Major city · 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.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AFN
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (cooler, less dust)
- avoid May–Sep (extreme heat, dust storms)
- Airport
- KDH
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kandahar119 ▾
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 Kandahar, 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
- SafetySecurity is volatile; stay in Aino Mina, travel with a driver, and keep a low profile.
- Emergency numbers119 police · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKDH Kandahar International Airport (Flights to Dubai (Wed), Kabul (domestic), Herat (Tue) – check schedules).
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main mode; hire a driver for longer trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)AFN 150–250
- Street or quick mealAfghan kebab (lamb or beef)AFN 200–400
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))AFN 800–1,200
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryAFN 100–300
- Budget bedGuesthouse bed, a night, per personAFN 800
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomAFN 4,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomAFN 6,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget AFN 1,500 · Mid AFN 3,000 · High AFN 5,000
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
- KDH Kandahar International Airport (Flights to Dubai (Wed), Kabul (domestic), Herat (Tue) – check schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Aug
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Sep
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kandahar: 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
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
0 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
0 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
0 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
Taxis are the main mode; hire a driver for longer trips. Private car rentals require insurance and a local driver.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chil Zena
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Taxi or walk from city centre, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi or walk from city centre, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Climb 40 steps; not for very young or elderly.
Mosque of the Cloak
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Taxi, 3 km (1.9 mi) north of centreTaxi, 1.9 mi (3 km) north of centre
Visit during prayer times; modest dress required.
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.
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
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
- AFN 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- AFN 2,500–4,500 excl. bed
- High
- AFN 4,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse bed1 × 1 night × AFN 800 | AFN 800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × AFN 1,500 | AFN 1,500 |
| Taxi from KDH to city centre1 × AFN 1,200 · check | AFN 1,200 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × AFN 2,500 · check | AFN 2,500 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | AFN 900 |
| Trip total≈ AFN 6,900 per person per day, bed included | AFN 6,900 |
2026 estimate in AFN; flights and security services excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | AFN 150–250 |
| Afghan kebab (lamb or beef) | AFN 200–400 |
| Taxi (5 km) | AFN 800–1,200 |
| Museum entry | AFN 100–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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KandaharKandahar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance115
Embassy
Check your government's travel advice; foreign consulates are limited.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KDH → city centre (taxi): ≈AFN 1,200, 15 min (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مننه — Thank you (manana)
- قیمت چقدر است؟ — How much? (qeemat cheqadar ast?)
- …کجا است؟ — Where is…? (…koja ast?)
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 Kandahar. 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: Oct–Mar (cooler, less dust) · avoid May–Sep (extreme heat, dust storms)
- 1 airport and 2 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
- Airport‑to‑hotel transport contracts for KDH.
- Safety‑briefing checklist for road travel.
Sources
Ask about Kandahar
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