Kabul International Airport (KBL)
Kabul, AF 🇦🇫 Medium Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
OAKB
IATA
KBL
Elevation
5877 ft
Region
AF-KAB
Local Time
Loading...
Loading...Airport Information
GPS Code: OAKB
Local Code: Not available
Location: 34.565899° N, 69.212303° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Medium Airport
Keywords: Hamid Karzai International Airport Khwaja Rawash Airport
What Travelers Say
Share Your Tip
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Kabul International Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Online Reviews Summary
Recent traveler experiences at Kabul International Airport (OAKB (KBL)) present a mixed but generally improving picture. While the airport maintains a focus on security, many recent visitors have expressed pleasant surprise at the enhancements in facilities and the helpfulness of the staff. Overall sentiment leans towards cautious optimism regarding the airport's functionality and recent upgrades, especially considering the region's context.
What Travelers Love
- Efficient Security and Immigration: Travelers report relatively quick processing times for security checkpoint (estimated 11 minutes) and passport control (estimated 9 minutes), a notable improvement from past experiences.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff: Several recent visitors have highlighted the airport staff as incredibly helpful, friendly, and willing to assist with documents and luggage, contributing to a surprisingly positive arrival experience.
- Improved Cleanliness and Upgraded Facilities: Recent observations suggest the international terminal is "surprisingly modern" and the airport has become "a lot cleaner" with "upgraded facilities."
- Free WiFi: Free WiFi is available throughout the airport, helping passengers pass the time before boarding.
Common Complaints
- Basic Amenities and Limited Options: Despite improvements, amenities are still considered basic, lacking the extensive luxury lounges, diverse shopping, or wide variety of dining options typically found at major international hubs.
- Restroom Cleanliness: While overall cleanliness has improved, past and some lingering reports indicate issues with restroom hygiene, with facilities sometimes described as very dirty.
- Multiple Security Checks and Entry Process: Travelers should expect numerous security checkpoints including multiple body pat-downs and bag scans, from the initial airport entrance to the boarding gate, which can be time-consuming.
- Need for Pre-arranged Transportation: For international travelers, pre-arranging private transportation to and from the airport is highly advisable due to security concerns and limited reliable public transport options.
In summary, Kabul International Airport has seen notable improvements in efficiency and cleanliness, and staff are often praised for their helpfulness. However, travelers should arrive with realistic expectations regarding amenities, be prepared for thorough security procedures, and ensure secure ground transportation is arranged in advance.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Community Tips
No community tips yet for Kabul International Airport.
Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!
Current Weather Conditions
Loading weather data...
Airport Routes
Kabul International Airport (KBL) offers 32 flight routes operated by 7 airlines. Major carriers include Kam Air, Ariana Afghan, FlyDubai and others. Popular destinations from Kabul include Dubai Int'l, Imam Khomeini Int'l, Islamabad International Airport, Mazar and King Abdulaziz Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) new
- Hamad Int'l (DOH) new
- Dubai Int'l (DXB) new
- Mazar (MZR) new
- Islamabad International Airport (ISB) new
- Herat (HEA) new
- Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL) new
- Kandahar (KDH) new
- Istanbul Airport (IST) new
- Sharjah Int'l (SHJ) new
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) new
- Kuwait Int'l (KWI) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading...
Loading routes...
|
||||||
Top Airlines
Operating at Kabul International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kam Air
KMF
/ RQ
|
16 | 395 | 16 | Feb 1, 2026 |
|
Ariana Afghan
AFG
/ FG
|
11 | 334 | 11 | Feb 1, 2026 |
FlyDubai
FDB
/ FZ
|
1 | 131 | 1 | Feb 1, 2026 |
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
1 | 69 | 1 | Feb 1, 2026 |
Air Arabia
ABY
/ G9
|
1 | 36 | 1 | Jan 29, 2026 |
|
Mahan Air
IRM
/ W5
|
1 | 5 | 1 | Jan 10, 2026 |
Iran National Airlines Corp.
IRA
/ IR
|
1 | 3 | 1 | Dec 9, 2025 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11/29 |
11483 ft | 164 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP/DEP | 131.6 MHz |
| GND | GND | 120.3 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 129.4 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Taxis are the most common form of transport from the airport. These are typically unofficial, private vehicles. It is essential to negotiate the fare in the local currency (Afghani) with the driver before beginning your journey, as there are no meters. For safety and reliability, it is highly recommended to pre-arrange a pickup through your hotel or a trusted local contact.
Rental Cars
Major international car rental companies (e.g., Hertz, Avis) do not operate in Kabul. Self-drive car rental is not a viable or recommended option for visitors. The standard practice is to hire a car with a private, local driver. This service must be arranged in advance, typically through hotels, security firms, or local logistics companies.
Public Transportation
There are no formal public transportation options such as dedicated airport buses, shuttles, or a train system connecting Kabul International Airport to the city center. Relying on the city's general public bus network is not advisable for visitors due to security risks and the lack of predictable schedules or routes.