Jordan captivates travelers with its blend of ancient history, dramatic desert landscapes, and warm hospitality. From the rose-red city of Petra to the otherworldly wadis and the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, this Middle Eastern kingdom offers unforgettable experiences. Whether floating effortlessly in the Dead Sea, camping under stars in Wadi Rum, or exploring Roman ruins at Jerash, Jordan rewards visitors with authentic culture and timeless beauty.
- Public
- Public buses serve Amman neighborhoods but are confusing for tourists with Arabic-only signage and no fixed timetables. Useful for budget travel between Amman neighborhoods but most visitors use taxis or rideshare apps.
- Taxi
- Yellow metered taxis are widely available throughout Amman. Uber and Careem apps are more convenient and often cheaper. Always insist on the meter or agree a price before starting.
- Rental
- Car rental is excellent value for touring Jordan's attractions — Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea, and Jerash are all much more accessible with a vehicle. International companies at Queen Alia Airport.
- Walking
- Amman is walkable within individual neighborhoods but very hilly — the citadel, Rainbow Street, and downtown can be done on foot. Between neighborhoods, taxis or rideshare are practical.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airport Express Bus to Abdali/7th Circle - 3.30 JOD ($4.50), every 30 minutes, 45 minutes
- Shuttle
- Private taxi - 20-25 JOD ($28-35) fixed price to downtown, 30-40 minutes
- Bus
- Uber/Careem - 15-20 JOD ($21-28), availability good
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'description': 'Public buses serve Amman neighborhoods but routes can be confusing for tourists. Fares are very cheap (0.25-0.50 JOD / $0.35-0.70) but schedules are irregular. Minibuses (servees) follow set routes, pay driver directly. Most tourists avoid public buses due to language barriers and complexity.', 'tips': 'Ask locals for help, have exact change, learn basic Arabic numbers'}
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- {'yellow_taxi': "Metered taxis throughout Amman and major cities. Insist on meter ('adaad') or agree price before starting. Base fare 0.25 JOD, approximately 0.50-0.75 JOD per km. Amman downtown to Rainbow Street about 2-3 JOD ($3-4).", 'white_taxi': 'Unmetered service taxis (servees) on fixed routes between cities. Very cheap but crowded. Wait until full before departing. Not recommended for tourists with luggage.', 'tips': 'Always insist on meter in yellow taxis, or negotiate fixed price. Tipping not expected but rounding up appreciated. Have small bills ready.'}
- Apps
- Uber and Careem (local app) operate in Amman, Aqaba, and Petra area. Generally cheaper and easier than taxis. English interface, card payment, and GPS tracking. Careem sometimes has better availability.
- App Names
- Uber and Careem (local app) operate in Amman, Aqaba, and Petra area. Generally cheaper and easier than taxis. English interface, card payment, and GPS tracking. Careem sometimes has better availability.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Flights
Royal Jordanian operates Amman-Aqaba flights (45 minutes, from 35 JOD/$50 one-way). Only useful if very short on time as bus is much cheaper and not much longer with airport time included.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Queen Alia International Airport
From centre: 32 km south of Amman
Options: Airport Express Bus to Abdali/7th Circle - 3.30 JOD ($4.50), every 30 minutes, 45 minutes; Private taxi - 20-25 JOD ($28-35) fixed price to downtown, 30-40 minutes; Uber/Careem - 15-20 JOD ($21-28), availability good; Hotel shuttle - Many hotels offer pickup, book in advance; Rental car - All major companies at airport, from 25 JOD ($35) per day
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba)
From centre: 10 km north of Aqaba city
Options: Taxi to Aqaba city center - 10-15 JOD ($14-21), 15 minutes; Hotel shuttle - Most hotels provide pickup with advance notice; Rental car - Limited companies, from 30 JOD ($42) per day
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Best for reliable rides in Amman and Aqaba with English app interface, card payment, and driver tracking
Careem
Local ride-hailing app with excellent Amman coverage, sometimes better availability than Uber; also offers scheduled rides
JETT (jett.com.jo)
Jordan's premium intercity bus company with online booking for routes to Petra, Aqaba, and Dead Sea
Google Maps
Works well for Jordan with driving directions and some public transit routes, but coverage of small roads can be patchy
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Careem apps before arriving — both operate 24 hours in Amman and Aqaba and are safer and cheaper than unmetered taxis
For Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea day trips, renting a car ($35-50/day) gives much more flexibility than organized tours
JETT buses from Abdali station are the most reliable public transport for intercity routes — book tickets online at least a day ahead for Petra
The Jordan Pass ($70-80) is excellent value as it covers the Petra entry fee ($70) plus visa cost plus 40+ attractions
Always insist on the meter in yellow taxis in Amman — say 'adaad' (meter) when getting in; if driver refuses, find another taxi
Wadi Rum requires a 4x4 vehicle and local Bedouin guide — private car rental is not sufficient without an organized desert tour
Aqaba is completely different transportation-wise — taxis are affordable and the city is compact enough to walk between many attractions