THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Kuwait International Airport is in Farwaniyah, about
16.5km from the centre of Kuwait City, a fast 20-minute
drive. Operated by the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation, it is considered one of the safest airports
in the world. It is the only civilian airport in
the country. Aeroplane fuel (Jet A-1) is provided
by Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company (KAFCO) and
aircraft catering by Kuwait Aviation Services Company
(KASCO). Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) has its
operational headquarters at Kuwait International
Airport and hangarage for private aircraft is available
through KAC.
The airport has two terminals. The old Terminal
One is used for short-haul passenger flights and
freight, and has nearby cargo handling and storage
facilities. Just east of this terminal is Terminal
Two, the main passenger terminal. All long distance
flights depart from and arrive at Terminal Two,
which is built in the shape of an aeroplane, its
arrival and departure areas forming the wings of
a long fuselage which contains the aircraft access
gates. Passenger facilities reach international
standards and include automatic baggage handling,
TV monitors for flight information, a bank, post
office, restaurant and buffets, hotel reservations
and airline ticketing, shops, a mosque, a transit
zone with duty free area, as well as an express
courier centre and transit hotel.
A two-year $39 million project is launched in September
2000 to expand the country's only international
airport to double its capacity to six million passengers
a year. The project includes car park, shops, airline
offices, restaurants etc. A new terminal is also
in the planning which will be executed on a build,
operate and transfer (BOT) basis.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Vehicle number plates are coloured white on private
cars, blue on government vehicles, reddish orange
on commercial vehicles, and a sort of dun colour
on military vehicles.
Taxis
There are several types of taxis: call taxis,
orange cabs, and wanettes.
Call taxis are radio controlled 24-hour cabs which
are booked by telephoning the company's office.
Fares, based on distance, are cheap, a standard
KD1 for a trip originating and ending within the
same area. Fares get progressively more expensive
as trips extend across area boundaries. Fares
also increase substantially late at night. The
actual fare for a trip is decided by the driver's
controller over the radio, either when the cab
is booked or at the end of the trip. Regular clients
can usually negotiate a discount and credit may
be given.
Orange cabs are of two types. The first type operate
from ranks where they pick up several passengers
going to a particular area and then follow set
routes. Fares are 150fils a person inside the
City, 250fils each (five sharing) from the City
to Salmiya, and 500fils from the City to Fahaheel.
The orange cabs also operate from outside the
main hotels and the airport, where they can be
hired without sharing. Fares start from about
KD1/250, and are negotiable.
Wanettes (pick-up trucks) with red number plates
are only authorized to transport goods and to
carry passengers accompanying goods.
Public Transport: Bus Services
The Kuwait Transport Company (KTC) has a monopoly
on public bus services. KTC has over 30 routes
in operation and coverage of the Metropolitan
Area is comprehensive.
There are two types of buses, ordinary and air-conditioned.
The minimum fare on an ordinary bus is 150fils,
while the cost from the City to Salmiyah is 200fils.
The fare on an air-conditioned bus is 250fils
but for certain short distances it is 150fils.
KTC is however introducing air-conditioned buses
on many routes, replacing the ordinary buses,
the fares remaining same as the ordinary buses.
Season tickets, which are economical for regular
frequent traveller, are available from main bus
stations.
KTC's buses front seats are always reserved for
women. Route maps are available from the KTC terminal
in Mirgab. KTC also operates international bus
services to several cities in Saudi Arabia and
Bahrain. Special Umrah tours (to Mecca) are also
offered by KTC.
DRIVING LICENCES
A GCC national may drive a car in Kuwait on his
home country licence. Non-GCC nationals may not
drive on a GCC licence. An expatriate on a visit
visa may only drive on an international driving
licence for the period of validity of his visa and
any extension and a licence issued in his home country
is not acceptable. Foreign nationals with residence
permits can only drive on a Kuwaiti licence.
Car Hire & Leasing
There are plenty of car hire firms in Kuwait.
To rent a car, foreigners on visit visas need
an international licence, and foreign residents
must have a Kuwaiti licence.
Hire rates, sometimes a combination of time and
distance with the first 150km a day free. Charges
are based on a 24-hour day and an hourly charge
(excess hours) for late returns is made. Special
weekend rates are available. Insurance maybe included
in the hire rates. But those using an international
licence must have their licence validated through
a local insurance company, at a cost of KD9 a
month, the minimum period.
