The flying time from the major European cities is about four hours …
Air Transport
Besides Royal Jordanian, more than 20 international air carriers fly into Queen Alia International Airport located 35 km south of Amman. The flying time from the major European cities is about four hours. The easiest way to get to downtown Amman from Airport is by taxi; the Journey takes 30-45 minutes, the fare is about 15JD which is equivalent to around $22. However, shuttle buses to the city centre bus station also available, leaving the Airport every half-hour.
International Airports in Jordan
Queen Alia International Airport
Conveniently located within 30 minutes of Amman’s downtown; Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) is considered to be the main airport in Jordan and is serviced by many global airline carriers.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminals. Shuttle buses also link QAIA with Amman’s Abdali city center terminal every half-hour between 06.00 and 23.00 and every hour between 23.00 – 06.00. A new terminal under construction is expected to increase passenger capacity to 9 million annually in phase one and 12 million annually in phase 2.
King Hussein International Airport
As Jordan’s gateway to the Red Sea region of Aqaba, King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is approximately a 45 minute flight from either of Amman’s airports. Serviced by national and international carriers, KHIA is quickly growing to be a regional hub for both the holiday and business traveler alike.
Ports
The Port of Aqaba is situated in southern Jordan on the north shore of the Gulf of Aqaba. It can accommodate ships handling a wide variety of cargos, including dry bulk vessels of 75,000 DWT, and container vessels of Panamax size. The port also has a separate passenger terminal, which services cruise and passenger ships. The Aqaba port has the capacity to handle up to 23ships of different sizes and types, in addition to 8 ships in anchorage.
The major shipping lines that use Aqaba Port are Maersk- Sealand, PIL, M,SC, Evergreen, P&O Nedloyd, HUAL, COSCO, UASC, SETH, NYK, APL, CMA, Gearbulk, Messina, Wan Hai Line and Wallinus. The shipping agents that deal with cruise liners include: Amin Kawar & Sons, AB Maritime & Gharghour.
Border Crossing
Visitors with a valid passport may obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy, consulate, or legation abroad. You can also obtain a visa upon arrival at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport or at any other border crossing (except the King Hussein Bridge and the ferryboat from Egypt).
Visa fees are 10 JD / $ 14 for single entry and 20 JD / $ 28 for multiple entries to be paid in local currency and are valid for two weeks but can be extended at any police station. Few formalities need to be observed when departing Jordan. A departure tax of 5 JD is paid at any border crossings except the airports.
Syria:
Coming to Jordan by road from Syria, you can cross into Jaber or Ramtha.
Jaber is 80 kms away from Amman and is most commonly used by visitors while Ramtha 90 kms away is mainly for cargo. Both borders are open 24/7 throughout the year.
Israel:
There are three border crossings between Jordan and Israel.
- The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, 57 kms away from Amman, located in the southern Jordan Valley, is open Sun. – Thurs. 08:00hrs – 20:00hrs for arrivals and 8:00 to 14:00 for departures and Fri-Sat 08:00hrs–13:00hrs.
*Important note: Prior visas must be arranged and cannot be obtained at the border. Private cars and tour buses cannot cross – travelers must change vehicles upon crossing or use the other two border crossings.
- Sheikh Hussein crossing /North Border, 90 kms away from Amman, located in the north close to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), open 24/7 throughout the year.
- Wadi Araba Crossing/South Border, located in the south, 324 kms away from Amman, connecting the two Red Sea resorts of Eilat and Aqaba. These are open Sun – Thurs 06:30hrs – 22:00hrs and Fri – Sat 0800hrs – 20:00hrs. At these crossing, visas for most nationalities can be obtained at the border; prior permits are not needed except for restricted nationalities. Wadi Araba Crossing closes on Islamic New Year day and Yom Kippur.
These hours and regulations are all subject to change. For up-to-date details and information on which nationalities cannot obtain visas, contact a travel agent in Jordan.
For more, just ask…:
Jordan Tourism Board
P. O. Box 830688
Amman, Jordan 11183
Tel: + 962 6 5678444
Fax: + 962 6 5678295
Call Center: + 962 6 5008081
E-mail: info@visitjordan.com
Website: www.VisitJordan.com
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
