Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide

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Thinking about driving in Jordan? When we were visiting Jordan for the first time, we were unsure about hiring a car. Would it be safe to drive in the Middle East? What would the roads be like? Where do we park our car to make sure it’s secure? Luckily for you, I’ve covered it all in this handy post!

If you’re visiting Jordan for the first time, the best way to get around the country is by rental car. 

The one thing you are probably thinking is ‘is it safe to drive in Jordan?’ so let me put your mind at ease.

YES. It is totally safe to drive in Jordan and is totally doable for anyone with a driving license.

NOTE: You have to be 21 years old and have been driving for at least a year to hire a car in Jordan.

We were so unsure about hiring a car before we left, as driving in the Middle East wasn’t something either of us had done before!

But driving in Jordan is safe, cheap and by far the easiest way to get around the country. 

Public transport in Jordan is limited, and you don’t want to spend the short amount of time you have in the country waiting for infrequent buses. 

Luckily the roads in Jordan are easy to drive on, and all of the major tourist hotspots (Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, Aqaba etc) are all accessible via well-maintained highways.

Plus, you get to spot the best wildlife behind the wheel (I still wasn’t over driving alongside camels 7 days into our trip!🐪)

If you’re new to Jordan, make sure you check out my 7-day itinerary here.

*This is written from the viewpoint of a UK driver!*

Other Jordan posts:

• Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
• Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
• Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
• What to Wear in Jordan in 2022 (That Isn’t Ugly)
• What to do in Wadi Rum: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers
• Where to Stay in Petra: Best Places Near the Entrance

Quick facts about driving in Jordan

• If you’re from the UK, you technically do need an international driving license. We weren’t checked for this, but it’s different for every case.

• You have to be 21 years old and have been driving for at least a year to hire a car in Jordan.

• For peace of mind, I’d recommend getting one, due to all of the police checks along the roads. You can pick one up at your local post office for under £10 with your passport and license. 

• Like most countries in Europe, the rule in Jordan is to drive on the right-hand side of the road.

• Most cars in Jordan are automatic and it’s highly likely you’ll be given an automatic rental car.

• All rental car’s number plates start with a 70 (which is a good way to find your car out of a crowd!)

• Jordan is FULL of pesky speed bumps. What do I mean when I say pesky? 😂 Well, the speed bumps are simply put in the most random places you can think of. In the middle of the Desert Highway or King’s Highway? Yep. Round a bend when you least expect it? Of course. There are so many speed bumps that are hidden that you’ll need to be aware of, so stick to the speed limit! (And always wear your seat belts!)

• Remember to control speed when you come up to police check points.

TOP TIP: The rental cars will NOT have a phone holder for your phone Sat Nav. We took this one with us and it allowed us to drive hands-free with the directions showing! It’s universal so you can use it all over the world! You can buy it here.

🌎 If you’re looking for a new backpack or suitcase, I highly recommend the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s a mix between your classic traveller backpack and an easy pull-along suitcase, so you get the best of both worlds!

Driving Distances in Jordan

If you’re visiting Jordan for the first time, you’ll most likely be visiting some of the following sights.

And thankfully, the driving distances aren’t too long, and won’t eat up hours of your travel time.

Some typical routes include:

Amman > Dead Sea: 1 hour (33 miles)

Wadi Rum > Petra: 2 – 2.5 hours (70 miles)

Amman > Petra: 3.5 hours (142 miles)

Amman > Wadi Rum: 4 hours (200 miles)

Need the toilet during a car journey? Don’t expect a nice toilet at a service station. Yes, there are toilets in gas stations, but they’re not the nicest. Oh and bring your own toilet paper.

You’ve been warned!

Fuel and Petrol Stations

Fuel is cheap.

Gas stations are quite common but there were a few times whilst driving on the highway where we didn’t see one for at least 15/20 minutes.

When you go to places like Petra, you might not see a gas station for a while, so keep topped up when you can!

Unlike England, there will be someone waiting for you at each petrol station to fill up your tank.

There’s no need to tip, but they’ll ask you how much petrol you want and do it all for you. Handy!

If you’re unsure about the tipping etiquette in Jordan, check out my post here.

Need to know what to wear in Jordan? Check out my guide here!

📸 Solo travelling but still want to take photos? I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

Speed Limits & Police Checks

What are the speed limits in Jordan?

