The national airline is Kuwait Airways (KU) (website: www.kuwait-airways.com).

KWD2; transit passengers not leaving the airport transit area and children under 12 are exempt.

Kuwait (KWI) (website: www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) lies 16km (10 miles) south of Kuwait City (journey time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses depart to the city (journey time – 30 minutes), and taxis are available. Most of the luxury hotels arrange transfers to and from the airport. Facilities: Restaurants, shops, cafe, bank/bureau de change, mobile phone hire, car hire, conference room and post office.

Main ports: Kuwait City. More than 30 shipping lines call regularly at Kuwait City. Most traffic is commercial.

All road links with Iraq, and therefore through to the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan, are advised against due to political instability within Iraq. It is also wise to check with the embassy before considering travelling to Lebanon.

There are bus services between Kuwait City and Cairo (Egypt), via Aqaba in Jordan and Nuweiba in Egypt. Buses also operate to Damman in Saudi Arabia. The main land route into Saudi Arabia is Beirut–Damascus–Amman– Kuwait, which follows the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (TAP line) through Saudi Arabia.

Dhows and other small craft may be chartered for trips to the offshore islands.

Traffic drives on the right. There is a good road network between cities. Driving can be hazardous and constant vigilance is essential.

Bus: Kuwait Transport Company operates a nationwide service which is both reliable and inexpensive.

Taxi: These are recognisable by red licence plates and may be hired by the day, in which case fares should be agreed beforehand. Share-taxis are also available. Hailing taxis from the road is not advisable, particularly for females. It is recommended that taxis are booked in advance by telephone from a reputable taxi company. A standard rate is applicable in most taxis, but those at hotel ranks are more expensive. Tipping is not expected.

Car hire: Self-drive is available. If you produce an International Driving Permit, the hire company will, within five days, grant a temporary local licence valid for one month.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required. A temporary driving licence is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid UK driving licence. Insurance must be arranged with the Gulf Insurance Company or the Kuwait Insurance Company.