A World Away: The Long Haul From Chicago To Afghanistan

The flight distance between Chicago and Afghanistan is 6,994 miles or 7,001 miles depending on the source. The flight duration is 17 hours and 30 minutes, 19 hours and 40 minutes, 23 hours, or 24 hours and 31 minutes, depending on the departure city and airport, and the number of layovers.

Flight routes from Chicago to Afghanistan

There are no direct flights from Chicago to Afghanistan. However, there are several single or multiple layover flights available. The price of these flights varies depending on the time of year, the number of layovers, and the chosen airline.

Chicago O'Hare to Afghanistan

Chicago O'Hare International Airport services flights to Afghanistan. The following routes are available:

• Chicago O'Hare to Mazar-e Sharif
• Chicago O'Hare to Kabul
• Chicago O'Hare to Herat

Chicago Midway to Afghanistan

Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport are also available to the following destinations in Afghanistan:

• Mazar-e Sharif
• Kabul

Airlines

Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Emirates are some of the airlines that service flights between Chicago and Afghanistan.

Flight costs

The flight costs from Chicago to Afghanistan vary depending on the time of booking, the month of travel, and the airline chosen.

According to sources, the average price of a round trip from Chicago to Afghanistan is $1808. The best time to secure cheaper tickets is to book at least 3 to 6 weeks before departure. The cheapest month to fly to Afghanistan is February, with March and January also being affordable options. High season is considered to be May, June, and July, with December also being an expensive month for flights.

Sources suggest that morning flights are around 5% to 9% more expensive than evening flights.

The cheapest one-way flight price found by a user on KAYAK in the last 72 hours was $791, whereas another source states that flights can go as low as $691.

It is worth noting that some sources state that flights can go as low as $1732, with one source even quoting $1409 as a one-way flight deal from Kabul to Chicago.

It is recommended to use tools such as KAYAK's flight Price Forecast to determine whether the price for a flight is likely to change, allowing travellers to decide whether to wait or book immediately.

Time to book flights

There is no definitive answer to the question of when is the best time to book a flight. However, there are some general guidelines and strategies that you can follow to increase your chances of finding a good deal. Here are some tips to help you book your flights from Chicago to Afghanistan at the best possible price:

• Booking Window: For international flights, it is generally recommended to book three to five months in advance. However, it's important to start monitoring prices even earlier, around six to seven months prior to your trip. By doing so, you can take advantage of any deals that may arise and secure your tickets before prices start to rise.
• Day of the Week: While there is no conclusive evidence that a particular day of the week is the cheapest for booking flights, some studies suggest that Sunday is the best day. It is recommended to check prices a few days before or after your preferred date, as there can be variations in pricing based on the day of the week.
• Seasonality: Consider the high and low seasons for your destination. For Afghanistan, the high season is typically May, June, and July, with February being the cheapest month to fly there. Booking during the low season or just outside of the high season can often result in lower prices.
• Flexibility: Being flexible with your travel dates and times can also help you find better deals. Midweek flights, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, tend to be cheaper than weekend flights. Additionally, early morning or late-night flights may be more affordable than those during peak hours.
• Price Tracking: Utilize price tracking tools such as Google Flights or travel apps like Hopper, which allow you to set alerts for when prices drop. This can help you stay informed about price fluctuations and enable you to book when prices are at their lowest.
• Alternative Airports: Consider flying into or out of different airports. For example, if you're willing to fly into a nearby city or an alternate airport in Afghanistan, you may find cheaper options.
• Change Fees: Most U.S. airlines have eliminated change fees on standard economy tickets. Take advantage of this by booking early and rebooking if the price drops. This strategy can help you lock in a good deal and potentially save more money if prices continue to fall.
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards: Using travel rewards credit cards can also help you save on flights. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offer benefits specifically tailored to travellers, such as bonus points and travel credits.
• Last-Minute Deals: While last-minute flight deals are not common, they do exist. Keep an eye out for sudden price drops, especially if you have flexible travel plans and can act quickly.

Airports in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has four international airports, with plans to build more in the future. These airports are:

• Kabul International Airport, which serves the population of Kabul and the surrounding areas.
• Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi International Airport, which serves northern Afghanistan.
• Ahmad Shah Baba International Airport in Kandahar, which serves the southern parts of the country.
• Khwaja Abdullah Ansari International Airport in Herat, which serves the population of western Afghanistan.

In addition to these, there are about 16 regional domestic airports spread across the country in various provinces, serving smaller, more remote areas.

The biggest airport in Afghanistan is Kabul International Airport, with flights to 18 destinations in 10 countries. Other large airports include Mazar I Sharif Airport and Camp Bastion Airport.

Things to do in Afghanistan

Although it is currently recommended to avoid all travel to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, armed conflict, and serious safety risks, there are still many things to do and see in the country. Here is a list of things to do when it is safe to travel to Afghanistan:

• Visit the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, where you will find the remains of the Bamiyan Buddhas, two 6th-century monumental statues of Gautama Buddha.
• Explore the Band-e-Amir National Park, a series of six blue-green lakes in central Afghanistan in the Bamyan Province, set in a stunning landscape of red sandstone cliffs.
• Discover the Panjshir Mountains, the most beautiful and safest place in Afghanistan, known for its natural beauty, hospitality, and history.
• Visit the Khwaja Abd Allah Ansari Shrine, one of Afghanistan's holiest sites, dedicated to the 11th-century saint and poet Khoja Abdullah Ansari.
• Explore the Darul Aman Palace, the former location of the King of Afghanistan.
• Learn about Afghanistan's history and culture at the National Museum of Afghanistan.
• Visit the Gawhar Shad Madrasa and Mausoleum, a beautiful example of Islamic architecture built for a queen thousands of years ago.
• Explore Shahr-e-Zahak (Red City), the ruins of a HUGE city sacked by Genghis Khan.
• Check out the Chilzina and the Forty Steps of Kandahar, a rock-cut chamber reached by a mountain stairway of forty steps.
• Visit the Omar Land Mine Museum, a museum dedicated to landmines and the personnel working to remove them from Afghanistan.
• Admire the Bala Hissar & City Walls, a fortress that has stood on the site of the Bala Hissar since at least the 5th century AD.
• Visit Herat's Friday Mosque, Afghanistan's finest Islamic building and one of the greatest in Central Asia.
• Explore the Herat Citadel, a towering ruin that has watched over Herat's successes and setbacks for centuries.
• Stroll through the Bagh-e Babur (Babur Garden), the final resting place of the first Mughal Emperor Babur.
• Visit the Shrine of Hazrat Ali, one of Afghanistan's most iconic sights, with twin blue domes that attract pilgrims from across the country.
• Discover Herat's Old City, the most complete traditional medieval city in Afghanistan, with four main streets branching out from a central square.
• Explore the Musalla Complex & Minarets, built by Gowhar Shad, a great patron of the arts and one of the most remarkable women in Afghanistan's history.
• See the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a towering brick minaret adorned with intricate calligraphy and geometrical designs.
• Visit the Kabul Zoo, a popular place for recreation, located on the bank of the Kabul River.
• Explore the Ka Faroshi Bird Market, a corner of Kabul untouched by war or modernisation.

Frequently asked questions