The hire rates shown in the box are based on current
models available from major companies. There are
also plenty of hire firms which hire out three
to four year old small cars for as little as KD3/500
a day, including insurance, or less than KD100
a month, down to as low as KD65 a month for six
month periods.
Distances
Road distances in Kuwait are measured in Kilometers.
As a rough ready-reckoner, to convert kilometres
to miles, divide by eight and multiply by five,
and to convert miles to kilometers, divide by
five and multiply by eight.
| Distances from Safat Square
|
| Area |
Km |
Area |
Km |
| Hawalli |
7.5 |
Fahaheel |
39 |
| Jabriya |
9 |
Ahmadi |
42 |
| Khaldiya |
7.5 |
Shuaiba |
44 |
| Salmiya |
12 |
Mina Abdulla |
50 |
| Salwa |
14.5 |
Al-Adami |
72 |
| Messila |
18.5 |
Mina-Alzour |
93 |
| Fanitees |
23 |
Kheran |
106 |
| Fintas |
28.5 |
Nowaiseeb |
107 |
| Abu-Halifa |
34 |
Abraq Khaitan |
10.5 |
| Mangaf |
36 |
Amriya |
10 |
| Subahiya |
36 |
|
|
HOTELS & MOTELS
There are more than 20 hotels in Kuwait. These are
officially classified as deluxe, first class, and
second class.
Kuwait's top hotels compare favourably with the
best internationally. Facilities include swimming
pools, health clubs, tennis courts, shops, and business
centres. Many have good conference and seminar facilities.
The hotels in Kuwait belong to an informal cartel
and prices are expensive by international standards.
Prices per day in the deluxe class range from KD50
for a single room up to KD100 for an executive suite,
to as much as KD250 for the most expensive suite.
Substantial discounts are usually available for
stays of more than 29 days. In both deluxe and first
class hotels, a 15% service charge is always added
to all prices. Prices per day at the lower end of
the Second Class are about KD15 for a single room
and KD18 for a double. Cheaper long-term rates are
negotiable and there is no service charge.
Kuwait also has a number of establishments which
describe themselves as 'motels', but which are really
serviced apartments. The better ones have flats
with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sitting room and
fully equipped kitchens, and the prices include
housekeeping and laundry services. The motels usually
have swimming pools, satellite TV and international
fax facilities. Cheaper than hotels but offering
similar facilities of comparable quality, they are
suitable for executive expatriates, on short-term
contracts of six months or so, for whom renting
an apartment would not be time or cost effective.
VILLAS & APARTMENTS
Villas and apartments can be found through friends,
advertisements in the local newspapers, real estate
agents, and by wandering around suitable looking
buildings and apartment blocks.
Heating in winter is not really necessary. But in
summer air-conditioning is essential and is of two
types, wall type 'portable' units and central AC.
In some of the large Western style apartment blocks
the central AC conduits are often combined with
the heating system, so in winter the AC must be
shut off to provide heat.
Nearly all apartments and villas are let unfurnished.
Costs vary widely, depending on location and standard.
A small basic flat, the sort that is usually let
to groups of third world nationals, may cost just
about KD100 a month. In some areas, two bedroom
flats in older buildings without central AC cost
KD125, three bedroom flats in slightly better buildings
with central AC about KD250. Ordinary two bedroom
flats in the City without central AC cost about
KD200 a month.
Unfurnished single bedroom executive standard apartments
with central AC in the City and down along the coastline
cost about KD225 a month, while similar three bedroom
apartments cost KD550 or more. An innovation in
recent years is the grouping of fully furnished
executive apartments in 'self-contained' compounds
with excellent amenities such as swimming pools,
tennis courts, restaurants, etc, but these can cost
up to KD850 a month. Villas in the City suburbs
begin at about KD600 a month depending on the furnishings
provided. Large suburban villas may cost well in
excess of KD1,000 a month, with KD2,500 being charged
for the most sumptuously appointed.
Usually a deposit of one month's rent is required,
more for more expensive properties. Rent is normally
payable at the start of the month to which it relates.
Estate agents charge quite high finder's fees, often
one month's rent, but their fees are negotiable.
UTILITIES
Most apartments have a telephone line installed.
Domestic supplies of water and energy are reliable.
Water & Electricity
Most areas of Kuwait have mains water supply,
though in a few places water is still delivered
by truck to tanks on the roof. All residential
areas have an electricity supply. The cost of
water and electricity may or may not be included
in the rent.
