Afghanistan Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Outside Kabul, Afghanistan is still very much a tribal society. Religion and traditional customs have a strong influence within the family, and there are strict male and female roles in society. It is considered insulting to show the soles of the feet. Guests may have to share a room as specific accommodation is rarely set aside. Women are advised to wear trousers or long skirts and avoid revealing dress. Homosexuality is illegal. Handshaking is an acceptable form of greeting, though nose-rubbing and embracing are more traditional. Smoking is a common social habit and tobacco is cheap by European standards. It is a compliment to accept an offered cigarette from your host.

Photography: Care should be taken when using cameras. Military installations should not be photographed.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG) (website: www.flyariana.com). There is a United Nations presence in the country, with aid mission flights in operation. For further information, consult a local embassy or the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (website: www.fco.gov.uk). Currently, the British government advises against its employees (and therefore all travelers should take note) traveling to Afghanistan on Ariana Airlines or Kam Air due to suspected safety concerns that have not yet been fully addressed and assessed.

Departure Tax
AFA200. Children under two years of age are exempt.

Main Airports
Kabul Airport (KBL) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. The airport was largely destroyed during the conflict at the end of 2001 but has now re-opened for limited international commercial flights as well as military and aid flights. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the city center (journey time - 30 minutes). Facilities: Bank, bar and restaurant.

Getting There by Road
Overland travel is currently very dangerous in some parts of the country, with rural roads often unpaved, and the official advice is that it should be avoided. Prior to US bombing, buses used to operate along the Asia Highway, which links Afghanistan to Iran and Pakistan. There were also good road links from Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat to the countries in the north. However, 80% of all roads and bridges were destroyed in the 2001 conflict and repairing the damage remains a slow process.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Afghanistan without incurring customs duty:
A reasonable amount of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages for personal use; any amount of perfume.

Restricted items

The import of film cameras is possible only with a license. The export of antiquities, carpets, furs and camera film is prohibited without a license.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
There are limited internal flights; Kam Air operates flights between Kabul and Herat.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Prior to the 2001 conflict, there were over 22,000km (13,000 miles) of roads, some of which were paved. This network has largely been destroyed.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Buses, trolleybuses and taxis used to operate in Kabul but often proved unreliable. Since the 2001 conflict, some services have resumed, but are less reliable than ever due to the extensive infrastructure and vehicle destruction incurred.


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