Photo Credit: Michael Foley

Kabul International Airport

Afghanistan has a total of five airports — one each in Kabul, Herta, Mazar i Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad. Kabul Airport is the main gateway into the country, with regular flights to and from Dubai where most international connections are made. The flagship carrier, Ariana Afghan Airlines, also offers seasonal flights from various destinations like Islamabad, Frankfurt, Delhi, Baku, Tehran, and Istanbul. Kam Air has a twice daily service from Dubai, along with weekly flights to Istanbul, Delhi, Almaty, and Mashad. Other private airlines provide regular connections to and from Kabul, but direct flights from western countries are rare. Air travel within the country is limited, but there are domestic trips from Kabul to Herat.

The international airport has two terminal buildings, one of which is just for domestic service. Facilities are limited, but transportation to and from the city is easy, thanks to taxis, buses, and private cars. The airport is located only about nine miles from central Kabul and is connected to the city via a four-lane highway. It is advised to check the status of flights right up until your travel plans as schedules can change, be delayed, or even cancelled without warning.

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