Transportation in Jordan

A private driver-guide is how most visitors see Jordan, and for good reason: it is flexible, comfortable, and removes every logistical decision. You are picked up at the airport, driven site to site, and can stop whenever something catches your eye. For our tours this is the standard, and it is the difference between a trip and an ordeal in summer heat.

It costs more than self-drive, but when you divide it across a group and factor in time saved and stress avoided, most travelers find it worth it — especially for first visits.

Renting a car suits independent travelers who like driving and want full control. Roads between major sites are good; driving is on the right; and a GPS phone with offline maps handles navigation. The challenges are Amman traffic, the winding mountain roads of the King’s Highway, and the odd livestock on rural roads. See our full driving in Jordan guide before you decide.

JETT buses run comfortable coaches from Amman to Petra (Wadi Musa) and Aqaba, and to Jerash — book ahead. Local minibuses are cheap and go almost everywhere, but they have no published timetable, leave when full, and are hard to use without some Arabic and a lot of patience. They suit backpackers with time, not travelers on a one-week schedule.

There is no public transport into Wadi Rum — you arrange a 4x4 from the visitor center or through a camp. For distances and drive times, see the dedicated page.