Table of Contents
Jordan is a remarkably beautiful country packed with history, culture, and stunning scenery. However, traveling around Jordan is not necessarily straightforward. There are some important things that you need to know before you go in 2025.
In this article, we are going to share the best ways to get around in Jordan. We will give specific details, including how to book transport, prices that you can expect to pay, and some important things to know to help you plan your travel around Jordan. Make sure you prepare well – Things to know before you go to Jordan
We have included some top tips and inspiration in this article, but you will not find anywhere else on the internet. Our aim is to equip you and give you detailed travel information so you can plan your own independent, intrepid adventure in Jordan.
Don’t miss our specific travel guides in Jordan:
AMMAN TO THE DEAD SEA – How to travel from Amman to the Dead Sea
AMMAN TO PETRA – How to travel from Amman to Petra
Short-distance travel in Jordan
If you are taking short journeys in Jordan, there are several options available to you. In this section, we will explore the best ways to take short journeys around Jordan. We are talking about journeys a few kilometers in length around towns and cities. In the next section, we will discuss long-distance journeys around Jordan.
What is the public transport system like in Jordan?
Jordan does have a limited public transport system. However, it can be challenging and difficult to use as a foreigner. In Amman, there is a local bus system connecting different parts of the city. If you are traveling on a very low budget, this can be a good way to get around. However, most travelers just use taxis to get around Amman because taxis are relatively cheap in Jordan. Some towns in Jordan are connected by local bus services, which are essentially shared minibuses that just go when they fill up. This is a relatively cheap way to travel around Jordan. If you are hoping to travel around Jordan using local minibus services, you will need to ask around and take locals’ advice. You will also need to barter to get their local prices. Unless you’re traveling on a very low budget, we don’t recommend doing this.
1 Walking
If you are exploring towns and cities in Jordan, a great way to get around is by foot. When we visit new cities, we personally love to walk in order to connect with a place and get a feel for their culture and landscape. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of if you are planning to explore Jordan by foot. Firstly, many of the towns and cities in Jordan are quite hilly. This can be particularly challenging, especially in the hot summer months.
A journey that looks short on the map may actually be quite challenging. For example, if you are staying in the Amman Old City, there are many steep hills in the area. The same is true of Wadi Rum, which is a town next to Petra. If you are planning to walk around Jordan in the summer months, we recommend considering sun protection. Sun hats, scarves, and umbrellas are a great way to get some shade. We also recommend using a high-factor sunscreen.
If you’re planning to walk around Jordan, navigation can be quite tricky. There are lots of small winding roads, and it is easy to lose your bearings. We highly recommend that you get some offline maps on your phone. For example, if you use Google Maps, you can download areas offline. You can then use your phone’s GPS location function to help you navigate even if you don’t have mobile data.
2 Flag a taxi
Don’t miss our full guide to taking taxis in Jordan
Taking short local taxi journeys is a great way to explore towns and cities in Jordan. There are plenty of taxis around, and it is usually very easy to get a driver. Before you take a taxi in Jordan, it is essential to make sure that your driver knows exactly where you’re going, and that you agree on the price before you jump in. We also recommend that you check the safety and maintenance of the vehicle. It is important to be aware that many taxis do not have working seatbelts in the rear. You may be able to pull a seatbelt buckle up from under the back seat.
If you’re planning to travel a few kilometers by taxi in Jordan, it is likely to cost around 2-3 JOD. Some drivers may charge more than this. It is always important to barter, and if you are not happy with the price, then wait for another taxi.
3 Use Uber to arrange a taxi
If you do not feel comfortable bartering with a local taxi driver, we recommend using the Uber taxi app. The Uber taxi app is a great way to arrange taxi rides in Jordan and get a fair local price. An advantage of using the Uber taxi app is that you can select a comfort option, which should allow you to request a newer and better-maintained vehicle. Uber Comfort taxis in Jordan are safer and more likely to have working seatbelts.
Here is a brief summary of how to use Uber in Jordan:
- Purchase a local SIM card with mobile data.
- Download the Uber app from your app store.
- Register for an Uber account using your local phone number and email.
- Make sure your location is enabled and allow Uber to access your location.
From here, the app is very user-friendly. To book a ride, you just enter your destination, and the app automatically detects your current location as the pickup point (unless you enter a different location). The Uber app should then list taxi services and prices before you confirm your journey.
Long-distance travel in Jordan
Long-distance travel in Jordan is more complicated and challenging than short journeys. It can also be very expensive to travel long distances around Jordan, especially if you are not organized and prepared beforehand. We will summarize the main options and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.
1 Take a Long-Distance Bus
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE – everything you need to know about booking buses in Jordan
There is only one long-distance bus company that operates in Jordan. Fortunately, this bus company is reasonably priced and connects all of the main tourist destinations and attractions. The bus company is called JETT, and you can use it to travel between Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and many other towns and attractions in Jordan.