Speed limits on the motorway are 110km/h (but can vary), whilst open roads are 70km/h and towns are 50km/h. There are speed cameras throughout the country (but not many, mainly in Amman and the road between the centre and the airport).

There are regular police checkpoints, which are signposted in advance. These warn you to slow down before potentially being asked to stop by the police for a routine check. 

Don’t be worried about being stopped at the checkpoints! The police are super friendly and just ask where you’re going and where you’ve come from. They’re definitely not as scary as they look!

I’d highly recommend sticking to the speed limit and wearing your seatbelt because of the speed bumps. As I mentioned previously, the speed bumps in Jordan are sporadic and can come out of nowhere!

🇯🇴 TOP TRAVEL BUY: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

Insurance & Driving Laws

I highly recommend getting full insurance when driving in Jordan. Although we were lucky and had no reason to use ours, you’ll see cars in Jordan beaten up and scratched, as well as burst tyres from potholes. Better to be safe than sorry!

The emergency number to call in Jordan is 911.

In Jordan, you have to be 18 to drive a car, and 21 to rent a car. 

Wearing a seatbelt is technically a rule, but you’ll see pretty quickly after being on Jordanian roads that this isn’t commonly practised. 

Same goes with using your phone. The rules are pretty loose.

A boring but important one (and it goes for any country you hire a car in) take lots of photos of your car before you leave your rental pick up point. This just covers your back when you return it and they start blaming you for things you didn’t do!

Need help planning your trip to Jordan? I’ve planned a perfect 7 day itinerary here!

If you’re still booking flights, I recommend checking lastminute.com for the latest deals. Recently, we were able to save £50 on our flights just by booking through Last Minute!

How much does renting a car in Jordan cost?

When we rented our car in April 2022, we paid roughly £40 a day to hire a car.

It was a 5-door car with air conditioning. Prices will vary depending on the car you require.

With insurance, we paid around £350 for our car rental in Jordan for 8 days.

It is cheapest to rent a car at Amman Airport. The car rental desks are 24 hours so even if you’re flight arrives after midnight, you can pick up your rental car with ease.

Road Conditions

The road signs throughout the country are written in both Arabic and English. Most are symbols, including warnings of camels on the road!

Jordan loves a random speed bump (?!) 😂 We still don’t really get why, but there are one-off speed bumps in the middle of highways and open roads. They’re super hard to spot from a distance so just keep an extra eye out, as they come out of nowhere every 20 minutes or so!

Potholes are part and parcel of driving on continents like Asia, and you’ll need to avoid them (obviously!) The potholes on the highways are easier to get around, but they can be quite tricky in cities and towns. 

Traffic is pretty non-existent apart from in Amman. We were stuck in a traffic jam for over an hour on one of the bridges in Amman, so prepare yourself!

Prepare for a lot of lorry traffic on the highways. These guys can go slow so don’t worry about overtaking them! 

Road markings aren’t always easy to see (or even exist) so normal road rules kind of go out the window. Lanes merge into one and it all becomes a bit Mario Kart-ish, but you’ll get used to it! 😂

Jaywalking is a big thing here. Jordanians have no issue with randomly walking out onto the highway when you’re doing 110km/h 😃

Make sure your air conditioning works before you drive away from your rental pick up point because it gets HOT.

You’ll see a LOT of hitchhikers as you’re driving in Jordan. We didn’t pick any up, but of course, this is your call!

GPS and Getting Around Jordan

Whilst you won’t want to be glued to your phone whilst travelling Jordan, I highly recommend carrying a power bank. Losing battery whilst driving in the Middle East and not having a map would not be ideal!

It also gets super hot so your battery will drain faster than normal. I use this power bank, and it’s not let me down yet! It easily lasts for a whole week trip!

Directions in Jordan are fairly easy, and to reach the major tourist destinations (Petra, Wadi Rum, Dead Sea etc) you’ll usually just have to drive for a few hours down an empty highway.

Every now and then you’ll turn off into a little Middle Eastern village which was actually some of my favourite parts of the trip. Going through the Jordanian villages means you get to have a sneak peek into their way of life, and we loved it!

I recommend picking up a local SIM card at the airport before driving in Jordan.

They’re super cheap (around £15 for 20GB of data) and you can then have GPS through mobile data for your entire trip. Apart from Wadi Rum – don’t expect to be connecting to any internet there!

