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Getting Around Amman

Getting Around Amman

Amman Jordan Travel Guide

Public Transportation in Amman

Amman currently lacks a metro or tram system. Coaches serve as the backbone of its public transport, offering an affordable way to traverse the city. These services connect various neighborhoods and attractions.

The Amman Bus is a modern, expanding public bus network with air-conditioned and comfortable buses. Payment uses a rechargeable smart card, the "Basma Card." This network covers many city parts with clear routes. White & Yellow Minibuses (Serviis) are older, often crowded, operating on fixed routes without strict schedules. Hail them anywhere and pay cash to the driver, usually 0.25-0.50 JOD per ride.

Bus System Overview

  • Amman Bus: Modern network, air-conditioned buses, requires "Basma Card" for payment. Fares are around 0.50-1 JOD per trip.
  • Route Maps & Hubs: Official Amman Bus app/website (Mowasalati) for routes and tracking. Major hubs: Raghadan (Downtown), Tabarbour (North), Abdali (Central).
  • Hours & Frequency: Amman Bus operates early morning (6 AM) to late evening (10-11 PM). Frequencies vary by route and time. Serviis run mainly daylight hours.
  • Accessibility: Newer Amman Buses offer accessibility (ramps/low floors), but overall city infrastructure continues to be limited. Serviis are not accessible.

Route Planning

Use the Amman Bus app for route planning, tracking, and schedules. For Serviis, ask locals for guidance on routes and destinations.

Ticketing & Fares

Purchase a rechargeable Basma Card for Amman Bus. Serviis accept cash directly to the driver, offering a very cheap fare.

Navigation Efficiency

Combine public transport with perambulation or ride-ride-sharing for maximum convenience, especially to places not well-served by buses.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing Services

Licensed Taxis
  • Identification: Look for yellow cars with a green "Taxi" sign. All licensed taxis have a meter.
  • Hailing: Hail taxis on the street or find them at designated stands near hotels or attractions.
  • Fares & Payment: Short rides (10-15 minutes) cost 2-5 JOD. Cash is standard. Few taxis accept credit cards. Always carry small denominations.
Ride-Sharing Apps & Safety
  • Apps: Uber and Careem (a prominent West Asian app) are widely available and popular in Amman.
  • Benefits: Fixed prices (known in advance), card payment, enhanced safety with driver tracking and ratings. Simple for non-Arabic speakers.
  • Safety: Ride-sharing is safer due to tracking. Taxis are generally safe, but always insist on the meter or agree on fare beforehand. Avoid unregistered taxis.

Airport & Station Taxi Arrangements

Airport Taxis

Licensed airport taxis operate with fixed rates, typically 20-25 JOD to the core Amman. Find them at designated stands.

Ride-sharing from Airport

Ride-sharing apps also serve the airport, offering competitive rates and price transparency.

Bus Station Taxis

Taxis are readily available at major coach terminals. Agree on the fare or require the meter prior to your departure.

Price Negotiation

For regular taxis, negotiation is if the meter is not used. Do this before the journey starts.

Rental Options for Getting Around

Car rentals offer flexibility for exploring Jordan beyond Amman. Other rental options, like motorcycles or bicycles, are less common or recommended within the city on its own.

Car Rental Information

  • Procedures: Arrange your rental vehicle in advance, especially during peak season, for availability and better rates.
  • Requirements: Valid national driver's license, an International Driving Permit (IDP) highly comes recommended. Major credit card for deposit. Minimum age 21-25. Find car rentals at DiscoverCars.com.
  • Major Companies: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt have offices in Amman (airport and city). Local companies also provide options.
  • Driving Laws: Drive on the right. Seatbelts mandatory. Mobile phone use while driving is illegal.

Road Conditions & Parking

  • Road Conditions: Main roads and highways are generally good. City roads can be congested and hilly. Speed bumps are common, often unmarked.
  • Parking: Can be challenging in busy areas (Downtown, Rainbow Street). Pay parking areas or metered street parking are available. Numerous hotels supply guest parking.
  • Motorcycle/Scooter Rentals: Not as common for visitors in Amman as a result of traffic congestion, hilly terrain, plus a shortage of dedicated infrastructure.
  • Bicycle Rentals: Amman lacks widespread bicycle sharing. Cycling within the city is generally not safe or practical for tourists because of traffic and terrain.

