Major city · Afghanistan
Herat
Spend 2 days in Herat to see the citadel, Friday Mosque and museum; travel time from Kabul about 1 h 30 min by flight.
Herat, Afghanistan's third‑largest city, offers a compact historic core with several key monuments that can be explored comfortably in two days. Flights from Kabul take about 1½ h, making it a feasible side‑trip from the capital or a short stop on a western Afghanistan itinerary.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AFN
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat, limited services)
- Airport
- HEA
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Herat119 ▾
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 Herat, 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; only travel with up‑to‑date advice and consider a local guide.
- Emergency numbers119 police · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHEA Herat International Airport (15 km (9.3 mi) south of city; daily flights from Kabul (≈ AFN 3,500).).HEA Herat International Airport (9.3 mi (15 km) south of city; daily flights from Kabul (≈ AFN 3,500).).
- Getting aroundWalking covers most sights; taxis available for longer distances.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeAFN 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 500–800
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse, a night, per personAFN 300
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomAFN 1,200
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomAFN 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget AFN 500 · Mid AFN 800 · High AFN 1,200
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
- HEA Herat International Airport (15 km (9.3 mi) south of city; daily flights from Kabul (≈ AFN 3,500).)HEA Herat International Airport (9.3 mi (15 km) south of city; daily flights from Kabul (≈ AFN 3,500).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
not flagged
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
Mar
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
Jun
Avoid
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
Oct
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Nov
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
not flagged
−1°C (29°F)29°F (−1°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Mar (55 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Herat: 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
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
51 rd
Feb
−1°C (31°F)31°F (−1°C)
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
45 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
55 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
29 rd
May
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
30°C (85°F)85°F (30°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
0 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
37°C (98°F)98°F (37°C)
0 rd
Aug
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
0 rd
Sep
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
0 rd
Oct
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Dec
−1°C (29°F)29°F (−1°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
36 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
Walking covers most sights; taxis available for longer distances. No public transit within city.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chisht-i-Sharif
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 4 h round‑trip
Private car or taxi, about 2 h each way
Roads are rough; travel with a guide if possible.
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.
Marco Polo Hotel
Western‑standard rooms, internet, breakfast; US$30–40 per night.
Nazary Four Star Hotel
Central tower, US$60 double en‑suite; discounts possible.
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 500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- AFN 800–1,200 excl. bed
- High
- AFN 1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 2 nights × AFN 1,200 | AFN 2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × AFN 800 | AFN 1,600 |
| Herat‑Kabul flight (round‑trip)1 × AFN 4,500 · check | AFN 4,500 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × AFN 3,500 · check | AFN 3,500 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | AFN 1,800 |
| Trip total≈ AFN 6,900 per person per day, bed included | AFN 13,800 |
2026 estimate in AFN; flights and security services excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | AFN 200–400 |
| Kichiri Goshti (stew) | AFN 150–300 |
| Taxi (5 km) | AFN 500–800 |
| Citadel entrance feebargaining possible | US$5 (≈ AFN 425) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security situation can change rapidly; follow your government’s travel advice.
- Entrance fee at the Citadel is US$5 (bargaining possible).
- Roads from Iran and Turkmenistan are passable but security incidents occur; avoid overland routes unless escorted.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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HeratHerat
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Herat (check address); other nations use embassy in Kabul.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kabul → Herat (flight): ≈ AFN 3,500, 1½ h (check)
- Taxi city centre → Citadel: ≈ AFN 300–500, 10 min
Say or show
- ببخشید — Excuse me / Sorry (bebakhshid)
- تشکر — Thank you (tashakor)
- قیمت چقدر است؟ — How much is it? (qeymat cheqadar ast?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (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 Herat. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat, limited services)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for a guided museum tour.
- Combine with a visit to Maimana (≈ 180 km north).
Sources
Ask about Herat
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