Popular Airport | Entebbe Intl. Airport |
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Popular Airlines | |
Approximate Flight Duration | 6 hour 40 min |
Approximate Travel Distance | 5404 Km |
If you travel by plane from Kabul, you need to reach Kabul International Airport (Hamid Karzai International Airport). From Kabul International Airport, you can travel to many destinations with many airlines. Turkish Airlines also organizes seven flights a week from Istanbul to Kabul. The journey from Kabul to Istanbul lasts 5 hours.
There is a time difference of 2 hours and 30 minutes between Kabul and Turkey. For example, when it is 10.30 am in Kabul, the clock may still show 08.00 am in Turkey. But Afghanistan does not apply day light saving time. Therefore, time difference with Kabul is 2 hours 30 minutes in winter and 1 hour 30 minutes in summer. When you travel from Kabul to Istanbul, it is useful to consider these differences.
There is still no advanced urban transportation network in Kabul. Due to the fact that the city is located in a mountainous area, the rail system does not exist in this area. Buses and taxis are the most commonly used means of transportation within the city. You can also choose to walk to the airport instead of driving. Obtaining a map of Kabul would help you not to encounter problem with urban transportation.
The bus is one of the most used vehicles in urban transportation in Kabul. Buses in the city are comfortable and modern. But the direction information and the numbers of the buses are in Pashtun. You can find out which buses go to Kabul International Airport if you would have a Pashtun dictionary with you a guide on this subject on your own.
Visitors often prefer to take taxis for transportation in Kabul. Many of the taxi drivers know a little English. But just in case, you would write that you want to go to Kabul International Airport in local language on a paper and give it to the taxi driver.
You can rent a car to go to Kabul International Airport and get rid of the stress of catching the plane. With the car you will rent, you will not need to carry your heavy luggage between long distances on public transport vehicles.
Kabul International Airport, which connects Afghanistan's capital city Kabul to many points of the world, offers a more comfortable and enjoyable flight experience to its passengers with the renovation works. Improvements at the airport have resulted in the addition of a new international terminal and the old terminal is now being used for domestic flights.
Airline companies such as Turkish Airlines (THY), Emirates, Flydubai, Air India, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Ariana Afghan, Safi Airways, Kam Air, Mahan Air, SpiceJet, East Horizon Airlines and Iranian Aseman Airlines provides flights to Kabul. The airport of the city has free Wi-Fi, a duty free, currency exchange and ATM.
At the same time, you can eat at the restaurants in the terminal, and make benefit of the post office and car parking. It is not advised to have an alcoholic drink with you on your way to Kabul. It is a crime to have an alcoholic drink with you when you land here.
In Entebbe, there is a heavy traffic in general. Although traffic flow is comfortable late at night and early in the morning, traffic during the day is rather heavy. Besides, the drivers in the city don't follow traffic rules. For this reason, renting a car may sometimes be troublesome for those who are not so familiar with Entebbe traffic. However, it is possible to find the offices of many car rental companies in the city center. Considering the heavy traffic, you can prefer motorbike to the car if you are experienced at riding a motorbike. However, you should bear in mind that the most injury cases in Uganda are caused by motorbike accidents. If you are going to ride a motorcycle, at least you should wear your helmet. If possible, it would be a good idea to wear special protective clothing (such as jackets, knee pads).
Public transportation in Entebbe may sometimes be very challenging. Especially the careless and dangerous driving of the drivers as well as the old and neglected cars may be frightening for tourists. Means of public transport in the city are the minibuses, which are especially preferred at short distances, and the buses. These vehicles, which are extremely low in price, cover even the shortest distances at a longer time than they should due to the extremely crowded and heavy traffic. Motorcycle taxis called Boda Boda are the most preferred means of transportation in Entebbe.
The fact that motorbikes are smaller and have more agility compared to cars come with great advantages in heavy and complicated traffic. However, you should always remember to take the necessary precautions for your safety. Besides Boda Boda, the motorcycle taxis, you can also find normal taxis easily in the city center.
Taxis in Entebbe generally don't have fixed stands and a legal status. So anyone may serve his/her car as a taxi if you ask, or they may sometimes offer to pick you up. Taxi service in the city is not very reliable because there are not any regulations for taxis here. None of the taxis has a taximeter; even when they have, the taximeters are mostly broken. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to negotiate and agree with the driver in advance about the destination and taxi fare. Generally speaking, you shouldn't hesitate to bargain because the taxi fares are very high, especially if you are a tourist.
If you want to take a taxi, always try to prefer a taxi that your hotel or, if possible, someone you know recommends you take. Entebbe International Airport serves not only Entebbe city but also many other surrounding cities. Transportation from these cities to Entebbe International Airport is mostly provided through Kampala. It is very easy to reach Entebbe International Airport from Kampala by small minibuses. These minibuses depart every 30 minutes or hourly depending on the density. Ticket only costs 3000 UGX, it means 1 dollar. However, the tourists may sometimes be charged twice a ticket price. The journey takes about one hour. If the traffic is not heavy, the journey time is much shorter.
You can also get to the city center from Entebbe International Airport in a very short time. Taxi is the most preferred transportation option from the airport to Entebbe city center, which is very close to the airport. You can also reach the city center by renting a car at the airport. Another alternative is the shuttle-like transfer vehicles run by Uganda Airport Transfers Company.
You can easily find a taxi in front of the airport exit. If possible, try to take a taxi you are recommended or ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you. As there is no taximeter in the taxis in Entebbe, remember to bargain with the driver about the taxi fare in advance. Don't pay the taxi fare in advance.
You can find the car rental offices of Hertz and Europcar at the airport. You also save time by renting your car online in advance. Please remember that you must have an international driver's license to rent a car. If you want to take advantage of this option, you should bear in mind that Entebbe traffic is generally quite dense and complicated. In addition renting a car, you can also rent a motorbike, which is a very common option in Entebbe.
If you want, you can also rent a car with a driver as well. Unlike the standard airport shuttle services, Uganda Airport Transfers, which is a private company, provides transfer services with various vehicles. Transfer vehicles vary from standard 3-person cars to 25-person buses. Each vehicle takes a luggage per seat. Another different service provided by this company is that it offers "door-to-door" service rather than traveling on a specific route. In addition, you can also benefit from the taxi services provided by this company.
A limited number of hotels offer airport shuttle services since Entebbe International Airport and the city center are very close to each other. However, even if your hotel doesn't provide shuttle service, they can arrange an option to pick you up at the airport upon your request.