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KUWAIT CITY INFORMATION

Getting around
Taxis are the best way to get around. The orange city taxis can be hailed in the street, though they only operate fixed

routes and are usually in poor condition. It is sometimes a better option to book a car in advance by phone.

Ask your hotel to recommend a reputable company. Kuwait's taxis have no meters, so agree a price before you get in.

In general, any trip within the city centre is about Kd1 (£1.80).
If you want to hire a car, try Hertz in the arrivals lounge of the international Airport (tel 965 431 9326).

Business hours
Banks 08.00-12.00 Sat-Thur
Offices 07.00-14.00 Sat-Wed (winter); 07.30-14.00 Sat-Wed (summer).

Goverrnment offices: 07.30-13.30 (winter); 07.00-11.00 (summer)
Shops 08.30-12.30 Sat-Thur; 16.30-21.00 Fri

public holidays
Jan 1, Feb 23, 25, 26, Mar 15, May 25, Oct 5, Dec 6 (or approx.)

time zone
GMT+3hrs

local voltage
220/240V AC 50Hz

tipping
A service charge is usually added to bills in restaurants and hotels, if not add 10%.

local press
Arab Times and the Kuwait Times are the two English-language newspapers.

shopping
Kuwait City's shopping facilities are excellent. The only drawback is that shops of a kind are grouped together,

such as the shoe souk, the plant souk, etc, so that you have to visit several areas to buy different items.

There are a lot of pirate videos and music cassettes, but remember it is illegal to import these into Western countries.

Casual cotton clothing from India and Taiwan is available in the souks, but tends to be a bit gaudy.
The main shopping and commercial street is Fahad al-Salem Street, which becomes Ahmed al-Jaber Street north of

Al-Safat Square. Shopping arcades are growing in popularity. The Salhia shopping centre is attached to

Le Meridien and is the place to go for exclusive boutiques.
The best place to buy authentic Bedouin crafts is the Sadu House (Arabian Gulf Street).

VISA requirements
British nationals and the nationals of 33 other approved countries

(listed on the Kuwaiti Information Centre website)

can acquire one-month visit/business visas on arrival in Kuwait. Visas cost around £6.