Kabul International Airport (KBL) — officially Hamid Karzai International Airport, ICAO code OAKB — is Afghanistan’s main gateway and the arrival point for nearly every visitor. Located 16 km northeast of Kabul city centre at an elevation of 1,791 metres (5,876 ft), it handles all of Afghanistan’s international commercial traffic and serves as the domestic hub for Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines.
The airport operates 2 modern terminals and serves 25+ international routes. Arrival is straightforward if you are prepared — have your visa and Letter of Invitation ready. We meet every Darya traveller in the arrivals area and drive you directly to your hotel.
Airport Fast Facts
| Full name | Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL) |
|---|---|
| IATA / ICAO | KBL / OAKB |
| Location | 16 km northeast of Kabul city centre, Kabul Province |
| Elevation | 1,791 m (5,876 ft) above sea level |
| Terminals | 2 modern passenger terminals (domestic + international) |
| Annual passengers | 1.2M+ (2025–2026 estimate) |
| International routes | 25+ destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Doha, Jeddah, New Delhi, Tashkent |
| Domestic routes | Kandahar (KDH), Herat (HEA), Mazar-i-Sharif (MZR) |
| Airlines serving KBL | Kam Air, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines (connecting) |
| Operations | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Official website | kia.gov.af |
Arriving at Kabul Airport — Step by Step
Immigration
Present your passport, valid Afghan tourist visa, and Letter of Invitation (LOI) to the immigration officer. Ensure all documents are accessible before queuing. The process is typically fast for tourists on organised tours.
Baggage Claim
Collect your checked baggage from the carousel. KBL has a single baggage hall. Keep your boarding pass stub to match against baggage claim tag if asked.
Customs
Declare any required items: large amounts of currency (over $10,000 USD), valuable electronics, items for commercial sale. Keep accommodation and operator details to hand. Photography is strictly prohibited in customs and security areas.
Arrivals Hall
Exit into arrivals. Darya Expeditions meets every client here with a name sign. If you have arranged your own ground transport, use reputable pre-booked car services — do not take uninvited offers from the parking area.
Into the City
The journey to central Kabul takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. Our vehicle takes you directly to your hotel. The airport is a short drive through the northeast districts of the city.
SIM Card & Currency
Afghan SIM cards (Roshan, MTN, Etisalat) are best purchased in the city rather than at the airport. US dollars are widely accepted in Kabul. ATMs are available at the airport and city centre.
📋 Checklist before boarding your flight to Kabul:
- Afghan tourist visa — obtained in advance from an Afghan embassy or via the e-Visa portal. There is no reliable tourist visa-on-arrival at KBL.
- Letter of Invitation (LOI) — issued by your Afghan tour operator (we issue this free within 48 hours of booking confirmation).
- Specialist travel insurance — that explicitly covers Afghanistan and includes medical evacuation. Standard policies do not cover “do not travel” destinations.
- US dollars in cash — carry sufficient funds for the first day. ATMs exist but card acceptance is limited outside Kabul’s main hotels.
- Emergency contact numbers — your operator’s local number, driver’s number, and our Kabul office (available 24/7 for all Darya clients).
Airport Services & Facilities
Airlines at Kabul Airport (KBL)
| Airline | Type | Key Routes from KBL | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kam Air | Afghan private | Domestic (KDH, HEA, MZR) + Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Doha, Jeddah, Medina, New Delhi, Tashkent, Almaty, Islamabad | kamair.com |
| Ariana Afghan Airlines | Afghan national (est. 1955) | Domestic + Dubai, Istanbul (Ankara), Moscow, Urumchi, Delhi, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | flyariana.com |
| Flydubai | UAE budget | Dubai (DXB) — 14 flights/week, highest frequency on this route | flydubai.com |
| Air Arabia | UAE low-cost | Dubai (DXB) — 5 days/week | airarabia.com |
| Etihad Airways | UAE national carrier | Abu Dhabi (AUH) — daily from 1 May 2026. Economy + Business class. | etihad.com |
For full schedules and current fares, see our complete Afghanistan flights guide.
Departing from Kabul Airport
Departing from KBL requires more time than you might expect. Multiple security checks are standard and queues for international flights can be long. Your Darya guide will brief you on the current procedure before your departure day.
Getting to and from Kabul Airport
The airport is located 16 km northeast of Kabul city centre. The journey takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. There is no metro or rail link — transport options are taxi, private car, and operator pickup.
For Darya Expeditions clients: We meet you in arrivals and drive you to your hotel for every tour departure. No need to arrange your own transport. On your departure day, we drop you at the airport with sufficient time for check-in.
Independent transport: Pre-book a reputable car service through your hotel or a known operator. Do not take unsolicited taxi offers from the airport perimeter, particularly after dark. Apps such as InDriver operate in Kabul and are a reliable option.
Yes — arrange your visa and Letter of Invitation (LOI) in advance. There is no reliable tourist visa-on-arrival at KBL. The Afghan e-Visa is applied for online; we issue your LOI free within 48 hours of booking. See our full Afghanistan visa guide.
Kabul International Airport has 2 modern terminals. The main terminal handles both international departures/arrivals and domestic services. The airport is smaller and simpler than the major regional hubs (Dubai, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi) you will connect through — arrival and departure processes are straightforward if you are prepared.
For Darya Expeditions clients: we meet you in arrivals. For independent travellers: pre-book a car service through your hotel. The journey is 20–40 minutes (16 km). InDriver is a reliable app-based car option in Kabul. Do not accept unsolicited offers from the taxi area, especially after dark.
No — photography inside and around the airport is strictly prohibited. This includes the terminal building, runway area, and military installations near the perimeter. Put the camera away before entering the airport.
Main airlines: Flydubai (14x/week from Dubai), Kam Air (domestic + international to UAE, Turkey, India, Central Asia), Ariana Afghan Airlines (domestic + international), Air Arabia (Dubai 5x/week), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi daily from May 2026). See our full flights guide for schedules.
International flights: arrive at least 3 hours before departure. There are multiple security checkpoints and queues can be long. Domestic flights: 1.5–2 hours is sufficient. Your Darya guide will brief you on the current process before your departure day.
Airport WiFi is available in the departure lounge but coverage can be intermittent. For reliable connectivity in Afghanistan, purchase an Afghan SIM card (Roshan, MTN, or Etisalat) from a phone shop in Kabul city — the Shahr-e Naw area has many options. SIM cards are affordable and data is cheap.
US dollars are widely accepted in Kabul and can be exchanged for Afghan Afghani (AFN) at money changers throughout the city. ATMs are available at the airport and in central Kabul (Shahr-e Naw). Carry enough USD for your first day — at least $100–200 — before accessing ATMs. Credit card acceptance is very limited outside major hotels.
🔗 Before You Fly — Essential Reading
Flying to Kabul? → Full Afghanistan Flights Guide · Get Your Visa
Planning a tour: → Private Tour Packages · Group Tour Departures · Is Afghanistan Safe?