In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Afghanistan
Kandahar
Visit Kandahar for a brief stop (1 day) to see the historic sites; longer stays add little for most travelers.
Kandahar, Afghanistan's second‑largest city, offers a handful of historic monuments and a modern airport. With limited tourist infrastructure, a single day covers the main sights; longer trips require special arrangements and carry higher security considerations.
- Country
- Afghanistan
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (cooler, less dust)
- Avoid
- May–Sep (extreme heat, dust storms)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- AFN
- Money
- Foreign cards, ATMs and most international transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget AFN 1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid AFN 2,500–4,500 excl. bed · High AFN 4,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 119 · Ambulance 115
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | AFN 150–250 |
| Afghan kebab (lamb or beef) | AFN 200–400 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | AFN 800–1,200 |
| Museum entry | AFN 100–300 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KDH · Kandahar International Airport
- Flights to Dubai (Wed), Kabul (domestic), Herat (Tue) – check schedules
Typical fares
- KDH → city centre (taxi)
- ≈AFN 1,200, 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis are the main mode; hire a driver for longer trips. Private car rentals require insurance and a local driver.
See and do
Known for
- Mosque of the Cloak of the Prophet
- Chil Zena steps
- Kandahar Museum
- Tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chil Zena | Taxi or walk from city centre, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi or walk from city centre, about 3.1 mi (5 km) | ≈30 min |
| Mosque of the Cloak | Taxi, 3 km (1.9 mi) north of centreTaxi, 1.9 mi (3 km) north of centre | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Armani Pashtun Hotel
- Budget guesthouse, ~US$10/night, Aino Mina area, near airport
- Continental Guest House
- Mid‑range, air‑conditioned, central location, ~US$55/night
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | سلامsalaam |
| Thank you | مننهmanana |
| How much? | قیمت چقدر است؟qeemat cheqadar ast? |
| Where is…? | …کجا است؟…koja ast? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Security situation can change quickly; follow your government’s travel advice.
- Roads may be unsafe due to militant activity; avoid night travel on highways.
- Cash only transactions; ATMs may be unreliable – carry sufficient Afghani.
Security is volatile; stay in Aino Mina, travel with a driver, and keep a low profile.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kandahar yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mosque of the Cloak of the Prophet
- Chil Zena steps
- Kandahar Museum
- Tomb of Ahmad Shah Durrani
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kandahar, revision 5198838 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5198838
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kandahar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.