Mashhad to Balkh flights
Balkh lies 653 km (406 mi) east of Mashhad, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 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.
| Mashhad | Balkh | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Iran | Afghanistan |
| Population | 2.3 million | 114,883 |
| Elevation | 980 m (3,215 ft) | 348 m (1,142 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3:30 (Asia/Tehran) | UTC+4:30 (Asia/Kabul) |
| Nearest large airport | MHD, 8 km out | MZR, 29 km out |
Clocks in Balkh are 1 h ahead of Mashhad right now, so a 1 h 35 min journey lands 2 h 35 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Balkh
Crossing from Iran into Afghanistan: money changes from the Rial to the Afghani (AFN); sockets are AC power s and sockets: British and related types, Euro, Schuko; the dialling code becomes +93; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648793.
Airports at each end
Leaving Mashhad
Mashhad is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Mashhad International Airport (MHD), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, whose 12,877-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
Arriving in 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).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport | MZR | 29 km (18 mi) | 10,437 ft | 1,284 ft |
| Termez Airport (regional) | TMJ | 70 km (43 mi) | 9,843 ft | 1,027 ft |
Book a flight to Balkh
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Staying in Balkh
Live rooms and prices for Balkh are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Balkh
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Balkh from Mashhad?
653 km (406 mi) in a straight line, east of Mashhad.
How long does it take to get from Mashhad to Balkh by air?
About 1 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 Mashhad and Balkh?
Balkh is 1 h ahead at the moment (Asia/Kabul against Asia/Tehran).
Which airports are used for Mashhad to Balkh flights?
Typically Mashhad International Airport (MHD) to Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport (MZR); Balkh also has TMJ.
What currency do I need in Balkh?
The Afghani (AFN).
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.