ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) will double its service between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Kabul (KBL) from 15 July 2026, running two separate daily rotations in each direction.
The expansion arrives barely four months after launch, driven by demand that has outpaced the carrier’s early forecasts.
The move marks the second frequency rise on the route since March 2026 and reflects deepening links between the UAE and Afghanistan.
Flown by Airbus A320 aircraft through Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport hub, the expanded schedule supports diaspora connectivity, trade, and travel between the two nations.
Rapid Growth Drives the Kabul Frequency Boost
Kabul joined the Etihad network in March 2026 with 4 weekly flights. Take-up rose faster than expected, with strong bookings from both point-to-point passengers and travelers using Abu Dhabi as a connecting hub toward Europe and other long-haul markets.
The shift to two daily rotations gives passengers between Afghanistan and the UAE a far wider choice of departure times.
The added capacity serves family visits, business trips, and leisure travel across one of the Gulf’s busiest community corridors. The route’s rapid growth since launch prompted the airline to add the second daily service.
The route is flown by the Airbus A320, configured with eight Business and 150 Economy seats.
The narrowbody fits demand on the roughly 3-hour 30-minute sector and lets Etihad scale frequency quickly without over-committing capacity. Operating two same-day rotations also improves aircraft utilization on the corridor.
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Strong UAE and Afghanistan Community Ties
The UAE is home to one of the Gulf’s largest Afghan communities, with hundreds of thousands of Afghans living and working across the country.
For these residents, along with businesses trading between the two nations, the double-daily schedule delivers a more flexible and better-connected option for family, business, and leisure travel.
Airline Comment
Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said the response to the Kabul launch had been exceptional, with demand remaining strong from the first day of operations.
He described the move to double-daily as a direct reflection of guest booking behavior, adding that the speed of the expansion shows Etihad’s strategic approach to network development and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway linking regional markets with the airline’s global network.
Kabul Flight Schedule
Etihad will operate two daily rotations in each direction, shown below.
| Flight | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EY310 | Abu Dhabi | 14:45 | Kabul | 18:15 | Daily | A320 |
| EY311 | Kabul | 19:20 | Abu Dhabi | 22:10 | Daily | A320 |
| EY312 | Abu Dhabi | 09:55 | Kabul | 13:25 | Daily | A320 |
| EY313 | Kabul | 15:10 | Abu Dhabi | 18:00 | Daily | A320 |
Kabul Travel Guide
Travelers heading to Kabul should plan around insurance, permits, transport, connectivity, and accommodation before arrival. The guide below covers the practical essentials for a smoother and safer trip.
Travel Insurance for Afghanistan
Comprehensive travel and health insurance is strongly advised before any trip to high-risk destinations such as Afghanistan. SafetyWing is one provider offering two flexible options.
The Essential Plan, from around 2 USD per day, suits short trips and covers emergency care, travel delays, and lost luggage, with optional add-ons for adventure sports and electronics.
The Complete Plan suits long-term travelers, expats, and nomads, covering check-ups, mental health, maternity, and trip protection, with coverage across more than 170 countries.
Travel Permit Requirements
Since September 2025, visitors must obtain a travel permit through Afghan Tour, and current rules require travelers to be accompanied by a guide while moving around Afghanistan.
Afghan Tour opens Saturday to Wednesday from 8 am to 3 or 4 pm, and Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm. It remains closed on Friday.
Getting Around Kabul
Visitors can move around the city using private taxis, shared taxis, and public buses. Private taxis are the most common and most affordable choice.
Many do not look like official taxis, since ordinary drivers also pick up passengers, which is entirely normal in the city. When a driver does not recognize a destination, naming a nearby landmark on Google Maps usually helps, and switching to another driver is easy if needed.
Fares vary with the driver, traffic, the opening quote, and whether a passenger travels alone or with a local.
A typical 7 km ride costs between 120 and 200 AFN, with 200 AFN the usual maximum and the standard quote for solo passengers. Negotiation often brings the fare down to about 150 AFN.
Taxis hailed directly outside major hotels such as the Khyber Hotel tend to cost more, so walking a short distance down the street before flagging one down can save money.
Shared taxis cost around 20 AFN per ride but are not available everywhere and require familiarity with local routes. City buses charge 5 to 10 AFN and offer a cheap, novel way to see the city, though they run far slower than private taxis.
Sample Taxi Fares in Kabul
Listed prices cover the entire taxi and can be split among travelers:
- Ministry of Information and Culture to Tourism Directorate, 3.6 km: 150 AFN
- Tourism Directorate to Khyber Hotel, 4.6 km: 200 AFN
- Khyber Hotel to National Museum of Afghanistan, 10 km: 250 AFN
- Khyber Hotel to Omar Land Mine Museum, 4.6 km: 200 AFN
- Khyber Hotel to Bibi Mahro Hill, 4.6 km: 200 AFN
- Bibi Mahro Hill to Bird Market, 7.8 km: 120 AFN
- Bird Market to Babur Garden, 3.2 km: 120 AFN
- Sakhi Mosque to Khyber Hotel, 5.6 km: 150 AFN
- Khyber Hotel to Kabul International Airport, 6 km: 150 to 200 AFN (take a taxi to the roundabout where airport security begins, then walk from there)
- Khyber Hotel to Bamyan shared taxi station at Dasht-e-Barchi, 15 km: 300 AFN
- Bamyan shared taxi station to Khyber Hotel, 15 km: 350 AFN
- Khyber Hotel to Adi Jalalabad shared taxi station for Jalalabad and Torkham, 23 km: 500 AFN
Bus and Shared Taxi Stations in Kabul
Departure points for intercity travel are spread across the city. Services to the north, including Mazar-i-Sharif and Fayzabad, leave from the terminal at coordinates 34°34′20.72″N 69°07′23.84″E.
Routes to the south and west, covering Herat, Kandahar, Ghazni, and Helmand, depart from the Kandahar-Herat motor station. The Bamyan terminal sits at 34°29′37.75″N 69°01′50.31″E, while services to Jalalabad and Torkham use the dedicated Jalalabad and Torkham terminal.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Kabul
Visitors can buy an Afghan Wireless SIM card at Park Tower, listed on Google Maps as Park Tower Kabul.
The Afghan Wireless office sits on the second floor to the left, with separate counters for men and women.
Where to Stay in Kabul
Three options suit a range of budgets.
The Khyber Hotel is a popular central budget choice, close to small malls, restaurants, banks, SIM card vendors, and currency exchange offices. Rooms cost 1,500 AFN (around 20 USD), 2,000 AFN (around 26.50 USD), and 3,000 AFN (around 40 USD) per night, including a basic breakfast served in the hotel restaurant.
Rooms from 2,000 AFN include air conditioning, and rooms from 3,000 AFN are generally newly refurbished.
The hotel draws a steady mix of foreign travelers and Afghans visiting from abroad, and it works well as a base, since guests can leave larger luggage there while traveling on to other cities. Advance bookings can be made via WhatsApp at +93 79 888 8141.
For a cheaper stay, the Shahr Guest House offers single rooms at around 800 AFN (about 10.60 USD) with a shared bathroom. There is no restaurant, but a basic breakfast is delivered to the room each morning.
Travelers wanting a step up can consider the mid-range Golden Star Hotel, where single rooms start at 3,000 AFN and which remains popular with foreign visitors.
Where to Buy Afghan Dresses in Kabul
Several shops cater to visitors wanting traditional attire.
Female travelers can find formal event wear suited to occasions such as Afghan weddings, along with separate outlets offering everyday dresses and scarves.
Male travelers can buy traditional Afghan daily wear at dedicated shops in the city.
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