Kuwait International Airport (KWI) is situated about 15 kilometers south of Kuwait City's center in the Farwaniya Governorate. It is the only international airport in the State of Kuwait and the primary gateway into the country for most travelers.
The airport is also an important hub for air travel in the Middle East. In 2024, it accommodated over 17 million passengers, ranking as the 10th busiest in the region.
Major Airlines - Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways
Kuwait Airport is home to Kuwait Airways, the country’s national carrier, which connects it to many places around the world, and Jazeera Airways - a budget airline operating numerous regional flights.
Other airlines with a significant number of flights to and from Kuwait Airport include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Air India Express, and Iran Air.
Click here to see all airlines that operate at Kuwait Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Kuwait International Airport comprises 5 terminals with only 3 currently operational.
Terminal 1: This is the primary terminal (sometimes called Terminal M) for most international flights now. It has 16 gates, various dining options, duty-free shops, and lounges.
Terminal 2: Currently under construction, expected to open in 2025 or 2026. It is envisioned as a high-tech, eco-friendly, modern terminal that will accommodate most full-service airlines.
Terminal 3: Permanently closed.
Terminal 4: Dedicated exclusively to Kuwait Airways. featuring nine boarding bridges and five bus gates, enhancing the airline's operational efficiency.
Terminal 5: Serves only Jazeera Airways. It is attached to Terminal 1 but also has separate entrance/exit points, check-in zones, security, lounges, and three departure gates.
A free transit bus runs between Terminals 1 and 4. For moving between other terminals, you can either walk (they are close enough) or take a taxi.
See all destinations from Kuwait Airport.
Transit at Kuwait Airport
In most cases, both your flights will be on Kuwait Airways (Terminal 4) or both on Jazeera Airways (Terminal 5). Since these airlines use the same terminals for all their flights, you will simply stay in that terminal until your next flight.
With the rise of low-cost airlines, all of which using Terminal 1 for now, you may be in a situation where you self-transfer entirely within Terminal 1. In such a case, you won’t need a transit visa and will stay within the airside area of T1 for the full transit period.
However, you may also need to change terminals, say if you arrive at T1 but leave from T4 with Kuwait Airways. In this case, you must use the airport’s transit service (look for the NAS Transit Counter when you land) to avoid the need for a visa.
If the visa is not an issue, then consider the length of your transit. For stays under 4 hours, it’s better to enjoy the airport’s amenities. Longer than 4 hours and you may enter Kuwait and explore some of the city’s sights.
Click here to find out the best things to do in Kuwait City.
Dining Options at Kuwait International Airport.
Kuwait Airport offers a fair amount of choice when it comes to dining and shopping.
The ultra-modern Airport Mall is adjacent to Terminal 1 and has everything you may need: shops, kiosks, services, food outlets, and more. The Food Court inside houses over a dozen well-known and local brands.
Inside Terminals 1 and 4, you will also find several places to eat and drink. Some of them are:
Baskin Robbins in the public area of Terminal 1.
Costa Coffee and Starbucks in the public area of Terminal 4.
C Corner in the security area of Terminal 1.
Del Monte, Le Pain Quotidien, and Caribou Coffee in the security area of Terminal 4.
The airport also has a lot of retail space in its Duty-Free area and plenty of shops to choose from for international brands and Kuwaiti souvenirs alike.
Lounges
Kuwait International Airport provides several lounges, both airline-specific and public access.
You can choose between:
- Terminal 1:
Dasman Lounge - Cozy lounge that accepts Priority Pass, other premium flier programs, and various credit cards.
Pearl Lounge - The lounge with the longest access offered at Kuwait Airport (4 hours). Lounge Key and most Credit Cards are accepted as entry.
- Terminal 4:
Al Mubarakiya Lounge - Open access premium lounge.
Bayan Business Lounge - Exclusive to First and Business class passengers on Kuwait Airways.
Oasis Lounge - Low key lounge free for business class passengers.
Kuwait Airways Lounge - perhaps the best lounge at the airport, although the food selection is limited, especially if you’re a vegetarian.
- Terminal 5:
Jazeera Lounge - a very small lounge with basic amenities.
Pearl Lounge - a small lounge with delicious food and a fridge stocked with drinks.
VIV Lounge - a small but comfortable premium lounge with comfortable seating and complimentary food.
Transportation to and from Kuwait City
To reach Kuwait City from the airport, you can either take one of the public buses, a taxi or organize a private transfer.
- Public Buses
Line 13 goes to Swivel Sheraton and costs 250 fils.
Line 99 goes to Subhan and costs 250/300 fils
Line 501 goes to Raqa'i and costs 250 fils.
These buses operate between 04:30 AM and 23:45.
Intercity Buses: Various other intercity buses serve Kuwait Airport, connecting it to different regions in the country.
Taxi: Taxi stands are right outside the airport. A trip to the city usually takes around 20-25 minutes and costs 8 KWD.
Car Rentals: Major international and local rental companies operate on-site. Most of their kiosk offices are in Terminal 1, although there are at least 2 in Terminal 4.
Parking
Kuwait International Airport offers several parking facilities both for short-term and long-term parking.
- Short-Term Parking
Terminal 4: Right in front of Terminal 4. The parking rate is 500 fils for the first two hours and 1 KWD per hour after that.
P1: Right in front of Terminal 1. The parking rate is 200 fils for the first hour and 400 fils for each additional hour.
- Long-Term Parking
Terminal 4: Besides the short-term parking at T4. It costs 2 KWD per day.
P2: Behind the short-term parking in front of T1. The parking fare is 1 KWD for the first 12 hours and 2 KWD per day.
Hotels near Kuwait Airport
There are no on-site hotels within the terminal buildings, so you will have to leave the airport if you want to stay in a hotel.
The closest and most convenient option is the Safir Airport Hotel, located just 200 meters from the Airport’s main terminal building (Terminal 1). The hotel offers an airside shuttle bus too and facilitates visa-free transits, provided you have 2 flights under the same booking.
Under Kuwaiti law, if you have a transit of more than 8 hours at Kuwait Airport, you are entitled to free accommodation at the Safir. Contact your airline to organize.
Another option is Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al Thuraya City, which is located a 5-minute drive from the airport. It is a luxurious 5-star hotel with a wide range of amenities.
Kuwait, Kuwait
