How to Get to Amman. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel to Amman

Airport & Airlines

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), approximately 30 kilometers south of Amman, is Jordan's largest airport and the main international gateway.

Air Services

Royal Jordanian: The national flag carrier, with an extensive network connecting Amman to major cities globally.
Other Major Airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Saudia operate flights to AMM.
Budget Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet offer economical flights, mainly from European cities. Find deals at Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner.

Flight Availability & Airport Transfers

Direct flights from numerous global hubs make Amman accessible. Seasonal price fluctuations and efficient airport transfers assist your travel plans.

Travel Logistics

Seasonal Prices: Flights increase during peak tourist seasons (spring, autumn) and holidays. Better deals exist in the off-season-season (deep winter and parts of summer).
Airport Facilities: AMM offers duty-free shops, restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange, vehicle rental firms, lounges, and free Wireless internet-Fi.
Transfers: Airport Rapid Bus (3.30 JOD to North Terminal), official taxis (20-25 JOD to city), ride-sharing apps (Uber/Careem), and pre-booked private transfers are available.

Direct Flight Options

Direct flights to Amman originate from numerous major global hubs, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, and Dubai, making it widely accessible.

Flight Price Periods

Flight prices generally rise during peak tourist seasons (spring, autumn) and major holidays. Better deals usually look during the low season.

Airport to City

Choose from Airport Express Bus, official taxis, ride-sharing apps (Uber/Careem), or pre-booked private transfers for your journey to Amman.

Land Travel Considerations

Border Crossings & Train Services

To/from Israel/Palestine: King Hussein Bridge (West Bank), Sheikh Hussein Bridge (northern Israel), Yitzhak Rabin Terminal (southern Israel) connect Jordan. Visa rules vary by crossing.
To/from Ksa, Syria, Iraq: Borders with Syria and Iraq are generally closed or restricted for tourist travel due to security. Consult government advisories.
Train Travel: Jordan does not have a comprehensive passenger train system. Trains are not a viable option for intercity or international connections.
Long-Cross-country Buses: JETT Bus and Trust International Transport offer comfortable, air-conditioned services to popular destinations like Petra, Aqaba, and Jerash.

Self-Driving in Jordan

Requirements: Valid national driver's license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) comes strongly recommended. A major credit card for deposit. Minimum age 21-25. Find car rentals at DiscoverCars.com.
Road Conditions: Main highways are well-maintained. Roads inside of Amman can be hilly, congested, plus tough due to aggressive driving.
Safety: Defensive driving is welcome. Velocity limits are enforced, and signage shows up within Arabic and The english language on major routes.
Driving Culture: Jordanian drivers can appear aggressive; expect sudden lane changes, frequent horn usage. Drivers often ignore pedestrian crossings. Exercise extreme caution.

Sea/River Travel & Departure Details

Sea Arrivals in Aqaba

Amman's inland location means no direct sea access. Jordan's only seaport, Aqaba, is on the Sea Of reeds (4-5 a few a few hours south). It functions as a port for ferries to/from Nuweiba, Egypt, and for cruise ships. No commercial river transportation.

Seaport Procedures & Connections

Immigration at Aqaba port mirrors air/land crossings. A a current passport and visa (frequently on arrival or Jordan Pass) are needed. From Aqaba, reach Amman via JETT Buses, taxis, or rental cars.

Departure Information

Flight departure tax from AMM is usually in airfare. Land border exit fees vary (e.g., ~10 JOD to Israel/Palestine). Be THERE two-3 hours before international flights; factor in Amman traffic. AMM has duty-free, restaurants, lounges, ATMs.

Departure Checklist

Pre-Departure Planning

A well-organized exit keeps stress low.

Departure Procedures

Airport Arrival: Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) at least 2-3 hours before international flights.
Documents: Ensure you possess all necessary documents readily accessible, including your passport and boarding pass.
Amman Traffic: Factor in potential traffic congestion when traveling to the airport from Amman, especially during peak hours.

Airport Facilities for Departing Travelers

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) offers a range of facilities to enhance the experience of departing passengers. These cater for various needs prior to your flight.

Available Services

Duty-Vat-free Shopping: Last-minute shopping opportunities for souvenirs, gifts, and international products.
Restaurants and Cafes: Various options for a a meal or snack prior to your flight.
Lounges: Access to the airport relaxation areas for relaxation.

Buses for Long-Distance Journeys

Buses offer a useful and affordable how to travel between Amman and further main Jordanian destinations. They connect popular sights efficiently.

