Kabul International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Hamid Karzai International Airport, about 5 km from the centre of Kabul, is served today almost exclusively by regional and Gulf-state carriers: there are no direct connections with the main Western airlines. The large majority of arrivals are on a work mission, with an NGO, an international organisation or an official delegation, not on a tourist trip. The usable properties are concentrated in a few central areas — Wazir Akbar Khan, Shahr-e Naw, Shirpur — all 15-20 minutes by car from the airport depending on the checks along the way: the choice comes down more to the property's security level than to the area, since none of these areas can be visited on foot in the evening.

Kabul (Wazir Akbar Khan, Shahr-e Naw, Shirpur)

City centre · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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.
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.
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.

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