an independent traveller and with a group or tour guide. In general, Afghanistan is not more dangerous for American tourists than other tourists. However, anecdotally, male American travellers may receive more scrutiny than other nationalities at immigration, checkpoints and during interactions with officials.
It's always important to follow basic safety precautions and try to keep a low profile while travelling.
Is Afghanistan safe for Canadian tourists?
The vast majority of travellers in Afghanistan report feeling generally safe. Canadian travellers are likely to be as safe as any other nationality, but common sense safety precautions should always be taken when travelling.
Is Afghanistan safe for British tourists?
The vast majority of travellers in Afghanistan report feeling generally safe. British travellers are likely to be as safe as any other nationality, but common sense safety precautions should always be taken when travelling.
Is Afghanistan safe for Indian tourists?
The vast majority of travellers in Afghanistan report feeling generally safe. Indian travellers are likely to be as safe as any other nationality, but common sense safety precautions should always be taken when travelling.
Is Afghanistan safe for women tourists?
The vast majority of travellers in Afghanistan report feeling generally safe, including women and solo women travellers. Many female travellers have visited Afghanistan; solo, independent travellers, as well as those travelling in couples and small groups. Whilst women are likely to be safe and treated with respect, their experience will be different from that of male travellers.
Afghan women do travel, but rarely alone for pleasure, and this may be seen as unusual or strange. Cultural expectations of women are probably quite different to where you come from, so it's a good idea to brush up on cultural dos and don'ts, before arriving. This includes things like how to dress and how to interact with others.
Customs that foreigners may interpret as disrespectful may be culturally respectful. For example: men do not look unrelated women in the eye or face when speaking to them (and vice versa), this is a reflection of the Islamic etiquette to lower your gaze when speaking to the opposite sex. For more details on culture, customs and what to expect as a female traveller in Afghanistan, check out our travel preparation guide, Afghan Compass.
Personal Safety Tips for Afghanistan
Avoid Sharing Your Location: Refrain from posting your whereabouts on social media in real-time. If you want to share the journey, at least wait until you’ve left the city/province you’re posting about.
Keep a low profile: This applies to both men and women. Dressing modestly, preferably in local style is important to keep a low profile and show respect for Afghan culture.
Secure Your Documents: Store your passport and cash securely. You’ll need to present your passport and permits at checkpoints so you need to have them on you, but replacing them could be a huge headache.
Be Discreet: Do not disclose your travel plans or accommodations to strangers, and don’t take the same route each day.
Hotel Safety: Lock your hotel room from the inside when in the room, and from the outside when going out for the day.
Emergency Plans: Know who to contact and how to access funds in case of an emergency.
For our complete rundown on culture, customs, health and safety, including our Travel Preparation Checklist get out Afghan Compass PDF guidebook.
Tips for Visiting Afghanistan as a Tourist
Travelling to Afghanistan requires more than the usually amount of preparation and flexibility. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
Modest Clothing: Afghanistan is a conservative country. Men and women should wear loose-fitting clothing, and women are required to cover their hair with a scarf. Shorts and tight-fitting clothing for men or women, are completely inappropriate and offensive to locals. At least one male tourist has allegedly been detained for wearing shorts in southern Afghanistan.
Limited Facilities: Afghanistan is not ideally prepared for tourists. Essential infrastructure is limited, and the majority of people don't speak English or other foreign languages. Medical services, hotels, roads and transport options may not be what you're accustomed to. Be flexible and keep your expectations realisitic.
Road Safety: Some major roads in Afghanistan are in poor condition, and traffic accidents can be a concern. Major routes like the Kandahar-Kabul and Kabul-Mazar-i-Sharif roads are pot-holed, busy and sometimes hazardous.
Checkpoints: Military checkpoints are ubiquitous. In general, these are nothing to be concerned about, but you need to carry your passport, visa and valid travel permit with you at all times. Most guards do not speak English, so carrying a recorded message in Dari or Pashto explaining your purpose and plans can be helpful, especially if you’re travelling independently or going off the main tourist track. For more information on visas and permits, see our post on Travel Tips for Afghanistan and How to get an Afghan Visa.
Adherence to Local Laws: Afghanistan’s laws differ significantly from those in Western/non-Muslim countries, and include corporal punishment and the death sentence. While some laws apply more strictly to locals, tourists should proceed with caution and respect local customs and regulations. For example, it’s not allowed for unmarried men and women to share a hotel room. If you’re travelling as a couple, hotel staff might check that you’re married. The answer they want to hear is yes.Things that are legal in your country may be illegal in Afghanistan, including:
preaching a religion other than Islam
pork
alcohol and drugs
pornography
Sensitive Backgrounds: If you have current or past connections to the military, defense, security, aviation, or missionary organisations, seek further advice before travelling. Travellers with these backgrounds have occasionally been detained on suspicion of espionage or evangelism. If detained, you may not have access to Consular services.
Practical Travel Tips for Afghanistan
To make the most of your trip, consider the following:
Prepare for your journey: Afghanistan more than many other countries requires extra preparation. Start with our Essential Travel Tips for Afghanistan, and Packing Essentials posts, read other travellers' blogs, speak to people who've been here if you have the chance.
Hire a Local Guide: A knowledgeable local guide can assist with getting permits, navigation, cultural understanding, and safety. They can also help you interact with checkpoint guards and ensure smoother travel. Options for travelling with a guide including hiring a private tour guide, travelling with an Afghan travel/tour company or there are also foreign run group tours to Afghanistan.
Learn Basic Phrases: Knowing a few words in Dari or Pashto can go a long way in building rapport with locals. If you’ll be travelling independently in may also be a good idea to get a recording in Dari/Pashto on your phone explaining who you are and what the purpose of your journey is.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local news and updates about security conditions in the areas you plan to visit.
Cash Only: Afghanistan operates almost exclusively on cash. Bring sufficient cash in USD or EUR and exchange it locally. Local money changers will also accept most other foreign currencies. Be warned that the few ATMs that work for international cards charge between 4-7% withdrawal fee. For more on Afghanistan Travel Costs check out our post.
Get Our PDF Travel Guide: For comprehensive information on travelling to Afghanistan, grab our Afghan Compass ebook. It's designed to help you navigate your Afghan adventure with confidence. It’s packed with essential tips, cultural insights, and practical advice to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Highlights of Afghanistan
Afghanistan offers a wealth of attractions for those willing to venture beyond the familiar. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Babur's Gardens, Kabul
Band-e Amir National Park
Minarets of Ghazni
Herat Citadel
Nuristan
For more beautiful Afghanistan pictures head over to our Photo Gallery.
Travelling to Afghanistan in 2025 is absolutely possible and an incredibly rewarding journey. It's also not for everyone. With some preparation, a sense of adventure and respect for local customs, you can experience a side of Afghanistan that the media never shows.
To fully prepare for your Afghan journey grab our travel guides now.