Is it better to pay taxis in Afghanistan with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
Paid in cash every time, from shared taxis in Mazar to private ones in Jalalabad. No digital pay options worked - not even PayPal or WhatsApp pay. If you’re short on change, try small shops nearby to break larger bills. Most drivers are honest, but confirm rates upfront.
Definitely no card options. Even asking for UPI or mobile pay got me weird looks in Herat. It’s a cash game here. I found it useful to agree on a price before hopping in - language barrier made it tricky, but gestures + Google Translate helped a ton.
I stuck to pre-booked rides through hotel staff or trusted drivers in Bamyan and Kabul. Always paid in cash. Even when I asked about cards or apps, I just got a smile and a headshake. Keep smaller bills, especially for short trips - drivers rarely have change for 1,000 AFN notes.
You’ll need cash, no question. I’ve yet to meet a taxi driver - even in Kabul - who accepts card. Some younger drivers might use Afghan payment apps like HesabPay, but unless you have a local SIM and bank account, they’re not foreigner-friendly. Carry small denomination Afghanis.