Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Kabul
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $13-60 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Kabul
Accommodation
$8-25 per night
Basic guesthouses, shared rooms, budget hotels with minimal amenities
Food & Dining
$3-12 per day
Street food, local bakeries, traditional Afghan dishes from small eateries, tea houses
Transportation
$2-8 per day
Shared taxis, local buses, walking within city center
Activities
$0-15 per day
Free walking tours, public parks, local markets, occasional museum visits
Currency: ؋ Afghan Afghani (AFN) - USD widely accepted
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Kabul
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local tea houses and street vendors instead of hotel restaurants for 60-80% savings on meals
Use shared taxis and public transport instead of private vehicles for 70% savings on transportation
Stay in guesthouses run by local families rather than international hotels for 50-70% accommodation savings
Shop at local bazaars for souvenirs instead of hotel gift shops to save 40-60%
Book longer stays (7+ days) at accommodations for potential 15-25% discounts
Travel during shoulder seasons to avoid peak pricing and save 20-40% overall
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Relying solely on private taxis instead of learning shared transport routes (typically 3-4x more expensive)
Eating only at hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants (usually 100-200% markup over local prices)
Not negotiating prices at markets and for services where haggling is expected (overpaying by 30-50%)
Booking accommodation without confirming security measures, potentially requiring expensive upgrades