Afghanistan Travel Guide
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
The national airline is called Ariana Afghan Airlines (FG) (Internet: www.flyariana.com) and flies directly from Frankfurt to Kabul. Lufthansa (LH), Swiss (LX) and Austrian Airlines (OS) also fly from Europe in cooperation with Indian Airlines 8IC) and other airlines. Due to the political situation in the country, air traffic is currently severely restricted. The FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (Internet: www.fco.gov.uk) has pointed out security deficiencies at Ariana Afghan Airlines. The airline is only allowed to fly to European airspace with leased aircraft.
Flight times
Frankfurt – Kabul: 16 hours 30; Vienna – Kabul: 16 hours 45; Zurich – Kabul: 16 hours 05.
Arrival by car
After 23 years of civil war, the Taliban regime and Western bombing, around 80% of Afghanistan’s roads and bridges have been destroyed. It is unclear how long the reconstruction and thus the restoration of a road network will take. Many areas of land are mined and driving on the roads is very dangerous. The main road from Kabul to Kandahar has been completed, but can only be driven with armed escort vehicles.
Arriving by train
There is currently no rail transport.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Limited domestic air traffic for relief supplies and military flights. Ariana Afghan Airlines (Internet: www.flyariana.com) and Kam Air (Internet: www.flykamair.com) offer connections, including to Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif.
On the way by car / bus
See International Travel.
Buses and taxis are often unreliable. Overland journeys are only possible in the company of armed Afghan guards. When traveling beyond the city limits of Kunduz, you should definitely contact the local reconstruction team (PRT = Provincial Reconstruction Team) in advance.
TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Afghanistan
Security advice from the Federal Foreign Office:
Status: November 18, 2016
Unchanged valid since: November 11, 2016
Current information
On November 10, 2016, there was an attack on the German consulate general in Mazar-e Sharif. The Consulate General is therefore temporarily unavailable.
Country-specific safety information
We urgently warn against traveling to Afghanistan.
Anyone who travels nonetheless must be aware of the danger posed by acts of violence motivated by terrorism or crime. Even with individual or group trips organized by professional tour operators there is an undiminished risk of falling victim to an act of violence.
The following applies to essential business trips to Afghanistan: Staying in large parts of the country remains dangerous. Every long stay is fraught with additional risks. The security situation and the resulting restrictions on movement should be taken into account when planning your stay. In addition, the stay should be carried out on the basis of a sustainable professional security concept.
When traveling to Afghanistan, a country located in Asia according to payhelpcenter, it is recommended that you enter yourself in the crisis prevention list (external link, opens in new window http://elefand.diplo.de/), if possible before departure.
There is a high risk of kidnapping or a violent crime across Afghanistan. Assassinations, assaults, kidnappings and other violent crimes can occur nationwide.
In January 2016 there was a violent detonation in the immediate vicinity of Kabul Airport, in which over 50 civilians were injured. In April 2016, 80 people were killed and over 340 injured, some seriously, in an attack on a government building in Kabul.
After the end of the international military support mission ISAF, the Afghan security forces have assumed responsibility for security across the country, but are faced with a strong insurgency and do not have the situation under control everywhere.
All Germans on site are advised to exercise the greatest possible caution. We strongly advise against cross-country journeys. Where such must take place, even in comparatively quieter parts of the country, they should only be carried out in a convoy, guarded if possible and with professional support. The safety situation on the route must be carefully clarified as soon as possible. A warning is given against sleeping in unsecured locations.
Worldwide safety notice Please also note the external link, opens in new window, worldwide safety notice.
Travel warning
We urgently warn against traveling to Afghanistan.
Anyone who travels nonetheless must be aware of the danger posed by acts of violence motivated by terrorism or crime. Even with individual or group trips organized by professional tour operators there is an undiminished risk of falling victim to an act of violence.
The following applies to essential business trips to Afghanistan: Staying in large parts of the country remains dangerous. Every long stay is fraught with additional risks. The security situation and the resulting restrictions on movement should be taken into account when planning your stay. In addition, the stay should be carried out on the basis of a sustainable professional security concept.
When traveling to Afghanistan, it is recommended that you enter yourself in the crisis prevention list (external link, opens in new window http://elefand.diplo.de/), if possible before departure.
There is a high risk of kidnapping or a violent crime across Afghanistan. Assassinations, assaults, kidnappings and other violent crimes can occur nationwide.
In January 2016 there was a violent detonation in the immediate vicinity of Kabul Airport, in which over 50 civilians were injured. In April 2016, 80 people were killed and over 340 injured, some seriously, in an attack on a government building in Kabul.
After the end of the international military support mission ISAF, the Afghan security forces have assumed responsibility for security across the country, but are faced with a strong insurgency and do not have the situation under control everywhere.
All Germans on site are advised to exercise the greatest possible caution. We strongly advise against cross-country journeys. Where such must take place, even in comparatively quieter parts of the country, they should only be carried out in a convoy, guarded if possible and with professional support. The safety situation on the route must be carefully clarified as soon as possible. A warning is given against sleeping in unsecured locations.
