World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
Following the military action in Iraq, there is a high risk of terrorism in Jordan and vigilance is necessary. The Jordanian security forces foiled several possible terrorist attacks in 2004. Extra care should be taken at the crossing points between Jordan and Israel.

Air
The national airline is Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) (website: www.rja.com.jo). British Mediterranean (a franchise partner of British Airways) operates daily services from London to Amman. Other airlines serving Jordan include Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Gulf Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and United Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From London to Amman is five hours.

International airports
Queen Alia International (AMM) is 35km (22 miles) southeast of the capital, to which it is connected by a good highway (travel time – approximately 40 minutes). There is a regular bus service to Amman every 30 minutes (travel time – approximately 50 minutes), and taxis are also available. Facilities include duty free shops, bank/bureau de change, eating and shopping facilities, and car hire (Avis and Hertz).

Departure tax
JD5 for individual tourists, JD25 for Jordanian nationals on international departures. Transit passengers are exempt.

Sea
The only port is Aqaba, which is on the cruise itineraries for Cunard, P&O and Swan Hellenic. Car and passenger ferries from Aqaba to Cairo and Aqaba to Nuweiba operate twice-daily and there is also a high-speed hydrofoil service. There is a weekly passenger service to Suez and Jeddah. Contact Telstar Maritime Agencies (tel: (6) 464 0168; e-mail: amman@telstarmaritime.com; website: www.telstarmaritime.com).

Departure tax
JD6.

Rail
The Hijaz Railway operates on the old Ottoman track between Amman and Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic).

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 four hours. From Egypt, there is a ferry connection from Nuweiba to Aqaba (visa should be obtained in advance). Multiple-entry visas may be needed. A coach service runs from Damascus to Irbid or Amman. There is a share-taxi service from Amman to Damascus. Public buses and coaches run from Amman to Damascus and Baghdad 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 on which nationals require a visa, contact a travel agent in Jordan. 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.