How to get around Jordan
With its blend of breathtaking scenery, friendly locals, and rich history, Jordan is an enthralling travel destination. Discovering this stunning nation’s treasures might be just as thrilling as traveling there. I’ll explain each mode of transportation to you here so you may select the one that most closely matches your requirements and tastes.
Plane
Flying is the preferred method when traveling to Jordan. The country has two airports: one in Aqaba and one in Amman. The major airport in Amman is Queen Alia International Airport, which serves flights from North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Even though there are fewer passengers using Aqaba International Airport, it nevertheless handles charter flights and certain locations like Egypt, and allow you to save a couple hours of drive if you are planning on visiting the seaside city from the capital. In general, Jordan is not a very big country, so most destinations can be reached within a couple hours of driving, being the longes route Amman-Aqaba (6 hours). So unless you are in a time crunch, it might make sense to drive to Aqaba instead of flying, as that will allow you to appreciate it everything that’s in between, like Mount Nebo, Petra and the Wadi Rum.
Car
Traveling by car is one of the preferred when moving around Jordan, as it is an excellent way to explore Jordan at your own pace, giving you the freedom to visit remote areas and travel on your schedule, but please be advised that Jordanian drivers can be aggressive.
Major international car rental companies like Hertz, Avis, and Budget operate in Jordan, alongside local companies. You can rent a car at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman or at various locations in major cities. To rent a car, you will need a valid international diver license, a credit card and at least 21 (with a surcharge for drivers under 25).
Major highways and roads between cities are generally in good condition, but rural and desert roads can be less maintained. Also please keep in mind, civilians are not allowed to drive in the Wadi Rum without a permit, so you will still need to hire a tour or a driver once you arrive to the desert.
Bus
Another way to move within Jordan is by bus, which connect the country with other nations such as Syria and Egypt. Traveling by bus is a cost-effective and relatively straightforward way to explore Jordan. There are major bus stations in Amman, Aqaba and Petra, so it will be easy to move in between the three.
In addition, you have many type of buses, from the JETT (comfortable and with air conditioning) to public buses, that although are cheaper, don’t have the same level of comfort. For the JETT buses, the tickets can be purchased online, at JETT offices, at hotels or even directly at the station. For the public buses, you would need to buy your ticket on the bus.
Although it is possible for tourist to just hop on the public buses, it might be challenging because of the language barrier, so just consider this when making your decision.
Taxis
Using taxis is a convenient and efficient way to travel around Jordan, especially for short distances within cities or for specific destinations.
Yellow taxis are available in most major cities, but they aren’t as common in rural areas. In my case, I hired a driver, and ended up being one of the best decisions of my trip. You can find his information here.
A lot of the tours also include transportation from major cities like Aman and Aqaba, so it might be wise to confirm this before hiring a driver.
White taxis or shared taxis are also available, and they follow specific routes. As you will be sharing the share with the other people in the vehicle, it is a cheaper option. Ride-hailing apps like Careem and Uber also operate in Jordan, offering a convenient way to book a taxi.
You can either hop on a metered taxi or negotiate the price in advance, depending on your driver. Please be advise most of them do not accept credit cards, so carrying cash in JOD (Jordanian dinars) will be necessary.
Ship
Boat trips were one of the most used means in previous times and, although they are still used today, the reality is that they are slower. Not to mention, it is one of the least common ways to get to Jordan. However, the ferry is a viable option for those who want to connect their trip to Jordan with other countries such as Egypt. If this is your case, the only passenger port that has regular connections is Aqaba.
If you are looking for the easiest way to move around, I would recommend the guided tour. As mentioned, most of them include transportation, and they already have the logistic organized so you don’t have to be hassling around. In some cases it would also provide you with a guide, which is always appreciate it. I’m leaving below the tours I took and that I would recommend, as well as the info of my driver when I was by myself.
More things to do in Jordan
Are you ready to start discovering Jordan?
I decided to book a tour when I went to Jordan and they simplified my planning and enhanced my travel experience ! I’m leaving the link to the tour below in case you are interested!