Kuwait City - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are safe and reasonable affordable. There are buses, but I'm not aware of any embassy personnel that use them. Schedules are not posted, and waiting for the bus in the summer would almost certainly lead to heat stroke. - May 2023
There is local Uber, calls Karim. It is fairly easy to use. Public transportation is almost non-existent here. - May 2023
I take a taxi or a careem (Kuwait version of Uber). The taxi I use is more expensive, but I use almost exclusively. It is expensive, but most everything here is, except gas, domestic help, and water. - Apr 2022
Taxis are OK and frankly almost essential unless you self drive. Western expats generally do not use buses. There are no trams. - Feb 2020
Taxis can be between US$7-10 a ride. Buses are around $2/ride, but I've never taken the bus. - Nov 2018
Taxis are safe and available, but a bit expensive. The buses are used by foreign workers. There are no trains. - May 2017
The local public transport is safe to use. Mostly buses. Taxis are plentiful. Most people work with a specific driver that they trust. - Mar 2017
There are no trams or trains. Taxis are not standardized. It's best to find a company you trust that will send taxis with seat belts and an English-speaking driver and a set price. They are cheap compared to Washington, DC, but meters don't work and you have to agree before you get in the car or know what it should cost, hand them the money, and be willing to just get out. It's a balance, you don't want to cheat anyone, but you don't want to be taken advantage of either. - Aug 2016
Taxis are safe/ish. Often No seat belts, and driving in Kuwait is in and of itself slightly dangerous given the price of fuel. Taxis are kind of expensive. A typical cost to work from home was US$12 for 8km distance. - Jun 2015
No trains. Taxis are safe and affordable. But buses are not a good option. - Mar 2015
No trains and buses are dirt cheap. Taxi's cost medium range (it's a small country, about the size of New Jersey. You can ride across the whole country for about US$25). - Dec 2013
Some staff take taxis, but they aren't inexpensive. - May 2013
Find a good, reliable taxi company and use them. - Feb 2013
We do not use busses and trains. We call a taxi, which is nice when we need one. - Jan 2013
Very little local transport. Taxis are fairly expensive compared to other Middle Eastern countries. - May 2012
I do not know of any Americans or any British friends who take the local buses. They aren't reliable enough to follow a set schedule and may be late or early. Many, many people take taxis here. They range in price and are safe, but be sure to only get in a marked taxi and not someone who pulls over and may not be a taxi. - May 2012
Taxis are what ex-pats tend to use, but the bus system is reliable and much cheaper. In busses, be careful about sitting next to the window, as kids sometimes like to throw bricks at them. - Jan 2012
Taxis are cheap. Only third-world nationals ride the buses. Most seem to have only men on board. That says enough. - Jul 2010
There are a couple of reputable taxi companies. - Jul 2010
No trains. I wouldn't take a bus, too nasty and dirty, and I have no idea if they are safe or not. Taxis were a decent option, fairly affordable. - Jul 2008
Only foreign workers take buses. They are probably safe, but not advisible. Taxis are fine. - Jun 2008
