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In this article, we’re going to tell you the best way to travel from Amman to the Baptism Site in 2025. If you’re planning to visit the Baptism Site, please read this article carefully. We’ve tried to make it super concise and packed it with useful information to help you plan your trip.
Visiting the River Jordan Baptism Site was one of the most significant parts of our trip to Jordan. We highly recommend this trip. However, it’s not necessarily straightforward, and there are a few complexities you need to know about. We’ve used our own first-hand experience to write this article. We hope this article helps you plan an enjoyable and stress-free trip.
In this article, we also compare several different methods of transport to help you evaluate the advantages and disadvantages and compare the prices. We’ve also included some top tips and background information to give you more context and help you plan your trip to the Baptism Site.
Don’t misss our FULL visitor’s guide to the Bethany Beyond the Jordan Baptism Site AND is it possible to get baptised in the river Jordan
The Baptism Site in Jordan is known by a few different names. It is sometimes referred to as Bethany beyond the Jordan. Locals know this area as Al Maghtas, and it is sometimes simply called “the Baptism Site.”
Need more info on travelling around in Jordan? Don’t miss our full guide to the BEST ways to get around in Jordan
Why Visit the Baptism Site in Jordan?
Before you read on, we wanted to share a few thoughts on why it’s worth visiting the Baptism Site in Jordan.
If you’re hoping to see the actual location where Jesus was baptized, you will need to visit the Baptism Site from Jordan rather than Israel. It is still possible to visit the River Jordan in Israel. However, from the Israeli side, you can’t see the exact location of Jesus’s baptism. If you visit the Baptism Site from Jordan, you can see the location of Jesus’ baptism. You can also visit the St. John the Baptist Orthodox Monastery.
If you’re interested in being baptized at this significant location, there is an entry point to the River Jordan. There are no requirements to be part of a specific tour, and a friend or family member is allowed to baptize you. The only requirement is that you buy a white baptism robe, which costs 10 JOD (around £10 or $12). You don’t need to obtain permission in advance to be baptized here. Just book a tour and work out who will baptize you.
Find out more about from the official site: Bethany Beyond the Jordan – Baptism Site
How Long Does It Take to Visit the Baptism Site from Amman?
The journey from Amman to the Baptism Site takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic and the speed of your driver. When you arrive, you will need to wait for the next tour group to depart. It is not possible to explore this area independently. You need to buy a ticket and take the official tour. The tour takes around 1 hour, and they depart every 30 minutes. The tour includes a short minibus ride, a stop at a gift shop, and a visit to the actual baptism site of Jesus, the River Jordan, a gift shop, monastery, and museum.
A visit to the Baptism Site from Amman is likely to take at least 3 hours. We recommend allowing 4 to 5 hours for the whole trip. If you also plan to visit the Dead Sea, then we recommend allowing a full-day trip (7 – 8 hours).
TOP TIP: You may be considering visiting the Baptism site if you are crossing the Allenby Bridge – Kind Hussein crossing. We considered doing this but chose not to. Firstly there aren’t any lockers or facilities for bigger bags at the Baptism site in Jordan. Also arranging taxis to the Baptism site and then to Amman would be expensive and awkward. It is much more straightforward to arrange the trip from Amman.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Baptism Site?
Entry tickets cost 12 JOD per person (children under 12 years are FREE). If you purchase a ticket with your Jordan Pass, entry costs 8 JOD. Entry covers the whole tour and minibus.
Suggested One-Day Itinerary to Visit the Baptism Site & the Dead Sea
Here is a suggested itinerary if you are planning to visit the Baptism Site in Jordan and the Dead Sea in one day:
- 8 am: Set off from Amman
- 9 am: Arrive at the Baptism Site and wait for a tour
- 11 am: Visit the Dead Sea in Jordan
- 12 pm: Lunch (may be included in a Dead Sea day pass)
- 5 pm: Take a taxi back to Amman
- 6 pm: Arrive back in Amman
An itinerary like this is likely to cost around 60 JOD – 70 JOD with a local driver (£60 – £70 or $70 – $80).
