How to Find Cheap Hotels in Kabul, Afghanistan

While nearly three decades of continuous warfare has affected economic growth, Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, is slowly rebuilding. A city of nearly 3 million people, Kabul is surrounded by rugged mountains and much of its glorious sense of history remains intact.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A passport
• A computer with Internet access

Find the Right Accommodations

1. To book accommodations, contact Afghan Tourist Organization at 011 ([phone]. (If calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, call 00 ([phone].)

2. Consider one of the many local hotels in Kabul. Accommodations with hot water can usually run between $35 to $50 per day.

3. Pick one of Kabul's guesthouses or bed-and-breakfast inns to get a better perspective on life in Afghanistan. These accommodations are cheap, running from $40 to $80, and offer such amenities as hot meals, cable TV and even a chance to pick fruit from the trees.

4. Stay at one of Kabul's international hostels, which are popular with backpackers and students. A shared room can cost only a few dollars per night.

5. Choose one of the luxury hotels from a major chain. Even accommodations with plenty of features can be relatively cheap, costing from $80 to $120 per night.

Arrive at Kabul

6. Fly into Kabul International Airport.

7. Take one of the city buses from the airport to your hotel. Buses in Kabul can be surprisingly clean and comfortable, as well as cheap.

8. Use taxi cabs for your travels within the city. They are truly everywhere, and you can usually negotiate a good price before you get in.

Experience Kabul

9. Visit the Old British Fort on the outside of Kabul. While it is currently occupied by a regiment of the Afghanistan Militia, they are usually friendly to tourists and will allow you to walk along the ramparts and explore a bit.

10. Explore the newly rebuilt Kabul Museum, which has one of the largest collections of ancient statues in the Middle East.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine whether or not having hot water is important to you, since the price difference between rooms with it and without it can be great.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• While many people have the urge to climb the many hills surrounding the city, there are plenty of land mines to be found on the outskirts. Avoid exploring without a proper guide.
• Take plenty of water with you wherever you go, since the climate is arid.