How to Get Around Jordan from Aqaba – Transport, Taxis, Buses & Carpooling

Transport in Jordan: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Jordan is a small country — you can drive from Aqaba to Amman in about 3.5 hours — but getting around isn't always straightforward. There is no rail network, domestic flights are limited to the Aqaba–Amman route, and public buses, while cheap, operate on limited schedules. Most tourists end up relying on a combination of private taxis, rental cars, and ride-hailing apps.

If you're based in Aqaba, you're actually in one of the best positions for exploring southern Jordan. Wadi Rum, Petra, and the Dead Sea are all reachable within a few hours. This guide covers every realistic transport option from Aqaba, with honest prices and practical tips — including a new carpooling option that's about to change how people travel between Jordanian cities.

Private Taxis

Private taxis are the most common way tourists travel between cities in Jordan. They're flexible, door-to-door, and available on demand. The downside: they're the most expensive option, and prices are almost never metered for intercity trips — you negotiate before departure.

Here are the typical one-way fares from Aqaba (2025–2026 prices):

Destination	Distance	Time	Taxi Price (approx.)
Wadi Rum	~60 km	45 min – 1 hr	30–40 JOD
Petra / Wadi Musa	~130 km	1h 45 min – 2 hr	40–55 JOD
Dead Sea	~250 km	~3 hr	60–80 JOD
Amman	~330 km	3.5 – 4 hr	70–90 JOD
Airport (Queen Alia)	~310 km	~3.5 hr	65–85 JOD

Tip: Always agree on the price before getting in the car. Ask your hotel reception for a fair price estimate first — this gives you a reference point for negotiation. Some drivers will try to charge significantly more than the going rate, especially near tourist areas.

JETT Buses

JETT is Jordan's main intercity bus company and the cheapest way to travel between cities. From Aqaba, JETT operates direct routes to Amman and occasionally to Petra/Wadi Musa. The buses are air-conditioned, reasonably comfortable, and cost a fraction of a taxi — typically 8–12 JOD for the Aqaba–Amman route.

The downside is the schedule. Most routes have only one or two departures per day, and they don't run to Wadi Rum directly. The JETT station in Aqaba is located near the center, and tickets can be purchased on-site or sometimes in advance. Schedules change seasonally, so always check at the station or ask your hotel the day before.

For more flexibility, local minibuses also run from Aqaba to nearby towns. They're cheaper than JETT but have no fixed schedule — they leave when full. This can mean long waits, and the vehicles are basic. Not ideal if you're on a tight itinerary.

Rental Cars

Renting a car in Jordan is straightforward and gives you maximum freedom. Several international agencies (Hertz, Europcar, Avis) and local companies operate in Aqaba, and prices start from around 25–35 JOD per day for a basic sedan. A 4x4 costs more but isn't necessary unless you plan off-road driving in remote areas.

Roads in Jordan are generally in good condition. The Desert Highway (Route 15) and the King's Highway (Route 65) are the two main north-south routes. Driving is on the right side, and an international driving permit is recommended but not always required.

A few things to keep in mind: parking in Amman is chaotic and stressful. Speed cameras are common on highways. And you cannot drive a personal vehicle inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area — you park at the Visitor Center and a camp driver takes you in by 4x4.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Uber and Careem both operate in Jordan, primarily in Amman. In Aqaba, availability is limited and unreliable — you may find a driver, or you may not. For intercity trips from Aqaba, ride-hailing apps are generally not practical. They work much better once you're in Amman.

Other apps available in Jordan include Jeeny and InDrive (where you bid your own fare). These are more useful in Amman than in the south.

Carpooling with Rakib — A New Way to Travel Jordan

One option that has been missing in Jordan until now is proper carpooling — the kind of ride-sharing where drivers heading somewhere anyway offer empty seats to passengers going the same way, and everyone splits the fuel cost. It's how services like BlaBlaCar work across Europe, and it's a model that makes especially good sense in a country like Jordan, where distances between key destinations are short, most cars travel with empty seats, and public transport options are limited.

Rakib is a new free app built specifically for Jordan that brings this model to the country. The concept is simple: drivers post their upcoming trips (for example, Aqaba → Amman on Thursday at 8:00 AM), passengers search for rides that match their route and schedule, and both parties share the travel cost. No premium pricing, no taxi license needed — just people going the same way.

For travelers, Rakib solves the two biggest transport problems in Jordan: cost and flexibility. A solo traveler heading from Aqaba to Petra might pay 50 JOD for a private taxi. With carpooling, the same trip could cost a fraction of that. And unlike JETT buses, you're not limited to one departure per day.

Rakib is currently in pre-launch, with an early access waitlist open. If you're planning a trip to Jordan, it's worth signing up — early users get priority visibility and boosted ranking once the app goes live. Join the Rakib waitlist →

Transfers Arranged by Camps and Hotels

Many Wadi Rum camps offer direct pickup from Aqaba for their guests, either free or at a competitive rate (often cheaper than a standalone taxi). If you've already booked a camp, ask them to arrange your transport — this is usually the easiest and most reliable option for the Aqaba → Wadi Rum leg.

Hotels in Aqaba can also arrange private transfers to Petra, the Dead Sea, or Amman. The advantage is convenience and a vetted driver; the downside is that hotel-arranged transfers are typically 10–20% more expensive than negotiating directly with a taxi driver.

Flights

Royal Jordanian operates a daily Aqaba–Amman flight (King Hussein International Airport → Queen Alia International Airport). The flight takes about 45 minutes and costs anywhere from 40 to 90 JOD depending on booking time and availability. This can be a good option if your schedule is tight and you need to cover the Aqaba–Amman distance quickly, though by the time you factor in airport procedures, the time saving over driving is modest.

Our Recommendation: Combine Options

There's no single best way to get around Jordan — the smartest approach is to mix transport modes depending on each leg of your trip. Here's what we suggest for a typical Aqaba-based itinerary:

Aqaba → Wadi Rum: Camp pickup (most convenient) or taxi (30–40 JOD). Once Rakib launches, carpooling will likely be the cheapest option for this short trip.

Wadi Rum → Petra: Ask your camp to arrange a direct transfer (common, ~40 JOD). This avoids returning to Aqaba first.

Petra → Amman: JETT bus (cheapest), taxi, or carpooling when Rakib is live.

Within Aqaba: Walking covers most of the city center. For South Beach or Tala Bay, a local taxi (3–5 JOD) or one of our boat tours along the coast is the most scenic option.

Boat transfer: We also offer a boat taxi service along Aqaba's coastline — a unique way to reach beach clubs and snorkeling spots that avoids road traffic entirely.