Nope.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Afghanistan
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Nope.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Public dress code for women
It is illegal for women to show their faces in public. Women are required to wear a niqab or burqa in all public places.
Travel restrictions for women
Traveling without a mahram is considered risky and is possibly illegal.
Homosexual activity
Any homosexual activity is punishable by harsh penalties, including death, under Afghan law.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Citizens of all countries require a travel visa to visit Afghanistan. The only case allowing visa free access to ordinary passport holders is if the traveler was born in Afghanistan or to Afghan parents, including those born to at least one Afghan citizen parent or whose parent was born in Afghanistan. Since 2026, however, citizens of almost all countries of the world can obtain a visitor e-Visa online, with some exceptions.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Afghanistan. In May 2024, three Spanish tourists were killed in a shooting while on a guided tour in Bamiyan, Central Afghanistan. Al-Qaida (AQ), a Daesh branch known as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and other militant groups have an active presence in Afghanistan. These groups hold strong anti-western views, which could make any British interest or person a target. Daesh (ISKP) continues to be a serious threat and is fiercely hostile to the UK, other western countries and some religious minority communities. Daesh (ISKP) and other groups also target NGOs and humanitarian organisations. If you choose to travel to or stay in Afghanistan against FCDO advice, be aware that terrorists have a strong desire to target public places frequented by foreign nationals. This could include restaurants and hotels used by foreigners, such as the Serena in Kabul. An attack on Kabul International Airport in August 2021 killed at least 183 people. Further attacks against aviation and airports are very likely. ISKP have claimed responsibility for attacks in many types of location, including: hospitals schools places of worship government, military and security establishments Diplomatic premises may be attacked to undermine Taliban claims of security. It is likely that terrorists will conduct attacks at busy times of day, potentially coinciding with local or religious events or celebrations. In the past this has included attacks a
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under the Taliban and has historically always been forbidden in Afghanistan. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Afghanistan is a volatile and dangerous country.
- •Do not rely on previous experience of travelling in Afghanistan or previous understanding of rules, laws and society.
- •The Islamic State in Khorasan Province (IS-KP) is an anti-Taliban and Islamic extremist militant group that has an active presence in the country.
- •Landmines and other UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) remain a problem across the country, so plan to stick to well-worn paths, avoid red and white painted rocks, and do not touch or move any suspicious-looking item.
- •Insects and snakes are also something to be careful of, and the mountainous country has many vicious tiny creatures such as scorpions, spiders, centipedes, and bees.
- •In some areas, altitude sickness is a significant risk.
Staying healthy
- •Afghanistan has more than its share of health issues, and it is pretty much essential to consult a travel doctor ahead of your trip about vaccinations and health risks.
- •Afghanistan is one of the dustiest countries in the world, and you should be prepared to be covered in it and breathing it for most of your stay, even in the major cities.
- •Flies are notoriously heinous here, likely due to poor sanitation. Winter brings some relief, but they come back full-strength when spring arrives.
- •Food should be approached with a discerning eye, as hygiene standards can often be lacking.
- •Do not approach any animals, especially dogs and cats and preferably take a rabies shot before going to the country, it's one of the most rabies-affected countries in the world and finding m…
- •Bring any prescription medicine you may need from your home country, and don't count on being able to find it locally.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- Afghanistan Earthquake : 4 . 1 - Magnitude Tremor Strikes At 130 Km Depth2026-09-07
- Security Forces Kill 21 India - Backed Terrorists in KP Operations : ISPR2026-09-06
- Canada warns citizens against travel to Afghanistan2026-09-05
- The 26 factor : Nepal floods add to deadly trail of disasters that struck on 26th2026-09-05
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers acknowledge that the safety landscape in Afghanistan shifted drastically following the Taliban takeover. While the Wakhan Corridor was previously considered safe for solo trekking and interaction with local populations, the current political climate has rendered the region unpredictable. Returning travelers express skepticism regarding safety levels and cite the systemic subjugation of women as a significant deterrent to visiting. Official government advisories currently maintain a do not travel status for the country, which complicates insurance coverage and re-entry logistics for foreign nationals. Prior military service may further complicate travel options, and the lack of reliable security infrastructure makes independent or even organized travel a high-stakes gamble.
“Post Taliban takeover I would not likely go back, although I know tourists are returning. Not quite sure I trust the levels of safety, and the subjugation of women would be too hard to stomach.
— r/travel
“At that point the Walhan Corridor had seen none of the previous decades of fighting, and was actually quite safe.
— r/travel
“Australia's safety rating (Smart traveller) rates both as "Do not travel" so I am wondering what my options are as far as re-entry to Australia, and insurance while over there.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 119 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 119
SIM / Data
Mobile numbers in Afghanistan must always be dialled with all digits (10 digits, including a "0" prefixing the "70n" within Afghanistan), no matter where they are being called from. The 70n is a mobile prefix, not an "area code", as such and the third digit (the n part) denotes the original mobile network assigned. An example mobile number looks like <code>+93 700-202-496</code>.
Cash vs. Card
The Afghani (AFN) is the currency of Afghanistan, denoted by the symbol "Afs" or "؋" (ISO code: AFN). The current version of the afghani was introduced in 2002, with 1 afghani equal to 1,000 of the previous afghanis.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09