How to Get Around Jordan

Jordan is popular with travelers as one of the most modern and liberal countries in the Middle East. Follow these tips for getting around.

Documentation

Nationals from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates don’t need a visa, but citizens from most other countries can obtain one on arrival.

Arrival

You’ll probably be arriving at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, which built a new terminal just a few years ago. The airport is about 45 minutes from downtown. Minibuses and service taxis can get you where you need to go.

Getting Around

Regular taxis are abundant and relatively cheap, so you can hire a full-day driver for about $30–40.

Etiquette

Foreigners shouldn’t sit next to Jordanians of the opposite sex on buses and shared taxis, and the same generally goes for locals as well.

Scams

Be sure to agree upon a rate for taxis. Most are metered, but the drivers don’t use them.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a common practice for short rides in the city and long rides in remote areas. Most are happy to offer a ride, as long as you pay a little cash.

Language

Jordanians speak a Levantine dialect of Arab, similar to Lebanon and Syria. Most of them also speak English, especially in the cities.