Budget Travel

Budget Travel Jordan

A practical backpacker guide to saving money in Jordan: airport transport, cheap food, hostels, scams, public buses, Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba.

Airport Airport Shuttle Bus

Once you leave the arrival area, you will see a shuttle bus tickets counter. You can pay by card or cash.

Airport shuttle bus: exactly 3.40 JOD. If you have USD, you can also pay in USD.

Do not pay more than 3.40 JOD

Passes through several circles in Amman

Ends at North Bus Station

Important Scam Warning

Through my experience and other travelers' experiences, some scams start directly from the ticket counter. Sometimes they inform taxi drivers where foreigners are getting dropped off.

Once you leave the bus, taxi drivers may quickly approach you, take your luggage, and demand unreasonable prices between 10–50 JOD.

From the airport to almost anywhere in Amman, the maximum taxi price should normally be around 35 JOD.

Taxi Taxi & Uber Advice

If you are staying at Carob Hostel for example, you should be dropped off at North Bus Station.

If anyone tries to take your luggage, do not accept it.

You can tell them you will call the police.

Order Uber or Careem instead.

Choose the green Uber option for cheaper environmentally friendly rides.

From North Bus Station to almost anywhere in Amman, an Uber usually costs between 2–5 JOD, and rarely more than 7 JOD. Before booking, always check the Uber app for the current fare, as prices can vary depending on traffic and demand.

Important Information

Uber in Jordan only accepts Mastercard if paying by card.

If you use another card, Uber may switch payment to cash.

Careem accepts most cards normally.

Avoid random taxis unless you have no internet.

Cash Currency Scam Warning

Be very careful when paying cash in Jordan if you are new to the currency.

Some taxi drivers may switch a 50 JOD bill with a 5 JOD bill because the colors look similar. Then they claim you only gave them 5 JOD.

Because you just arrived in Jordan, many travelers start doubting themselves.

Best Solution

When handing money, clearly say: “This is 20 JOD” or “This is 50 JOD”.

This lets the driver know you understand the currency.

Sleep Accommodation in Amman

If you like hostels, always read reviews before booking.

Things To Check

Cleanliness

Location near downtown

Staff behavior

Atmosphere

Nearby sightseeing places

If you stay near downtown, most places become walkable and you will not need many taxis.

From my own experience working and staying in hostels in Amman, Carob Hostel Amman is one of the best hostels in Jordan.

Shared dorms usually cost around 10–12 JOD

Food Cheap Food in Jordan

Falafel

Small sandwich: 0.40 JOD

Big sandwich: 0.75 JOD

Shawarma

Small sandwich: 0.75 JOD

Big sandwich: 1.20 JOD

Delivery Apps

Use Talabat. Usually the first 3 orders have free delivery.

Eat Restaurant Recommendations

Shahrazad Restaurant

For non-vegan travelers:

Small Kuftah Tahini

Araes

Total price is around 4 JOD

Habibah Sweets

Go to Habibah Sweets Downtown for Kunafa.

Soft Kunafa

Crunchy Kunafa

Both are excellent

Shop Cheap Shopping & Souvenirs

Friday Market

Perfect for backpackers looking for cheap clothes.

Search “Friday Market” on Google Maps.

Located near downtown Amman.

Opens Thursday evening until Friday evening 7 PM.

Souvenirs

You can find souvenir shops in downtown.

Souk Jara is excellent for antiques and local crafts.

Souk Jara only opens during summer.

Local Traditional Jordanian Food

Da7berha Restaurant

One of the best places to try traditional Jordanian food.

The meal is huge.

One dish costs around 10 JOD.

If you are 2 or 3 people, one dish is enough for everyone.

Budget Daily Backpacker Budget

For accommodation and food, most backpackers spend around:

17–25 JOD

Per day

Petra Amman to Petra

JETT Bus

One way: 10 JOD

Round trip: 20 JOD

Leaves at 6:30 AM from Abdali Station

Leaves at 7 AM from 7th Circle

Because demand is lower now, always confirm the schedule before planning your Petra day.

Public Bus

From South Bus Station

Costs around 5–7 JOD

Runs from 7 AM until 3 PM

The earlier you arrive, the faster it leaves.

The bus only leaves once full.

Dead Sea Amman to Dead Sea

Option 1 — Taxi or Private Transfer

Verified 22 July 2026: JETT lists daily Amman–Dead Sea and return services. Check the official schedule again before travel because times and fares can change.

Use Uber, Careem, a private driver, or a hotel/resort transfer.

Agree the return plan before you leave Amman.

Option 2 — Uber

20–30 JOD one way

You can hitchhike back safely and easily

Or negotiate with the same Uber driver for return trip

Option 3

You can contact me to organize transportation or resorts depending on what you need.

North North Jordan Transportation

Amman to Jerash

From North Bus Station

Public bus costs 1 JOD

Amman to Ajloun

Bus costs 1.20 JOD

South Wadi Rum & Aqaba

Amman to Wadi Rum

Private taxi: around 90–120 JOD. Rental car: usually the better option for flexibility. Via Aqaba: bus from Amman around 10 JOD, then taxi around 20–25 JOD; normally do not pay more than 25 JOD for the Aqaba → Wadi Rum taxi.

Amman to Aqaba

JETT is currently one of the main Jordan routes to check for Aqaba. One way is often around 10 JOD, but schedules can change when demand is low.

JETT Official Website

Route Petra → Wadi Rum → Aqaba

Petra to Wadi Rum

Public Bus: 10 JOD

Ask your hotel or camp to confirm the morning bus before you travel.

Ask your hostel or hotel to call the public bus driver.

Wadi Rum to Aqaba

Taxi costs around 25 JOD total

You can share the taxi with other travelers

Warning Final Important Advice

At North Bus Station or South Bus Station, some taxi drivers may tell you:

“There are no buses today.”

Usually this is not true. They say this to make you go with them instead.

Always ask normal local people nearby and they will tell you the correct bus.