FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > Middle East > Kuwait > Kuwait City

Local time Kuwait City

Currency

Travel to Kuwait City

Flying to Kuwait City

British Airways and Kuwait Airways operate direct flights to Kuwait International Airport from the UK. Kuwait Airways also offers direct flights from the USA. The cheapest flights are often available during the hot summer months (between May and September).

Flight times

From London - 6 hours 15 minutes; New York - 12 hours; Los Angeles - 18 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Toronto - 15 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 18 hours 15 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Kuwait has borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, neither of which are currently open for casual tourism. For those who have a visa for Saudi Arabia, it is possible to use the Al-Nuwaisib crossing (for Damman) and Al-Salmy crossing (for Riyadh).

The road system in Kuwait is generally good but the standard of driving is very poor and road traffic accidents are a major problem. Traffic drives on the right, seat belts are compulsory and the minimum driving age is 18. An International Driving Permit, or a licence and resident permit from another Gulf country, is required.

Speed limits are 45kph (28mph) in residential areas, 60kph (37mph) on main roads in urban areas, 80-100kph (50-62mph) on ring roads, and 120kph (75mph) on expressways and outer roads.

Emergency breakdown services

Road Traffic Police (tel: 101).

Routes

The main routes into Kuwait City are Highway 70 from the west (from Saudi Arabia), Highway 40 from the south (from Saudi Arabia) and Highway 80 from the north (from Iraq).

Coaches

Kuwait Public Transport Company (tel: +965 2232 8501; www.kptc.com.kw) operates long-distance buses between Kuwait City and other destinations within Kuwait and the Gulf region. The main bus station is near the intersection of Al-Hilali and Abdullah al-Mubarak Streets in the Safat district.

Time to city

From Riyadh - 6 hours 30 minutes; Bahrain - 5 hours 15 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

Kuwait has no rail track, although there are proposals to build a rail network connecting other countries in the Gulf, and a metro system is under construction within Kuwait City.

Travel by boat

Shuwaikh Port is Kuwait's main commercial port. 

Ferry operators

The Combined Shipping Company (tel: +965 2483 0130; www.cscq8.com) operates passenger ferries from Kuwait's Shuwaikh Port to the Iranian ports of Khoramshar and Bushehr. 

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Related Articles

City Highlight: Kuwait City

With its stunning skyline, a plethora of fabulous restaurants and cultural hotspots, Kuwait City is definitely a top contender within the Arabian Gulf

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City

The JW Marriot is a 5 star hotel situated in the centre of Kuwait with over 300 rooms. Their best facilities include; a pool, a spa, a fitness centre and a bar/ lounge area. The hotel also offers airport transportation and conference facilities.

Mövenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida'a Kuwait

An elegant, contemporary hotel just 2km (1.2 miles) from the city centre, this lively chain stay provides the perfect antidote to a hot day downtown. With an excellent spa, five swimming pools, two restaurants, landscaped gardens and a private beach, it's a relaxing place to unwind in 5-star indulgence.

Le Méridien Kuwait

With views of the Arabic Gulf as well as the iconic Kuwait Towers, this hotel has a flavour of the French Riviera about it, including rococo furniture and brass-rimmed mirrors. Rooms are sleek and modern, with huge luxury bathrooms, and the service is excellent. The onsite restaurant is decent and free Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Luxury Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa

With the utmost luxury in mind, this beautifully refurbished 5-star hotel feels like an Arabian palace. Its spa has hydrotherapy baths, plus drift and salt rooms, while palm trees line the swimming pool. Other perks include yoga, pilates and reiki classes, its seven stylish restaurants and its private beach.

Marina Hotel

For this price, don't expect the Ritz. Overlooking Mutrah fish market, this is a simple, harbourside hotel offering great views of Muscat's famous corniche. It's basic, and its basement bar can be a little noisy, but its location is within walking distance of Mutrah Souk, making it convenient for sightseeing.

Ghani Palace Hotel

It could do with a bit of a facelift, but the Ghani Palace is one of the few hotels in the city where you don't have to check the address to remember you're in the Middle East. The quirky Arabian-style hotel sports Syrian furniture, Moroccan lanterns and local stucco, plus local-style hospitality to match.