1. Visa: $730 RMB
2. SIM Card: $83 RMB
Data in Afghanistan is notoriously expensive. I opted for the most affordable plan with 6GB, but it’s still better to rely on Wi-Fi whenever possible since there are plenty of areas with no signal at all.
3. Accommodation: $1026 RMB
Kabul: I stayed at Sister Zhuang’s homestay and Xiao Dong’s place. One cost me $70 RMB per day, while the other was $100 RMB per day, totaling $871 RMB. To be honest, I’ve lost count of exactly how many days I spent there.
Kandahar: After hopping off the bus, a friendly Didi driver took me to a guesthouse where I spent one night for $75 RMB.
Herat: On arriving by bus early in the morning, I crashed on a dormitory-style bed for just $8 RMB. Later, a tuk-tuk driver helped me find a hotel room that cost me $24 RMB per night.
4. Transportation: $500 RMB
From the border to Kabul via minibus: $62 RMB
From Kabul to Kandahar: $100 RMB
From Kandahar to Herat: $100 RMB
From Herat to Iran’s second-largest city: $230 RMB
5. Food and Miscellaneous Shopping: $1180 RMB
Most of my spending went toward Afghan hand-pulled rice, which costs only $18 RMB per plate—it’s absolutely irresistible! I also stocked up on Red Bull (just $3 RMB per can) to keep up with the adventure.
6. Additional Notes:
In Afghanistan, you can indulge in as much Red Bull as your heart desires. And let me tell you, their hand-pulled rice is nothing short of the best in the world. Be sure to try a street-side spicy soup that’s an absolute steal at just $3 RMB per bowl! The locals here are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met—they’re always eager to lend a helping hand, often refusing payment even when offered.
If you lose your phone in China, chances are slim you’ll get it back, but in Afghanistan, the locals will go out of their way to help you retrieve it. Unlike in Pakistan, where people might constantly ask for money, Afghans genuinely value hospitality and kindness above all else.
