Queen Alia Airport is 35 km south of Amman. Jordan is not a budget destination for transport — the dinar is a strong currency at roughly 1 JOD = €1.30. Here is what each option costs.
Price comparison
| Transport | Price (JOD) | Price (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express bus | 3.50 | €4.50 | Cheapest option, every 30–60 min |
| Pre-booked transfer (sedan) | 20–35 | €26–€45 | Fixed price, meet-and-greet |
| Metered taxi | 25–35 | €32–€45 | Official yellow taxis |
| Pre-booked transfer (minivan) | 30–45 | €39–€58 | Groups and heavy luggage |
Prices by destination
| Destination | Distance from AMM | Taxi estimate | Pre-booked transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Amman | 35 km | 25–35 JOD (€32–€45) | 20–35 JOD (€26–€45) |
| Abdali / Boulevard | 32 km | 22–32 JOD (€29–€42) | 18–30 JOD (€23–€39) |
| Dead Sea resorts | 60 km | 35–50 JOD (€45–€65) | 35–55 JOD (€45–€71) |
| Madaba | 30 km | 20–30 JOD (€26–€39) | 18–28 JOD (€23–€36) |
| Petra (Wadi Musa) | 235 km | Not practical | 80–120 JOD (€104–€156) |
Why transfers can be cheaper than taxis
This is unusual but true at AMM. The highway from the airport to Amman has fast-moving traffic, and metered taxis accumulate distance charges quickly. A pre-booked transfer with a fixed price often ends up equal to or less than the meter fare.
Taxis also have no luggage surcharge officially, but some drivers add one informally. With a transfer, the price includes everything.
The Airport Express bus
At 3.50 JOD (€4.50), the Sariyah Airport Express is by far the cheapest way into Amman. It runs to Tabarbour station and the 7th Circle. From the 7th Circle, you can take a regular city taxi to your hotel for another 2–5 JOD.
The total cost via bus + city taxi comes to about 6–9 JOD (€8–€12) — significantly cheaper than a direct taxi.
Tips for fair pricing
- Always insist on the meter in yellow taxis. If the driver refuses, take another cab.
- The meter starts at 0.25 JOD and ticks up with distance. A 35 km highway ride legitimately reaches 25–35 JOD.
- No tipping is expected in taxis, though rounding up is appreciated.
- Have some Jordanian dinars ready. You can withdraw from ATMs inside the terminal before exiting.