Jordan Travel Guide

Amman

AMM · Queen Alia International — Jordan's main hub, 30km south of Amman. Airport bus to city: JOD 3.3. Taxi: JOD 18–25.

Aqaba

AQJ · King Hussein International — for the Red Sea and Wadi Rum. Most visitors fly into AMM and drive south (4 hours).

Getting Around

JETT buses connect Amman to Petra (3.5h) and Aqaba (4.5h). Hiring a private driver is affordable and recommended — full-day rates from JOD 60.

Currency

Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
~1.41 JOD = 1 USD. One of the world's most stable currencies. Cards in hotels and major restaurants; cash essential elsewhere.

Jordan Pass

Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival — includes the visa fee AND entry to Petra (normally JOD 50/day) and 40+ other sites. Excellent value.

Tipping

Restaurants: 10% is generous. Hotel housekeeping: JOD 1–2/night. Guides: JOD 10–20/day. Always tip in cash.

Time Zone

AST — Arabia Standard Time
UTC+3 year-round.

Vs. US Eastern

Amman is 7–8 hours ahead of US Eastern Time depending on season.

Amman & Petra

Best: Mar–May, Sep–NovHot: Jun–Aug Amman at altitude is cooler than you'd expect. Petra in winter can be cold and wet — bring layers.

Wadi Rum & Dead Sea

Best: Oct–Apr Desert — very hot in summer. Wadi Rum nights are cold year-round.

Language

Arabic — English widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and Amman restaurants.

Key Phrases

Ahlan wa sahlan — Welcome
Shukran — Thank you
Yalla — Let's go / come on
Inshallah — God willing

Jordan Pass

The easiest entry — buy the Jordan Pass online (includes visa) before travelling. Covers most major attractions and waives the JOD 40 visa fee.

Visa on Arrival

Most Western nationals can get a visa on arrival at Queen Alia airport for JOD 40. Single entry, 30 days.

General

Very Safe Jordan is consistently one of the safest countries in the Middle East. Jordanians are famously hospitable to visitors.

Emergencies

911 — Police, Ambulance, Fire (unified emergency line)

Jordan

Destinations in Jordan

Petra

Wadi Rum

Amman