How to get to Aqaba

Routes at a glance

Flying to Aqaba

King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) has domestic flights from Amman and seasonal international and charter services, mainly from Europe. Taxis to the city take about 15 minutes. Arriving here means you can do the south first: Aqaba → Wadi Rum → Petra → Amman.

By bus from Amman

JETT runs several coaches a day between Amman and Aqaba; book on jett.com.jo. Other companies run cheaper buses from Amman's South Bus Station.

Borders and ferries

Ferries run from Aqaba to Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Sinai; schedules change, so contact the operator. The Wadi Araba (Yitzhak Rabin) crossing to Eilat is about 10 minutes north of the city; there you need a visa arranged in advance unless you hold a Jordan Pass, and the crossing closes on some holidays. A JD 10 departure tax is payable in cash at land crossings (UK FCDO, November 2026).

Getting around Aqaba

The centre, corniche and souk are walkable. Taxis are cheap and the easiest way to reach the south-coast beaches and dive centres (about 15–25 minutes). Some resorts run shuttle buses. Car hire is useful if you plan to drive to Wadi Rum and Petra yourself.

Arriving by cruise ship

Cruise ships dock at the port south of the city. Shore excursions to Petra and Wadi Rum are long; independent travellers should leave a generous margin to get back before all-aboard time.

Aqaba to Wadi Rum and Petra

Taxis wait near the bus station and outside the big hotels. Aqaba to Wadi Rum takes about an hour and to Petra about two; the Desert Highway climbs steeply out of the city towards Quweira. Minibuses to Wadi Musa leave mainly in the morning from the main bus station.

Which way in suits you?

If you start your trip in the south, flying into Aqaba saves a long drive and lets you do Jordan from south to north: Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra, the King's Highway or Desert Highway and the Dead Sea, ending at Queen Alia airport. From Amman, JETT coaches are the cheapest comfortable option; a rental car is best if you want to stop at Wadi Rum or Petra on the way. Coming from Egypt's Sinai, ferries from Taba Heights or Nuweiba are the classic route; from Eilat, the Wadi Araba crossing is minutes from town, but you must arrange your Jordanian visa in advance there unless you hold a Jordan Pass.

Desert Highway driving tips

• The Desert Highway (Highway 15) carries heavy trucks to and from the port; overtake only with a clear view.
• The descent into Aqaba from the plateau is long and steep — use low gears.
• Fill up in Ma'an or Quweira if the tank is low; services thin out in places.
• The UK FCDO notes fatal accidents on the Desert Highway and advises extra care at night.
• Police checkpoints are common near Aqaba: keep your passport and car papers handy.

Aqaba's airport and visa notes

King Hussein International Airport lies on the northern edge of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. Visa rules for arrivals here follow Jordan's national rules, and the Jordan Tourism Board notes that visa-on-arrival is available at the airports for eligible nationalities; the Jordan Pass waives the visa fee if you buy it before arrival and meet its minimum-stay rule. If you arrive by land from Eilat at the Wadi Araba crossing, you need a visa arranged in advance unless you hold a Jordan Pass. Check the visa page and current official advice before travel, as rules can change.