Kuwait City Layover

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Welcome to
Kuwait City

Arabian Gulf

Currency:

The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) divided into 1000 fils (100 fils = approx 37¢ US)

100 fils

50 fils

20 fils

5 fils

1 fil

Exhange Rate:

FXCheatSheet - Travelers Currency Cheatsheet
Click on link and go to :"Get my FXCheatSheet", a printable
wallet-sized version, provided by Oanda.com

Weather & Climate:

Send Your Kuwait tips to info@airlinelayovers.com

Getting Around Town:
Use hotel van or hotel recommended taxis.

Restaurants We Like:
- There are many walk-up, take-out places with rotisserie chicken, hummus, bread - also takeout Indian. Very inexpensive - walking distance. Some restaurants will deliver, i.e., pizza - ask front desk which restaurants deliver. Expect to pay cash in smaller restaurants and kiosks.
- Hotel has a terrific breakfast buffet. Crew room offers continental breakfast.
- There are well known restaurants, such as Starbucks, TGIF, Chili's. The Sharq mall has several "fast food" places, including the familiar, then there are more interesting such as fast Thai.
- La Piazza - Good Italian - walking distance
- Oriental - good variety - take out - will deliver - call 2456553
- Caesar's - really good Indian, walking distance
- Saj Express
- "99" - walking. They will also deliver - 2429665- the hummus is great
- Seven Seas - cab
- AsiaAsia
- Panini - sandwiches, salad, pizza, desserts - takeout or deliver - near Al-Seif Palace. Phone: 2422245 or 2435168
- The restaurants in the hotel are very good, but not inexpensive, although crew discount is offered.
- Crew room has 24 -hour snacks (mostly cookies), bottled water, sodas, coffee
machine and a microwave.
- Alcohol is illegal; do not bring it with you. You will quite possibly be stopped and could potentially be arrested.
Tipping: Although Kuwaitis generally do not tip, foreigners are expected to do so. A service charge of 15% is usually added to bills in restaurants and hotels; if not a tip of 10% is acceptable. Taxi drivers appreciate a small tip for long journeys.

Shopping Finds:
- Gold
- Scarves
- Spices
- Carpets (see August 2007 tip of the month)
- There is a huge open-air market near the airport. Rugs, clothes, furniture - large assortment of items. We have been told that the "Friday market" is actually open every day of the week but it's the biggest on Friday because all have that day off and the prices are the best that day. Double check with concierge to make sure that it's open - some people are arriving on days other than Friday and finding that it isn't. (Thanks Scott!)
- Bargaining is common place in the markets. Initiating bargaining indicates the intent to purchase once the price is agreed upon. Don't start bargaining unless you plan to buy. Start at half what you would like to pay and be courteous. Gold is 21 or 22 karat; some is 18 or less. Sold by the gram. Get a receipt which indicates the gold karats. Workmanship is typically included in the price.

What to See:
Kuwait Photo Gallery

Souk Market - old market - about 30 minute walk	Sharq Mall - very modern, huge grocery on ground floor
Gold Market	Old City Gates
Kuwaiti Towers - 1 KD admission fee - go up to observation deck	At Dhow Harbor - Science Museum, Imax, Aquarium
Green Island	Saud House (weaving house)
Tareq Rajab Museum - private collection of the Rajab family. Calligraphy, pottery, metalwork, glass, wood, ivory and jade carvings of the Islamic world.	The Liberation Tower - symbol of Kuwaiti liberation
National Museum - comprehesive collection of Islamic art	Camel Races (see tip of the month Jan 09)
The Scientific Center - www.tsck.org.kw 848 888 - includes an aqaurium, discovery place and IMAX. open 7 days a week.	The Grand Mosque - free tours available with English speaking guide. Everyday except Friday. Arrange with concierge upon arrival for next day a.m. tour.
War Museum -

What's On Around Town: -
- Arrange city tour with concierge.
- Arrange tour to Grand Mosque with concierge.
- Kuwaiti weekend is Friday and Saturday (as of Sept. 2007)
- The Holy month of Ramadan ended Sept. 21, 2009.
- Coffee houses are the night life
- Kuwait City is not geared toward tourism. We will try to keep you posted on any cultural events available.
- Catholic church is a few blocks away. http://www.catholic-church.org/kuwait/cathedral.htm

Travel Time to the Hotel: 20 min.

Flight Time from IAD: 12 hours (+ or -)

Nearest ATM : in the bank, short walk from hotel (the atm in hotel lobby is gone)

Nearest Grocery: Close to hotel - near the KFC. "LuLu" is a hypermarket with grocery items and alot of other things too. Van will take you.

Closest Gym: There is a swimming pool and free gym in the hotel.

Best Place to Run: Along the Arabian Gulf.

Good Walks: Along the Arabian Gulf

Easy Day Trips: None

Hotel Ammenities:
Rooms have free high-speed internet, a safe, bottled water, coffee/tea set-up, refrigerator, dvd-vhs players, dvd checkout at health club. Put t.v. on ch.999 to use dvd player. Fax/printer/scanner/copier in room. Hotel has pool and gym/steam/sauna. There is no access to phone services such as ATT, etc. Use Skype if you have a laptop - www.skype.com. Phone cards are available in the hotel gift shop, in the other building. They are a little expensive, but if you have to make a call, it's worth it. (Thanks, Sarah!)

Safety:
Please read the training materials carefully and observe dress/conduct advice. Check www.travel.state.gov for travel advisories. See our sister site at www.realworld.safety for travel safety tips. Be careful, use common sense and you will think you were on vacation on this layover!