How to get to Jordan: airports, flights and border crossings

For almost every first trip, book into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). It is the country's main gateway, sits 30–40 km south of Amman, and puts you on the right side of the country for the classic route: Amman, then Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba to the south.

Pick Aqaba's King Hussein International (AQJ) only if the Red Sea is the point of the trip, or if you are combining Jordan with Egypt or Saudi Arabia by sea or land. Land borders and the Aqaba ferry work, but they cost hours and can close without notice, so treat them as a plan B rather than the main route.

Queen Alia International (AMM) handles the bulk of international traffic, with direct flights from Gulf hubs, Istanbul, Cairo, several European cities and a growing number of seasonal routes. Royal Jordanian is the flag carrier; Gulf carriers and low-cost European airlines also serve Amman. From the US, Canada and Australia you will almost always connect through a hub such as Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or a European city.

King Hussein International (AQJ) in Aqaba is small and mostly serves charter and seasonal flights plus regional links. It is useful if you want to start at the Red Sea and work north, but schedules are thinner and can change by season.

Amman also has Marka Airport, mainly domestic and regional; do not book it expecting international connections.

These are typical total journey times including a connection, not just the airborne leg. Direct flights exist from some European and Middle Eastern cities; from further afield you will connect once, sometimes twice.

Jordan shares land borders with Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq. Which crossings are open, and for whom, changes with the regional situation, so check the current status with your embassy and the Jordanian authorities before you travel — do not rely on a blog post from last year.

The busiest crossing for travellers is the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) between Jordan and the West Bank, used by many visitors combining Jordan with Jerusalem. The Yitzhak Rabin crossing near Aqaba links Jordan with Eilat in Israel. The Saudi border at Durra/Omari is used by overlanders and pilgrims; the Syrian and Iraqi borders are generally not for ordinary tourism.

Crossing by land usually means a shared or private taxi to the border, formalities on both sides, then another taxi onward. Budget several hours, carry your passport and any required visa or permit, and expect separate exit fees on some crossings.

The main sea link is the ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba between Egypt (Nuweiba, and sometimes Taba) and Aqaba. It can be a cheap way to combine Sinai with Jordan, but schedules are irregular, sailings are sometimes cancelled for weather or operational reasons, and the crossing can take several hours plus port formalities.

There are also seasonal cruise calls at Aqaba. If you arrive by cruise, you clear immigration at the port and can reach Petra on a long day trip, though it is a rushed one — an overnight in Wadi Musa is better.

At AMM, immigration is usually straightforward for most Western passports, and visa-on-arrival is often available; the Jordan Pass can cover the visa fee if you buy it before arrival and meet the minimum-stay rule. Check the current rules for your passport before you fly.

From the airport, taxis and ride-hailing apps run to Amman in roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. There are also airport buses, but they are less convenient with luggage. If you are heading straight to Petra, it is usually better to overnight in Amman first and travel south the next morning rather than push on after a long flight.

Once in the country, JETT and other buses link Amman with Petra, Aqaba and other towns, and a rental car gives you more freedom for Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Sort out your eSIM or local SIM at the airport or in Amman, and carry some Jordanian dinars for taxis and small purchases.

Book flights early for spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November), the best seasons and the busiest. Summer is hot in the south, and winter can bring rain and even snow in Amman, though Aqaba stays mild.

Keep your passport valid for at least six months, check whether your nationality needs a visa in advance, and buy travel insurance that covers the activities you plan — hiking in Petra and Wadi Rum, diving in Aqaba, and driving on Jordanian roads.

If you are combining countries, remember that crossing into Israel or the West Bank and back can affect your Jordanian visa and future entry stamps, so plan the order of your trip and keep your paperwork.