Kuwait is a car-dependent country with wide highways and very limited public transport. If you want real freedom of movement, renting a car is the best option. You will need an international driving licence, though some rental agencies are flexible on this. Driving is straightforward -- the roads are well-maintained and well-signposted in both Arabic and English. Be warned, though: Kuwaiti drivers have a reputation for speed and aggression. Stay alert, especially on the motorways.
Taxis are the main alternative. Kuwait has two types: orange taxis that you can flag down on the street, and call taxis (usually white) that you book by phone or through a hotel. Call taxis are more reliable and in better condition, but cost more. Ride-hailing apps like Careem and Uber also operate in Kuwait and are often the easiest option.
Buses run through Kuwait City and between major towns, operated by the Kuwait Public Transport Company and private companies like CityBus. They are cheap but routes can be confusing and schedules are unreliable. The buses are used mainly by lower-income workers rather than tourists.
Kuwait has no railway system. There have been plans for a metro for years, but nothing has materialized.
The country is small enough that no journey takes more than a couple of hours. Kuwait City to Ahmadi is about 40 minutes, and even the most distant points are within easy day-trip range.