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BeachHobo wrote:

Hi all.  I am from S.C. living and working in Kuwait.  Just arrived here about two weeks ago and am finding it challenging to get around in this city without spending a fortune.  Any help from anybody who speaks English would be much appreciated.  I want to make the best of my time here....not cooped up in my apartment.  Thanks in advance....

Welcome 2 Kuwait

Yes, unfortunately, many people take advantage of you as new residents in the country and increase in the price.

When you need a help just ask , don`t hesitate.

Welcome to Kuwait. I'm guessing you're talking about transportation. For some odd reason even though fuel is super cheap, taxis are super expensive! I had the same problem when we first moved here.
If you have your civil ID and your American driving license, go out and lease a car (if you don't want to buy one just yet). It's actually cheaper than taxis.

@Hobo
Haggle with the drivers before you get in the cab.
If they don't want YOUR price, wave him off and take the next one.
Don't get friendly with them, they'll just expect more money.
Many Americans pay MORE than the fare is, even though they KNOW the price.
Which makes me usually look like an ass, because I pay the normal fare, or even catch one off the street which is still cheaper than getting one right from our apartment.
Let's say, to get from Fahaheel to Shuweikh you should not pay more than 5KD. Mangaf to Souq Mubarakiya (city center) is around 3KD.
You can check google maps and work with the prices.

If you don't want to deal with this, check out these guys.

(The site takes a bit to load, stupid flash intro)
They have a fixed price and decent drivers.
They just had to start all over again though, so I'm not sure how up and running they are at the moment.
Best of Luck!
(Or, you could take the public buses, not sure about time tables and bus stops though )

Thanks for the info. about the cabs....but I think I found a better way...I took the city bus from Mahboula to Faheel for 200 fils and the same price back.  Wasn't too bad...just felt a little out of place.

Like I said
Good for you!

I hope you got some sensible advice by now.. Moving around as far as I can see is not terribly expensive .. Each taxi ride is around 1 to 1.5 KD maximum... Buses are cheap.. air conditioned cost about 200 fils per journey...but you might feel out of place as it is filled with south asian or fili expat and a white skinned person in that crowd might stand out. If u want further info please send me your email and I can tell u further ...
BTW I am a doctor and experienced the same situation as yours just months back

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm ..

One thing that no one here has mentioned is that, all "real" cabs have a meter.  They will do their damndest NOT to use it and will want to negotiate a price with you.  If you are adamant and upfront, demand that they use the meter.  By law, the ONLY thing you are obligated to pay is what is on the meter.  Granted, about 3 out of 4 cabbies will do all they can NOT to use the meter, to include telling you "no" but...  just keep flagging them down until one agrees.  If he seems hesitant, tell him "use the meter, if it's a good ride etc, I'll give you a decent tip".  Best of luck!

Allen

holdcardsdown wrote:

I hate to disappoint you, but it's usually cheaper without the meter. I know this for a fact.

I was going to say that, but I wasn't sure any more (too long ago)

Yes, it is cheaper not to use the meter.  I always call one taxi driver who is very honest.  From Mahboula to Salmiya (25 km) is 3 KD.  Taxi here is way cheaper than North America, IF you find the right one.  I took bus 106 once from Mahboula to Fahaheel and back with bus 999.  The buses were super clean and it was air-conditioned.  Although the passengers were different from me, they were very friendly and respectful.  One of the Pilipino girls translated my English to the Arab-spoken driver where I wanted to get off.  Once you've overcome the culture shock, you will like this place.  Good luck.

Dude.. Where are you in Kuwait?  I'm in Salmiya.  Getting acclimated is pretty tough but it will get easier.  One big thing is that everything is negotiable. Taxi fares especially.  You can get around town really cheap if you know how to work it...lol  If you want to catch dinner and shisha one night let me know. Maybe I can help get you up and going. Knowing some other westerners will help with the transition.  I'm from Orlando.  I used to hang out in SC quite a bit.  I spent a lot of time in Hilton Head and also in Aiken. 

Catch you soon,
jason

welcome to kuwait!!!!the first few weeks can be a real speed bump huh?but alas....which area are u in...iv got family in N.C and NYC and alabama and atlanta.
let me knw wat u tryna get into and iv got this great security guard and a filipino driver dat can make sure u get da best deals....lol

hello every one hope you all enjoying in Kuwait

sorry for jumping into your conversation hehehehehe

any one having problem in kuwait let me know i will love to help you guys out of your problems

need to know taxi fares?
need to purchase some stuff?
need a guide m here wana know how much m gona charge you for it?????
000.000K.D.

From A till Z i can guide you about kuwait.

any thing wana know just message me or buzz me on 66450381.i know many people in kuwait see foreigners they say its party time hehehehe especially arabs they see you like hell especially to ladies like they have never seen ladies huh

but its fun life in kuwait

everything mentioned up

have a good time beachhobo

there is 2 types of Taxi here in Kuwait the roaming one which the Italian call it contrato    and the call taxi, the on eyou have to call by phone and give him your address and then....   beeb beeeb.... you come down.

if you are living in Mahboula Mangaf, Riqqa ,Sabahiya, Fahaheel, Fintas, Finitees,Abu Fateera,Dahar,Adan,Qurain, and you wana go to samliya or Kuwait city then you have to pay around 1.500 if you are more than one person at that case you have to pay not more than 2 kd..

one more thing, it depends on timing too!  for example if you wana take taxi on the daylight then the fare is going to be as mentioned above... but at evening time also there's another fare,

and don't ask about midnight fare    you got to pay almost the double...

   cheer up you are in kuwait..

  ciao...