Jalalabad Getting there & around

Getting there & around

Jalalabad airport is 4km east of the city limits on the road to Torkham. There are no commercial flights, but Pactec has a service to Kabul. The airport is just past the army base, home to the British garrison of 1841. General Elphinstone, leader of the doomed retreat from Kabul is buried here, although his grave has been long-lost.

Minibuses to Kabul (200Afg, three hours) and the border at Torkham (200Afg, 2½ hours) leave regularly throughout the day. Shared taxis are faster but more expensive. Note that transport to Kabul terminates at Begrami Motor Park on the outskirts of the city. The road to Kabul is particularly attractive, following the Kabul River past Sarobi Dam and up the stupendous Tangi Gharu Gorge to the Kabul Plateau. The road has recently been rehabilitated and is excellent quality.

Rickshaws are popular for getting around Jalalabad, but not all roads are paved so they can be a very bumpy experience. Most fares will be under 50Afg.