Whether you are just starting your trip or about to end it, at one point or another you will have to travel from Aqaba to Amman, Jordan’s only Red Sea port and the nation’s capital city. So, let’s find out how to get from Aqaba to Amman.
In this transfer guide, we will be breaking down to 5 best travel routes to get from Aqaba to Amman, from the fastest option to the cheapest option and the best value for money overall.
Whether you are heard for Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) or Downtown Amman, in this guide you will find the transport options that makes the most sense for you.
Key Takeaways
- Flying from Aqaba to Amman via King Hussein International Airport is the fastest option, taking under an hour. Royal Jordanian offers daily flights starting at around $46. Ideal for travelers needing quick transfer.
- Taking the JETT bus is a great value choice. It runs about 20 times daily, costs 10 JOD, and the journey takes around 5 hours with comfortable amenities. Best for budget travelers who prefer convenience.
- Mini buses are the cheapest option, costing about 7-10 JOD and taking roughly 6 hours. They operate on a leave-once-full basis, so travel early to secure a seat. Suitable for budget travelers who want an authentic local experience.
- Private transfers offer door-to-door comfort and faster travel (about 4.5 hours) but are more expensive (100-120 JOD). Good choice for families or groups wanting convenience and flexibility.
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Where to Stay in Amman
Rounding off your Jordan trip? These are three of the best hotels in Amman, at three drastically different price points:
Name | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|
Luxury | InterContinental Amman | from $ 161 per night | |
Boutique | New Merryland Hotel | from $ 90 per night | |
Budget | The Cabin | from $ 16 per night |
How to Get from Aqaba to Amman
Located on Jordan’s short Red Sea coastline, Aqaba City is located around 330 kilometres south of Amman, the nation’s capital city. Travelling between the two cities can take anywhere between just one hour by plane to six hours with a local mini bus.
In this transportation guide, we will give you a detailed rundown of the 5 most popular travel routes: direct flights, tourist buses, local mini buses, private transfers and rental cars. Let’s dive right in.
By Plane via King Hussein International Airport (AQJ): The Fastest Option
From Aqaba, you can catch the only commercial domestic flight currently operating in Jordan: from King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM).
Operated by Royal Jordanian, Jordan’s national carrier, this direct flight from Aqaba to Amman takes less than an hour and tickets start from $ 46 (or 41 €) with more than 20 scheduled departures per week.
Usually, we wouldn’t recommend skipping half a country by taking a domestic flight, but taking the Aqaba Amman flight can actually make sense, if you are doing it at the end of your trip to make it back to Amman. From Amman Airport, you can either commute to Amman City or catch your flight home.
Both Aqaba Airport and Amman Airport are fairly calm and efficient airports, making this route especially easy to travel, if you need to be back in Amman quickly. Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance, don’t worry about luggage (it’s always included with Royal Jordanian) and enjoy your flight.
Would we recommend this option? If you are simply looking for a quick way to get back to Amman after finishing your Jordan trip, this is the way to go.
By JETT Bus: The Value Pick
If you are not in a rush, you can also just take a direct bus from Aqaba to Amman. Some might even argue that taking a bus to Amman won’t take much longer than flying domestically anyways. And you know what? They are right.
The JETT Bus company operates around 20 daily buses from Aqaba to Amman, connecting the Red Sea port with all of Amman’s major bus stations.
Depending on your needs, these are the stations to choose for your Aqaba Amman transfer:
- Abdali Station: Closest to the city centre, the Abdali Station is the destination to choose if you are planning to stay in a hostel in Downtown Amman. From here, you can walk to the city centre.
- Wehdat Station: South of the city centre, Wehdat Station mostly services Southern Jordan. We wouldn’t recommend getting off here, unless you are staying in one of Amman’s southern suburbs.
- Tabarboor Station: North of the city centre, Tabarboor Station is the main transfer hub to get to destinations in Northern Jordan. If you are continuing to Jerash or Arzaq, this is where to go.
- 7th Circle Office: Far from the city center, the 7th Circle Office is JETT’s office. From here, you can transfer to the Sariyah Airport Express to get to Queen Alia International Airport (AMM).
Your trip with JETT Bus will cost you 10 JODs and take around 5 hours, proving Amman’s traffic has mercy on you. The buses compete with international brands such as FlixBus and Greyhound, featuring comfortable seats, air-conditioning and toilet and snack breaks along the way.
Would we recommend this option? Absolutely. The JETT Bus route is both convenient and affordable, costing only a fraction of a domestic flight, while one taking 1-2 hours more at best. Plus, you can book your tickets online.
By Mini Bus: The Cheapest Option
If you are travelling on a strict budget, you can make your trip from Aqaba to Amman even cheaper than the 10 JODs that the JETT Bus ticket costs: by hopping on a chicken bus.
In Jordan, locals mostly travel in white mini buses that operate on a leave-once-full basis. They are generally cheaper, but less reliable. In Aqaba, you can find mini buses to Amman at Aqaba Bus Station right across the street from the local police station.
Head there as early as possible to catch one of the first ones. The later you get to the bus station, the smaller your chance of finding a mini bus to Amman. At the bus station, ask for the bus to Amman, pick your seat and wait until the bus is full. Once on the road, the driver will ask the passengers to pay.
