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A Guide To Traveling To Kuwait For The First Time
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Kuwait, formally the State of Kuwait, is a Western Asian nation. It is located near the point of the Persian Gulf in northern Eastern Arabia, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. Kuwait and Iran share marine boundaries. Kuwait has a 500-kilometer-long coastline. Flanked by powerful neighbours Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran, its strategic location and massive oil reserves make it one of the world's richest countries per capita. Kuwait is a cultural capital of the Middle East and one of the most friendly tourism destinations in the Arabian Gulf. The little nation has arid weather but kind people. You will undoubtedly enjoy outstanding Arabian food, coffee, and cultural customs while visiting.
Wealthy, safe and just about crime-free, Kuwait is a great entry point to the Muslim world of souks, mosques and that all-important warm Arabian hospitality. Check your government travel advisory before you go. Many governments advise traveling with a high degree of caution in Kuwait.
Let's get around
You'll need a visa to enter Kuwait. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Kuwait is a haven for shoppers because they can get almost anything they need at affordable prices, thanks to no value-added tax! There are a lot of modern and traditional bazaars (souq) but the best one that you need to go to when you visit Kuwait is Souq Al-Mubarakiya which is also called the 'big market'.
Best Way to see Kuwait City: TaxisThe most efficient way to get around the city is via taxis. A majority of all tourists travel around the city using the local taxis. It might be costlier than using the bus, but it is way safer and one can reach their destination without much fuss and stress.
The Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) and CityBus run buses in and around Kuwait City, with a flat 300 fils fare for trips in the city and flat 350 fils for longer distances. The two run on the same routes, so KPTC bus 999 will get you to the same place and for the same price as CityBus 999.
Few things to know
1. What is the currency and conversion in Kuwait?
Kuwaiti Dinar
The Kuwaiti dinar is the currency of Kuwait. It is sub-divided into 1,000 fils. As of 2023, the Kuwaiti dinar is the currency with the highest value per base unit, with KD 1 equalling US$3.27, ahead of the Bahraini dinar with BD 1 equalling US$2.65.
1 USD = 0.306972 KWD2. What is the language in Kuwait?
Arabic Language
Arabic is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world. Having emerged in the 1st century, it is named after the Arab people; the term "Arab" was initially used to describe those living in the Arabian Peninsula, as perceived by geographers from ancient Greece.3. Are there many ATMs and Money Exchange?
ATMs in KuwaitATMs are available in US dollar at Kuwait International Airport branch, in addition to the following branches:
NBK Headquarters
Fahed Al-Salem
Ahmadi
Cinema Al-Salmiya
Currency Exchange in KuwaitAt the Arrivals Hall of Kuwait Airport you'll find several Currency Exchange booths in order to proceed to change your foreign currency.
Traveller’s Cheques in KuwaitA Kuwaiti traveller's cheque is a preprinted, fixed-amount note that the signer of the document can use in lieu of hard KWD currency. It is a very common form of payment in Kuwait, and is used worldwide by Kuwaiti travellers for incidental expenses, daily expenses, and tuition. A Kuwaiti traveller's cheque is also much safer than cash. Unlike cash, it is accepted by merchants worldwide. A Kuwaiti traveller's cheque is a type of currency issued by an institution. It has fixed denominations and is used for international Kuwaiti travel. The only difference between a Kuwaiti traveller's cheque and a money order is that the latter is a prepaid cheque with a preset amount. When used properly, it can be used in Kuwait and internationally to pay for services such as trains, hotels, and restaurants. You can also exchange a Kuwaiti traveller's cheque for the local currency when travelling or at a money exchange service in Kuwait.4. What is the time zone in Kuwait?
Arabian Standard TimeTime in Kuwait is given by Arabia Standard Time (AST) (UTC+03:00). Kuwait does not currently observe daylight saving time.
5. What is the climate in Kuwait?
Kuwait has a hyper arid desert climate that is highly variable with recurrent extremes. The climate is marked by four distinct seasons, with long, hot and dry summers and short winters. Maximum daily temperatures can reach 45°C during summer in which there is no rainfall.
6. What is the telephone code in Kuwait?
+965 is the country calling code assigned to Kuwait by the International Telecommunication Union.
7. What is the emergency service in Kuwait?
112
Please call 112 in case of emergency requiring police, ambulance, or fire services.8. What is the driving mode in Kuwait?
Driving in Kuwait is on the right hand side of the road.
9. What is the electricity voltage in Kuwait?
Frequency current used in Kuwait is 220 volt - 50 hertz. A tri-socket (United Kingdom) is used. If you travel to Kuwait with a device does not accept 220 volt - 50 hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
Some highlights in Kuwait
Airlines that fly to Kuwait
These are some of the airlines flying to Kuwait from around the world. Major airlines offer direct flights to Kuwait from all over the world. There are also several connecting flights to Kuwait depending on what countries you depart to which airline you are flying with. In some airlines, you may consider having layovers too.
How long do flights to Kuwait?
The total flight duration from United States to Kuwait is 15 hours, 2 minutes.
This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.
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