Afghanistan possesses no functioning passenger rail network. The country has approximately 25 kilometers of operational railway track near the border with Uzbekistan in Mazar-i-Sharif, used exclusively for cargo transport between the two countries. A 75-kilometer line from Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif opened in 2011 for freight movement. Plans announced in the 2000s for a comprehensive national rail system connecting Kabul with Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, and Kandahar remain unexecuted. The Soviet Union constructed a railroad to the Afghan border at the Amu Darya River during their occupation, but this infrastructure never extended passenger service into Afghan territory.
Afghanistan maintains approximately 34,903 kilometers of road infrastructure according to data from the early 2020s. Of this total, roughly 17,000 kilometers receive classification as paved, though the definition of paved varies significantly across government surveys. Ring Road, also called Highway 1 or the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat highway, forms the primary arterial route connecting Afghanistan's major cities in a rough circular pattern. This 2,210-kilometer highway passes through Kabul, Ghazni, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kunduz. The Asian Development Bank funded substantial portions of Ring Road reconstruction between 2003 and 2010, with costs exceeding 1 billion USD for segments between major cities. The Kabul-Jalalabad road covers approximately 149 kilometers and serves as the main route to the Khyber Pass and Pakistan border. The Kabul-Kandahar section runs roughly 483 kilometers through Ghazni province, while the Kandahar-Herat segment extends approximately 556 kilometers through Helmand and Farah provinces.
The Salang Tunnel provides the sole year-round road connection between Kabul and northern Afghanistan through the Hindu Kush. Located at an altitude of 3,363 meters, the tunnel stretches 2.67 kilometers and opened in 1964 with Soviet engineering assistance. Winter closures of alternative mountain passes make this tunnel a critical chokepoint for ground transportation. A Soviet-era fire in 1982 killed an estimated 176 people inside the tunnel, though exact casualty figures remain disputed. The tunnel operates without consistent lighting or ventilation systems as of the early 2020s. Maximum vehicle height restrictions of 4.5 meters apply, though enforcement varies. Traffic moves in a single direction at scheduled intervals rather than simultaneous two-way passage.
Private vehicles in Afghanistan require registration with the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation. The country drives on the right side of the road. Afghan license plates use Arabic script and carry province-specific codes. International Driving Permits receive recognition in theory, though enforcement and verification capacity varies significantly by location and authority. As of 2020, Afghanistan had approximately 800,000 registered vehicles according to government statistics, though unregistered vehicle usage remains widespread. Kabul alone contains an estimated 700,000 vehicles based on traffic surveys from 2019. Fuel stations cluster in urban centers, with diesel and petrol available at prices fluctuating based on import costs from neighboring countries. The Afghan afghani serves as currency for fuel purchases, with most stations accepting only cash.
Toyota vehicles dominate Afghanistan's automotive market, representing an estimated 70 percent of vehicles on Afghan roads according to import data from the late 2010s. Toyota Corolla, Hilux, and Land Cruiser models comprise the majority of passenger and light commercial vehicles. Spare parts availability for Japanese vehicles exceeds that for European or American manufacturers. Roads outside major cities frequently deteriorate into gravel or dirt surfaces, particularly during spring snowmelt and summer monsoons. The Panjshir Valley road requires four-wheel drive vehicles during winter months. Routes to Wakhan Corridor involve river crossings where bridges do not exist, with vehicle ferries operating seasonally.
Afghanistan has five airports with scheduled commercial service as of the early 2020s. Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul serves as the primary international gateway, with a runway length of 3,500 meters capable of handling widebody aircraft. The airport processed approximately 1.3 million passengers in 2019. Kandahar International Airport operates a 3,048-meter runway and handles both civilian and military traffic. Herat International Airport serves western Afghanistan with regular flights to Iran and other regional destinations. Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport in Balkh province connects northern Afghanistan to Kabul and international points. Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport in Kandahar province opened in 2006 with a 3,500-meter runway.
Kam Air, the largest private Afghan airline, operates Boeing 737 and 767 aircraft on domestic routes connecting Kabul with Herat, Kandahar, and Mazar-i-Sharif. The airline launched service in 2003. Ariana Afghan Airlines, the state-owned carrier founded in 1955, maintains a reduced fleet as of the early 2020s after sanctions and financial difficulties. Flight frequencies between major cities typically range from three to seven weekly departures depending on demand and season. Kabul to Herat flights cover approximately 640 kilometers in 1 hour 20 minutes. Kabul to Kandahar routes span roughly 430 kilometers with flight times around 50 minutes. Weather delays occur frequently during winter months when cloud cover obscures mountain passes. Aviation fuel availability outside Kabul remains inconsistent.
Fixed-wing aircraft serve as the primary mode of transport for many international organizations operating in Afghanistan due to road security concerns. The UN Humanitarian Air Service operated scheduled flights between Kabul and provincial capitals until operations ceased in 2021. These flights used Beechcraft 1900 turboprop aircraft with 19-passenger capacity. Commercial helicopter services exist for charter but do not operate scheduled routes. The Soviet-built Mi-17 helicopter remains the most common rotary aircraft in Afghan service, used primarily by government and military entities.
Taxis in Afghan cities operate without standardized meters. Drivers negotiate fares before departure in Afghan afghani. Yellow and white Toyota Corollas serve as the predominant taxi vehicle in Kabul. Shared taxis running fixed routes cost approximately 20 to 30 afghani per person as of 2020, while private hire of the same vehicle for the same route typically costs 100 to 200 afghani. Drivers rarely speak English outside areas near international hotels or embassies. Rickshaws, locally called tuk-tuks, operate in some provincial cities but remain uncommon in Kabul. These three-wheeled vehicles carry up to four passengers and charge approximately half the rate of automobile taxis for equivalent distances.
Buses provide the primary form of public transportation within and between Afghan cities. Millie Bus, a government-operated service in Kabul, runs approximately 150 buses on fixed routes across the city as of data from 2019. Fares cost between 10 and 20 afghani depending on distance. The buses operate from approximately 0600 to 2000 daily. Privately operated minibuses and vans supplement government services, running flexible routes based on passenger demand. These vehicles depart when full rather than on fixed schedules. The Kabul to Jalalabad route costs approximately 150 to 200 afghani per passenger and takes 2 to 4 hours depending on traffic and security checkpoints.
Long-distance bus companies operate between major Afghan cities using Chinese-manufactured coaches and Japanese-made minibuses. The Kabul to Herat route covers approximately 640 kilometers and requires 12 to 16 hours of travel time including security checkpoint delays and driver rest periods. Fares range from 800 to 1,200 afghani depending on vehicle type and season. The Kabul to Kandahar journey spans roughly 430 kilometers with travel times between 7 and 10 hours. Buses depart from informal stations in each city rather than centralized terminals. Companies include Abdullah Aman Bus Service and Pamir Transportation, though dozens of small operators provide similar services. Breakdowns occur frequently on longer routes. Replacement vehicles or roadside repairs cause delays of several hours.
Motorcycles and motor scooters account for an increasing proportion of urban transportation in Afghanistan. Honda and Yamaha motorcycles dominate the market, with Chinese-manufactured alternatives available at lower prices. A new 125cc Chinese motorcycle costs approximately 1,500 to 2,000 USD in Kabul markets as of 2020. Helmet use remains optional and uncommon except among foreign residents. Afghan licensing authorities issue motorcycle permits separately from automobile licenses, though enforcement of this requirement varies by province.