TOP TIP: The rental cars will NOT have a phone holder for your phone Sat Nav. We took this one with us and it allowed us to drive hands free with the directions on show! It’s universal so you can use it all over the world! You can buy it here.

Lanes in Jordan

Lanes are pretty non-existent in Jordan, but you get used to it.

Unlike the UK where everyone has their set space on the road, the roads in Jordan are a bit more of a free-for-all.

This is ok on the highways as they’re usually quite empty, but it can be a bit chaotic in cities like Amman and Aqaba.

Signalling and staying in your lane isn’t a thing, and even when there are lanes (like on the King’s Highway), there are no rules about speed limits or overtaking.

You won’t need to worry about lanes really until you’re in the busier cities. You just have to be confident and assertive, as people are going to overtake and cut you off.

Just be safe and go with it, staying within the speed limit and keeping your cool!

🇯🇴 Make sure you pack water in an insulated water bottle. I use this Chilly one, which keeps my water freezing cold for over 24 hours! There aren’t any shops near the fairy pools so it’s really important to be prepared.

Highways

Anyone who’s ever been to Jordan knows that the highways are something else.

They’re straight as an arrow and seemingly never-ending. Desert Highway is pretty incredible with its miles and miles of sandy views.

Driving in Jordan is an adventure in itself, but the highways make it all the more exciting.

You never know when you’ll come across a herd of sheep or a group of camels.

And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Bedouin camp off in the distance.

The highways in Jordan are truly a sight to behold.

Keep your wits about you, and if you’re a front-seat passenger, enjoy the views!

🇯🇴 When we were travelling Jordan, we used The Rough Guide to Jordan to help us decide on our next destination. If you’re looking for more recommendations of Jordan wonders, I also recommend The Lonely Planet Guide (it’s always a winner, isn’t it?!)

Jaywalking

Driving in Jordan is an adventure. The roads are full of winding turns and unexpected obstacles (speed bumps).

But in spite of all the challenges, driving in Jordan is a lot of fun.

One thing that’s definitely not fun, however, is jaywalking.

Jaywalking is when you cross the street without using a crosswalk or designated crossing area. It’s extremely dangerous, and it’s against the law in Jordan.

If you’re caught jaywalking, you could end up getting hit by a car or getting a ticket from the police. So if you’re planning on crossing the street in Jordan, be sure to use a crosswalk!

However, the locals do not necessarily follow this rule. You will see local Jordanians crossing the road (even the highways!) at a slow pace and not giving a care in the world. It’s crazy!

It’s even worse in the city, and with how many cars there are as well as people weaving in and out of the traffic, it all gets a bit chaotic.

Don’t be surprised if you see a woman and her child chilling crossing the road when you’re driving at the speed limit!

Driving at Night

Driving at night is safe, but I wouldn’t advise it. We drove along Dead Sea Rd (Highway 65) at night and it was dark. Like really, really dark.

It was our first night in Jordan so we felt a bit nervous (there was no need to be!) but avoiding speed bumps and potholes in the dark is a challenge!

Try and plan your days so you’ll be driving during the day.

Driving in Wadi Rum

You won’t be able to drive through Wadi Rum desert without a 4×4.

Most resorts or camps will pick you up from the visitor centre, and you can safely leave your rental car in the car park for a few days. 

🚰 The tap water in Jordan isn’t safe to drink, so I used my filter water bottle pretty much every day to keep myself hydrated. I take it everywhere with me, and it works in every country where you can’t drink tap water! You can grab yours here.

Renting a Car

Hiring a car in Jordan is pretty easy, and you can pick it up 24/7 at the airport.

We pre-booked ours for £45 per day (plus £13 a day insurance) from Thrifty and it was super straightforward and simple.

All rental car’s number plates start with a 70 (which is a good way to find your car out of a crowd!)

Make sure you note how much petrol you pick the car up with so you can return it with the same amount.

You can book your hire car here.

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

Rental locations

Unfortunately, there are not many places in Jordan to rent a car.

Personally, I would recommend picking up your car at Amman airport, as it’s the safest, cheapest and easiest. Book your rental car online and simply pick it up 24/7 when your flight arrives at Queen Alia Airport.

That also guarantees your price, and you simply need to show your driver’s license upon arrival. There’s also gas station near the airport that you can use to top up if needs be.

There is a car rental in the centre of Amman, but due to all the speed limits, speed bumps, traffic lights, road signs and CRAZY traffic, it might not be the best option.