To have the power and/or water turned on, the
tenant's civil ID and house rental agreement must
be shown at the local office of the Ministry of
Electricity & Water (MEW). A refundable deposit
is needed.
Cooking Gas
Domestic gas is distributed through a network
of pipes only in the Ahmadi area, and most residents
in Kuwait do their cooking using cylinder gas.
In each area there is a gas cylinder distribution
depot near the local 'coop' supermarket.
A newcomer must buy at least one cylinder (KD8
each) and a connector (KD5). It is best to have
two cylinders, so that a full one is available
when the one in use runs out. Empty cylinders
are exchanged for full ones at the depots for
750 fils each.
COMMUNICATIONS
Kuwait has an extremely sophisticated and complete
range of telecommuni-cation services, all of which
are controlled by the Ministry of Communications
(MOC). Services are provided partly by the MOC and
partly by private bodies regulated by the MOC.
National Telephone Network
Kuwait's national telephone network is operated
by the MOC. Transmission is mostly by fibre optic
cable. The system is reliable.
Installation
Most apartments already have telephone lines installed,
except in new areas such as Qurain. To have a
telephone line turned on, you must submit an application
form, with a copy of your civil ID and tenancy
agreement attached, to your local MOC office.
The cost to a private expatriate subscriber of
having a telephone line switched on (without an
international dial facility) is KD65, ie, KD30
each for the switch-on cost, annual subscription
and deposit, plus KD5 stamp duty. For an international
dial facility, an expatriate must put down a deposit
of KD500, either in cash or in the form of a bank
guarantee.
Those without an international line are billed
once a year for the annual service charge. Subscribers
with international lines are billed monthly. If
the bill is not paid soon after it is issued the
line may be cut off without warning by the MOC's
programmed billing control. If the MOC cuts off
the line, they charge both a disconnection fee
and a reconnection fee. The amount due on any
telephone may be ascertained by dialling the Bills
Enquiry Service on 123.
The MOC provides a range of sophisticated services
for digital telephones, such as conference calling
and international call barring, though most of
these are available on handsets that can be purchased
over the counter in Kuwait. A caller ID service
is also available. This has been very successful
and MOC certified units (which are the only units
which work successfully in all areas of Kuwait)
cost about KD25 in local stores.
Local Calls
Local telephone calls are free, and as most shops
will allow a brief telephone call to be made without
charge, there are few telephone kiosks in the
streets.
International Calls
International calls are fairly expensive (see
table at the end of this chapter). Overseas calls
can be made from ordinary telephones which do
not have international dial facilities by using
a special card, such as an Inter-Key Service card.
The telephone must have tone (not pulse) dialling.
Cards are available in units of KD3, 5 or 10 from
supermarkets and stores. The cards are used by
dialling the service number and following the
instructions. Charges are 10% more than the MOC
rate. Unused portions can be used for further
calls but are not refundable. The cards are valid
for one year.
Public Services
Telephone kiosks are found in the Telecommunications
Centre in Murgab, at main post offices and the
airport, and in a few supermarkets and shopping
malls.
Overseas calls can be made from kiosks in the
Telecommunications Centre and the post offices
using magnetic cards purchased at the counter
for KD3, KD5 or KD10. The card is inserted in
the telephone and the number dialled directly.
The charge is the same as for an ordinary telephone
with an international line. Unused portions of
cards can be used for further calls but cannot
be refunded.
The Telecommunications Centre provides facsimile,
telex and phototelegram services. Facsimile services
are also available at main post offices, and international
telephone and facsimile services are available
at the main hotels. The hotels however usually
charge double the MOC call rate, though long-term
guests may be able to negotiate a discount.
COURIER SERVICES
There are several courier companies in Kuwait. A
few have an internal local delivery service. Charges
are based on distance, and vary from KD2/500 to
KD3/500 at the most for a 5kg package.
There are several international courier firms operating
in Kuwait. At least three types of services are
on offer, letter delivery, document packages and
packaged goods. Prices, based on weight, and some
firms charge a heavy premium for carrying computer
diskettes.
The service to Saudi Arabia is limited to TNT International,
Federal Express and DHL. For expatriates living
in Kuwait whose nearest embassy is in Riyadh a 'visa
bag' service is operated, whereby for an inclusive
fee passports and other documents requiring processing
are taken to an embassy in Riyadh and returned to
Kuwait with total security.
