🧭 Afghanistan: good to know
The general-information half of trip planning: how expensive Afghanistan feels, what is considered polite, what is not, and the everyday practicalities - alongside our 10 written places.
Hospitality is a point of honour - a guest is poured green tea before being asked a single question.
Cost level: Budget One of the friendlier destinations for a travel budget - daily costs sit well below western Europe. Estimate a daily budget →
✓ Considered polite
- Accept tea when offered - cover the cup with your hand and thank the host when you have had enough
- Greet with Salaam and a hand over the heart; wait for a woman to offer her hand first
- Eat and pass food with your right hand only
- Dress conservatively - long, loose clothing for everyone and a headscarf for women
✗ Better avoided
- Point the soles of your feet at anyone when sitting on floor cushions
- Photograph people, especially women, without clearly asking first
- Show affection in public, even between married couples
- Refuse a meal invitation flatly - postpone politely instead
💡 Worth knowing
- Cash is the whole economy - carry afghanis, as cards and foreign ATMs are effectively unusable
- Friday is the day of rest; bazaars fall quiet around midday prayers
- Alcohol is not available
- Bazaar haggling is expected and unhurried - the best negotiations happen over tea
Plugs and voltage
Type C, F · 220 V travel adapter →
CurrencyAfghani (AFN)
LanguagesPashto, Dari
Driving sideright
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Customs are living things - regions differ, cities relax, generations shift. Take these notes as a friendly head start, watch what locals do, and when in doubt a smile and a greeting in the local language cover almost everything.