If you’re landing in Aqaba, there is also a car rental option there.

I would highly recommend NOT arriving in Jordan without a car rental confirmation.

Ensure you have travel insurance, and your driving license and you can explore Jordan in the best way possible!

Just remember to watch out for other drivers at the airport, as some are still getting used to driving on the other side of the road. You’re going to have so much fun!

Is it safe to drive in Jordan?

Yes. Driving in Jordan is no harder than driving in any western country. We didn’t have any problems whilst driving in Jordan, and the roads were safe and calm. Jordan is considered the safest country in the Middle East, and driving is no exception.

If you’re prepared to avoid a few potholes on the highways and traffic jams in Amman, then driving in Jordan is just as safe as driving anywhere else.

And always make sure you have Google Maps on your phone!

🇯🇴 Booking hostels in Jordan? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

Can foreigners drive in Jordan?

Absolutely, but depending on where you’re coming from, you will need an international driving license.

If you’re from the UK, you will need an international driving license. It costs under £10 and you can pick it up from your local post office, with same-day service.

It’s worth checking driving requirements for the country you are travelling from to see any updates.

Ours wasn’t checked, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.

Is driving in Jordan hard?

Not any harder than driving in the UK! If anything, we found the roads to be quieter and easier to drive on (as long as you dodge a few potholes).

Amman is full of hills and traffic jams, so if you don’t fancy that, drop your rental car off at the airport and grab a taxi in (or vice versa). The airport is only a 30-minute drive from the centre of Amman.

With a little preparation and the right attitude, anyone can master the art of driving in Jordan.

The first step is always going to be to familiarise yourself with the Jordanian driving culture.

Driving in Jordan is very different from driving in other countries, so it’s important to know the customs and expectations before getting behind the wheel.

Once you’ve done your research, the next step is to relax and have fun.

Driving in Jordan can be a great experience if you let it be. So don’t worry too much about the details, and enjoy the ride.

Overall driving in Jordan is easy and if you’re comfortable driving on long-distance highways, you’re good to go. Safe travels!

🇯🇴 Check out my What to Wear in Jordan post to know what to pack for your trip! Make sure you cover up!

Emergency Numbers in Jordan

Driving in Jordan can be a bit of an adventure. The roads are often crowded, and the driving can be aggressive.

However, it’s generally safe to drive if you’re careful and use common sense.

If you do find yourself in an accident or stranded on the side of the road, there are a few emergency numbers you should know.

The first is the police number, which is 110.

The second is the ambulance number, which is 911.

And finally, the number for the Jordan Roadside Assistance Association is 905.

Remember these numbers next time you’re driving in Jordan – they could come in handy!

🇯🇴 TOP TIP: Pick up a local SIM card at the airport so you can call an emergency number from anywhere in the country.

What is the minimum driving age in Jordan?

For locals, the minimum driving age in Jordan is 18.

If you are a foreigner driving in Jordan, you need to be of a minimum age of 18. However, to rent a car you must be 21 and have your driving license.

We DID get an international driving license, but it wasn’t checked. However, by law, you need one. And it might make you feel better at the police checks!

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights are non-existent apart from in the cities.

The traffic lights in Jordan are similar to ones you’ll find anywhere else, however I don’t think the locals follow them as much as we do.

Just be cautious, especially when it’s a red light and some of the cars are still moving!

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: Don’t forget an additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

Can I use Google Maps in Jordan?

Of course, although I recommend getting a local SIM card at the airport to ensure you have mobile data across the country.

Wifi is a bit sketchy, so don’t rely on it. We picked our SIM card up at the airport and it gave us 20GB of data for 2 weeks.

If you don’t want to invest in a SIM card, make sure you pre-download some of your maps on Google Maps or My Maps.

Love taking cool photos? Our drone is one of the best investments we’ve ever made. We love it, and the photos can be downloaded straight onto our phones! This drone also films in portrait mode (the ONLY one on the market) so you don’t lose any quality when uploading to social media. It’s also given us some hilarious travel memories 😂

Driving in Amman

Driving in Amman can be an adventure. The city is full of hills and narrow streets, and the traffic can be chaotic. But with a little patience and a sense of humour, you can navigate your way around Amman like a pro.

Here are some tips for driving in Amman:

• Be patient: Traffic in Amman can be congested, and drivers often don’t follow the rules of the road. So it’s important to be patient and take your time.

