Kuwait
ุงููููุช
Careem and Uber both work. Talabat is the dominant food delivery app.
๐Rideshare & Taxi
All apps โ
Middle East rideshare super-app. Rides arm owned by Uber; the app is majority-owned by e&.
Strong rideshare.
The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
New here โ launched September 2026 with Taxi, Comfort, Black and Lux rides.
๐บ๏ธNavigation & Maps
All apps โ
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Strong.
๐ฑMessaging
All apps โ
The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal for hotels, drivers, and restaurants.
๐ฑFood Delivery
All apps โ
Dominant food delivery in Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain.
Dominant food delivery.
Is Kuwait one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- G
- Voltage
- 240V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
British plug.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated; a service charge is often added at upscale restaurants, and leaving 10-15% or rounding up for good service, as well as small tips for hotel and valet staff, is customary.
CurrencyKWD
Arabic you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
โ Do
- Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees, especially women, though Kuwait is more relaxed than some neighbors
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items, as the left hand is considered unclean
- Accept offered Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates when visiting, as hospitality is highly valued
- Greet elders and hosts first and respond warmly to 'As-salamu alaykum'
- Be especially respectful during Ramadan and avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight fasting hours
- Ask permission before photographing people, particularly women
โDon't
- Do not bring, consume, or discuss alcohol or drugs; both are strictly illegal with severe penalties
- Avoid public displays of affection between couples, which can cause offense and legal trouble
- Do not show the soles of your feet or point them at people, and avoid pointing with a single finger
- Avoid any criticism of the ruling family, Islam, or local customs
โ ๏ธ Common scams to know
- Unofficial taxis at the airport overcharging tourists; use metered or app-based services and agree on fares in advance
- Inflated 'tourist' pricing at souks and markets where bargaining is expected, so haggle politely on non-fixed-price goods
- Online and phone scams impersonating banks or government services requesting personal or card details
- Overcharging at some currency exchange points; compare rates before exchanging
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us โ here's how we check.