Afghanistan

Asia > 🇦🇫 Afghanistan

The city by city Car or no Car advice for Afghanistan can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Afghanistan;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Afghanistan?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

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💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Afghanistan?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

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🏙️ Main Cities in Afghanistan

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Afghanistan: Car or No Car?

Afghanistan is not a conventional tourist destination, and travel here comes with serious safety, legal, and logistical concerns. However, if you’re looking for a clear understanding of transport options in principle — here’s how travel works if someone has legitimate permission, purpose, and security arrangements.

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🚫 First Reality Check: Independent Travel Is Not Advisable

• There is no standard tourism infrastructure

• Roads may be controlled by different authorities in different regions

• Visitors generally require a security escort

• Movement often needs approval or permits

➡ Because of this, the question usually isn’t “car or no car?” — it’s “will your security team provide a vehicle?”

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🚙 Transport If You Do Have Permission to Travel

✅ You do not self-drive.

Instead, you travel in a vehicle arranged by your host, organisation, or government escort.

These vehicles are usually:

• Armoured SUVs or 4x4s

• Driven by trained local drivers who understand checkpoints and risks

• Accompanied by guards or escorts in many cases

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🚗 Self-Drive Reality

➡ Driving yourself is not a realistic option.

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🚐 When a Vehicle Is Necessary

• Nearly ALL travel within the country requires a vehicle due to long distances and limited public transport.

• However, you travel by official convoy, NGO vehicle, or with verified driver arrangements.

• In rural areas, 4×4 vehicles are essential because roads can be unpaved or mountainous.

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🚌 Public Transport? Limited and Risky

• Buses and shared taxis exist, but they are not considered safe for foreign nationals.

• Transport routes may pass through areas with uncertain control.

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🏁 Final Recommendation

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✨ Summary

• You cannot simply rent a car and drive around Afghanistan.

• All movement requires coordination, security awareness, and usually a driver.

• In practice, the only viable way to travel is in an arranged vehicle with a trusted escort or organisation.

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🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary brings together taxis*, how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation. *Taxis act as a hybrid between private cars and public transport, so they aren’t counted in the overall public-transport or non-car scores. 🚕  This site is planned for full launch on 1st January 2026. Full terms, advice, FAQs, disclaimer etc to follow.