• Watch out for pedestrians: Pedestrians often dart out into traffic without looking, so it’s important to be on the lookout for them.

• Don’t honk your horn: Honking your horn is considered rude in Jordan, so it’s best to avoid doing it.

• Know your way around: It’s helpful to know your way around Amman before you start driving. Study a map of the city or use a GPS navigation system so you don’t get lost.

Good luck; it’s one bumpy road trip!

Do you need a car in Jordan?

I would definitely recommend hiring a car in Jordan. You can hire a private driver, but this can be more expensive, and you’re always reliant on somebody else. Hire your own car and you’ve got total independence!

If you hire a private driver in Jordan, it can cost between £100-200 per day. This is a cost a budget backpacker wants to avoid!

Like I’ve said, it’s easy to drive in Jordan, it’s pretty cheap (roughly £40-45 a day), and parking is always free. It’s totally worth it!

Getting around Jordan without a car isn’t the easiest, and although Jordan does have some forms of public transport, there are a few journeys where getting a bus or train just isn’t possible.

🇯🇴 Renting a car? Don’t forget a car phone holder! You’ll rarely be given one, and you can then pop it in your backpack to use in any country in the world. We’ve had ours for years and have used it countless times for GPS!

Seat belts in Jordan

Although I recommend wearing your seat belt, they are not mandatory. It’s a bit of an odd one, as the rules seem to differ online when you actually look it up, and some say that seatbelts are required in the front seat.

However, this was not a thing when we were in Jordan and rarely saw any locals wearing seatbelts.

People often pile into cars without regard for safety. This can be a bit of a shock to visitors from countries where seat belts are compulsory!

However, it’s important to remember that driving conditions in Jordan are very different from those in other parts of the world.

The roads are often in poor condition, and traffic can be chaotic. As a result, seat belts may not always provide the same level of protection as they do in other countries.

Nevertheless, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and buckle up when driving in Jordan!

🇯🇴 If you’re going to be swimming in the Dead Sea, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water!

Which side of the road do you drive in Jordan?

Right-hand side. Despite being ruled by the Brits for a long time, it’s the opposite of the UK, which can take a bit of getting used to! Seatbelts are mandatory (but rarely checked, and a lot of locals do not wear them), but the local police are hot on checking speed limits.

Road signs in Jordan

All along the major roads like the Desert Highway and Jordan Valley Highway, you’ll spot road signs that are written in both English and Arabic.

This makes it easy for any tourists or foreigners who are driving in Jordan.

A lot of the road signs are simply pictures. We spotted a few camel ones which made us laugh!

Is it safe to drive from Amman to Petra?

It is just as safe to drive from Amman to Petra as it is anywhere else in the country. If you stick to the speed limit, drive on the right-hand side, and don’t mind sitting in some traffic in Amman, it is a safe and easy drive along either the Desert Highway or King’s Highway.

If you choose the King’s Highway from Amman to Petra, it is roughly 249 km (154 miles) long. This is the more scenic route of the two.

Wadi Musa, Mount Nebo and Wadi AlMujib are all popular stop-offs along the driving route from Amman to Petra.

If you want to hire a driver from Amman to Petra for the day, it will cost around £150.

Looking for a place to stay in Petra? Check out my post: Where to Stay in Petra: Best Places Near the Entrance

Or need a place to stay in Amman? Check out my post: Where to Stay in Amman: Easy Area Guide (2022)

Driving in Jordan: In a Nutshell

Ultimately, driving in Jordan is safe and easy to do if you’re a confident driver. It’s cheaper than hiring a driver in Jordan, and things aren’t much different to driving in the UK (apart from the potholes). We found driving around Jordan relatively easy.

As always, let me know if you have any questions about driving in Jordan.

🚌 If you don’t feel like hiring a car, you can hire a private driver or do a tour. This tour is great if you just want to see Petra from Amman!

🏛️ You need to make sure you have enough time to enjoy Petra, the Dead Sea and Aqaba. This tour takes 3 days from Amman so you can make sure you experience each area properly!

And if you’re contemplating it but still feel unsure, do it. I promise it’s not as scary as you think!

Happy travelling!

Jennie 🙂 x

​​Visiting Jordan? Check out my other posts below:

• Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
• Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
• Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
• Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
• Is Petra Worth Visiting? A Must-Read Before You Go!
• What to Wear in Jordan in 2022 (That Isn’t Ugly)

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