Kabul International Airport is the main airport of Afghanistan, today operational in a context profoundly different from a normal tourism hub: since 2021, international commercial flights have been severely reduced and mainly concern regional connections, diplomatic missions, humanitarian organizations and repatriations.
It is located a few kilometers from Kabul city center, the Afghan capital.
How to get to Kabul International Airport
Parking near Kabul International Airport
Information on parking and support services is subject to continuous change due to the country's situation: those who must actually transit through this airport should refer directly to their relevant organization (diplomatic, humanitarian, or corporate) rather than to generic tourist information.
How to get to Kabul from KBL
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Kabul International Airport
Self-drive car rental is not a practical option under current conditions: logistics are organized exclusively through your organization of reference.
Hotels near Kabul International Airport
Kabul (Wazir Akbar Khan, Shahr-e Naw, Shirpur)
From the airport the centre is about 5 km away; by car the journey usually takes 15-20 minutes, longer if there are checks on the road to the airport.
Best for: Anyone travelling for work, with an NGO or with an official delegation: all the listed properties have access-controlled entrances, a basic requirement for staying in Kabul.
- Every property has perimeter walls and access control, a basic requirement in the city
- Similar distance from the airport for all the options, useful for arranging the transfer in advance with the hotel
- None of these areas can be visited on foot in the evening: getting around requires a private car or a driver arranged by the hotel
- International airline options are almost non-existent: connections go through regional hubs in the Gulf
Recommended hotels
- Kabul Grand Hotel Formerly the Kabul Serena Hotel, reopened in 2005 in a 1945 building between Wazir Akbar Khan and Zarnegar Park: 177 rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness centre and several in-house restaurants, including the Afghan-cuisine Café Zarnegar. It is the property with the highest security standard among those listed in the city, a frequent choice of delegations and international organisations. View availability
- Kabul Star Hotel & Restaurant In Shirpur, a central area south of the diplomatic district: 91 rooms, an outdoor pool, a gym and an in-house restaurant with its own kitchen; among the few properties listed in Kabul with free guarded parking. View availability
- Roshan Plaza Hotel About 8 km from the airport, in the Shahr-e Naw/Bagh-e Zanana area: an inner garden, a bar and restaurant with shared kitchen, free Wi-Fi throughout the property; a more affordable price range than the other listed properties, from about $34 a night. View availability
- Afghan Arya Guest House & Tours On Imam Moafaq Herawi street, Shahr-e Naw, in the centre of Kabul: from dormitory beds to family rooms, with a generous breakfast included and the option to arrange tours and airport transfers with the owners. Geared towards more limited budgets than the other listed properties. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The passenger facility today handles a much reduced volume of traffic compared to the past, reflecting the drastic reduction in international commercial connections since 2021.
Map of Kabul International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it safe to travel to Afghanistan?
No: any travel to Afghanistan is currently categorically advised against by most Western governments, due to the extremely high security risk. Always check your own country's official travel advisories before making any decision.
Q. Are there international commercial flights from Kabul?
International connections have been drastically reduced since 2021 and are mainly limited to a few regional routes; the situation can change rapidly.
Q. Is my country's embassy operating in Kabul?
Many Western countries do not have a fully operational diplomatic mission able to guarantee ordinary consular assistance in the country: always check your own country's specific situation before departing.
Q. What should someone who must travel to Afghanistan for work do?
They should operate exclusively through organisations with dedicated security protocols (humanitarian, diplomatic, corporate), not as an independent traveller.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights