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Hey there, fellow traveler!
This will be a shorter chapter of our Kuwait diary — a few days to catch our breath after all those Iraqi kilometres, some city walks along the bay, and a birthday dinner. No epic storytelling here — just a snapshot of what our stopover looked like.
Remember, this is still a travel diary, not a guide. The specific places and practical Kuwait tips are in a separate post — that’s where you’ll find the full “what to see” list. Here, it’s all about the emotions and the road between those points on the map.
If you’ve just joined us, it’s worth catching up on the earlier parts:
- 👉 Part 1 – From Poland to Turkey (first stage)
- 👉 Part 2 – Turkey: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Şanlıurfa
- 👉 Part 3 – Iraq: Erbil and Baghdad (plus entry into Kuwait)
This project is also about the people on our side. Our partners and sponsors helped us sort out the gear, paperwork, and route — without their support, this journey simply wouldn’t have happened. Huge thanks — and here’s where you can find the full list of people and companies who contributed their part to make it happen.
So — let’s dive into the vibe of Kuwait City and keep going.
Day 19: September 16, 2025, Tuesday
From the previous chapter, you already know we crossed into Kuwait on September 14th. The 15th was our “cardio day” in the city — and a little birthday celebration for me (woohoo!). Walking reminded us that we actually have legs, not just a seat under our backsides.
While we were at it, we checked the odometer and realized we’d hit the service interval long before our scheduled stop in Riyadh — about 1,500 km over the limit. Not ideal when you’re still under warranty. So I messaged the official BMW Motorrad importer in Kuwait, Tristar, on WhatsApp. We quickly arranged a mini-service — oil and filter change at their workshop. By the end of the day, I dropped the bike off for maintenance.
In the morning of September 16th, I went back to Tristar to pick up the bike. I met the owner, Mr. Jafar, who surprised me with something unexpected — a photo with the motorcycle as part of the service deal 😁. A few small gifts, a quick chat about bikes and our route — a super nice gesture that actually saved our budget a bit.
I picked up the machine, rode back to get Jadzia from the hotel, and we headed out to explore the city again. What we managed to see that day is covered in a separate post about Kuwait — if you’re planning a visit, that’s where you’ll find the practical stuff, spots to check out, and a few tips for getting around smoothly.
Day 20: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
🇰🇼 Kuwait, Kuwait City -> 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, Burayadh
This time, we learned our lesson from the “oven” between Iraq and Kuwait and set the alarm for 4:00 a.m. Hitting the road around 4:35 wasn’t exactly our favorite kind of morning activity, but the cooler air made all the difference — the ride was so much more pleasant.
There are two routes leading to the border, and we chose the one that made the most sense time-wise toward Buraydah. The only catch? We didn’t refuel right after leaving the hotel — and on that stretch out of the city, there was just one gas station. Naturally, at the only station, the card terminal didn’t want to cooperate.
A short back-and-forth with the staff later, we spotted a small shop set up in the back of a delivery truck — and somehow, our card worked there. How they settled it between themselves afterward, we’ll never know; the important thing is, we could keep going. The guy mumbled something to Jadzia about “problems if the card doesn’t go through”, but whatever — the tank was full, and that’s what mattered.
Leaving Kuwait was a breeze. Nobody brought up the earlier mix-up with our Carnet (the customs officer had stamped the wrong section during import — we’d noticed it before, but luckily it didn’t cause any issues on the way out).
Entry into Saudi Arabia was just as smooth: Jadzia had her fingerprints scanned again since she was traveling with a new passport, a few stamps later and we were done. In total, the whole border process — both sides combined — took maybe 30 minutes. If only every border crossing were that easy.
Then things started getting… sleepy. The early start kept the temperature manageable, but our bodies were begging for a nap. We tried everything — pouring water on our necks, switching up the music (from techno to disco polo — desperation level “just don’t fall asleep”), and making short stops along the way.
The final stretch to Buraydah felt endless, and once we arrived — déjà vu. The hotel’s card terminal didn’t work again, so it was back to the ATM and cash payment. The bike parked right at the entrance under the camera, and a minute later we weren’t thinking about it anymore. Shower, food, bed 🛌.
Tomorrow’s destination: Al-Ula. A completely different landscape and atmosphere — but that’s a story for the next part of the diary.
- ⌚️ Travel time: 9 hours 28 minutes;
- 🛣️ Distance: 660 km;
- 🏍️ Average speed: 91.5 km/h
Salam alejkum
The border’s behind us, stamps in the passports, and a new chapter ahead. We’ll keep this part short — in the next post, we’re heading straight to Al-Ula, then a bit of remote work in Riyadh, and a well-deserved service stop for Stefan at BMW Motorrad. Thanks for riding along with us — see you in the next chapter!
Keep reading: Part 5 of our travel diary – Saudi Arabia
And if you’re looking for practical info for your own trip: Al-Ula — what to see and how to plan it
