Jordan Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Jordanians are proud of their Arab culture, and hospitality here is a matter of great importance. Visitors are made to feel very welcome and Jordanians are happy to act as hosts and guides, and are keen to inform tourists about their traditions and culture. Islam always plays an important role in society and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are respected. Arabic coffee will normally be served continuously during social occasions. To signal that no more is wanted, slightly tilt the cup when handing it back, otherwise it will be refilled. A small gift is quite acceptable in return for hospitality. Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear must only be worn at the beach or poolside. Photography: It is polite to ask permission to take photographs of people and livestock; in some places photography is forbidden.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) (website: www.rja.com.jo).

Departure Tax
None - included in ticket. Jordanian nationals need to pay JD20 on international departures.

Main Airports
Queen Alia International (AMM) is 35km (22 miles) southeast of the capital. To/from the airport: The airport is connected by a good highway (journey time - 40 minutes). There is a regular bus service to Amman (journey time - 50 minutes), and taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty-free shops, ATMs, bank/bureau de change, eating and shopping facilities and car hire.

Getting There by Water
The only port is Aqaba (website: www.aqabaports.com.jo), which is on some cruise itineraries. There is a daily car and passenger ferry from Nuweiba, Egypt to Aqaba and also a high-speed hydrofoil service.

Departure tax: JD5 for foreigners and JD6 for Jordanian nationals.

Getting There by Rail
The Hejaz Railway (tel: (06) 489 5414; website www.jhr.gov.jo) operates twice a week on the old Ottoman track between Amman and Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic). It uses ancient rolling stock and takes about 9 hours. It is really only worth making the journey for the experience. The journey by car takes about half the time.

Getting There by Road
There are roads into the Syrian Arab Republic via Ramtha or Jaber. The route to/from the Syrian Arab Republic to Western Europe is through Turkey. Driving time from Amman to Damascus is 4 hours. From Egypt, there is a ferry connection from Nuweiba to Aqaba, with bus connections from Cairo (visa should be obtained in advance). Multiple-entry visas may be needed.

A coach service runs from Damascus to Irbid or Amman. JETT (tel: (06) 566 4146) is one of the main operators.

There is a share-taxi service from Amman to Damascus.

Public buses and coaches run from Amman to Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, Egypt, Iraq, Istanbul, Saudi Arabia and Syria daily, as well as to Allenby Bridge for the crossing to the Palestinian National Authority Region. To cross, a visa is required, and it should be obtained in advance. Further border crossings to Israel are at Sheikh Hussein Bridge (Jordan River Crossing) near Lake Tiberias in the north and Wadi Arabah (Arava Crossing) in the south, the latter linking Jordan to the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat. Most nationalities can obtain a visa at the border (for information see Passport/Visa). Some cars are permitted to cross these two borders, subject to various rules and regulations; for further details, contact the Jordanian authorities.

Road departure tax: JD4.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Jordan by people 18 years of age and older without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco (a charge of JD3.75 for each additional 200 cigarettes, up to a maximum of 2,000); 1l of alcohol (a charge of JD2.91 for each additional liter, up to a maximum of 4l); one or two opened bottles of perfume and a reasonable amount of eau-de-cologne or lotion in opened bottles for personal use only; gifts up to the value of JD50 or the equivalent of US$150.

Prohibited Imports
Narcotics.

Restricted Items
Firearms, sporting guns and other weapons require prior approval from both country of origin and destination. They may be carried as checked baggage only.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Royal Wings operates regular flights from Amman to Aqaba (website: www.royalwings.com.jo). It is also possible to hire executive jets and helicopters.

Getting Around by Rail
There is no longer a public railway service.

Getting Around by Road
Main roads are good, but desert tracks should be avoided unless a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is used. It is important to make sure that the vehicle is in good repair if traveling on minor roads or tracks. Take plenty of water and follow local advice carefully. Bus: Services are efficient and cheap. Alpha (tel: (06) 585 0626), JETT (tel: (06) 566 4146) and Trust International Transport (tel: (06) 581 3427) all operate modern, air-conditioned fleets. Taxi: All taxis operate a meter and can be hired for the day. Share-taxi service to all towns on fixed routes is also available and can be hired for private use. Share-taxis to Petra should be booked in advance owing to demand. Tips of around 10% are appreciated. Car hire: Major international car hire companies and a number of local companies operate services in the main towns, including Amman and Aqaba; car hire is also available from hotels and travel agents. Drivers are available for the day. Emergency breakdown service: In case of breakdown, contact the Royal Automobile Club of Jordan (tel: (06) 585 0626; website: www.racj.com). Regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 60kph (38mph) in cities, 80kph (50mph) on country roads and 120kph (75mph) on motorways. There are frequent passport controls along the Red Sea and travelers are advised to have their papers ready. Documentation: National driving licenses are accepted if they have been issued at least one year before travel. However, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Visitors are not allowed to drive a vehicle with normal Jordanian plates unless they have a Jordanian driving license.

Note: When using routes which go near the Israeli border (and even when sailing or swimming in the Red Sea without a guide), the traveller should always have all papers in order and within reach.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
There are conventional buses and extensive fixed-route ‘servis’ (share-taxis, most seating up to seven) in Amman. The ‘servis’ are licensed, with a standard fare scale, but there are no fixed pick-up or set-down points. Vehicles often fill up at central or outer terminal points and then run non-stop.


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