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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
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Passport/Visa
The guide was updated:Citizens of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates do NOT require an entry visa.
Citizens of an additional 52 countries may obtain a three-month visa on arrival (by air only) or an electronic visa prior to arrival. These include all countries of the European Union (with the exception of Croatia), Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City, Turkey, Monaco, Switzerland, Australia, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Swaziland, United States, Vietnam. A passport with a validity period of 6 months is required for entry.
Those arriving by land or sea are required to obtain a visa in advance, as do nationals of countries not listed above. Nationals of some countries may be entirely barred from entry (Ethiopia and Israel), or have significant difficulty obtaining a visa.
Useful Information
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Prior to visiting Kuwait, travellers are advised to familiarise themselves with the social norms and legal regulations in place in the country.
Modesty in behaviour and clothing is generally advised, and women are discouraged from wearing tight-fitting and/or short garments anywhere in the country. Bikinis may be acceptable at hotel pools, but conservative swimwear is expected in public places.
Alcohol sale and consumption is illegal, and attempts to import alcoholic beverages (as well as drugs, pork products and pornographic material) may lead to fines and imprisonment.
Public displays of affection of any kind (especially by same-sex couples) are not allowed and must be avoided. Co-habitation between unmarried partners is also considered illegal.
Travellers must be especially careful when photographing local landmarks - taking pictures of government buildings, including military and industrial complexes, is punishable by law (this applies especially to anything that concerns oil production).
During the month of Ramadan no eating, drinking or smoking in public is allowed to anyone regardless of religious convictions. Fines and imprisonment may follow for violating any of the above mentioned restrictions.
There is an ongoing terrorism threat in Kuwait. Travellers must exercise precaution in public places.
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Passport/Visa
Citizens of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates do NOT require an entry visa.
Citizens of an additional 52 countries may obtain a three-month visa on arrival (by air only) or an electronic visa prior to arrival. These include all countries of the European Union (with the exception of Croatia), Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City, Turkey, Monaco, Switzerland, Australia, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Swaziland, United States, Vietnam. A passport with a validity period of 6 months is required for entry.
Those arriving by land or sea are required to obtain a visa in advance, as do nationals of countries not listed above. Nationals of some countries may be entirely barred from entry (Ethiopia and Israel), or have significant difficulty obtaining a visa.
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Kuwait International Airport
The Kuwait International Airport is the only civil air hub in Kuwait, with several local and international carriers connecting the country to destinations worldwide.
Visitors requiring visa on arrival should obtain one before exiting into the baggage claim area (get a ticket and wait in line till your turn is called).
The airport has its own taxi service, and regular cabs operating in the city are not allowed to pick up passengers for fear of hefty fines. Some hotels arrange shuttles for guests, but reaching the city by public bus is possible, too - route number 501 connects the airport to the main bus station of Kuwait City and makes several stops along the way (bus stop outside the arrivals area).
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Best Time to Visit
The summer months between April and September can get extremely hot and humid (August especially so), so a trip to Kuwait is best made somewhere between September and May (ideally, September to October and March to May), when temperatures are comfortable but some rainfall is to be expected.
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Public Transport
There are two public transportation authorities: the KPTC (Kuwait Public Transport Company) and the City Bus (and KGL operates long-distance routes to neighboring countries). There is a fairly extensive bus route network covering the metropolitan area, buses run at regular 10-minute intervals and stop at designated bus stops. Tickets are fairly inexpensive and may be bought on board.
Even though the public bus system was established primarily to fit the needs of residents rather than visitors, most Kuwaiti landmarks may be reached by walking 10 to 20 minutes from the bus stops. Consult the website for routes, or pick up a schedule from the main bus station.
Ferries circulate between Ras Al Ard in the district of Salmiya and Failaka Island (operated by the KPTC). There are also water routes connecting Kuwait to Iran and several other Gulf nations.
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Taxi
Taxis are a convenient way of getting around, with a few different varieties currently in operation. Taxis often do not use meters, in which case it is recommended to agree on the fare prior to boarding, but general pricing is in place depending on the distance and area.
"Call taxis" are often found at hotels, and are usually white. As the name suggests, they can be ordered via phone. Fares for these taxis are usually announced by the taxi dispatcher during the call.
Another type of cabs, orange in color, usually runs along specific routes, and can be shared with anyone going in the same general direction. These taxis are allowed to drop off and pick up passengers along the way, which can make the journey longer, but prices are normally lower than those of call-taxis.
The airport has its own taxi service, with fixed fares that are usually indicated inside the vehicle.
Kuds Taxi
+965 241 3414
British Taxi
+965 2391 2282
+965 2239 1229
Emirates Taxi
+965 2474 5006
+965 2474 5007
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Post Office
There are a few post offices in and around Kuwait City, but most are difficult to locate due to the lack of exact address. Like most government establishments, post offices open and close early (7:00 to 14:00).
Main Post Office
Fahad Al-Salem Street, Kuwait City
Salmiya Post Office
Al-Salmiya, Kuwait City
+965 2574 5171
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Pharmacy
Pharmacies are widely available and marked by a green cross. Hospitals often have 24 hour pharmacies on their premises.
Hawally Center Pharmacy
Humoud Al Nasser Street, Salmiya
+965 2561 4895
AAW Abyaar Sharq Pharmacy
Ahmad Al Jaber Street, Kuwait City
+965 2243 2642
Al Fahad Pharmacy
Ground floor, 59 Bahrain Street, Salmiya
+965 2574 7476
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Telephone
Country code +965
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Electricity
220-240 Volts, three-pin plugs (British, Indian)
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