Capital Governorate is the heart of Kuwait: the Gulf Road with Kuwait Towers, Souq Al-Mubarakiya, the Grand Mosque, Sadu House, the National Museum and Al Shaheed Park all sit within a short ride of each other in and around Kuwait City.
Street crime against visitors in Kuwait City is low, but the regional security situation is the main factor in 2026: hostilities between the United States and Iran that began on 28 February 2026 brought drone and missile threats and disrupted aviation. The US State Department lists Kuwait at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), in an advisory dated 28 August 2026. The UK FCDO moved its all-but-essential-travel advice on and off during 2026 and removed it again on 20 August 2026. Check current advice before booking.
Current safety advisory
Elevated
Kuwait City has low street crime; the regional security situation is the main risk in 2026. The US State Department lists Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) as of 28 August 2026, and UK advice has changed repeatedly. Emergency number for police, ambulance and fire is 112.
Last updated: 2026-10-21
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Check your government's current travel advisory before departure and again before flying; the regional security situation has changed repeatedly in 2026, and airspace and flights have been disrupted.
Register with your embassy's traveller programme and follow official alerts and Kuwait Ministry of Interior notices (112 for emergencies).
Be ready to shelter indoors if sirens or official alerts sound, and keep a charged phone, passport copy and some cash.
Avoid security and military sites, border areas and large public demonstrations.
In summer avoid outdoor activity between 11:00 and 16:00 and carry water.
Drive defensively if renting a car: traffic is fast and accidents are a major cause of injury.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unmetered or inflated taxi fares
Street taxis and some airport drivers may quote a flat fare above the meter rate.
How to avoid: Use Careem or Uber, which show the fare before the ride, or agree the price before getting in.
Souq overpricing
Opening prices for gold, perfume, oud and textiles in tourist areas can be well above market.
How to avoid: Compare two or three shops, bargain politely on non-gold goods, and ask for a receipt.
Online and phone fraud
Fake delivery, bank or government messages asking for card details or one-time codes are common in the Gulf.
How to avoid: Never share one-time codes; use only official apps and confirm requests with the bank or ministry directly.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No mandatory vaccinations for most travellers from outside yellow-fever zones; routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly advised. Check current entry rules with the embassy.
- Water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated; most residents and visitors drink bottled or filtered water.
- Food
- Food hygiene standards are generally high; take care with heat and refrigeration at outdoor events.
- Facilities
- Amiri Hospital in Sharq, Kuwait City, is a major government hospital; private clinics and hospitals operate across the city. Bring travel insurance with medical cover. Carry prescriptions in original packaging; some medicines containing codeine or tramadol are controlled, so check with the Kuwait Ministry of Health before travelling.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Share the itinerary and accommodation address with someone at home., Save 112, your embassy number and the accommodation address in Arabic on your phone., Do not photograph military or government sites; do not criticise the Amir or government online or in person.
Female travellers
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) in public places to avoid unwanted attention., Use Careem or Uber at night and share the ride details with someone., Use family sections in restaurants if preferred; many cafes have mixed seating.
Families
Keep children hydrated and out of the midday sun from May to October., Use age-appropriate car seats in rented cars; many taxis do not carry them., Hold children's hands in busy traffic; drivers are fast and pavements are limited outside the old centre.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Consensual sexual acts between men are a criminal offence in Kuwait (Penal Code Article 193, up to seven years in prison) and morality laws are applied broadly. A 2007 provision against 'imitating the opposite sex' was struck down in 2022, but other decency provisions remain. Travellers should be discreet and avoid public affection.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
- Fire
- 112
- General Emergency
- 112
- Main Hospital
- Amiri Hospital, Sharq, Kuwait City (call 112 for an ambulance).
- Embassy Us
- Check travel.state.gov and kw.usembassy.gov for the current US Embassy contact; routine consular services were reported suspended from 5 March 2026.
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Kuwait: check gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kuwait for current contact details.