Travelling to Jordan

Visitors with a valid passport may obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy or consulate abroad, or on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most border crossings (except King Hussein Bridge). Visas are valid for one month and can be extended at any police station. Some nationalities have restrictions — ask us for an up-to-date list, and about the Jordan Pass, which can waive the visa fee.

A departure tax applies at the land borders (Sheikh Hussein, King Hussein Bridge and Aqaba) and at Aqaba port for those travelling by sea to Egypt. Departure tax from Amman airport is normally included in your airline ticket.

The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD), divided into 1,000 fils. The dinar is fixed to the US dollar (1 USD ≈ 0.708 JD). Exchange money at banks, exchange booths and most hotels; street money-changers are best avoided.

Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, but cash is preferred in smaller shops and the local souks.

The mildest weather is in autumn and especially spring, when wildflowers bloom. Summer (May–September) is long, hot and dry, though evenings are cooler. Winter can be cold in Amman and the east, while Aqaba on the Red Sea stays a warm, sunny winter resort.

Average temperatures — Amman: ~5 °C in winter, ~28 °C in summer. Aqaba: ~16 °C in winter, ~35 °C in summer.

The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken, especially in cities and at tourist sites — and French, German, Italian and Spanish are spoken to a lesser extent. A few words go a long way:

Friday is the weekly holiday; many offices also close Saturday. Typical hours:

Earlier closing applies during Ramadan. Museums in Amman are closed on Tuesdays.

Hours vary by season; a rough guide:

Reduced hours apply during Ramadan and on official holidays.

Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country where the freedom of all religions is protected. Western visitors aren't expected to cover up, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate; conservative dress is advisable in downtown Amman and outside the cities. A little respect for local custom is always warmly received.

Most hotels and restaurants include a service charge, so tipping isn't obligatory — though a little extra is always appreciated. Where service isn't included, around 10% is customary.

Medical services in Jordan are excellent and most doctors are bilingual in Arabic and English; larger hotels have a doctor on call. Water in 3-star-and-above hotels is filtered and considered safe; elsewhere, bottled water is inexpensive and widely available. Water is precious in Jordan — please use it sparingly.

Electrical current is 220–240 V, 50 Hz, using rounded two-prong plugs (North American visitors will need a transformer). The country code is +962, and internet access is widespread via hotels and cafés.