Getting Around Herat
Herat is a compact, historic city in western Afghanistan, and most visitors find that getting around is a matter of choosing between walking, taxis, and the occasional bus. The city has no rail, metro, or tram network, so those options are not available to you. What follows is a practical overview of how to move around and how to reach the city from its airport.
Arriving by Air: Herat International Airport
Herat International Airport (also known as Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport) sits south of the city, just east of the road toward Farah. It is the main point of entry for visitors flying in.
- Flights from Kabul: Daily flights from Kabul are available from Kam Air and Ariana. Fares are quoted in Afghanis (Afs).
- UN flights: UNAMA and UNHAS operate flights between Kabul and Herat, occasionally via Bamiyan. These are available to staff of partner NGOs, not to general travelers.
- Getting into the city: The airport is outside the city center, so you will need ground transport. Taxis are the usual option; agree on the fare before you set off. If you are arriving on a UN flight, your organization will typically arrange onward transport.
Rail, Metro, and Tram
There is no rail, metro, or tram network in Herat. Visitors should not expect to use any form of train or light rail to get around the city or to reach it from elsewhere.
Buses and Public Transport
Public transport in Herat is limited. The most relevant bus service for visitors is the international connection to and from Iran.
- Buses from Mashhad, Iran: A bus service runs from Mashhad. Buses are supposed to leave at 07:00 from the bus terminal, but departure times are flexible, so be there early.
- Timing: Arrival at the border is around noon, and arrival in Herat is a bit after 15:00.
- Border procedures: Crossing the border is relatively straightforward.
Within the city itself, there is no metro or tram, and bus coverage is not described in the available sources. For day-to-day movement around Herat, taxis and walking are the practical choices.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the main way to get around Herat for most visitors. The sources do not describe a ride-hailing app or a formal metered taxi system, so the practical approach is to arrange a taxi directly and agree on the fare in advance. This applies both to short trips within the city and to the journey between the airport and your accommodation.
Walking
Herat is a walkable city in its central areas, and many of its historic sites—including the Great Mosque of Herat, the Herat Citadel, and the Musalla Complex—are clustered in and around the center. Walking is a reasonable way to explore these sights. For longer distances, or when carrying luggage, a taxi is the more practical option.
Getting to Herat from Elsewhere
If you are arriving overland rather than by air, the options vary considerably in safety and comfort.
- From Iran: The road from Iran is in good shape, and the bus service from Mashhad is the standard route. The border town on this route is Islam Qala.
- From Turkmenistan: The road is tarred and in good shape, though with occasional craters. The border town on this route is Torghundi. There are occasional security incidents on this road as trouble spills over from the unstable Badghis province, so get up-to-date advice before attempting it.
- From Kandahar: The road has been rebuilt but is extremely dangerous, as it passes through Helmand and Farah, both of which are war zones.
- To Mazar-e Sharif: The A76 highway connects via Maimana, but upgrading of the road is not yet completed, largely due to the kidnapping of the construction team in 2009. This route is not recommended.
- To Kabul: The central route via Chagcheran and the Minaret of Jam is a very rough 3- to 6-day journey, sleeping in chaikanas along the way. From Bamiyan, the longer northern route to Kabul is safer than the southern route.
Overland travel by car can be time-consuming and dangerous. The roads from Iran and Turkmenistan are the better-maintained options, but conditions and security can change, so always seek current advice before setting out.
Practical Summary
- No rail, metro, or tram—do not plan around them.
- Taxis are the main way to get around; agree on the fare first.
- Walking works well for the central historic sites.
- The airport is outside the city; take a taxi into town.
- The Mashhad bus is the main international public transport link, with flexible departure times—arrive early.
- Check current security advice before any overland journey.