Menu
The question of how to move around Jordan should occupy a central place in your trip planning. Although the country is not too large, the main points of interest are located in very different areas, and you will need to move from one to another in a comfortable, fast and efficient way. Therefore, on this page we show you what means of transportation exist, and we anticipate that the best option is always private transportation.
Flying is a quick solution for traveling from the capital Amman to the Red Sea, as the country only has two airports and therefore only one national air route:
There is practically no way to get around Jordan by train: the country does not have a railway network as such, but only a line that connects Amman with the Syrian border in the north. In reality, it was a line built during the Ottoman Empire, at the beginning of the 20th century, replacing the ancient caravan route between Damascus and the cities of Medina and Mecca, and which was later used to transport war weapons in subsequent conflicts.
Therefore, it is not a means of transportation used by foreign tourists, since it does not connect the capital with the major places of interest in the country. The company that operates this line is Hedjaz Jordan Railway. There is another railway company in the south, Aqaba Railway, but it only transports goods and not passengers. However, the government is planning an expansion of the network to improve rail connections in Jordan.
The bus is a more realistic solution to the question of how to get around Jordan. Practically all transportation options rely on the JETT company, which offers what is known as a “tourist bus” service aimed at travelers who want to move between cities and visit the main points of interest in the country. This company has deployed a wide network of routes that extends practically throughout Jordan’s geography.
Here is the list of cities and places of interest covered by the company:
Another bus service is the urban one. This type of collective vehicle is available in the two big cities, Amman and Irbid, with a more or less standardized service in terms of schedules and frequency. They are the cleanest, safest, and most comfortable, with the possibility of paying by card. In the capital, this service enjoys 27 lines.
In addition, there is another mode widely used by the local population: the minibus. Although they have pre-established routes to reach different neighborhoods, they do not guarantee fixed schedules and frequencies; they leave when they are full. Tickets are bought on the same bus. You can think of it as a cultural experience to get to know the habits and modes of mobility of the local population, but not as a solution for your travels on a tourist circuit.
Independent travelers can choose to get around Jordan by car. To do so, the most practical option is to rent a car at one of the car rental offices, which are present in the major cities and at the main transportation infrastructures, such as Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport.
In this case, it is recommended to take extreme precautions: although the overall state of the roads is acceptable, the signage can be incomplete and confusing, as it is usually in English but with transcriptions that can lead to misunderstandings.
Here are some other general recommendations:
Taxis are a good transportation solution in the country: they are abundant and reasonably priced. In fact, there are two types of taxis:
In addition to these two “classic” taxi types, there are also other more modern options, such as using Uber to travel in Jordan: this multinational company has a license to operate in the country. Another alternative is Careem, an app that connects passengers and drivers who offer their vehicles for shared journeys.
Despite the options indicated above, there is nothing like traveling in Jordan with private transportation, especially for its comfort, speed, and availability. If you already know the route of your itinerary, it is highly recommended to reserve private transportation services in advance to avoid surprises and, above all, to make the most of your travel time.
In this regard, Jordan Exclusive can provide private transportation with a chauffeur in your language, in services as varied and important as airport transfers, travel between tourist destinations, or journeys within the same city, if you wish. Contact us and we will inform you of how to travel in Jordan in our vehicles, the number of seats available, their cost, and any other details of interest.
Fill out the form below to receive a free non-binding quote tailor-made by a specialized agency in Jordan.
Travel agency and DMC specialists in private and tailor-made travel to Jordan
Mandala Tours, S.L, NIF: B51037471
License: C.I.AN-187782-2
Hello!
Contact one of our travel advisors for commercial assistance.
