Afghanistan travel and eSIM guide

Key takeaways

Afghanistan has four active mobile operators led by Roshan and AWCC, covering all 34 provinces with 4G LTE in urban centres and 3G in most towns. Some apps and platforms face periodic restrictions on local networks, but a Roamix Afghanistan eSIM routes data internationally so WhatsApp, Google and other services work normally without a VPN. Budget 4 to 6 GB for a short stay focused on Kabul, and always download offline maps before travelling outside the capital, where signal can be patchy on mountain roads.

• Roshan covers over 91 percent of the population across all 34 provinces, making it the most reliable network for rural travel.
• A Roamix eSIM routes data internationally, so apps restricted on local Afghan networks, including WhatsApp and Google, work normally.
• All foreign nationals arriving by air must register with the Ministry of Interior at Kabul airport before leaving the terminal.
• Download offline maps of Kabul and any provincial destination before travelling, as mountain and rural roads often have patchy coverage.
• Carry cash in AFN, as card payments are rarely accepted outside major Kabul hotels.

Free wifi exists in major Kabul hotels, international organisation offices and some restaurants in the diplomatic quarter, but speeds are slow and public networks are not secure. Mobile data via a Roamix eSIM is far more reliable and secure for day-to-day connectivity.

• WhatsApp, works

  Blocked or restricted on some local Afghan SIM networks; works normally on Roamix because traffic is routed internationally.

• FaceTime, works

  May be inaccessible on local networks; fully available on Roamix via international routing.

• Google Search and Maps, works

  Google services work normally on Roamix. Download offline Maps for areas with no signal.

• Social media, works

  Instagram, Facebook and X may face restrictions on local Afghan SIMs; all work on Roamix via international routing.

• 3 to 5 GB

  Short trip to Kabul for NGO or diplomatic work

  WhatsApp calls, navigation in Kabul, email and secure communications.

• 5 to 8 GB

  One week trip including Bamiyan and Mazar-i-Sharif

  Navigation between cities, offline map downloads, consistent WhatsApp communication and photo uploads.

• 10 GB or more

  Extended humanitarian or research trip

  Video calls, cloud document access, consistent communication across multiple provinces and weeks.

1. 1

   Purchase your Roamix Afghanistan eSIM plan before departure.

2. 2

   Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over a wifi connection at home.

3. 3

   Label the eSIM line 'Roamix' and keep your home SIM as the primary line for calls.

4. 4

   Enable data roaming on the Roamix line only before boarding.

5. 5

   Land at Kabul International Airport and the eSIM connects automatically, routing data internationally.

eVisa or ETA

An e-visa system exists on paper but is unreliably processed. Most travellers obtain visas at Afghan embassies or consulates before travel. Confirm requirements with the nearest Afghan diplomatic mission before booking.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned arrival date.

Onward ticket

Proof of onward travel and purpose of visit will be required by immigration officers on arrival. Having clear documentation of your itinerary and accommodation is essential.

Have all visa documents, hotel confirmations and emergency contact numbers saved on your device and in cloud storage, as border officials will ask for accommodation and contact details.

Entry requirements and security conditions in Afghanistan change rapidly. Always consult your government's latest travel advisory, which for most Western countries advises against all travel to Afghanistan. Confirm requirements with the Afghan embassy in your country before any travel.

• Domestic flights

  Afghan domestic airlines and TAAG connect Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Kandahar and other cities. Book with Roamix data and check schedule changes before each departure.

• Taxi and rideshare in cities

  In Kabul, local taxi apps and private hire vehicles are the safest way to move around the city. Roamix data lets you call your driver or contact your accommodation for pickup.

• Intercity road travel

  Road travel between cities carries security risks on many routes. Only travel with a vetted local operator and current security clearance. Download offline maps over Roamix data before any road journey, as signal gaps are common on highways.

Cards and cash

Afghanistan is almost entirely cash-based. Card payments are restricted to a handful of major international hotels in Kabul. Carry sufficient AFN for your entire trip, as ATMs in provincial cities can be unreliable.

ATMs

ATMs are available at Kabul International Airport and in the Wazir Akbar Khan and Shar-e-Naw districts of Kabul. Withdraw enough cash on arrival as provincial ATMs are rare and often out of service.

Payment apps

Local mobile money services exist but are not accessible to most foreign visitors. Carry physical cash for all transactions outside major Kabul hotels.

Tipping

Tipping is not a deeply ingrained custom but is appreciated in restaurants and for drivers. A small amount of 50 to 100 AFN for good service is appropriate.

Language

Dari and Pashto are both official languages. In Kabul and among educated Afghans, English is understood in business and NGO contexts. A translation app via Roamix data helps navigate local signage and bazaar interactions.

Food

Afghan cuisine features lamb-based dishes like qabuli palaw (rice with raisins and carrots), mantu dumplings, and bolani flatbreads. Kabul has a growing cafe and restaurant scene in the diplomatic quarter. Pomegranates, grapes and dried fruits are superb.

Plugs

220V, Type C and F plugs

Apps worth having

• Google Maps (offline)

  navigation

  Download Kabul and key provincial areas offline before travel, as signal is unreliable outside cities.

