Kuwait City Airport Guide

sleeping in kuwait city airport — (photo courtesy of schreibk / April 2010)

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.

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. WiFi is also available to help pass the time.

Kuwait City Airport Guide — (Photo courtesy of schreibk / 12Apr2010)

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.

Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kuwait City Airport Guide.

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.

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.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the 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.

Hotels near KWI airport

InterContinental Kuwait Al Thuraya City by IHG (2.1 mi / 3.4 km) – Luxury hotel.
Holiday Inn Kuwait Al Thuraya City by IHG (2.2 mi / 3.5 km) – Mid-range hotel.
Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City by IHG (2.2 mi / 3.5 km) – Upscale hotel.
Grand Hyatt Kuwait (2.4 mi / 3.9 km) – Luxury hotel.

Looking for more options? Browse the complete list of hotels near Kuwait City Airport on Expedia.

Airport Lounges

Pearl Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal 1, near Gates 19–20. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from approx. KWD 10/USD $32) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Eligible business class passengers of select airlines.

Dasman Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal 1, near Gates 21–22. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No.
Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from approx. KWD 10 /USD $32) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Complimentary access for Kuwait Airways business class and Oasis Club Gold/Platinum members.

Al Mubarakiya Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal 4. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Kuwait Airways premium class passengers and Oasis Club elites only.

Kuwait Airways First Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal 4. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Kuwait Airways first-class passengers only.

Al Mubarakiya Pearl Lounge – Location: Airside, Terminal 4, near boarding gates. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (approx. KWD 12/USD $39) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Certain airline partners.

Sheikh Saad Terminal Lounge (VIP Terminal) – Location: Landside, Sheikh Saad Terminal (T5, dedicated VIP terminal). Hours: 24 hours (based on private jet and VIP flights). Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No.
Lounge Access: Access restricted to VIP/chartered travellers and officials.

Drinking Water

A reader reports a water fountain near the restrooms. (September 2025)

Food & Drinks

Food options are available both landside and airside, including cafés and quick-service restaurants.

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 are available inside several airport lounges. See Airport Lounges.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Kuwait Airport. Connect to the “free.airport.wi-fi” network.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Airport Mall – A large airport shopping area connected to the main terminal offers duty-free shopping, retail stores, restaurants, a food court, banking services, currency exchange, ATMs, car rental agencies, a pharmacy, medical clinic, barbershop, mobile phone kiosks and hotel reservation desks. Some shops and dining options are open 24 hours. Location: Connected to both the Arrivals and Departures halls of the main passenger terminal.

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available throughout the terminal and inside the Airport Mall. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally.

Banks – Several banks offer services at the airport. Locations and hours are unknown.

Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available in multiple locations throughout the airport.

Duty-Free & Shopping – See “Airport Mall”

Luggage Packing – A luggage wrapping service is available. Hours: 24 hours. Rate: approx. 750 fils per bag.

Medical Care – A health centre provides 24-hour medical care for passengers and airport staff.

Pharmacy – A pharmacy is available in the Airport Mall.

Travel Agencies – Several travel agencies have offices at the airport, including Alsayed Travel & Tourism, Qiblah, Global Holidays, AlMaktab Travel and National Aviation Travel Services. These agencies can assist with local arrangements or last-minute travel planning.

Airlines

Kuwait City Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air Cairo • Air China • Air France • Air India • AlMasria Universal Airlines • Armenia AirCompany • AtlasGlobal • Azerbaijan Airlines • Biman Bangladesh Airlines • British Airways • Cham Wings Airlines • Egypt Air • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • flydubai • FlyBosnia • FlyEgypt • Flynas • Gulf Air • IndiGo • Iran Air • Iran Aseman Airlines • Iraqi Airways • Jazeera Airways • Jordan Aviation • KLM • Kuwait Airways • Lufthansa • Mahan Air • Middle East Airways • Nile Air • Oman Air • Onur Air • Pegasus Airlines • Qatar Airways • Royal Jordanian • Salam Air • Saudia • Syrian Air • SriLankan Airlines • Turkish Airlines.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

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 Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Flat rates are available.

Last updated: 2026-03-09

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.