Home › Travel Guides › Middle East Travel Guide › Jordan › Amman › Getting around Amman

Getting around Amman

Public transport: 

There is no integrated public transport system in Amman. A variety of different forms of transport operate in competition along a number of routes throughout the city. There is no timetable, and although there are what appear to be bus stops, they are mostly ignored with the various forms of transport picking up on demand.

There is a choice of minibuses, buses, yellow city buses and what is known locally as serveeces. These are shared taxis, containing between four and six people each paying a flat fare. They are easily recognisable: white cars with the route number they serve and cab number in black Arabic lettering on the front doors. Downtown acts like a hub and most transport routes radiate out from there.

Taxis: 

All licensed cabs are metered and provide an inexpensive way to get around Amman. Make sure the driver starts the meter as soon as you get in the cab. Some drivers will try to claim that their meter is broken or to negotiate a fixed fee. Have nothing to do with them and hail another cab.

Taxis can also be hired by the day or half day for sightseeing. Shared taxis are licensed vehicles that operate on one particular route picking up and setting down passengers just like a bus. They can also be booked through travel agents or hotels for longer trips to tourist attractions like Petra. Reliable taxi providers include Faraneh (tel: (06) 569 0310), Taxi Al-Barq (tel: (06) 464 1299) and Intercontinental Hotel Taxis (tel: (06) 464 1361).

Driving: 

A driving licence valid in your country of origin is necessary to hire a car in Amman, provided you have held it for at least one year. However, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Visitors are not allowed to drive a vehicle with normal Jordanian plates unless they have a Jordanian driving licence. Travelling around the city by taxi is recommended.

Car hire: 

Most of the international big names have offices in Amman but often the best deals can be had from local companies. Good car hire companies include Avis (tel: (74) 569 9420; www.avis.com.jo), Hertz (tel: (06) 553 8958; www.hertzjordan.com), Rent a Reliable Car (tel: (06) 592 9676; www.reliable.com.jo), U-Save (tel: (06) 565 2207) and Watanieh (tel: (06) 560 1350).

Bicycle hire: 

Bicycle hire is practically unknown in Amman, although more hotels are offering bike tours of the city. Contact your hotel concierge for more information.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.