Renting a car in Kuwait costs about KD 8–12 a day for an economy car (Yaris, Sunny, Accent) and KD 225–330 a month for a sedan on a long-term lease with 4,000–4,500 km included. Residents need a Civil ID and a Kuwaiti driving licence; visitors need a passport, visa, home licence and an International Driving Permit, plus compulsory licence insurance of about KD 12.5–19.5. Sixt, Hertz, National, Budget, Avis, Europcar and Dollar/Thrifty have counters at Kuwait International Airport. The minimum age is usually 21 with a licence held for at least a year.
On this page
- Car rental prices in Kuwait (2026)
- Requirements for residents
- Requirements for visitors and tourists
- Rental companies at Kuwait Airport and in the city
- Sixt car rental in Kuwait
- Insurance, deposits and what happens after an accident
- Traffic fines on rental cars
- Tips before you sign a rental contract
- Driving in Kuwait: what first-time renters should know
- Driving a rental car outside Kuwait
- Renting, buying used or taking taxis?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related guides
Car rental prices in Kuwait (2026)
| Car class | Daily | Monthly (long-term lease) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | KD 8–12 | KD 225–285 | Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sunny |
| Compact / mid sedan | KD 12–18 | KD 240–330 | Kia Cerato, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, Sonata |
| Compact SUV | KD 18–28 | KD 400–450 | Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Kicks |
| Full-size SUV | KD 40–70 | KD 850–1,000 | Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Land Cruiser |
| Luxury | KD 60+ | KD 1,000+ | Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series |
Daily rates usually include 200–250 km a day, and monthly leases 4,000–4,500 km, with KD 0.050–0.100 charged for each extra kilometre. Basic insurance with a collision damage waiver (CDW) is normally included, with an excess of KD 100–300; a zero-excess option costs about KD 1–3 a day. Prices rise by 20–40% around Eid holidays and in summer, and weekly rates are usually cheaper per day than renting day by day.
For stays of a month or more, ask for the monthly or 6–12-month lease rate. Long leases normally include servicing, tyres, registration and a replacement car if yours is in the workshop.
Requirements for residents
- Original Civil ID with valid residency.
- Valid Kuwaiti driving licence, held for at least 12 months at most companies.
- Deposit by credit card or K-Net: KD 50–150 for economy cars and up to about KD 450 for large SUVs. It is refunded after the car is returned and any fines are cleared.
- Expats who arrived on a work visa but have not yet got their Kuwaiti licence cannot rent with their home licence as residents – they need to obtain a Kuwaiti licence first. See driving schools and licence rules.
Requirements for visitors and tourists
- Passport with a valid visit visa or entry stamp.
- Home-country licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). GCC licences are accepted directly.
- Compulsory driving-licence insurance sold at the counter: about KD 12.5 for one month, KD 17.5 for two months and KD 19.5 for three months.
- Credit card in the driver’s name for the deposit – debit cards from foreign banks are often not accepted.
Driving with only a home licence and no IDP or licence insurance counts as driving without a valid licence. Since the 2025 traffic law, fines for this are high and the car can be impounded.
Rental companies at Kuwait Airport and in the city
| Company | Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sixt | Airport, Kuwait City, Salmiya | Premium German models and SUVs; online booking in English |
| Hertz | Airport (24h, 2431 9326), Shuwaikh, Salmiya | Large fleet, one-way to city branches |
| National / Alamo | Airport counter B6 (2434 3470), city branches | Clear deposit table, accepts K-Net |
| Budget / Avis | Airport and Shuwaikh | Long-term lease specialists |
| Europcar, Dollar, Thrifty | Airport | Visitor-oriented |
| Local firms (Al Mulla Rental, Castle, Driveeze, Drivus, Auto Drive) | Shuwaikh, Al Rai, Salmiya, Farwaniya | Cheapest monthly leases; often require Civil ID and Kuwaiti licence |
Airport counters are open around the clock, which helps with late-night arrivals. City branches in Shuwaikh and Al Rai often have more cars and better monthly rates. Booking online a few days ahead is usually cheaper than walking up to the counter.
Sixt car rental in Kuwait
Sixt is one of the most searched rental brands in Kuwait. It operates at Kuwait International Airport and city branches, with a fleet weighted toward newer and premium models – German sedans, large SUVs and some sports cars – as well as economy cars. Booking through the Sixt website or app shows the deposit, mileage and excess before you pay. As with every company, check whether the quoted price includes CDW and whether the deposit is blocked on a credit card.