Ways to Get to the Baptism Site in Jordan
Before you read on, it’s important to recognize that there are no public transport connections from Amman to the Baptism Site at the River Jordan. Therefore, you will either need to use a taxi, book a tour, or rent a car.
1 Use a Local Taxi
Full Guide – How to take a taxi in Jordan
One of the most convenient and flexible ways to visit the Baptism Site in Jordan is to make a deal with a local taxi driver in Amman. You can find plenty of local taxi drivers waiting around the old town. They generally have a reasonably good level of English. Local taxi drivers are often very keen to arrange day trips.
We recommend speaking to a few drivers and taking their phone numbers. Many of the local taxi drivers in Amman use WhatsApp. It’s important to make sure that your driver is fully aware of all your requirements. Make sure that you agree on the pick-up destination and timings, waiting time at the Baptism Site, and whether you want to visit any other destinations such as the Dead Sea before you return to Amman. When they are happy with your journey details, make sure that you agree on the price that they are happy with, and that the price applies to your whole group.
If you’re planning to make a deal with a local driver, we recommend speaking to drivers at least one day before you plan to go. If you arrange this trip with a local taxi driver, expect to pay 40 JOD – 70 JOD (£40 – £70 or $50 – $80) depending on destinations and waiting time.
Be aware that many local taxis do not have working seat belts in the rear. This can be particularly concerning when you see the lack of road safety in Jordan. If you’re not happy with the safety or maintenance of a taxi, look for a different driver. We also found that some of the drivers in Jordan were quite reckless. They would drive relatively fast on the highways and not leave sufficient stopping distance.
2 Book an Uber Taxi
It is also possible to use the Uber taxi app to arrange taxi rides in Jordan. In order to use the Uber taxi app, you will need to have a local SIM card with some mobile data. Download the Uber app from your app store and register for an account using your phone number and email address. It is very easy and straightforward to arrange taxis using Uber. Expect to pay Uber 20 – 25 JOD for a one-way journey to the Baptism Site.
The advantage of using Uber is that you will get a fixed price for the journey. However, if you do arrange an Uber taxi, remember that this only gives you a one-way journey. Speak to your driver, and they may agree to take you back to Amman for the same price, or they may ask for a little extra money to cover the waiting time. If possible, we do recommend making a two-way deal with your driver because the Baptism Site is a relatively quiet spot, and you may find it difficult to get a return Uber from here.
An advantage of using Uber is that you can book Comfort options. This is likely to be a newer and better-maintained vehicle. Comfort vehicles are often safer and have working seat belts in the front and rear.
3 Book a Tour
Another way to visit the Baptism Site is to Book a tour of the Baptism Site. The advantage of booking a tour is that you can meet other people and learn from your tour guide. There is no need to barter or negotiate with local drivers. You can just relax into the experience and enjoy the tour. If you book a tour to the Baptism Site in Jordan, it is likely to include other fascinating destinations such as the Dead Sea and other attractions. Tours are likely to cost around 80 JOD – 200 JOD (£80 – £200 or $100 – $250).
4 Rent a Car
Finally, the most flexible and convenient way to travel from Amman to the Baptism Site is to rent a car. Car rental deals in Amman start at around 35JOD per day (£35 or $40). This is a relatively cheap option compared to taxis and tours. However, the roads in Jordan can be quite crowded and challenging. We do not recommend driving in Jordan unless you are confident and experienced. It is also important to obtain an international driver’s license if you plan to drive in Jordan.
Being responsible for a car can feel stressful and challenging, and you also need to consider parking. If you have a guest house or hotel in the Amman Old City, then parking can be quite limited. It is important to check whether there is parking available at your hotel. Using car rental has the big advantage of flexibility; you can come and go when you want, and you don’t need to worry about waiting times. You can also take detours to see other things along the way. Another advantage of using a car rental is safety.
There is a free carpark located the Baptism Site right next to the ticket office and visitors centre.
Rental cars in Jordan tend to be newer vehicles, and they are generally well maintained. If you’re traveling with kids, you can also arrange a child seat to be included with the rental deal. It is also nice to be able to take your own safety into your own hands. You can drive at a more reasonable speed and allow sufficient stopping distance.