• WhatsApp

  communication

  Primary communication tool for expats, NGO workers and locals in Afghanistan. Works on Roamix via international routing.

• iSafeTravel or similar security app

  safety

  Track your location and send check-in messages to your organisation or emergency contact via Roamix data.

Stay reachable

Keep your Roamix eSIM active at all times. WhatsApp via international routing is your lifeline for emergency communication with your team and embassy. Save all emergency numbers and your emergency contact offline before landing.

Health

Medical facilities in Afghanistan are limited and may not meet international standards. Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is essential. Carry a full personal medical kit including any prescription medications.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Afghanistan. Use bottled water for all drinking, teeth cleaning and food preparation. Check water quality for ice as well.

Typical speeds

10 to 30 Mbps on 4G LTE in Kabul and major cities, 1 to 5 Mbps on 3G in towns.

5G

5G has not launched in Afghanistan. 4G LTE is available in Kabul and major provincial capitals.

Coverage in Afghanistan is urban-centred. Mountain passes, the Wakhan Corridor, remote Nuristan and Badakhshan valleys, and many rural roads in the south and east have no signal on any network. Always download offline maps before leaving any city. Afghan networks use Band 1 (2100 MHz) for 4G LTE, widely supported on unlocked smartphones. Most modern iPhones and Android devices from 2018 onward are compatible.

Off the beaten path

1. March 21, around the spring equinox

   Nowruz New Year Festival at Mazar-i-Sharif

   Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh Province

   The Persian and Central Asian New Year is celebrated at the Blue Mosque of Hazrat Ali with a spectacular flag-raising ceremony, traditional Buzkashi horseback games and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across Afghanistan and the region.

2. March 21

   Afghan New Year (Solar Hijri)

   Nationwide

   Corresponding to Nowruz, the solar new year is an official holiday across Afghanistan with spring festivals, family gatherings, the cooking of haft mewa (seven dried fruits) and outdoor picnics in parks and on hilltops around Kabul.

3. Spring and autumn, variable dates

   Buzkashi National Tournament

   Kabul and northern provinces

   Afghanistan's national sport of Buzkashi, in which riders on horseback compete to carry a goat carcass to a goal, is played in major tournaments across the north. The Kabul events draw large crowds and are a vivid expression of Afghan culture.

4. Summer, typically July to August

   Bamiyan Cultural Festival

   Bamiyan

   An emerging annual celebration of Hazara culture, music and heritage centred in the Bamiyan Valley, with traditional music, storytelling, food stalls and cultural exhibitions against the backdrop of the famous Buddha niches.

5. August, multiple days

   Jashn National Celebrations

   Kabul

   A week of national celebrations around Independence Day, historically including public fairs, sporting events and cultural performances in Kabul, with displays at the Ghazi Stadium and Zarnegar Park.

6. August 19

   Independence Day

   Kabul

   Afghanistan's Independence Day marks the end of British control over foreign affairs in 1919. Official ceremonies take place in Kabul with military parades and public gatherings in the city centre.

7. Autumn, date varies

   Kabul Marathon

   Kabul

   An annual road race through Kabul organised by international running organisations, drawing NGO workers, embassy staff and local Afghans in a show of community resilience. The route passes through secured streets in the diplomatic and commercial districts.

8. End of Ramadan, date varies annually

   Eid al-Fitr

   Nationwide

   The end of Ramadan is marked with three days of celebrations across Afghanistan, with family gatherings, communal prayers in parks and open spaces, and widespread market closures. It is the most significant public holiday in the Afghan calendar.

9. 70 days after Eid al-Fitr, date varies

   Eid al-Adha

   Nationwide

   The Feast of Sacrifice marks Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son and is celebrated with prayers, the ritual slaughter of livestock and distribution of meat to the poor. Major markets and streets are busy with livestock in the days before.

10. Prophet Muhammad's birthday, date varies

    Maulid al-Nabi

    Nationwide, especially Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif

    The birthday of the Prophet is marked with religious processions, Quran recitations and gatherings at mosques across the country. Public spaces in Kabul see candlelit processions in the evening.

Through the year

Spring

April to June is spring, with poppy fields in full colour across the south and centre, apple blossoms in Bamiyan and rivers running high with snowmelt. Nowruz in March kicks off the outdoor season and is the best time to see Mazar-i-Sharif.

Summer

June to August brings intense heat in Kabul and the lowland south, above 35C on many days, but comfortable temperatures at altitude in Bamiyan, the Panjshir and northern highlands. Band-e-Amir is at its most vivid and accessible.

Fall

September and October are the most pleasant months in most of Afghanistan, with clear mountain skies, harvest season in the Bamiyan Valley and comfortable temperatures before winter arrives. Herat bazaars are at their best with fresh pomegranates and grapes.

Winter

November to March brings heavy snow to the Hindu Kush, closing mountain passes including the Salang Tunnel for days at a time. Kabul temperatures drop below minus 10C. Travel between provinces becomes significantly more difficult.

Connection

Urban 4G in Kabul can support video calls and email when international routing via Roamix is active. Plan for connectivity outages during travel between cities.