The JETT bus company not only arranges bus services, but they also offer day tours. It is important to recognize that a day tour in JETT is just a transport-only option. So if you do book a day tour, you will not be given a guide. There are some advantages of booking a tour with JETT. Firstly, it is easier to process your payment overseas. Many people struggle to pay for buses overseas. Secondly, the JETT day tour services offer options to other destinations which are not included in the normal routes. Thirdly, if you book a day tour with JETT, young children can be included in your booking for FREE. This is not the case with their standard bus tickets. So if you are traveling with young children, it may be cheaper to book a tour.
JETT BUS WEBSITE – Official website to book bus tickets in Jordan (may not work outside Jordan)
JETT TOUR WEBSITE – Official website to book Jett day tours (essentially the same as booking a bus BUT works outside Jordan)
Remember to book your tickets well in advance. JETT is the only bus company, and buses can fill up a week or two before the date of departure. It is possible to book JETT buses up to 30 days in advance.
The bus services are reasonably comfortable. It is important to recognize that there is not a lot of space for bag storage on the bus. We recommend bringing a small valuables bag on the bus with you. There is, however, plenty of space to store larger bags below the bus.
TOP TIP: Bus tickets on third party website tend to be more expensive so we recommend booking directly with Jett.
2 Take a Long-Distance Taxi Journey
Many taxi drivers in Jordan are very willing to take long-distance journeys. In fact, you will find taxi drivers are very keen to offer long day trips because this provides a good wage. It is important to be aware that long-distance taxi journeys in Jordan are relatively expensive. If you’re traveling as a solo traveler or as a couple, it is likely to be cheaper to take a JETT bus. On the other hand, if you are able to share the cost of a long-distance taxi journey across a group of people, it may be cheaper per person than taking a bus.
Here are some examples of long-distance taxi journey prices in Jordan:
- Amman to the Airport: 15 JOD (£15 or $18)
- Amman to the King Hussein Border (Jerusalem): 30 JOD (£30 or $35)
- Amman to the Dead Sea (two ways): 40 JOD (£40 or $50)
- Amman to the Dead Sea and Baptism Site (round trip): 50-70 JOD (£50-£70 or $60-$90)
- Amman to Petra (two ways): 100-150 JOD (£100-£150 or $120-$180)
TOP TIP: Some people offer taxi services in private cars (not marked as taxis). This can seem a little disconcerting at first but it is very normal in Jordan.
Can you use Uber to arrange long-distance taxi journeys in Jordan?
There are no distance limits on Uber for arranging long-distance taxi journeys in Jordan. However, we do not recommend using the Uber app to arrange longer distance journeys.
Firstly, the Uber app does not allow you to customize your booking, so if you want to take a long journey with some waiting time and then return, it is not possible to enter this into the Uber app. Furthermore, if you are trying to take a very long journey on the Uber app, you may find it difficult to get a driver who is willing to go long distances at the last minute.
How to arrange a long distance taxi in Jordan
So if you are looking for a long-distance taxi journey in Jordan, we recommend speaking to drivers in person and negotiating a good deal. If possible, try to do this a day or two before you plan to take your trip.
TOP TIP: A great way to find travel buddies in Jordan is to join one of the Jordan tourist groups on Facebook and leave a post asking if anyone wants to group up with you for a trip. Many people do this, and it is a great way to find travel buddies and reduce the cost of your travels.
Here is a checklist of things to agree with a driver if you are planning a long-distance trip in Jordan:
- The number of passengers in your group
- The destination
- Any additional destinations
- Waiting times
- Pick up time and location
Once you are happy that you have a good deal with a local driver and that all the details are understood, we recommend swapping phone numbers and contacting your driver. Many taxi drivers in Jordan use WhatsApp. We recommend checking the details in writing over WhatsApp to make sure that everything is clearly understood.
3 Rent a Car
Another way to travel around Jordan is to rent a car. Car rental in Jordan starts at around 35 JOD per day. This is a cost-effective way to do longer journeys, especially if you’re traveling as a family or a larger group. Another advantage of car rental in Jordan is safety. Rental cars tend to be better maintained and newer vehicles.
They should have working seat belts, and if you’re traveling with kids, you may also be able to get your dealer to include a baby seat. Another advantage of using a rental car in Jordan is being able to drive more safely than local taxis. Many local taxis in Jordan drive quite fast and don’t leave a lot of space. If you do plan to drive in Jordan, we recommend a reasonable level of confidence and experience. You will also need an international driver’s license. If you are planning to use a rental car to travel around Jordan, remember to make sure that there is parking available near your hotels or guest houses