POSTAL SERVICES
The General Post Office is in Fahd al-Salem street
in downtown Kuwait City. There are main post offices
in Safat, Salmiya, Hawalli, Jahra and Fahaheel.
Some years ago a form of postal delivery was started
using private contractors but the reliability and
extent of the service is in doubt. Most mail is
delivered to post office boxes, where it has to
be picked up by the recipient.
All international mail is by air. Registered and
express delivery (which gives priority in sorting
and delivery only in the country of destination)
are available. Ordinary mail to non-Arab countries
is 150fils for upto 20 grams. Registration and express
delivery fees are 200fils a letter. Express delivery
cannot be registered. The enquiry fee for registered
items is also 200fils, as is the acknowledgement
fee for a registered letter. To ensure delivery
overseas it is best to send letters by express delivery
or registered post.
Parcel Post
Parcels can be sent from main post offices. The
weight limit is 20 kilograms, and the size limit
is 42 inches in length or 72 inches in length
and width combined. Insured packages must be sealed
but may not be registered. The package must have
a customs declaration attached.
When a parcel arrives from overseas, the recipient
is notified by a green post card. To claim the
parcel, the recipient must take the green card
with their civil ID or passport to the parcels
office in Kaifan. A parcel is always thoroughly
inspected before it can be taken away.
Mumtaz Mail & Parcel Post
Mumtaz Post is part of the worldwide EMS network,
and mail sent by mumtaz has priority both in Kuwait
and in the country of delivery. The service is
available, from the general Post Office and main
post office, to over 90 countries. Special mumtaz
envelopes must be used. The maximum weight is
15 kilograms. The first half kilogram costs KD5
to Arabic countries and KD6 to all other countries.
Each extra half kilogram coasts KD2 to any country.
Post Office Box
Most residents use the PO box in their place of
work. Some however prefer to have their own. A
person can only rent a PO box in the area in which
he or she lives, so applications are made at the
nearest main post office. The charge in the first
year is KD7, which includes KD3 for a new lock
and key to the box, and KD4 a year after that
. The application form must have a photocopy of
the applicant's civil ID attached to show that
he or she actually lives in the area. If there
is a vacant box, it will be granted straight away.
PAGER & MOBILE TELEPHONES
Kuwait has two operations providing pager and mobile
telephone services, the Mobile Telecommunications
Company (MTC tel 4842000) and the National Mobile
Tele-communications Company (NMTC tel 2435500).
At present, the pager service costs KD20 per year,
in addition to the purchase price of the unit. Mobile
telephones cost upwards of KD25 to buy. Line costs
MTC KD20 NMTC KD 8-10. Call charges for mobiles
MTC 20 fils (calculated on pulse bases) and NMTC
40 fils a minute on both incoming and out going
calls. However, incoming calls between the two (MTC
& NMTC) are not charged. The competition has
intensified and incentives are pushing prices down.
Short-term visitors can hire pagers and mobiles
from companies who advertise in the daily newspapers
at a cost of KD1 per day for the unit and line and
40fils a call.
INTERNET
Kuwait is linked to the internet and there are several
service providers. Monthly subscriptions range from
a high of KD70 for companies to a low of KD25 for
individuals. Some service providers allow unlimited
access while others charge a small time-based usage
fee. Time-based pre-paid internet cards are also
available for KD 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 which allow
internet use for 2 to 100 hours. Kuwait also has
quite a few 'internet cafes' which charge 250 to
500 fils per hour for access.
While DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) offered by Internet
suppliers gives the advantage of connecting to internet
without engaging your phone line, the new concept
'Teleweb' introduced by Global Direct Television
and Shownet Internet Solutions which provides all
computer capabilities in the set-top box (Tel: 807007).
Though this system engages your telephone line,
the download speed is 10-20 times faster than conventional
Internet access and saves the cost of a computer.
Gulf Telecom offers internet through satellite with
faster downloads at affordable price (Tel: 2468111/222).
Quality Net (Q-net) offers DSL connection which
allows users to talk on the phone while using internet
(Tel: 804444).
The Ministry of Communications (MOC) is also studying
the possibility of providing direct Internet access
to subscribers at lower rates. MOC is providing
the existing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with
needed lines and bandwidth.
Fast Telecommunication Company (FTC), launched in
August 2002, specializes in providing turnkey internet
and data communications solutions. It is the first
TSP covering the entire state of Kuwait with high
speed optical fibre and has its own Satellite Earth
Station.
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