Hairatan & Termez Border Crossing

The “Friendship Bridge” to Central Asia

Important Note for Travelers: This border crossing is located in a region with a complex and volatile security situation. The border can be closed without notice. Travel to Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only.

The border crossing connecting the Afghan town of Hairatan with Termez in Uzbekistan is the only official land border between the two nations. This is not just a border; it is a journey across the historic “Friendship Bridge” over the mighty Amu Darya (the ancient Oxus River), a waterway that has been a cradle of civilization for millennia. To cross here is to travel a route of immense strategic and economic importance, the primary rail and road link between landlocked Afghanistan and the nations of Central Asia. It is a passage from the turbulent world of Afghanistan into the more stable, post-Soviet landscape of Uzbekistan, a crossing defined by its vital role as a humanitarian and commercial lifeline in a region shaped by centuries of conflict and trade.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connects Afghanistan’s Balkh Province with the Surxondaryo Region of Uzbekistan. It is a major international crossing for both road and rail traffic. The Afghanistan–Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge is a combined road and rail bridge, a rare and vital piece of infrastructure in this part of the world. The crossing is a critical artery for almost all of Afghanistan’s trade with Central Asia and, by extension, with Russia and Europe. It is the main entry point for humanitarian aid and commercial goods coming from the north. The facility is large and heavily secured on both sides, with extensive customs and logistics yards. Its operational status is a barometer of the relationship between the Taliban government in Afghanistan and its northern neighbors, who view the border with significant security concerns.

A History of a Soviet-Built Lifeline

The history of this crossing is the history of the Soviet-Afghan War. The Friendship Bridge was built by the Soviet Union and opened in 1982. It was the primary supply route for the Soviet 40th Army during its long and brutal war in Afghanistan, a conduit for tanks, trucks, and soldiers heading south. In 1989, the iconic images of the last Soviet troops withdrawing across this very bridge, led by their commander, General Boris Gromov, who walked the final steps alone, became a powerful symbol of the end of the war and the Soviet Union’s failure. After the Soviet withdrawal, the bridge was closed for many years during the Afghan civil war. It was reopened in the early 2000s after the US-led invasion and has since become the most important commercial gateway for northern Afghanistan, its name once again trying to live up to the ideal of friendship rather than the reality of war.

The Border Crossing Procedure

The border crossing procedure is an extremely rigorous and meticulous process, reflecting the extreme security situation. You will need a valid passport and valid visas for both countries, which must be obtained well in advance. The checks by both Afghan and Uzbek authorities are intense. The Uzbek side, in particular, is known for its extremely thorough customs and security inspections, a legacy of the country’s concerns about Islamist extremism and drug trafficking spilling over from Afghanistan. Be prepared for a very long and slow process, with detailed questioning and searches of all your belongings. The railway crossing involves a similar, lengthy procedure for freight, with entire trains being inspected wagon by wagon.

The Surrounding Region: Afghanistan Side

On the Afghan side, the crossing is in the town of Hairatan, which is essentially a large port and logistics hub that has grown up around the bridge. The nearby city of Mazar-i-Sharif is the main commercial and cultural center of northern Afghanistan. It is famous for the magnificent, blue-tiled Shrine of Ali (or the Blue Mosque), one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country, revered by many as the burial place of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. The region is also a gateway to the ancient city of Balkh, the “Mother of Cities,” the birthplace of the poet Rumi, and a major center on the ancient Silk Road, though little of its ancient glory remains.

The Surrounding Region: Uzbekistan Side

On the Uzbek side, the crossing is in the city of Termez, the southernmost city in Uzbekistan. Termez has a rich history as a major center of Buddhism on the Silk Road, and the surrounding area has numerous important archaeological sites, including the Fayaz-Tepe Buddhist monastery and the Kara-Tepe cave monastery complex. The city has an excellent archaeological museum that houses many of the treasures unearthed from these sites. Termez is the gateway to the historic heart of Uzbekistan, including the legendary Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which are further to the north. It is a land of immense historical and cultural depth.

Practical Travel Information

Travel on this route is not possible for independent tourists. The entire region is a high-risk security zone. The official currencies are the Afghan Afghani (AFN) in Afghanistan and the Uzbekistani Som (UZS) in Uzbekistan. Any travel would have to be part of an official, heavily guarded convoy or delegation. The risks of kidnapping, IEDs, and terrorist attacks are extremely high on the Afghan side. The Uzbek side is stable but heavily controlled. All travel requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the security risks.

Final Considerations

The Hairatan–Termez border crossing is a journey across a river of immense historical and strategic importance. It is a place where the legacies of the Silk Road, the Soviet empire, and the modern “War on Terror” converge. It is a vital economic artery that operates under the constant shadow of conflict and instability. It is a border that is not for the traveler, but for the soldier, the aid worker, the trader, and the people who depend on it for their survival. It is a true frontier, a “Friendship Bridge” that has been a witness to both the march of armies and the hope for peace.