Afghanistan · Asia
Kabul, Afghanistan: cost, safety and best time to visit (2026)
Population: 4.4MCurrency: AFNTime zone: Asia/Kabul
US travel advisory
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Best months to visit
Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
highest visit score, Open-Meteo climate record
About Kabul
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan and home to about 4.4 million people, making it the country's largest city. The local currency is the Afghan afghani, and the overall cost of living is low by international standards, which is reflected in daily travel budgets of about $20 for a budget trip, $40 for mid-range travel, and $90 for a more comfortable, luxury-style stay. Over a full week those figures come to $140, $280, and $630. Weather-wise, the warmer months from June through September bring the most sunshine and the least rain, and are considered the best time to visit based on local climate patterns. Cooler months such as February, March, and April see more rain and lower visitor numbers, making them the off-season. Travelers should weigh this practical and cost information against the current security situation: the US State Department maintains a Level 4 - Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to the country, citing terrorism, kidnapping, and detention risks that apply nationwide, not just to Kabul.
Weather through the year
Average high in °C and monthly rainfall in mm, from the Open-Meteo archive.
Jan
5°
29mm
Feb
7°
50mm
Mar
13°
63mm
Apr
19°
87mm
May
25°
19mm
Jun
31°
3mm
Jul
34°
8mm
Aug
33°
3mm
Sep
30°
3mm
Oct
22°
13mm
Nov
16°
4mm
Dec
10°
7mm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a week in Kabul cost?
A week of travel runs about $140 on a budget itinerary, $280 for mid-range travel, and $630 for a luxury trip. These figures cover the same daily tiers of $20, $40, and $90 multiplied over seven days.
When is the best time to visit Kabul?
June, July, August, and September are rated as the best months, with the most sunshine hours per day and very little rainfall. These months also see the warmest daytime temperatures of the year.
Is Kabul safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Afghanistan at Level 4 - Do Not Travel, its highest advisory level, and this applies to the whole country, not just Kabul. The UK FCDO also advises against all travel, citing terrorism, kidnapping, and detention risks.
Is a budget trip to Kabul realistic in terms of cost?
On paper, a budget traveler could get by on about $20 a day, or $140 over a week, which covers basic lodging, simple meals, and local transport. However, cost is only one factor, since both the US and UK governments advise against travel to the country regardless of budget.
When is the cheapest time to visit Kabul?
February, March, and April are described as the off-season, when prices and visitor numbers are both lower than during the peak months. This period also has more rainfall than the summer months.
What about food and getting around in Kabul?
Costs for meals and local transport fall within the daily budget figures of $20 to $90, depending on whether you choose basic food stalls and shared transport or more comfortable options. Specific prices for meals, taxis, and other essentials are listed in the cost breakdown for this city.
Keep reading
Where it ranks
Country
Sources
- GeoNames city database — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 14, 2026
- Open-Meteo climate archive — CC BY 4.0, fetched September 21, 2026
- World Bank price level and exchange rate — CC BY 4.0, data year 2024
- US State Department travel advisories — public domain, fetched September 21, 2026
- UK FCDO foreign travel advice — Open Government Licence v3, fetched September 21, 2026
AI-written interpretation reviewed against the data above — claude-sonnet-5, generated September 21, 2026. Every number on this page comes from a dataset named here; the formulas are public.