Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Amman's Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), the cheapest way into the city is the Airport Express Bus (Sariyah), which runs to central Amman for a low fare. Taxis are faster and door-to-door but cost more; agree the fare or use a flat rate. Aqaba (AQJ) in the south is the other international gateway.
- Cheapest
- Airport Express Bus (Sariyah)
- Faster
- Taxi, door-to-door
- South
- Aqaba (AQJ)
- Airport Express Bus runs between AMM and central Amman
- Agree the taxi fare or use a flat rate
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Public transport in Jordan centres on buses and shared taxis (service). Amman is expanding its city bus network (Amman Bus) and a BRT system, while intercity and in-city buses and service taxis link most places. Passenger rail is essentially not used, so plan around road transport.
- Main modes
- Buses, shared taxis (service)
- Amman
- Amman Bus + BRT
- Rail
- Not used for passengers
- Service taxis run fixed routes and leave when full
- Plan around buses and service taxis, not trains
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
Contactless transit cards are only partly adopted: the Amman Bus network uses a rechargeable smart card on its routes, but nationwide travel is still mostly cash-based. Carry small Jordanian dinar notes and coins for buses, service taxis and taxis.
- Amman Bus
- Rechargeable smart card
- Nationwide
- Mostly cash
- Tip
- Keep small notes/coins
- A smart card works on Amman Bus routes
- Cash is still needed for most transport
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Jordan drives on the right, and an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your home licence. A rental car is great for touring Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum at your own pace. Roads between the main sights are generally good, but watch for aggressive driving in cities, occasional livestock on rural roads, and desert conditions near Wadi Rum.
- Drives on
- The right
- Licence
- IDP recommended
- Great for
- Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum
- A car suits touring the big sights at your own pace
- Watch for city traffic and rural livestock
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
For getting between cities, JETT is the main long-distance bus company, with comfortable coaches on routes like Amman-Petra and Amman-Aqaba. Cheaper shared taxis (service) and local minibuses also cover most routes, leaving when full rather than on a fixed timetable. Book popular JETT services ahead in high season.
- Main bus
- JETT (Amman-Petra-Aqaba)
- Cheaper
- Shared taxis (service), minibuses
- Tip
- Book JETT ahead in high season
- JETT runs comfortable coaches on main routes
- Service taxis leave when full, not on a timetable
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights in Jordan are limited, mainly connecting Amman with Aqaba on the Red Sea, operated by carriers such as Royal Jordanian. Distances are short and frequencies are low, so for most trips the bus or a rental car is simpler. A flight mainly saves time if you want to reach Aqaba quickly.
- Main route
- Amman-Aqaba
- Carrier
- Royal Jordanian and others
- Frequency
- Low; short distances
- Flying mainly helps to reach Aqaba quickly
- For most trips, buses or a car are simpler
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Carry small Jordanian dinar notes and coins, as most buses, service taxis and small shops are cash-based. Agree taxi fares or use Careem for clear pricing. If you plan to see Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Jerash, a rental car or a mix of JETT buses and day tours works well. In taxis and service taxis, confirm the destination and price before you set off.
- Cash
- Small dinar notes/coins
- Taxis
- Agree fare or use Careem
- Touring
- Car or JETT + day tours
- Confirm destination and price before setting off
- A car suits Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Jerash