The bus ride from Aqaba to Amman usually costs between 7 JODs and 10 JODs and is paid in cash. It takes around 6 hours with plenty of stops along the way and in Amman you will be dropped at the Wehdat Bus Station. From there you use public transport to get to the center or call an Uber to get to the airport.
Would we recommend this option? If you are travelling on a budget, you can save a few bucks by hopping on a mini bus, and you’ll see parts of Jordan you wouldn’t see otherwise. Not to bad, isn’t it?
By Private Transfer: The Easiest Way
You can spare yourself the search for the right bus, the transfer to the bus station and even the ride to the airport terminal by simply booking a private transfer from Aqaba to Amman.
Offered by several transportation companies in Aqaba, these private transfers offer you the advantages offer door-to-door service, more comfort and privacy and much faster transfer times. In a taxi, the same journey that can take up to 6 hours by bus, barely takes 4.5 hours.
Hiring a private driver is a lot more expensive though. A private transfer from Aqaba to Amman can easily cost between 100 JODs and 120 JODs. On the bright side, this prices is calculated per vehicle, so you can save money on the transfer by sharing it with up to 3 fellow travellers.
Travelling back to Amman from Wadi Rum? No need to go back to Aqaba to find a private transfer. Book your Desert Tour incl. Private Transfer to Amman in one go and avoid a planning mess later on.
Would we recommend this option? For families and groups, private transfers actually make a whole lot of sense, since they save you additional costs commuting to and from stations – and lots of nerves.
By Rental Car: The Flexible Option
Most of the transportation options described above make a whole lot of sense, if you are planning to end your Jordan trip after transferring from Aqaba to Amman. But what if you’re just getting started?
If Aqaba is the starting point of your Jordan trip, either because you found a cheap flight to Aqaba or because you entered Jordan via the Nuweiba Aqaba ferry, taking a rental car makes much more sense than taking one of the direct travel routes to Amman described above.
Renting a car in Jordan is fairly cheap with daily rates offered by international rental car companies starting from as little as $ 40 (or 34 €) per day. Add to that gasoline for just 1 JOD per litre and you have the perfect recipe for a road trip. The pickup is at King Hussein International Airport (AQJ).
From Aqaba, you can drive to Amman along one of these routes, depending on the sites you want to see:
- The Desert Highway: This is the fastest route to Amman taking just around 4 hours in total. You can make a detour to the Wadi Rum Desert from here. Otherwise, it’s not very eventful.
- The Dead Sea Highway: This is the second-fastest route to Amman taking around 4.5 hours in total. Running along the entire length of the Dead Sea, this route is screaming for a wellness stop.
- The King’s Highway: Easily the most eventful travel route to Amman, the historic King’s Highway runs through Jordan’s most popular destinations including Petra, Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle.
Once in Amman, you can drop your rental car off at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) and either continue to the city centre via the Sariyah Airport Express bus or simply catch your flight back home.
Would we recommend this option? Travelling from Aqaba to Amman by rental car isn’t just a means of transport, but essentially your whole itinerary. This is a great option, if your trip starts in Aqaba.
Where to Stay in Amman, Jordan
Not leaving just yet? If you have another night or two left in Jordan, before you catch your flight home, you should make the most of your time by staying in Downtown Amman.
Depending on your budget, there’s are several great hotels in Amman for your to end your trip:
- The Budget Pick: Located right in the heart of Downtown Amman, The Cabin Amman is within walking distance of Abdali Station (around 30 minutes). From there, you can explore Central Amman by foot, eat cheap street food and try authentic Nabulsi Knafeh at Habibah Sweets.
- The Value Pick: Located on the edge of the Abdali district (Downtown), the New Merryland Hotel is both far enough away from the hustle and bustle for your stay to be relaxed and close enough to plenty of cafés and art galleries for you to be entertained at all times.
- The Luxury Pick: After climbing the ancient paths of Petra and venturing into the Wadi Rum Desert, you deserve to be pampered. Quite fittingly, the InterContinental Amman features not only high-end rooms, meals and services, but also indoor and outdoor pools and its own spa center.
Name | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget | The Cabin | from $ 19 per night | |
Boutique | New Merryland Hotel | from $ 97 per night | |
Luxury | InterContinental Amman | from $ 179 per night |
Haven’t found your fit yet? Find even more top-tier hotels in Amman in our extensive guide on where to stay in Amman.
The Bottom Line
Unsurprisingly, Jordan’s capital city and its only Red Sea poort are very well connected. So, whether you are looking for a fast, convenient or affordable way to get there, you’ll find just the right transportation option in Aqaba.
If you were to ask us, which transport option is the best, we’d vouch for the mini bus. After all, this is the option we used to travel between the two cities. And if you are just starting out your trip, you should seriously consider renting a car in Aqaba. For itinerary Inso, check out our article on how to spend a week in Jordan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go from Aqaba to Amman?
To get from Aqaba to Amman, you can get a direct flight, a JETT bus, a public bus, a taxi and a rental car. The direct domestic flight is the fastest option, the public mini bus the cheapest and the JETT bus the best value for money overall.
How much is it from Amman to Aqaba?
Depending on your transportation options, you are looking at $ 15 to $ 170 to get from Aqaba to Amman. The cheapest route from Aqaba to Amman is the local mini bus, coming in at around 10 JODs per passenger. The most expensive option is a private transfer costing up to 120 JODs, which can be split between up to 4 passengers.
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travel advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
