Afghanistan
A country of extraordinary landscapes under Taliban rule, where governments tell their citizens not to go.
Slightly pricier. The exchange rate moved −2.2%; local prices rose +3.6%.
- Lean
- $34
- Comfort
- $202
Off the board while a Level 4 advisory stands.
The short answerIn US dollars, as of November 12, 2026
Afghanistan: 2.3% more expensive for US-dollar travelers than a year ago, after adjusting for inflation. A mid-range day costs roughly $90 per person, excluding international flights; this is a rough estimate from limited price evidence. The US State Department advisory is Level 4 (do not travel). The country is not ranked while that advisory stands.
What your money buys there
30 monthsThe dashed line is what a currency converter shows. The solid line is the same thing after prices in both countries are taken into account. When they part, the solid one is telling the truth.
How the score is built
- Dislocation ×0.36
- 45
- Price floor ×0.30
- 56
- Safety ×0.20
- 0
- Ease ×0.14
- 8
Real price drop vs last year and vs the five-year norm
How low the daily cost is in absolute terms
From the current travel advisory
How well set up the country is for visitors
The full reading
| Real change, 3 months | −0.7% | Is the move still going, or already reversing? |
|---|---|---|
| Real change, 12 months | −2.3% | The headline: what your money buys versus a year ago. |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | −2.2% | What a currency converter would tell you. |
| Local inflation, 12 months | +3.6% | How much of that the destination's own prices took back. |
| Versus five-year average | n/a | Cheap or dear against its own recent history. |
| Advisory | Level 4 | Do not travel |
| Ease of travel | 1.3 / 5 | Expedition-grade |
- The Bamiyan valley
- The blue lakes of Band-e-Amir
- Herat's old city
Do not travel: terrorism, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all live risks, there is no consular help, and women face severe restrictions.
When to go
November is off season- Janoff season
- Feboff season
- Marshoulder season
- Aprpeak season
- Maypeak season
- Junshoulder season
- Juloff season
- Augoff season
- Seppeak season
- Octpeak season
- Novoff season
- Decoff season
Safety and ease
- US State Department
- Level 4: Do not travel · updated February 19, 2026
- Read the full advisory ↗
- Advisories are often regional. A country-wide level can hide both safe areas and no-go zones, and other governments may judge differently.
- Tourism infrastructure
- Expedition-grade · 1.3 / 5
Afghanistan, in five questions
Answers are generated from the index reading of November 12, 2026, in US dollars. To cite: “Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026.”
- How much does it cost per day to travel in Afghanistan?
- As of November 12, 2026, a day in Afghanistan costs about $34 on a lean budget, $90 mid-range and $202 in comfort, per person, excluding international flights. These are modeled estimates, updated daily for local inflation and the exchange rate. Price evidence for this country is thin, so treat these figures as rough.
- Is Afghanistan cheaper to visit than a year ago?
- No. Over the past 12 months the exchange rate moved −2.2% for US-dollar holders while prices in Afghanistan rose +3.6%, a net real change of −2.3% in purchasing power.
- Is Afghanistan safe to travel to right now?
- The US State Department rates Afghanistan at Level 4: Do not travel. Do not travel: terrorism, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all live risks, there is no consular help, and women face severe restrictions. Advisories are often regional and other governments may differ, so read the full advisory before booking.
- When is the cheapest time to visit Afghanistan?
- The shoulder months, when the weather is workable and prices ease, are: March, June. The best conditions, and the highest prices, come in: April, May, September, October. Right now (November) is off season.
- How easy is Afghanistan to travel around?
- Afghanistan scores 1.3 out of 5 for ease of travel (expedition-grade), a measure of transport, lodging, payments, wayfinding and access to healthcare. A country of extraordinary landscapes under Taliban rule, where governments tell their citizens not to go.
Elsewhere in South Asia
Reading of November 12, 2026. In US dollars, Afghanistan reads −2.3% over twelve months in real terms with a mid-range day near $90. Costs are modeled, not quoted: see the method.