Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Afghanistan or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
I’m a remote worker who briefly worked on a documentary in Mazar-e-Sharif. ATM access was a challenge overall, let alone at night. My local contact advised us to use bank tellers during office hours. Even though the city was relatively calmer, night movement wasn’t encouraged. For anyone wondering about ATM night safety in Afghanistan: assume it’s not safe and carry enough local cash to last your entire stay.
Backpacking through Afghanistan is not like other countries. Most travelers I met in Bamyan were cash-prepped. The only ATM I trusted was inside the Serena Hotel in Kabul - highly secured. Definitely not the kind of country where withdrawing cash after dark feels okay, especially for solo travelers. Street lighting is minimal and security presence can be inconsistent. Plan ahead and avoid relying on ATMs entirely if you're on a budget.
As a long-term traveler, I explored Herat briefly and never attempted night withdrawals. Even locals advised against it. Power cuts were common, and the streets emptied early. The ATMs I saw were at hotels like the Marco Polo or at bank branches like Azizi Bank, but honestly, they were unreliable. Cash is king in Afghanistan, and it’s safer to handle withdrawals by day or even bring USD and exchange it in daylight bazaars.
ATM safety at night in Afghanistan isn't something I’d personally risk, especially in Kabul. I was volunteering with a local NGO and stayed in Shar-e-Naw - even during the day, I relied on escorted trips to the bank. I used a local currency exchange instead of withdrawing at night. The few ATMs that worked (like AIB) were often low on cash. If you're traveling here, I'd recommend planning all your cash needs in daylight and using guarded bank branches.