Owais Crawford
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) is a busy airport with two terminals: a main terminal and a smaller, newer Sheikh Saad Terminal. While it is not designed for layovers, the airport offers plenty of eateries and shopping options, lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and other facilities. If you have a long layover, you can explore some of the tourist attractions in the State of Kuwait, or if your layover is over eight hours, you may be entitled to a free hotel stay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Layover duration | 4 hours or more |
| Airport facilities | Eateries, shopping options, lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, ATMs, etc. |
| Airport staff | Reported as rude and unhelpful |
| Sleeping in the terminal | Technically illegal for foreigners, but some travellers have managed to do so |
| Hotel stay | Travellers with a layover of more than 8 hours are entitled to a free room at the Safir Airport Hotel |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping arrangements and airport lounges
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) has two terminals: a main terminal and a smaller, newer Sheikh Saad Terminal. Terminal 1 has plenty of eateries and shopping options, but the airport facilities have been described as "dingy", and the airport staff and security are known for being uncooperative and incompetent.
Sleeping in the terminals is reportedly illegal for foreigners, but some travellers have managed to do so. If you do plan to sleep in the terminal, it is recommended that you bring warm clothes, as the AC is strong.
For a more comfortable option, there are airport lounges that are accessible 24 hours a day. The Al-Mubarakiya (Terminal 4, Kuwait Airlines) lounge takes priority pass and is open 24 hours. Travellers have reported being able to take naps in the lounge, and there are constantly cleaned bathrooms available for freshening up. There are also paid lounges that you can pay for upon entrance.
If you have a long layover, you may be entitled to a free room at the Safir Airport Hotel, which is located on airport grounds between the Main Terminal and the Amiri Terminal. According to Kuwait air transport law, transit passengers with more than an eight-hour layover can access this perk. To get to the hotel, guests must go to the transit counter and arrange the service bus transfer. There are also other hotels near the airport, including the Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City and the Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City.
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Nearby hotels
If you have a long layover at Kuwait Airport, there are several hotels nearby that you can consider staying at. Here are some options:
Safir Airport Hotel
The Safir Airport Hotel is located inside Kuwait International Airport's restricted zone and is just a 10-minute shuttle ride from the terminal. It is designed with the comfort and convenience of transit passengers in mind, offering luxurious seating and relaxation areas, including a traditional Kuwaiti diwaniya. The hotel also features a 24-hour restaurant serving traditional Arabic and international cuisine, a VIP dining area, a complimentary bar, and a well-equipped fitness centre. Under Kuwaiti air transport law, travellers with a connecting flight wait of more than eight hours are entitled to a free room at the Safir, courtesy of their air carrier.
Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City
The Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City is a stylish hotel located just a 5- to 8-minute drive from Kuwait International Airport, offering a free shuttle service. It features nine speciality restaurants, conference facilities, and a luxury spa. It is a great location for both business and leisure travellers, with easy access to the Shuwaikh Industrial Area, oil and gas projects, major banks, and upscale shopping malls.
Grand Hyatt Kuwait
The Grand Hyatt Kuwait is situated near Kuwait International Airport and offers concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a garden, free WiFi, and a terrace. It is also conveniently located near lots of restaurants.
Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City
The Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City is another convenient option, just a 5-minute drive from the airport. It offers free WiFi throughout the property and features an Aquatonic Pool and a fitness centre.
Le Jazz Hotel
Le Jazz Hotel is located 1.9 miles from Al Sha'b Theme Park and offers free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, and spacious rooms with seating areas. It is a great option for those seeking a clean and well-designed space to stay.
Times Square Hotel
The Times Square Hotel provides guests with amenities such as air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a kitchenette. It also offers free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, room service, and express check-in and check-out.
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Food and shopping
If you have a layover of less than four hours in Kuwait Airport, you can still shop, eat, and rest.
For food, the Al-Mubarakiya lounge in Terminal 4 offers a 24-hour buffet. There are also paid lounges that you can pay for upon entrance. However, one source suggests that Kuwait Airport is not designed for layovers, and staff are not very cooperative or competent.
If you have a layover of eight hours or more, you are eligible for a free stay at the airport hotel. To verify this, you can contact the hotel directly at [email protected]. One source mentions that there is a bus that takes you to and from the hotel.
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Transport between terminals
Kuwait International Airport is not designed for layovers, with separate terminals and a lack of service provisions. However, if you have a long layover, there are a few options for transport between the airport's two terminals. The airport provides a free shuttle bus service between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which runs every 10 to 15 minutes and takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes, depending on traffic. This is especially useful during the hot summer months when walking between the terminals is not recommended. The distance between the two terminals is approximately 1.5 kilometres, which takes around 15 to 20 minutes to walk.
If you prefer a more comfortable journey, taxis are also available at the airport, with designated drop-off areas outside the arrivals terminal. Taxi fares are typically fixed but may vary depending on your destination. It is worth noting that taxis are only permitted to drop off passengers at the airport and not pick them up. For a more economical option, you can consider taking the public bus, which has multiple routes serving the airport. Additionally, if you plan to stay longer in Kuwait, you can rent a car from major providers such as Avis, Budget, or Hertz, which are all located within the airport premises.
During your layover, you can access various airport lounges, such as the Pearl Lounge and the Dasman Lounge, which offer amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi, beverages, snacks, and comfortable seating areas. Some lounges, like the Al-Mubarakiya Lounge in Terminal 4, accept priority pass and are open 24 hours. If your layover is 8 hours or longer, you may even be eligible for a complimentary stay at the airport hotel.
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Connecting flights
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) has two terminals: a main terminal and a smaller, newer Sheikh Saad Terminal (Terminal 4). While the airport has plenty of eateries and shopping options, its facilities have been described as "dingy", and the staff and security are known for being "rude and unhelpful".
If you have a long layover in Kuwait, you may want to leave the airport and explore some of the tourist attractions in the State of Kuwait. However, if you have less than four hours between flights, you may want to stay in the airport and rest, shop, eat, or relax in one of the airport's halls. Kuwait Airport has 24-hour shopping and dining options, including duty-free shopping, retail stores, a food court, restaurants, banking, currency exchange, ATMs, car rental agencies, a pharmacy, a medical clinic, a barbershop, and hotel reservation desks. There are also airport lounges, which you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or through a lounge membership program.
If you have a long layover of eight or more hours, you may be entitled to a free room at the Safir Airport Hotel, which is located inside Kuwait International Airport. To access the hotel, guests must go to the transit counter and arrange a service bus transfer. The hotel features a spacious lobby and reception area with a business centre, a mosque, and luxurious seating and relaxation areas, including a traditional Kuwaiti diwaniya. The hotel also has a restaurant serving traditional Arabic and international cuisine, a steam room, a fitness centre, a games room, and a temperature-controlled swimming pool and sundeck.
If you have a short layover, you may still have enough time to catch your next flight. One source states that 55 minutes is enough time to navigate through the airport and get to your next flight, even if your flight is delayed. However, another source states that switching terminals during a short layover can be stressful, and the taxi and wait time to disembark are always long at KWI.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you spend more than 4 hours in transit, you can leave the airport and explore some of the tourist attractions in Kuwait.
Yes, there are several lounges in Kuwait Airport, including the Al-Mubarakiya (Terminal 4, Kuwait Airlines) lounge, which accepts priority pass and is open 24 hours. There are also paid lounges that you can access by paying at the door.
Yes, there are several hotels near Kuwait Airport, including the Safir Airport Hotel, which is located inside the airport's restricted zone and offers free rooms to transit passengers with layovers of more than eight hours. Other nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City and the Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City.
