Money in Afghanistan (2026): Cash, Cards, ATMs and the Afghani
Afghanistan runs on cash, and foreign bank cards rarely work, so the money you bring decides what you can spend. Here is what to carry, where to change it, what our tour price already covers and what to keep for tips and the bazaar.
Bring US dollars in cash, in clean, recent $50 and $100 notes, and change them into afghanis at a money changer; your guide will take you to one. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards rarely work in Afghan cash machines or shops. In 2026 one US dollar buys about 63 to 65 afghanis. You may carry no more than $5,000 in cash out through an airport.
Can you use a bank card or an ATM in Afghanistan?
Rarely. Afghanistan is a cash economy. A few large hotels in Kabul may take a foreign card, usually with a high fee, and Kabul has some cash machines, but they are often out of order and most do not accept foreign cards. Plan as if your card will not work, and keep it only as a back-up.
Which currency should you bring to Afghanistan?
US dollars. Bring $50 and $100 notes that are recent, clean and uncreased: torn, marked or very old notes are often refused, and small notes get a worse rate. Euros and pounds can also be changed in Kabul. Split your money between a few places, and bring enough for the whole trip, because you cannot count on getting more from a card.
Where do you change money in Afghanistan?
At a money changer (sarraf). In Kabul most of them work in the Sarai Shahzada market by the Kabul River, and every city has changers near its main bazaar; your guide takes you to one we trust. Shops, restaurants and taxis price everything in afghanis, and the authorities require everyday payments to be made in afghanis, so change your dollars rather than paying with them. Count the notes at the counter, and change a little at a time.
How many afghanis is one US dollar?
In 2026 one US dollar has bought about 63 to 65 afghanis, and the afghani has been steady, even gaining against the dollar over the past year. Money changers set their own rate each day, close to the central bank's (Da Afghanistan Bank), so check it with your guide before you change.
What does our tour price already cover?
Most of your costs. On an Al Hamid tour these are paid before you arrive, so you only need cash for the rest:
| Cost | On an Al Hamid tour |
|---|---|
| Guide, private vehicle and driver | Included |
| Hotels with breakfast | Included |
| Site entries and provincial permits | Included |
| Bottled water and a SIM card with 10 GB of internet | Included |
| Lunch and dinner | You pay, in cash |
| Flights | We book them; paid separately |
| Visa fee | You pay it online when you apply |
| Tips, souvenirs and extras | You pay, in cash |
How much cash should you bring?
With the tour price covering the guide, transport, hotels and entries, allow roughly $20 to $40 a day in cash for lunch, dinner, tea and small tips, plus whatever you buy in the bazaars: carpets, lapis lazuli, embroidery and dried fruit. Bring a reserve on top, for a change of plan or a flight home that moves.
Do you tip in Afghanistan?
Tips are welcome but not fixed. In restaurants, rounding up the bill is appreciated. Travellers often give their guide and driver a tip at the end of the trip; there is no set amount, and it is your choice. Keep small afghani notes (10, 20 and 50) for tea, tips and small buys.
How much cash can you take out of Afghanistan?
No more than $5,000 in cash through an airport, and no more than $500 through a land border, under a government order of January 2025. Change leftover afghanis back into dollars before you leave: the afghani is hard to change outside Afghanistan.
What else should you know about money in Afghanistan?
- Tell your bank you are travelling, even if you only plan to use your card in an emergency.
- Keep dollars flat and dry in a money belt or an inside pocket; creased notes get a worse rate.
- Carry the day's afghanis apart from your reserve, and keep small notes to hand.
- Bazaar prices are for bargaining; ask your guide what a fair price is before you start.
Our tour prices are in US dollars and cover everything but meals, flights, the visa fee and tips, so you need less cash than you might think. Questions about paying for your trip? Ask us on WhatsApp. See also the Afghanistan packing list, the Afghanistan visa guide and Afghanistan tour prices.
Sources: Da Afghanistan Bank exchange rates; Pajhwok Afghan News on the afghani (February 2026); the Prime Minister's Office order on carrying currency (January 2025); travel guides and traveller reports, checked in September 2026. Rates move daily.
Questions about money in Afghanistan
Can I use a credit card in Afghanistan?
Rarely. Afghanistan is a cash economy: only a few large hotels in Kabul may take a foreign Visa or Mastercard, usually with a high fee. Bring US dollars in cash for the whole trip.
Do ATMs in Afghanistan accept foreign cards?
Most do not. Kabul has some cash machines, but they are often out of order and usually take only Afghan bank cards, so do not rely on them.
Should I bring dollars or euros to Afghanistan?
US dollars, in clean, recent $50 and $100 notes. Torn, marked or very old notes are often refused. Euros can be changed in Kabul too, but dollars are easier.
How many afghanis is one US dollar?
About 63 to 65 afghanis in 2026. Money changers set their own rate each day, close to the central bank's rate.
How much cash can I take out of Afghanistan?
No more than $5,000 in cash through an airport and no more than $500 through a land border, under a government order of January 2025.
Planning a trip? Talk to our Kabul team — we reply fast on WhatsApp.
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