Kuwait travel guide

Getting there

Kuwait International Airport is the main gateway, with connections across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Land borders link Kuwait with Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Best time to visit: Nov–Mar – mild, sunny weather.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Kuwait City, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: May-September – extreme heat often exceeding 45°C, with sandstorms possible.

Weather by month in Kuwait City

• 19°J●
• 22°F●
• 27°M●
• 33°A●
• 41°M
• 45°J
• 46°J
• 46°A
• 43°S
• 36°O
• 27°N●
• 21°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Asia/Kuwait. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 57 of 198 other passports can enter Kuwait without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 1 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 140 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Kuwait (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-10-23). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Kuwait are based around Kuwait City, Failaka Island or Al Shaheed Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$60–90 for a backpacker and US$150–250 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: C, G. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +965.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Kuwait City (Capital · city): Towers, souks, museums and a long seaside corniche.
• Failaka Island (Gulf island · archaeology): Ancient Dilmun and Greek ruins in a peaceful setting.
• Al Shaheed Park (Kuwait City · park): A large green park with museums and walking paths in the city centre.
• Green Island (Kuwait City · recreation): A man-made island park off the corniche, popular with families.
• Al Jahra Red Fort (West · historic fort): A mud-brick fort recalling a key battle in Kuwait's early 20th-century history.
• Fahaheel waterfront (South · leisure): A seaside promenade and leisure area along the southern coast.

Things to do

• Visit the Kuwait Towers. Ride up to the observation sphere of the country's iconic blue-and-green towers for Gulf views.
• Get lost in Souk Al-Mubarakiya. Browse spices, dates, perfumes and traditional textiles in one of the oldest markets in the Gulf.
• Tour the Grand Mosque. See the largest mosque in Kuwait, with its ornate prayer hall and Islamic art.
• Explore the Tareq Rajab Museum. Discover a private collection of Islamic art, manuscripts and jewellery.
• Ferry to Failaka Island. Walk among Bronze Age and Hellenistic ruins on a quiet island in the Gulf.
• Stroll Souq Sharq marina. Watch dhows and yachts along the waterfront at sunset.
• Visit Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre. Explore one of the world's largest museum complexes covering science, space and natural history.
• See the Sadu House. Learn about Bedouin weaving traditions in a historic house in the city centre.

Eat and drink

• Machboos – spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish
• Mutabbaq samak – fish served over spiced rice
• Gers ogaily – saffron and cardamom cake
• Dates – served with Arabic coffee

Money and safety

Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KWD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added.

Emergency numbers: 112 all emergencies.

• The currency is the Kuwaiti dinar, one of the highest-valued currencies in the world.
• Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are plentiful.
• Kuwait has low crime and is generally safe for travellers.
• Respect local laws and customs; alcohol is illegal and public displays of affection are frowned upon.