← All countries§ 01 · Power in Afghanistan

🇦🇫Power in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan operates on the European electrical standard with 230V/50Hz power and Type C/F outlets throughout the country. This system provides reliable power in major urban centers like Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.

US travelers must bring Type C/F adapters since American plugs are incompatible with Afghan outlets. The country's electrical infrastructure has been rebuilt and modernized in recent decades, making it generally dependable for charging devices and powering equipment in cities and towns.

§ Compatibility check

Do I need an adapter?

§ 04 · More about Afghanistan

Things worth knowing before you go.

Quick facts to keep in your back pocket — currency, language, the time difference, which side of the road they drive on.

Capital
Kabul
Currency
AFN – Afghan Afghani
Language
Dari
Time zone
UTC+4:30
Driving
Right
Tap water
Not Safe
Emergency
Save this before you fly. Police, ambulance, fire — all on 119.
119
§ Travel essentials

What every traveler should pack — and why.

Four picks for any international trip — what they actually do, and the moments where they pay for themselves.

Stay secureFrom $3.09/mo
NordVPN

Hotel and airport WiFi in Afghanistan is open and shared. NordVPN encrypts everything you do — banking, email, streaming — so no one on the same network can snoop.

When it pays off
  • Banking from a café in Kabul
  • Streaming your usual subscriptions abroad
  • Working from co-working spots without trust issues
NordVPNTry NordVPN
Stay connectedFrom $4.50
Airalo eSIM

Skip the SIM card hunt and the roaming charges. Airalo activates the second your plane lands in Afghanistan — and if you're hopping through several countries, one regional plan covers them all.

When it pays off
  • Local data the moment you land in Afghanistan
  • Multi-country plans for Asia, Europe, LATAM
  • Smaller destinations big providers skip
AiraloAiralo for Afghanistan
Cover the unexpectedFrom $0.99/day
Ekta Insurance

One unplanned hospital visit abroad can wipe out a year of vacation budget. Ekta covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost baggage — the three things that actually go wrong on real trips — for less than a coffee a day.

When it pays off
  • Got food poisoning on day 3 of 10
  • Bag never showed up at baggage claim
  • Flight cancelled, hotel non-refundable
Ekta Travel InsuranceGet Ekta
Soft landingFixed price
Welcome Pickups

Land in Afghanistan jet-lagged and skip the taxi-line negotiation. Welcome Pickups books an English-speaking driver who waits for you at arrivals with your name on a sign — fixed price, no surprises.

When it pays off
  • First-time visiting and not sure how the airport works
  • Arriving late at night with kids, gear, or both
  • Tired of explaining your hotel address to a cab driver
Welcome PickupsBook a pickup

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§ The PlugHopper shop

Everything we'd actually pack.

Curated Amazon lists, organized by what you actually need at each phase of the trip — from packing the suitcase to landing in a new country.

Available on Amazon
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§ 02 · Plan with Pluggy
Pluggy AI · Online

Pack for Afghanistan in about a minute.

Tell Pluggy where you're going and your dates. We handle weather, packing, the right adapter, eSIM, transport from the airport — all in one conversation.

Plan my Afghanistan trip — free
Weather
10-day forecast
Packing
Tailored list
Power
Type C / F ready
Food
Local picks
Transport
Airport → city
Tips
From real travellers
§ 06 · Type C plugs
C

The plug used in Afghanistan.

Urban areas like Kabul and Herat have stable grid power, while rural regions may experience intermittent electricity or rely on generators. Border areas often share electrical compatibility with neighboring Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian countries.

Full Type C guide →
§ 08 · Common questions
What type of power plug is used in Afghanistan?+

Afghanistan uses Type C and Type F power plugs and electrical outlets. The standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Do I need a travel adapter for Afghanistan?+

Yes, travelers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries using Type A/B plugs will need a travel adapter for Afghanistan. The Type C/F outlets are not compatible with American flat-blade plugs.

Do I need a voltage converter for Afghanistan?+

Afghanistan uses 230V. Dual-voltage electronics (smartphones, laptops, cameras) labeled "100-240V" work fine with just a plug adapter. Single-voltage appliances from a different voltage zone (hair dryers, curling irons, kettles) must NOT be plugged in directly — they can be damaged or dangerous. Check every device label before plugging in.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android phone in Afghanistan?+

Yes. All modern smartphone chargers (including iPhone and Android USB chargers) are dual-voltage (100-240V) and work in Afghanistan. You only need a plug adapter to fit the Type C/F outlets.

Can I use my laptop charger in Afghanistan?+

Yes. Laptop chargers from Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other major brands are universal (100-240V). You only need a Type C/F plug adapter for Afghanistan.

What is the emergency phone number in Afghanistan?+

The emergency phone number in Afghanistan is 119. Save this number in your phone before your trip.

§ 09 · Ready to go

Plan your Afghanistan trip with Pluggy.

Get my packing list — free
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