Walking & Cycling in Amman

  • Pedestrian-Friendly Areas: Downtown (Al-Balad) for souks and locations; Jabal Weibdeh for galleries and cafes; Rainbow Street for evening strolls and views.
  • Walking Tours: Local companies offer guided history or food tours. Self-guided routes are available online.
  • No-Go Areas for Pedestrians: Avoid major highways and heavily trafficked arterial roads due to lack of paths and safety risks. Be careful in unlit areas at night.
  • Amman's Topography: Many hills mean comfortable, sturdy Walking shoes are a must for navigating inclines and uneven pavements.
  • How Safe IT Is to cycle and the infrastructure: Limited to non-existent infrastructure. Cycling within Amman is generally not safe or practical for tourists due to traffic and terrain.
  • Accessibility Services: Minimal infrastructure. Newer hotels/major attractions may have ramps/elevators. Contact specialized tour operators for accessible transport.

Specialized Transport & Unique Options

Tour Buses

Several tour operators in Amman offer day trips to popular sites outside the city (Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra). These tours provide convenient transportation and often include a guide.

Unique Transport

Amman does not have regular hop-on-hop-off bus services for city sights, nor unique local vehicles for example tuk-tuks. No cable cars or funiculars within city limits.

Ajloun Cable Car

A cable car operates in Ajloun, an hour north of Amman, offering scenic views over forested hills. This makes a pleasant day trip from the city.

Public Transportation Visuals

Observe images demonstrating Amman's local transport. The modern Amman Bus represents the city's expanding public network, while Rainbow Street shows a pedestrian-friendly area flawless for walking.

Amman Bus on King Hussein Street

  • This image exhibits a modern Amman Bus driving through a city street, representing the reliable public transit system.
  • The Amman Bus system expands, offering air-conditioned comfort and covering many parts of the metropolis with clear routes.
  • Payment uses a rechargeable smart card, the "Basma Card," making it a budget-friendly way to travel around.
  • Utilize the official Amman Bus app (Mowasalati) for route planning and real-time tracking, helping you navigate efficiently.

Rainbow Street, Amman Jordan

  • This image shows Rainbow Street, demonstrating a pedestrian-friendly region with cafes and shops, perfect for walking leisurely.
  • Rainbow Street, located in Jabal Amman, is popular for evening strolls, offering many eateries, cafes, and special stores.
  • It holds great views of the city and a atmosphere, ideal for undergoing local culture on foot.
  • Walking is highly recommended for exploring specific neighborhoods like this, letting you immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

Visualizing Amman's Transport Options

Amman Public Bus in Action

See a modern Amman Bus navigating a city street, symbolizing the city''s pledge to improving public transit for inhabitants and visitors alike.

Pedestrian-Friendly Rainbow Street

This image showcases Rainbow Street, a prime example of Amman's pedestrian areas, where you learn about cafes, shops, and cultural spots.

to Navigation: The Basma Card

The Basma Card is your ticket to seamless go on the Amman Bus system, embodying the convenience of modern public transport.

Local Transport Tips

Optimizing Your Commute
  • For the Amman Bus, use the official mobile app to plan routes, track bus locations, and understand schedules.
  • For Serviis, ask locals for direction on routes or specific destinations. They work well for short, direct trips once you grasp their system.
  • Combine public transport with walking or ride-sharing for maximum convenience and to reach locations not well-served by buses.
Walking and Safety Notes
  • Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes to navigate Amman's inclines and uneven walkways.
  • Avoid walking or cycling on major highways and heavily trafficked arterial roads for safety.
  • Be careful when walking alone at night in poorly lit or deserted areas.

Important Considerations for Travelers

  • Driving Culture: Jordanian drivers can appear aggressive; expect sudden lane changes, frequent horn usage, and less adherence to lane markings.
  • Pedestrian Caution: Drivers often ignore pedestrian crossings. Exercise extreme caution when crossing streets, and make eye contact with drivers.
  • Bike Safety: Cycling within the urban area is generally not safe or practical for tourists owing to significant traffic, aggressive road behavior, and the challenging hilly landscape.
  • Unregistered Taxis: Never use unregistered taxis that lack official markings; they pose a higher safety risk.
  • Heavy Traffic: Amman experiences heavy traffic, especially during peak hours. Plan extra travel time if commuting during these times.
  • Motorcycle/Scooter Rentals: Limited availability due to the city's heavy traffic, hilly terrain, and lack of dedicated infrastructure.
  • Accessibility: Overall accessibility infrastructure in Amman remains limited. Public transportation and older parts of the city are not well-adapted for mobility challenges.
  • Street Names: While key thoroughfares have English signage, many smaller streets do not. With a map or using navigation apps helps.

Walking and Cycling Routes in Amman

Amman has both rewarding pedestrian experiences and challenges for bikers. Explore the city's charm on foot in specified zones, but exercise caution on main roads.

