Balkh to Karaj flights
Karaj lies 1,428 km (887 mi) west of Balkh, -1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h 35 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Balkh | Karaj | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Afghanistan | Iran |
| Population | 114,883 | 1.4 million |
| Elevation | 348 m (1,142 ft) | 1,341 m (4,400 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+4:30 (Asia/Kabul) | UTC+3:30 (Asia/Tehran) |
| Nearest large airport | MZR, 29 km out | PYK, 16 km out |
Clocks in Karaj are 1 h behind Balkh right now, so a 2 h 35 min journey lands only 1 h 35 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Karaj
Crossing from Afghanistan into Iran: money changes from the Afghani to the Rial (IRR); sockets are Euro, Schuko; the dialling code becomes +98; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648805 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648823.
Airports at each end
Leaving Balkh
Balkh is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR), 29 km (18 mi) from the centre, whose 10,437-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Termez Airport (TMJ, 70 km).
Arriving in Karaj
Karaj is served by 3 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Payam International Airport (PYK), 16 km (10 mi) from the centre, whose 12,005-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Mehrabad International Airport (THR, 33 km), Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA, 49 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payam International Airport | PYK | 16 km (10 mi) | 12,005 ft | 4,170 ft |
| Mehrabad International Airport | THR | 33 km (21 mi) | 13,258 ft | 3,962 ft |
| Imam Khomeini International Airport | IKA | 49 km (30 mi) | 13,772 ft | 3,305 ft |
Book a flight to Karaj
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Staying in Karaj
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Book a hotel in Karaj
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Common questions
How far is Karaj from Balkh?
1,428 km (887 mi) in a straight line, west of Balkh.
How long does it take to get from Balkh to Karaj by air?
About 2 h 35 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Balkh and Karaj?
Karaj is 1 h behind at the moment (Asia/Tehran against Asia/Kabul).
Which airports are used for Balkh to Karaj flights?
Typically Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR) to Payam International Airport (PYK); Karaj also has THR, IKA.
What currency do I need in Karaj?
The Rial (IRR).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.