Major city · Jordan
Madabaمادبا
Give Madaba one night, not two: mosaics and Mount Nebo fill a half day, and it works as a first or last stop, 25 km (16 mi) from the airport.Give Madaba one night, not two: mosaics and Mount Nebo fill a half day, and it works as a first or last stop, 16 mi (25 km) from the airport.
Madaba is a small market town of about 80,000 people on the King's Highway, 35–40 km from Amman and 25 km from Queen Alia airport. Its 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, a cluster of mosaic-floored churches and Mount Nebo 9 km away make it the natural first or last night of a Jordan trip, or a half-day stop between Amman and Kerak.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JOD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), Dec–Feb nights
- Airport
- AMM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 4
- Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
- Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
- Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Madaba911 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Madaba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Jordanian dinar (JOD) is divided into 1,000 fils (or 100 piastres); one dinar is a high-value note.Jordan-wide
- SIM or eSIMZain, Orange and Umniah sell tourist SIMs at Queen Alia arrivals; passport registration is required.Jordan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source but stored in rooftop tanks; drink bottled or filtered.Jordan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge; many mid-range places add 10%.Jordan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/F/G/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Jordan-wide
- SafetyMadaba is a calm, small town and feels safe on foot in the centre by day and early evening.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets at some bus stations.Jordan-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, ambulance and fire
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the main weekend day: government offices, banks and many downtown shops close, some open after midday prayers.Jordan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMM Queen Alia International (About 25 km (16 mi); taxi or Uber to the centre, roughly 20–30 min).AMM Queen Alia International (About 16 mi (25 km); taxi or Uber to the centre, roughly 20–30 min).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea1–2 JD
- Sit-down mealSit-down mezze and grill dinner8–20 JD
- Street or quick mealFalafel or shawarma sandwich1–3 JD
- Metro or bus rideAmman–Madaba bus or minibus0.65–1.20 JD
- Museum or sight ticketSt George's Church entry1 JD, free with the Jordan Pass
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personJOD 5
- Mid-range bedDouble room, small hotel, a night, per roomJOD 35
- High-end bedDouble room, small hotel, a night, per roomJOD 70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget JOD 25 · Mid JOD 55 · High JOD 110
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMM Queen Alia International (About 25 km (16 mi); taxi or Uber to the centre, roughly 20–30 min)AMM Queen Alia International (About 16 mi (25 km); taxi or Uber to the centre, roughly 20–30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Madaba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end. In-town taxis run at a flat fare rather than the meter, so agree the price before you get in; Uber also works, including to Mount Nebo. A taxi to the bus station is worth it with bags.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Nebo
goDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Taxi or Uber, 9 km (5.6 mi) northwest on the Dead Sea roadTaxi or Uber, 5.6 mi (9 km) northwest on the Dead Sea road
Entry 2 JD, not covered by the Jordan Pass; 30–45 minutes on site, best in late afternoon light.
Umm ar-Rasas
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car or taxi southeast via Dhiban, about 30 km (19 mi)Car or taxi southeast via Dhiban, about 19 mi (30 km)
UNESCO site with the large Church of St Stephen mosaic floor; little shade, bring water.
Hammamat Ma'in
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Car or taxi southwest, about 30 km (19 mi)Car or taxi southwest, about 19 mi (30 km)
Hot springs and pools; the resort day pass costs more than the public baths — check current access.
Machaerus (Mukawer)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car or taxi southwest, about 30 km (19 mi), bypassing Hammamat Ma'inCar or taxi southwest, about 19 mi (30 km), bypassing Hammamat Ma'in
Hilltop Herodian fortress, 1 JD entry; rough last stretch of road.
Kerak
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car south on the King's Highway
Crusader castle on the way to Petra; pairs well as a southbound stop.
Dead Sea
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or taxi west, 35–40 km (22–25 mi)Car or taxi west, 22–25 mi (35–40 km)
Resort beaches charge day-use fees; public access points are limited.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
King Talal Street / church cluster
Walk to St George's, the Archaeological Park and restaurants; dorms and small hotels.
Al Muhafada Circle
Quieter mid-range hotels with parking and pools, 10–15 min walk from the mosaics.
Bus station area (east, by the highway)
Only if you leave early; little to see and traffic noise.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 20–35 JD excl. bed
- Mid
- 45–70 JD excl. bed
- High
- 100 JD+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, small hotel1 × 1 night × JOD 35 | JOD 35 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × JOD 55 | JOD 110 |
| Airport taxi to Madaba centre, one way1 × JOD 12 | JOD 12 |
| Uber airport to centre, one way1 × JOD 6 | JOD 6 |
| In-town taxi, one trip1 × JOD 1 | JOD 1 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × JOD 10 | JOD 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | JOD 18 |
| Trip total≈ JOD 101 per person per day, bed included | JOD 202 |
2026 estimate in Jordanian dinars; flights and the Jordan Pass excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Falafel or shawarma sandwich | 1–3 JD |
| Sit-down mezze and grill dinner | 8–20 JD |
| Coffee or tea | 1–2 JD |
| St George's Church entry | 1 JD, free with the Jordan Pass |
| Archaeological Park ticket (park, museum, Apostles Church) | 5 JD, free with the Jordan Pass |
| Mount Nebo entry | 2 JD |
| Amman–Madaba bus or minibus | 0.65–1.20 JD |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- In-town taxis often skip the meter: fix the fare before you ride.
- St George's closes to visitors during services.
- Mount Nebo entry is a separate small fee and is not covered by the Jordan Pass.
- Summer afternoons are hot and shade is scarce at the archaeological sites.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Madabaمادبا
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire911
Embassy
No embassies in Madaba; most are in Amman, about 35–40 km north.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Madaba centre, taxi: about 12 JD, 20–30 min
- Airport → Madaba centre, Uber: about 6 JD
- In-town taxi: flat 1 JD; agree before boarding
- Madaba → Amman, bus: 0.65–1.20 JD, about 1 h
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al-si'r?)
- وين الكنيسة؟ — Where is the church? (wen al-kanisa?)
- الحساب لو سمحت — The bill, please (al-hisab law samaht)
- لا شكرا — No thanks (la shukran)
Carry small notes for church and site fees; cards work in mid-range hotels and larger restaurants.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Madaba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), Dec–Feb nights · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AMM: taxi and Uber bands, late-arrival fallback, one-night rung.
- Walking cluster map: St George's, Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum, Church of the Apostles, St John's bell tower.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees for St George's, the Archaeological Park and Mount Nebo.
- King's Highway southbound fixture: Madaba → Mount Nebo → Kerak → Petra with realistic door-to-door times.