--- iata: KBL name: Kabul International Airport city: Kabul country: Afghanistan lastUpdated: '2026-11-06' officialWebsite: 'https://kia.gov.af/' sources: - 'https://kia.gov.af/' - 'https://kia.gov.af/guide' - 'https://kia.gov.af/services' - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabul_International_Airport' - 'https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kabul' - 'https://en.didpress.com/17189/' - 'https://en.didpress.com/35427/' - 'https://en.didpress.com/39415/' - >- https://logcluster.org/system/files/2026-10/afghanistan-coordination-meeting-minutes-further-updates.pdf - >- https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/24-Oct-2026/kabul-islamabad-air-route-gets-daily-flights-from-november-1 - >- https://english.sunonews.tv/business/industries/kam-air-to-start-daily-flights-between-kabul-and-islamabad-from-nov-1/1792861388-20610 - >- https://www.uzairways.com/en/press-center/news/uzbekistan-airways-expands-partner-network-new-interline-agreement-aviation - >- https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/kam-air-passengers-can-fly-from-kabul-to-15-cities-via-tashkent/ - >- https://centralasiaplus.aero/2026/10/10/uzbekistan-airways-kam-air-interline-opens-kabul-eurasia-connections/ - 'https://afghanguide.com/en/guides/visit-getting-around/' - 'https://afghanconsulate.ae/services/applying-for-visa/' - 'https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/afghanistan' - 'https://safeairspace.net/afghanistan/' - 'https://www.ariananews.af/awcc-renovates-business-lounge-at-kabul-airport/' - 'https://alhamidtourandtravel.com/guides/guide-arriving-in-kabul.html' quickFacts: - >- Kabul International Airport (IATA KBL, ICAO OAKB; named Hamid Karzai International until 2021) lies about 5 km north-east of central Kabul at roughly 1,800 m above sea level. Local time is Asia/Kabul (UTC+4:30). It is owned by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. Facts checked 6 November 2026. - >- Traffic: the airport's homepage claims 1.2 million+ passengers a year (its About page says 2 million+). The ministry reported 1,570,896 passengers across all Afghan airports in its latest year, so KBL's own total is below that. In its previous annual report the ministry counted 7,665 flights at KBL: 3,400 domestic and 4,265 international. - >- Two terminals: an international terminal opened in 2008 and the original 1960 terminal, now used for domestic flights. - >- International routes in October–November 2026: Kam Air to Islamabad (daily from 1 November), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Istanbul, Ankara, Tashkent and Shanghai; Ariana Afghan Airlines to Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Islamabad and Al Ain; Turkish Airlines from Istanbul; flydubai from Dubai; Iran Air, Mahan and Taban to Tehran and Mashhad (Iran Air resumed in late October). Domestic: Ariana and Kam Air to Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. - >- Risk: the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Afghanistan (page still current on 6 November 2026). Afghan airspace has had no air traffic control service since 2021 and EASA tells operators to stay above FL320; Pakistani air strikes in October 2026 renewed border fighting. KBL stayed open. Ask your airline about your exact flight in the week you travel. - >- Entry: every arriving passenger needs a valid Afghan visa or an approved authorisation letter for visa on arrival (UN logistics cluster, October 2026). The tourist e-visa is single-entry, up to 30 days, valid 90 days from issue, and works only for entry through Kabul International Airport. bentoTips: - label: Timing title: Arrive 3–4 hours before departure detail: >- The airport's quick guide says to arrive 3 hours before international and 2 hours before domestic flights, while its step-by-step page says 4 hours and 3 hours. Travellers report multiple ticket, passport and baggage checks on the way out, so plan for the longer figure. The airport does not publish queue times. summary: >- The airport's own pages say 3 or 4 hours for international flights; expect several document checks. category: timing - label: Terminal title: Two separate terminals detail: >- Check which terminal your airline uses before you leave town. Kam Air and Ariana run both domestic (Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kandahar) and international flights. Departing passengers are often dropped at Car Park C and take a shuttle bus, or walk in from the gate, so allow extra time. summary: >- International flights use the 2008 terminal; domestic flights use the original 1960 building. category: terminal - label: Food title: Basic cafés; prices and menus not published detail: >- The airport website lists a halal terminal restaurant (06:00–22:00) and cafés (05:00–23:00) and says free Wi-Fi is available. No menus, prices or outlet names are published, and these hours come from one source, so bring snacks and water for a long wait. summary: The airport website lists a terminal restaurant and cafés but no prices. category: food - label: Status title: One business/VIP lounge; access rules unpublished detail: >- A business lounge in the domestic terminal was renovated with Afghan Wireless (AWCC) in January 2024, and the airport website lists a VIP lounge with free drinks and Wi-Fi. Eligibility (airline class, status or paid entry) and walk-in prices are not published, so ask your airline or the airport information desk. summary: >- No Priority Pass or LoungeKey listing found; entry rules and prices are not public. category: status lounges: [] waterOptions: [] airportistScore: 4.5 slug: kbl region: Asia-Pacific --- > Markdown for [/airports/kbl](/airports/kbl). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/kbl) - [Lounge directory](/airports/kbl/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # Kabul International Airport (KBL) Kabul, Afghanistan · Asia-Pacific Kabul is Afghanistan's busiest gateway, with direct flights to Istanbul, the Gulf, Islamabad and Iran and a lounge that few travellers can verify; services are basic, there is no ride-hailing, and you need a visa before you board. ## Airportist Score **4.5 / 10** Weighted sum of the six published categories (no holistic fudge). - Ease of use (25%): 4.5 — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout. - Comfort & amenities (20%): 4.5 — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet. - Food & retail (15%): 4.5 — Food and retail quality and variety. - Ground access (15%): 4.5 — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city. - Reliability (15%): 5.0 — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience. - Lounges (10%): 3.5 — Worth-it density and access quality. ## At a glance - Passengers: About 1.2 million (airport website claim; Afghan airports total 1.57 million per the ministry) - Terminals: Two terminals: international (opened 2008) and domestic (original 1960 building) - Typical security: 30 min - On-time: 70% - Disruption: moderate ## Best for - Direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Jeddah, Islamabad and Tehran or Mashhad - Single-ticket connections via Tashkent with Kam Air and Uzbekistan Airways - Domestic hops to Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar ## Watch out for - A valid Afghan visa is required; the tourist e-visa works only at Kabul airport - FCDO advises against all travel; Afghan airspace has no air traffic control - No ride-hailing: agree the taxi fare for the whole car first - Lounge entry rules and prices are not published ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/kbl/lounges.md) (free) - [Map](/airports/kbl/map.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/kbl/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/kbl/amenities.md) (free) - [Traveler tips](/airports/kbl/tips.md) (free) - [Water](/airports/kbl/water.md) (free) - [Visa](/airports/kbl/visa.md) (free) - [Full guide](/airports/kbl/guide.md) (free) - [Disruptions](/airports/kbl/disruptions.md) (free)