Major city · Afghanistan
Bamiyan
Spend 1–2 days in Bamiyan to see the Buddhas, explore the valley and hire a guide; travel time from Kabul about 9 h by shared 4WD.
Bamiyan sits at 2 500 m in central Afghanistan. The ruined Buddhas and surrounding UNESCO landscape draw most visitors. The town is small, walkable and has basic budget lodging; a guide and minivan hire are essential for safety and site access.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AFN
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm days, low rain, comfortable altitude)
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow on mountain passes)
- Airport
- BIN
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…Check your own government travel advice for Afghanistan b…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Afghanistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Afghanistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Afghanistan ↗Visas and internal permits come from the Taliban authorities and change without notice; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Afghanistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Afghanistan before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bamiyan119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bamiyan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards, ATMs and most international transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.Afghanistan-wide
- SafetyBamiyan is among the safer Afghan towns, but landmines, occasional armed activity on routes, and limited services require caution.
- Emergency numbers119 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBIN Bamyan Airport (Small airstrip ~1 km (0.6 mi) south of town; 3 commercial flights/week from Kabul (East Horizon Airlines).).BIN Bamyan Airport (Small airstrip ~0.6 mi (1 km) south of town; 3 commercial flights/week from Kabul (East Horizon Airlines).).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; hire a Toyota minivan (≈400 Afs per trip) or a guide (US$15 day) for sites beyond the main road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedFloor bed in chaikhana, a night, per personAFN 800
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomAFN 8,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomAFN 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget AFN 1,500 · Mid AFN 3,000 · High AFN 6,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIN Bamyan Airport (Small airstrip ~1 km (0.6 mi) south of town; 3 commercial flights/week from Kabul (East Horizon Airlines).)BIN Bamyan Airport (Small airstrip ~0.6 mi (1 km) south of town; 3 commercial flights/week from Kabul (East Horizon Airlines).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bamiyan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
3 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
4 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; hire a Toyota minivan (≈400 Afs per trip) or a guide (US$15 day) for sites beyond the main road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Band‑e Amir
cautionDoor to door: ≈6 h total
Private hire minivan from Bamiyan, about 3 h each way
Roads rough; best with a guide.
Shahr‑e Gholghola
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Hire a guide‑led minivan, 20 km (12 mi) east of townHire a guide‑led minivan, 12 mi (20 km) east of town
Fort offers panoramic valley views.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mama Najaf’s chaikhanas (budget)
Floor sleeping, meal ~60 Afs, no private bathroom.
Noorband Qala (mid‑range)
US$60–80, includes breakfast, Wi‑Fi, electricity.
The Roof of Bamiyan Hotel (mid‑range)
Yurts US$40 (Af 2000); rooms US$40‑60 (Af 2000‑3000).
Hotel Silk Road (splurge)
US$100 double, breakfast included.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Af 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- Af 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- Af 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 1 night × AFN 8,000 | AFN 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × AFN 3,000 | AFN 6,000 |
| Toyota minivan hire (one way)2 × AFN 400 · check | AFN 800 |
| Guide fee per day2 × AFN 1,500 · US$15 | AFN 3,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × AFN 2,000 · check | AFN 4,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | AFN 3,270 |
| Trip total≈ AFN 12,540 per person per day, bed included | AFN 25,070 |
2026 estimate in Afghanis; flights, visas and international insurance excluded.
Prices of common things
| Shared 4WD minivan Kabul → Bamiyan (one way)bargain hard | Af 400 |
| Guide for Buddhas site (per day)check | US$15 |
| Buddhas entrance ticketincludes Zohak and Gogola | Af 300 |
| Meal in chaikhanacheck | Af 60 |
| Internet cafe (hour)check | Af 90 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Landmines and UXO remain; stay on marked paths, avoid red‑painted rocks.
- Southern route out of Kabul is risky for the first hour; keep a low profile and cover head with a scarf.
- Power and hot water are intermittent in many hotels.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
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BamiyanBamiyan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Medical112
Embassy
Check the US consulate in Kabul; other nations use the embassy in Kabul.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kabul → Bamiyan minivan: about Af 400 one way, ~9 h (check)
- Bamiyan guide day fee: US$15 per person (check)
Say or show
- ببخشید — Excuse me / Sorry (bebakhshid)
- تشکر — Thank you (tashakur)
- قیمت چقدر است؟ — How much is it? (qimat cheqadar ast?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the bathroom? (dastshui kojast?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bamiyan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (warm days, low rain, comfortable altitude) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, possible snow on mountain passes)
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrange minivan hire from Mama Najaf’s restaurant; negotiate price (≈400 Afs one way).
- Secure a local guide (US$15 day) for Buddhas and citadel access.
- Consider overnight stay in a mid‑range hotel for comfort after long travel from Kabul.
Sources
Ask about Bamiyan
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