Jordan
Last checked:
- Capital
- Amman
- Currency
- JOD · Jordanian dinar
- Languages
- Arabic
- Plugs
- Type C, D, F, G, J · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Petra · Wadi Musa
Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs: the Siq, Treasury and Monastery.
- Wadi Rum · Wadi Rum
Desert of red sand and sandstone mountains; jeep tours and Bedouin camps.
- Jerash · Jerash
One of the best preserved Roman provincial cities, north of Amman.
- Dead Sea · Sweimeh
Float in hyper-salty water at resorts or public beaches.
- Amman Citadel and Roman Theatre · Amman
Hilltop ruins and a 6,000-seat theatre in the capital's old centre.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Uber
Works in Amman with upfront prices. The UK Foreign Office suggests Uber or Careem over street taxis.
Ride-hailing app
Careem
Popular regional app in Amman and other major cities.
Taxi
Yellow taxis
Should use the meter; roughly 1 JD per 5 km in Amman (varies). If the driver will not use it, agree a fare first. Sit in the back if alone.
Buses
JETT buses
Comfortable coaches between Amman, Petra, Aqaba and the King Hussein Bridge border crossing; book ahead in high season.
Buses
Minibuses
Cheap local minibuses connect towns and leave when full; timetables are informal.
Car rental
Car rental
Practical for the Kings' Highway and Dead Sea; roads are generally good but driving can be erratic in Amman.
Money and cash
Currency: JOD · Jordanian dinar
The dinar is pegged to the US dollar (about 1 JD = 1.41 USD). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants in Amman and Aqaba; carry cash for taxis, small shops, Wadi Rum camps and tips. Keep small notes, as change can be short. ATM fees can reach several JD, especially at the airport.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in Jordan's tourist industry: waiters, guides, drivers and hotel staff. Some restaurants include a service charge on the bill; check before adding more.
| Restaurants | About 10% if no service charge is on the bill (varies); small change on top is appreciated even when it is. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Rounding up is normal; not required. |
| Hotels | Small tips for porters and housekeeping (around 1 JD) are common (varies). |
| Tours and guides | Guides, drivers and Wadi Rum camp staff expect tips, usually given at the end (varies). |
| Food delivery | Round up or about 1 JD. |
Service charge: what’s true
Many mid-range and upscale restaurants add a service charge and sales tax to the bill, shown as separate lines (varies). Check the bill: if service is already included, an extra tip is optional.
Pressure tactics to watch for
At Petra, horse handlers say the short horse ride at the entrance is 'included in your ticket' and then push for a big tip or an extended ride. Touts on trails claim you need a guide when you do not. Agree any price in full before starting, and say 'La, shukran' to offers you do not want.
Useful phrases
- الحساب لو سمحت (il-hisab law samaht) The bill, please.
- الخدمة مشمولة؟ (il-khidmeh mashmooleh?) Is service included?
- لا، شكرا (la, shukran) No, thank you.
Etiquette
- Dress modestly outside resorts: shoulders and knees covered; women cover hair in mosques.
- Remove shoes when entering mosques and homes.
- Accept tea or coffee when offered; it is a key part of hospitality.
- Use your right hand for eating and passing things.
- Avoid public displays of affection; during Ramadan do not eat or drink in public in daytime.
- Bargaining is expected in souks and with some taxis and tour offers.
Scams and how to handle them
'Free' horse ride at Petra
Where: Petra entrance
How it works: Handlers say the horse ride is included in the ticket, then demand a large tip or push extended tours.
How to avoid it: Walk instead, or agree the full price (Wikivoyage suggests no more than about 15 JD per hour) before getting on.
'You need a guide' and fake rangers
Where: Petra trails
How it works: Touts claim a guide is mandatory for some trails or pose as rangers checking tickets.
How to avoid it: Guides are not required on the main trails; show tickets only at official checkpoints.
Commission shops
Where: Amman, Petra, Dead Sea tours
How it works: Guides and drivers steer you to shops where they get 30-50% commission.
How to avoid it: Decline unplanned shop stops and compare prices.
Border taxi overcharge
Where: Aqaba and Wadi Araba border crossings
How it works: Drivers at the border quote inflated fares and say no buses exist.
How to avoid it: Check transport options beforehand or take a short taxi into Aqaba and arrange onward travel there.
Fake antiquities
Where: Petra, Jerash, Amman souvenir sellers
How it works: Coins and objects are sold as genuine antiques.
How to avoid it: Assume they are fakes; exporting real antiquities is illegal.
Unmetered taxi fares
Where: Amman, especially near hotels and the airport
How it works: Drivers refuse the meter or add luggage fees.
How to avoid it: Use Uber or Careem, or agree the fare first.
Safety
- Jordan is generally safe for visitors with low crime, but pickpocketing and bag snatching happen in crowded places.
- Governments advise against travel near the Syrian and Iraqi borders; regional conditions change quickly, so check current advice (varies).
- Methanol in illegally made alcohol is a risk; drink only in licensed venues.
- Women travelling alone should take extra care; sit in the back of taxis.
- Carry water and sun protection at Petra and Wadi Rum; flash floods can affect wadis.
How widely English is spoken
Widely spoken in tourism, hotels and among educated Jordanians in Amman; basic in rural areas and among some taxi drivers.
Sources
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.