Bus Companies

JETT Bus: This major private coach operator provides comfortable, air-conditioned services to popular tourist destinations like Petra, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, Jerash, and Madaba.
Trust International Transport: Another reputable company offering similar routes and services inside of Jordan.
Local Buses/Minibuses (Serviis): These connect Amman with nearby towns and cities. Less comfortable and less frequent for tourists, operating more as local commuter transport.

Self-Driving for Flexibility

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Jordan, especially for excursions from Amman.

Driving Information

Requirements: Valid national driver's license. An International Driving Permit (IDP) comes strongly recommended. A major credit card for the rental deposit. Minimum age for rental typically 21-25.
Road Conditions: The principal highways are generally well-maintained. Roads within Amman can be hilly, congested, plus tough to navigate due to reckless driving habits.
Safety: Defensive driving comes recommended. Driving speeds are monitored, and road signage appears in both Arabic and English on primary routes.

Road Safety & Local Driving Culture

Traffic: Amman experiences heavy traffic congestion, especially during peak hours (morning and late afternoon/early evening). Plan extra travel time.
Driving Culture: Jordanian drivers can appear aggressive; expect sudden lane changes, frequent horn usage, and less adherence to lane markings.
Pedestrians: Drivers often ignore pedestrian crossings. Exercise extreme caution when crossing streets, and make eye contact with drivers.

Driving Laws: Drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are required for all. Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal.
Speed Bumps: These are common, often unmarked, especially on city streets. Drive with caution.
Road Signage: On major routes, signage shows up inside both Arabic and English, which helps navigation.

Seaport & Departure Details

Sea Travel from Aqaba

Amman's inland position means it lacks direct sea or entry to the river. However, Jordan does possess a seaport, Aqaba, located on the Red Sea.

Aqaba Port Information

Aqaba Port: Approximately 4-5 hours south of Amman. It serves as a port for ferry services to and from Nuweiba, Egypt.
Cruise Ships: Aqaba also functions as a location for cruise ships, bringing international visitors to Jordan's Red Sea coast.
River Transportation: Jordan has no commercial river transportation options.

Immigration & Connections from Aqaba

Immigration procedures at Aqaba port resemble those at air or land crossings. Valid travel documents are necessary for entry and exit.

From Port to City

Immigration: You must have a valid passport and a visa (often available on arrival or is included in a Jordan Pass).
JETT Buses: Provide comfortable, scheduled services between Aqaba and Amman.
Taxis: Available for hire, though this will reoffer a more expensive option for a long-distance journey.

Airport Departure Tax

Departure tax for flights from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is typically included in your airfare. Confirm this with your airline or travel agent.

Land Border Exit Fees

Land border exit fees vary depending on the specific crossing and your destination. Such as, an exit fee of around 10 JOD applies for land crossings to Israel/Palestine.

Pre-Boarding Planning

Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) at least 2-3 hours before international flights. This allows ample time for check-in, security, and immigration. For peak times, consider arriving earlier.

Airport Facilities for Departure

Shopping & Dining

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) has a selection of facilities for departing passengers, including shopping and dining to enhance your pre-flight experience.

Amenities at AMM

Duty-Free Shopping: Opportunities for last-minute souvenirs, gifts, and international products.
Restaurants and Cafes: Various options for a a meal or snack before your flight.
Lounges: Access to airport lounges for relaxation before your departure.

Financial & Support Services

Beyond retail and dining, AMM provides essential financial and support services for a hassle-free departure, handling any last-minute needs.

Support Services

ATMs: Available for withdrawing any remaining the currency of the country or for last-minute cash needs.
Check-in Stores: Clearly marked for various airlines, streamlining your check-in process.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport to keep you connected.

Transfer Options to Airport

Airport Express Bus

This offering runs frequently, approximately every 30-60 minutes, between AMM and Amman's North Terminal (Tabarbour). The cost is around 3.30 JOD. From Tabarbour, take a cab or ride-share to your final destination.

Taxis

Official airport taxis operate 24/7 from dedicated stands outside the terminal. Fixed rates apply for journeys to central Amman, typically 20-25 JOD. Confirm the price with the driver before you set off.

Ride-sharing Apps

Both Uber and Careem operate from the airport. Their prices are usually competitive with official cabs, and you receive a fare estimate before booking, which shows transparent pricing.

Visualizing Land Travel

Below, view a JETT bus parked at a station in Amman, ready for a long-distance journey. This highlights a popular option for intercity travel.

How to Get to Amman