Local time Amman

Currency

JD

Travel to Amman

Flying to Amman

British Airways and Royal Jordanian Airlines operate direct flights to Amman from the UK. Royal Jordanian Airlines also runs direct flights from the USA. Prices tend to stay consistent all year round, but you can find slightly cheaper flights in winter from October to March.

Flight times

From London - 5 hours; New York - 10 hours 25 minutes; Los Angeles – 17 hours (including stopover); Toronto – 13 hours (including stopover); Sydney – 19 hours 30 minutes (including stopover).

Travel by road

Jordan has a good, expanding road network. Road signs on the highways are in Arabic and English. Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Speed limits are 60kph (38mph) in cities, 80kph (50mph) on country roads and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. A driving licence valid in your country of origin is acceptable, 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.

Emergency breakdown services

Royal Automobile Club of Jordan (tel: +962 6 585 0626).

Routes

Amman is well connected by modern roads to the rest of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the occupied Palestinian National Territories and Syria. South of Amman, the Desert Highway (Highway 15) is the main artery to the port of Aqaba. It also runs north to the Syrian border, as does Highway 35.

Coaches

Several bus companies, all using air-conditioned modern coaches, run regular services to and from Amman. Jordan Express Tourist Transportation Company (JETT) (tel: +962 6 566 4141; www.jett.com.jo) is one of the main operators.

There are several bus terminals in Amman. The JETT Depot has scheduled services to Damascus, Cairo, Baghdad, Riyadh and Jeddah as well as Petra and Aqaba. Wihdat Station near the Middle Circle, 5km (3 miles) south of downtown, covers southern Jordan including Madaba, Petra, Ma'an and Aqaba. There is also Mujamma’a Al Shamal on Jordan Street, which has routes to Al Baqa’a, Jerash, Irbid, Ain Al Basha, and Fheis.

Time to city

From Aqaba – 4 hours; Damascus - 3 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

Despite plans to develop a 900km (560-mile) national railway, with international links to Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Oman , Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar and the UAE, Jordan current has very little in the way of a rail network. There was a twice weekly service between Damascus and Amman that used ancient rolling stock, but it has been stopped due to the conflict in Syria.

Operators

Hejaz Railway (tel: +962 6 489 5414, www.english.jh-railway.com) runs the local railway.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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Corp Amman Hotel

Located opposite the Royal Cultural Centre, the Corp Amman Hotel has 108 rooms, so if there's nothing on across the road, it opens up ample bargaining opportunities for nabbing a knocked down price. Sleeping quarters approach apartment sizes, and each comes with a large TV, free Wi-Fi and soundproofed windows. The small gym and swimming pool is enough to keep guests primed during their stay, while the rooftop lounge is best at dusk.

Four Seasons Hotel Amman

Undoubtedly the city's most luxurious hotel, the Four Seasons knows its place as it sits atop the highest of the Amman's Jabels (hills). Naturally, the hotel's signature service, beds and ambience are otherworldly, but you can't put a price on its wonderful views. Dead Sea mud treatments and salt scrubs are available in its spa and its run of excellent onsite restaurants might mean you don't eat anywhere else.

The Amman Pasha Hotel

Look past the floral bedspreads, and rise above the dodgy water pressure, and The Amman Pasha Hotel is a bit of a bargain. Leaning towards the hostel side of accommodation, rooms are clean and staff are friendly, and there’s a lovely roof terrace. The quirky café is adorned with stained glass windows, and Arabian carpets and onsite cooking classes are worth a few hours of your time. Toss up between rooms with views of the Roman Theatre or those away from the hubbub of the road outside. Breakfast is included.

ibis Amman

With a solid stamp of standardisation, ibis Amman works hard to provide perennial hotel needs: quiet rooms, decent beds and clean bathrooms. The location is central enough, while Wi-Fi and breakfast is included as part of the deal. Funky, Ikea-like furniture adorns the public spaces and staff are super helpful.

Toledo Hotel

Modern with a hint of faux-Moorish architecture, this moderately priced, 4-star hotel combines a great location with tasteful decoration and air-conditioned bliss. Under the shadows of some 5-star stalwarts, Toledo Hotel offers decent room dimensions, a restaurant that marries East and West, plus a spa with a lap pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Amman

At Crowne Plaza hotel, you can overlook the white city of Amman. International fast food restaurants, the main shopping area of Sweifiyeh, and the popular Gold Souk of Um Utheina are within walking distance. This 5 star hotel is an acclaimed destination for business trips, family visits and even solo travels to Jordan.