TRANSPORT
Kuwait has a well developed road system, but there are no trains and public transport is limited to buses and taxis.
   In the near future a rapid transit system serving the coastal corridor, with direct access into Kuwait City using fixed track vehicles or automated buses, may be created. A proposed GCC-Railway may have terminals in Shuaiba and Shuwaikh. Future plans also include passenger ferries linking the City to Faylaka Island, and to mainland Subiya and Bubiyan Island, and a bridge linking Shuwaikh to Subiya.

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.

LOCATING AN ADDRESS
Getting around Kuwait is easy and quick provided you know your way, as the whole of the Metropolitan Area is laid out in a conical grid-like pattern of main roads, feeder roads and local roads. In addition, most road signs are in English as well as Arabic, though many streets are not sign-posted.

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.