Insurance, deposits and what happens after an accident
- Third-party insurance is always included by law.
- CDW limits what you pay for damage to the rental car to the excess (often KD 100–300). Zero-excess cover reduces this to nothing for a daily fee.
- In an accident: do not move the car unless it blocks traffic and nobody is hurt; call 112 for injuries and inform the rental company immediately. Most insurers need a police report or an accident report to process the claim.
- Breakdowns: the rental company arranges recovery and a replacement car. For a quick tyre or battery fix see roadside assistance in Kuwait.
Traffic fines on rental cars
Camera fines are linked to the car’s plate, so they often reach the rental company days or weeks after you return the car. Companies then charge your card for the fine plus an administration fee of about KD 5–10. Since the 2025 traffic law, fines are much higher – for example KD 150 for jumping a red light and KD 75 for using a phone while driving – so drive carefully and check your traffic fines before returning a long-term rental.
Tips before you sign a rental contract
- Photograph the car from every side, the interior and the fuel gauge before leaving the lot.
- Return the car full-to-full; petrol in Kuwait costs about 85–105 fils a litre for regular grades, far cheaper than the refuelling charge.
- Check that the registration book (daftar) and insurance paper are in the car – police checkpoints ask for them.
- Ask how late returns are charged; at most companies, returning more than about 29 minutes late counts as an extra day.
- Read the mileage limit and the price per extra kilometre if you plan long drives to Khairan or the north.
- Check whether a second driver is allowed and whether they must be registered on the contract.
Driving in Kuwait: what first-time renters should know
- Traffic drives on the right, and seatbelts are compulsory for everyone in the car.
- Rush hours on the ring roads and the Fahaheel Expressway are roughly 6:30–8:30 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM; avoid them for airport runs.
- Speed cameras are everywhere, including mobile units – keep to the posted limits.
- In summer, check tyre condition and the air-conditioning before you leave the lot, and carry water.
- Sandstorms can cut visibility suddenly; slow down, switch on headlights and keep your distance.
Driving a rental car outside Kuwait
Rental cars cannot leave Kuwait without written permission from the company and insurance valid in the destination country. Many companies do not allow short-term rentals to cross into Saudi Arabia at all; some allow it for long leases with an additional fee and a GCC insurance policy. If you plan a road trip, ask before you book. For visa rules for the trip itself, see Saudi visa for Kuwait residents.
Renting, buying used or taking taxis?
| Option | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Daily or weekly rental | Visitors and short stays | KD 8–28 a day for economy to compact SUV |
| Monthly / long-term lease | New residents for the first months, people on contracts under 2–3 years | KD 225–450 a month all-inclusive |
| Buying a used car | Residents staying several years | Purchase plus insurance, registration and maintenance |
| Taxis and ride-hailing | People without a licence or who drive rarely | Per trip; airport fixed fares about KD 7–8 |
For a stay of more than three months, a monthly lease is often cheaper than buying once insurance, registration, maintenance and resale hassle are counted. If you are staying longer, compare with our used car buying guide. Without a car, use the options in our taxi guide, including Uber and Careem.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tourist rent a car in Kuwait?
Yes – with a passport, visa, home licence and an International Driving Permit. The compulsory licence insurance (about KD 12.5 a month) is sold at the rental counter.
How much is a monthly car rental in Kuwait?
From about KD 225 for an economy sedan to KD 400–450 for a compact SUV and KD 850 or more for a Tahoe or Land Cruiser.
Does car rental in Kuwait include insurance?
Third-party insurance is always included. Collision damage waiver is usually included with an excess, and zero-excess cover is optional.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Kuwait?
Usually 21, with a licence held for at least one year; some premium car groups require 23 or older.
Is Sixt available at Kuwait Airport?
Yes. Sixt has a counter at Kuwait International Airport as well as branches in the city.
Can I rent a car with a debit card in Kuwait?
Residents can usually pay the deposit with a Kuwaiti K-Net card. Visitors generally need a credit card in the driver’s name.
Can I take a rental car to Saudi Arabia?
Only with written permission and suitable insurance; many companies do not allow it for short rentals.