Pedestrian-Friendly Areas

  • Downtown (Al-Balad): Best explored on foot to navigate the bustling souks, the Roman Theater, and the Citadel.
  • Jabal Weibdeh: This neighborhood provides a pleasant environment for walking, with its art galleries, cafes, cultural centers, and tree-lined streets.
  • Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street): Popular for evening strolls, this area features numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops.
  • Walking Tour Options: Several local companies offer guided walking tours. Many online resources provide self-guided routes.

Cycling Considerations & Safety

  • Bicycle Infrastructure: Amman holds limited to non-existent dedicated bicycle infrastructure.
  • Bike Safety: Cycling within the city is generally not safe or practical for tourists owing to key traffic, reckless driving, and hilly terrain.
  • No-Go Areas: Avoid walking or cycling on primary roads and heavily trafficked arterial roads. These areas lack dedicated paths and present safety risks.
  • Night Walking: Exercise caution when walking alone at night in poorly lit or deserted areas.

Specialty Transport & Accessibility

Tour Buses & Services

Several tour operators offer outings from Amman to popular sites outside the city. Amman does not have hop-on-hop-off city tour buses.

  • Guided tours to Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra.
  • Accessible ways to travel included.
  • Often come with a knowledgeable guide.
Unique Local Transport

Amman lacks unique local vehicles like auto-rickshaws-tuks or jeepneys. No cable cars or funiculars exist within the city limits itself.

  • Ajloun has a scenic cable car.
  • No water transportation options.
  • Focus on buses, taxis, ride-sharing.
Accessibility for Travelers

Accessibility infrastructure in Amman remains limited. Public transit and older city parts are not well-adapted for mobility challenges.

  • Newer hotels may offer ramps.
  • Some major attractions have elevators.
  • Specialized tour operators assist with accessible transport.

Road Hazards & Mobility Limitations

Driving Hazards
  • Unmarked Speed Bumps: Expect these on urban roads, often without clear warnings.
  • Aggressive Drivers: Be prepared for sudden maneuvers plus common honking.
  • Pedestrian Crossings: Do not expect drivers to yield. Proceed with extreme caution.
Accessibility Challenges
  • Bumpy Sidewalks: Watch out for sidewalks that are not level, narrow, or non-existent in older areas.
  • Public Transport: Older minibuses are not accessible for mobility challenges.
  • Older City Areas: Many historical and traditional zones have limited accessibility.

Visualizing Local Transport Options

AN illustrative guide to help you understand the dynamics of getting around Amman, from its expanding bus network to its pedestrian-friendly cultural streets.

Amman Bus: Modern City Transit

  • The modern Amman Bus system, with comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, serves as a main public transport choice.
  • This expanding network covers many metropolitan areas, offering increasingly clear routes for easy navigation.
  • Utilize the official Amman Bus app for real-time management, route planning, and schedule updates.
  • A rechargeable "Basma Card" serves for payment, making fares around 0.50-1 JOD per trip.

Serviis: Local Minibus Experience

  • White and yellow minibuses, known as "Serviis," present a more conventional and local transportation experience.
  • These often crowded minibuses operate on fixed routes but lack strict schedules or designated stops.
  • Passengers can hail them anywhere along their route and pay cash directly to the driver, with very cheap fares.
  • Ask locals for direction on routes; this method works well for short, direct trips once you understand the structure.

Taxis & Ride-Sharing

Yellow licensed cabs run with meters. Uber and Careem offer fixed prices, electronic payments, and driver tracking for enhanced safety and convenience.

Car Rentals

Be equipped for metropolitan traffic and local driving habits. Major international companies operate here.

Walking in Amman

Downtown, Jabal Weibdeh, and Rainbow Street are pedestrian-friendly. Wear sturdy shoes for the hilly terrain. Cycling inside the city is generally not safe for tourists.

Guided Tours & Accessibility Overview

Specialized Tours
  • Tour operators offer day trips from Amman to popular sites like Jerash, Dead Sea, and Petra.
  • The Ajloun Cable Car, north of Amman, offers scenic views and makes a pleasant day trip.
  • Amman does not feature hop-on-hop-off city tour buses or unique local vehicles like tuk-tuks.
Mobility & Accessibility
  • Accessibility infrastructure in Amman remains limited, notably in older city parts and public transport.
  • Newer hotels and certain large attractions may possess ramps or elevators.
  • Contact specialized tour providers who can offer suitable solutions and confirm access with venues in advance.

Your Amman Journey Awaits

With a good understanding of Amman’s transportation options, you are ready to explore this captivating city. Whether on foot, by bus, taxi, or ride-share, movement through Amman promises to be part of your adventure.

Embrace the the local tempo and discover every corner of Jordan’the capital city.