Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Kuwait City Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
Kuwait airport has grown to become a shopping mall. – a traveller
KWI Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Kuwait City International Airport.
What to Expect
Kuwait City Airport (Code: KWI) consists of two terminals: its main terminal and a smaller and newer Sheikh Saad Terminal. While Terminal 1 has plenty of eateries and shopping options, overall, the airport facilities are described as dingy, and the airport staff and security have a reputation for being rude and unhelpful. Expect long check-in and security line-ups, and double-check to ensure you are being correctly processed. Otherwise, you may have to start again at the back of the line. Delayed flights are a regular occurrence at this airport, a problem compounded by a lack of airside seating. Comfort may be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates. WiFi is also available to help pass the time.
Sleeping in Kuwait Airport
Foreign nationals are not allowed to remain in the airport for more than three hours, and overnight stays are not allowed. Any foreign traveller who tries to spend the night will be escorted to a nearby transit hotel. For Kuwaiti nationals who wish to spend the night at the airport, there is a sleeping area near the big round mosque above the security checkpoints on the departure level. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kuwait City Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Kuwait City Airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a transit hotel and hotels near the airport:
Safir Airport Hotel – Located on airport grounds between the Main Terminal and the Amiri Terminal and directly accessible from the runway, this hotel is for transit passengers. Per Kuwait air transport law, transit passengers with more than an eight-hour layover are entitled to a free room at the hotel. To access the hotel, guests must go to the transit counter and arrange the service bus transfer. » Check Rates
Hotels near KWI airport
- Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City – Free airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
- Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Kuwait City, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Dasman Lounge – Location: Terminal M, Airside, after Gate 26. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
- Pearl Lounge – Location: Terminal M, Airside, opposite Gate 2. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Pearl Lounge Sheikh Saad – Location: Sheikh Saad Terminal, Airside. Fly Dubai International passengers only. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
- Al Mubarakiya Lounge – Location: Terminal 4, Airside, near Gates B5. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Kuwait City Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food options are available landside and airside. Hours: unknown.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Showers can be found in the lounges. [ see Airport Lounges above for locations ]
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Kuwait Airport. Connect to the “free.airport.wi-fi” network.
More Airport Information
Airport Mall – You name it, it’s available here: Duty-free shopping, retail stores, a food court, restaurants, banking, currency exchange, ATMs, car rental agencies, pharmacy, medical clinic, barbershop, mobile phone kiosks and hotel reservation desks. 24-hour shopping and dining options are available! Location: Connected to both Arrivals and Departures Halls of the main passenger terminal. Easily accessible by passengers, airport staff and the public.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: throughout the airport and the Airport Mall.
Banks – There are five banks offering services at the airport. Location: unknown. Hours: unknown.
Currency Exchange – Yes, there are three locations providing currency exchange.
Duty-Free & Shopping – See “Airport Mall”
Luggage Packing – 24-hour luggage packing service available. Rate: 750 fils. Hours: 24 hours.
Medical Care – The Health Center offers 24-hour medical care to all passengers and airport staff.
Pharmacy – Yes, located in the Airport Mall.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Kuwait City and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, several travel agencies with offices at the airport can probably be of assistance. Alsayed Travel & Tourism, Qiblah, Global Holidays, AlMaktab Travel and National Aviation Travel Services.
Buses
Kuwait Public Transport bus lines 13, 99, and 501 access the airport. Bus service runs from 4:30 AM – 11:45 PM. At the time of this update, a one-way bus ticket is 250 – 300 fils.
Car Rentals
These car rental agencies offer service on-site: Al-Khalijia • Araba • Avis • Behbehani Group • Budget • Dollar • Drive • Hertz • Makfm • National • Rekab.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Flat rates are available.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.