Top score of 9.5, with warm 26°C highs, 12.5°C nights, 10.3 sun hours and only 2.6 rain days.
Shoulder season
Apr
Tough weather
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Capital
Kuwait City
Language
Arabic
Currency
Kuwaiti dinar
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Plugs
Type C, G · 240 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Why visit Kuwait
Kuwait suits a short city trip rather than a long tour. Most visitors base themselves in Kuwait City, the coastal capital, home to about 2,989,000 of the country's 4,881,254 people. The best months to go are December, January, February and March. One honest limitation: the country covers only 17,818 km² and has one main city, so there is less variety to fill a longer stay. Arabic is the main language, and prices are in Kuwaiti dinar.
A clear season for visiting
Our data rates December, January, February and March as the best months to visit Kuwait. Plan your trip for this window if you want more time outdoors in Kuwait City and along the coast.
A capital on the coast
Kuwait City is both the capital and a coastal city. With about 2989000 residents, it is where most visitors base themselves, and the sea is part of daily city life.
Small country, easy to cover
Kuwait covers just 17818 km², with a total population of 4881254. Distances are short, and traffic drives on the right, so travellers used to right-hand driving will find it simple to explore beyond the capital.
Straightforward practical details
Kuwait uses the Kuwaiti dinar, and Arabic is the official language. The country runs on UTC+03:00. Power is 240 V with type C and G plugs, and the emergency number is 112.
Is Kuwait right for you?
Great for
Winter sun seekers: January highs near 18°C, only 2.5 rain days and 9.2 sun hours a day
Spring visitors in March: highs near 26°C, about 10 sun hours and little rain
Short city breaks in Kuwait City, a coastal capital in a country of just 17,818 km²
Travellers who like clear skies: over 11 sun hours a day from May to September
Less ideal for
Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August: highs around 44°C and nights near 30°C
Long outdoor walks from June to September, when daily highs stay above 41°C
Trips that need many cities, since Kuwait City is the one major city
Kuwait right now: October
4.0/10
Avg high
35°C
Avg low
20°C
Rain days
1
Averages for Kuwait.
Weather by month
In Kuwait (climate data 2015–2024), the most pleasant weather runs from November to March, with daytime highs of about 18–26°C, cool nights of 6–13°C and at most 4.8 rain days a month. May to September brings extreme heat, with highs of 38–44.5°C, peaking in July when nights stay near 30°C and no rain falls.
Machboos is spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or fish, often with dried lime and fried onions. It is widely seen as Kuwait's national dish and is a usual main family meal at lunch.
Mutabbaq samak
This dish is fried or grilled Gulf fish served on rice cooked in a spiced fish stock. Zubaidi, a local pomfret, is a popular choice. Look for it at seafood restaurants in Kuwait City.
Harees
Harees is wheat and meat cooked slowly until smooth, like a thick porridge. Families often make it for religious holidays and gatherings, and restaurants serve it most in the fasting season.
Balaleet
Balaleet is sweet vermicelli flavoured with saffron, cardamom and rose water, topped with a thin omelette. The mix of sweet and savoury makes it a common breakfast dish.
Gers ogaily
Gers ogaily is a soft sponge cake flavoured with saffron and cardamom. It is usually served with tea in the afternoon or offered to guests at home.
Gahwa (Arabic coffee)
Gahwa is light, cardamom-spiced coffee poured into small cups without handles, often with dates. It is a sign of welcome and is served in homes, offices and diwaniya gatherings.
Know before you go
Plugs and voltage:
Kuwait uses plug types C and G, and the supply is 240 V. Check that your chargers and devices work at 240 V, and bring an adapter that fits both plug types.
Driving side:
Traffic in Kuwait drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and when turning.
Emergency number:
Dial 112 for emergencies in Kuwait. Save the number in your phone before you arrive.
Currency:
The local currency is the Kuwaiti dinar. Check the current exchange rate before your trip so that you understand local prices.
Language:
Arabic is the official language of Kuwait. Learning a few basic Arabic greetings is useful and polite.
Time zone:
Kuwait is on UTC+03:00. Use this to plan calls home and to adjust your sleep before you travel.
Phone calls:
The country calling code for Kuwait is +965. Add it in front of local numbers when you call from a foreign phone.
Kuwait: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kuwait?
The best time to visit Kuwait is from November to March. These months score between 9 and 9.5 out of 10, with mild days and little rain. March scores highest at 9.5, with average highs of 25.9°C and lows of 12.5°C. January is the coolest month, with highs of 17.7°C.
Is Kuwait too hot to visit in August?
August in Kuwait is extremely hot, and it scores only 3.5 out of 10. Average highs reach 44.2°C, and nights stay warm with lows of 29.4°C. There are 0 rain days and 11.9 hours of sun a day. July is slightly hotter at 44.5°C. From May to September, highs stay above 38°C, so plan outdoor time with care.
Does it rain much in Kuwait?
No, Kuwait gets very little rain. The wettest month is November, with 31 mm over about 4.8 days. December follows with 25 mm over 4.4 days. From June to September there is 0 mm of rain. Even in the wettest months you still get about 8.8 hours of sun a day.
Is Kuwait cold in winter?
Kuwait is mild by day in winter but cool at night. In January, average highs are 17.7°C and lows drop to 6°C. December is similar, with highs of 18.8°C and lows of 7.7°C. Days are still sunny, with about 9 hours of sun, so a warm layer for the evenings is enough.
Is April or October a good time to visit Kuwait?
April is a good choice, and October is only fair. April scores 6.8 out of 10, with highs of 31.5°C and lows of 17.7°C. October scores 4, because it is still hot, with highs of 34.7°C. Both months are mostly dry, with about 2.1 rain days in April and 0.7 in October.
What plugs, currency and emergency number does Kuwait use?
Kuwait uses plug types C and G, with 240 V electricity. The currency is the Kuwaiti dinar. The emergency number is 112, and the country calling code is +965. Cars drive on the right, and the time zone is UTC+03:00. Arabic is the official language.
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