Kuwait has no public rail system and no metro. The country operates public buses through the Kuwait Public Transport Company, which runs routes connecting Kuwait City with suburbs including Salmiya, Hawalli, and Fahaheel. Buses accept cash fares and electronic payment cards. Route numbers change periodically and signs are primarily in Arabic. Most expatriate residents and tourists do not use public buses due to infrequent schedules and limited route coverage outside main corridors.
Taxis are widely available but do not use meters consistently. Orange taxis are airport-specific and charge fixed rates from Kuwait International Airport to zones within the city. Regular taxis negotiate fares before departure. Ride-hailing applications including Careem and Uber operate throughout Kuwait and provide the most transparent pricing for visitors. Both applications function in English and accept international credit cards. Wait times average five to fifteen minutes in Kuwait City, Salmiya, and Hawalli.
Rental cars are available from international chains at Kuwait International Airport and in Kuwait City. Kuwait requires an International Driving Permit alongside your home country license. Daily rental rates start around 8 Kuwaiti dinars for economy vehicles. Kuwait drives on the right side of the road. Road signage appears in both Arabic and English on highways but often only in Arabic on smaller streets. Kuwait City traffic peaks between 0700-0900 and 1300-1500 and 1700-1900. The Fifth Ring Road and Sixth Ring Road are major highways encircling the city. Parking in Salmiya and Kuwait City commercial districts is limited during business hours.
Kuwait is a small country. Kuwait City to Al Jahra measures approximately 32 kilometers. Kuwait City to Fahaheel in the south measures approximately 30 kilometers. The drive from Kuwait City to the northern edge near the border with Iraq measures roughly 50 kilometers. No point in Kuwait is more than 90 minutes by car from Kuwait City under normal traffic conditions.
Ferries do not operate regular passenger service to Kuwait's islands. Failaka Island was accessible by ferry before 1990 but services remain suspended. Private boat charters operate from marinas in Salmiya and Fintas for fishing and island visits but these are not scheduled public transport.
Walking is impractical for most transportation needs. Sidewalks exist in Kuwait City, Salmiya, and Hawalli but summer temperatures make walking outdoors dangerous between May and September. Distances between points of interest exceed comfortable walking range. Al Shaheed Park in Kuwait City and the Salmiya waterfront promenade are exceptions where walking is the intended mode of movement.
Kuwait experiences extreme seasonal temperature variation. Summer months from June through September regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius with peak temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius. The highest reliably recorded temperature in Kuwait was 54 degrees Celsius at Mitribah on 21 July 2016. Humidity rises significantly in August and September when the Persian Gulf water temperature peaks. Outdoor activity during daytime summer hours is medically unsafe for most visitors.
Winter months from December through February offer the only comfortable outdoor temperatures. Daytime highs average 18-22 degrees Celsius. Nighttime temperatures drop to 8-12 degrees Celsius. Rain falls occasionally between November and March with total annual precipitation averaging 100-150 millimeters. January is the coolest month. February sees occasional rainfall but remains largely dry.
Spring from March through May sees rapid temperature increases. March averages 23-27 degrees Celsius. April reaches 30-35 degrees Celsius. May regularly exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. Dust storms occur most frequently in March and April when northwesterly winds carry sand across the Arabian Peninsula. Visibility during dust storms drops below 500 meters and flights may be delayed.
Autumn consists only of October and November. October temperatures range from 30-35 degrees Celsius early in the month to 25-28 degrees Celsius by month end. November averages 20-25 degrees Celsius. These months receive minimal rainfall and offer a second window for outdoor activity though less reliably comfortable than winter months.
Kuwait observes Islamic holidays following the lunar calendar. Ramadan shifts approximately eleven days earlier each year. During Ramadan, restaurants and cafes close during daylight hours or restrict service to takeaway. Hotels serve meals to guests in designated areas. Public eating, drinking, and smoking before sunset are prohibited by law. Business hours reduce significantly. Ramadan occurs in winter months through 2027 when it begins shifting toward spring.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha each close government offices, banks, and many businesses for three to four days. Private sector hours vary. These holidays require advance booking for hotels and flights as Kuwaiti residents travel regionally. Kuwait National Day falls on 25 February and Liberation Day on 26 February. These are public holidays with government closures and evening fireworks at Kuwait Towers and along the waterfront.
Tourist activity peaks from November through March. Hotels in Kuwait City and Salmiya charge highest rates during these months and during major conferences at the Kuwait International Fair grounds. Summer months from June through August see the lowest hotel rates as business travel declines and temperatures deter leisure visitors. Many Kuwaiti residents travel abroad during July and August when schools close.