Transportation
Most people arrive in Jordan by air, although it is also possible to come via road, rail or water. Amman, the capital, is home to the country's only international airport, and is also the start or end point of many other types of transport. Getting to other destinations throughout the country is possible by domestic airline, bus, or taxi.
The overland borders
Syria to the north, Iraq to the East, Saudi Arabia from the south and south east, and Israel from the north west, west and south West.
Citizens from Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City and Yemen do not require a visa for entry.
Sea
There are two boat services to Nuweiba in Egypt which leave from the passenger terminal just south of Aqaba. Departure times can be subject to change.
• A high speed service leaves Aqaba daily and takes an hour
• The Ferry service (which doubles as a car ferry) takes three hours
• There is sometimes talk of another service, at 6pm, but this is only during exceptionally busy times (like the haj).
Land
The main route is the Desert Highway, which connects Aqaba, Ma'an, and Amman.
One particular stretch, where the road rapidly descends from the highlands of Amman to the valley that leads into Aqaba through a series of steep hairpin curves. This stretch of the road has been made into a dual carriageway and is now a little safer - however exercise caution on this stretch of the road.
The other route of interest to travelers is the King's Highway, a meandering track to the west of the Desert Highway that starts south of Amman and links Kerak, Madaba, Wadi Mujib and Petra before joining the Desert Highway south of Ma'an.
Air
Jordan's national airline is Royal Jordanian Airlines. In addition, Jordan is served by a number of foreign carriers including BMI, Air France, air Baltic, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Alitalia and Delta Airlines. Low-cost airline Air Arabia flies between Jordan and destinations all over the Middle East. UK based airline easy Jet has announced plans to fly three times a week from London Gatwick to Amman from March 2011, cutting the cost of getting to the Middle East from the UK substantially.
Queen Alia International Airport is the country's main airport. It is 35km south of Amman (on the main route to Aqaba). You should allow 45 minutes to reach the airport from the downtown Amman, approximately 30 minutes from West Amman. Transport into Amman is provided by the Royal Jordanian bus service to the city terminal near the 7th circle, or by taxi.
In addition to Queen Alia, Jordan has two other international airports:
- Marka International Airport in East Amman (serving routes to nearby Middle Eastern countries, as well as internal flights to Aqaba).
- King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba.
By Air from Hrs
London 5.30
Paris 5.15
Frankfurt 4.45
New York 12.30
Montreal 12.15
Rome 4.00
Madrid 4.30
Hong Kong 12.00
Moscow 3.30
Brussels 4.30
Dubai 3.15
International carriers
Air France, Lufthansa, Austrian, BMI, Emirates, Delta, Turkish airlines, Egypt Air, Cyprus Airways, Qatar Airways, Alitalia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airlines.