Kabul Airport, formerly known as Hamid Karzai International Airport, is the main hub for flights in and out of Afghanistan. It is also home to the two main airlines of Afghanistan – Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air. If you fly to Afghanistan, chances are you will fly to Kabul.
Arrival in Kabul
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On arrival in Kabul your first stop will be immigration. Make sure you’ve got a valid visa and all nationalities require one. There are multiple queues, and they move relatively quickly. There is very little questioning, if any at all. The entry stamp will go over the visa sticker.
Next stop is registration. Immediately inside the baggage claim area is the foreigner registration desk. You’ll need to complete a form (pictured) and provide 2 passport photos. You’ll then receive an ID card. The ID card is meant to be kept for the entire trip and then handed back when you leave the country. Most people report never being asked for the ID card.
After registration you can collect your bags. There is only one baggage carousel in the international arrivals. Make sure you kept your baggage claim tag (usually stuck to the back of your passport or boarding card) as this is required to exit.
Before exiting, all your bags will need to be scanned, and often they will check liquids you have to see if it’s alcohol. Once your bag has been scanned, you’re free to walk to the meeting area.
Upon exiting the terminal you’ll turn left and walk for about 150m, where you’ll reach the meeting area and carpark. If you’ve got someone waiting for you, this is where they will meet you.
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In the waiting area/carpark there are shops that sell hot food and snacks, drinks as well as money changers and even travel agents.
Departure from Kabul
When entering Kabul Airport you’ll have to exit your vehicle at the front gate. The vehicle and driver will go through separately. Leave your bags in the car. You’ll have to walk through the first metal detector and get a body pat down. There is also a window here to check in any firearms you have on you. Men and women will separate at every check point. After the first check point you can either walk or get back in your car.
You’ll arrive at the second check point where you’ll need to take all your belongings to be x-rayed, as well as going through a metal detector and being patted down.
The next stop is the waiting area where you’ll need to leave whoever dropped you off and say your goodbyes. Make sure you’ve got a copy of your ticket as they require proof of your flight to pass this point.
Next stop is the terminal building where you’ll go through another body check and bag scan. This area also acts as customs.
Finally you’ve made it to check in. The check in area has a few shops.
After checking in you’ll go through a passport and document check before going through immigration. After immigration is another security check whereby you’ll have your carry on luggage scanned as well as a body check and metal detector.
Finally you’ve made it to the departure area, where there are around a dozen shops and cafes selling a variety of snack foods as well as duty free perfume and cigarettes. There are also souvenirs for sale, but obviously more expensive that in the centre of Kabul. At least some things are the same the world over! There are even two business class lounges although one is always closed and the other just seems to be another waiting area with slightly bigger chairs.