Car Rental in Jordan: Tips and Experience

Are you considering a road trip through the mesmerizing landscapes of Jordan? Renting a car might just be the adventure you need to explore this stunning country on your own terms. In this guide, we will delve into the ins and outs of renting a car in Jordan, sharing practical tips, our personal experiences, and essential advice for navigating the roads of this captivating region.

While the idea of driving in Jordan might initially seem daunting, it is undeniably one of the best ways to experience all the hidden gems this country has to offer. Yes, there are buses connecting the major tourist attractions, but they come with the limitations of schedules and routes that may not suit your travel style. Renting a car provides the freedom to explore at your own pace, ensuring you don’t miss out on the breathtaking moments that only a road trip can provide.

In fact, most independent travelers opt to drive in Jordan, taking advantage of the country’s relatively safe environment. The roads are generally in good condition, and the traffic, aside from certain congested areas in Amman, is manageable. With this in mind, we booked our rental car in advance through the comparison site Discovercars, choosing Avis for their competitive price. We ended up with a compact automatic Kia Picanto that was perfect for our needs.

How to rent a car in Jordan

When it comes to renting a car in Jordan, utilizing comparison websites is highly recommended. These platforms allow you to compare prices from various rental companies, often offering better deals than booking directly with the rental agency. While our preferred choice is typically Auto Europe, this time we found a great deal through Discovercars. Our total cost for a week of rental, including full coverage insurance, was around 250€.

The rental process is straightforward:

1. Visit the website and input your pickup location and dates.
2. Review the list of available cars, sorted by price, and use filters on the left sidebar to narrow down your choices.
3. We recommend applying filters such as "full payment in advance," "provider rating 8+," and "pickup at Terminal" for a smoother experience.
4. Once you find a suitable option, click "view" to check detailed conditions and add your personal information to complete the booking.
5. Finalize your reservation by making the payment, which will be confirmed via email. Keep in mind that you can cancel the reservation up to 48 hours before pickup.

* Understanding full coverage insurance: This type of insurance is separate from what the rental company offers and guarantees the return of your deposit in case of accidents or unforeseen events. In such cases, you’ll need to request a damage report from the rental company and submit it to the insurer for reimbursement. These independent insurances are often more affordable than those offered by rental agencies and are not mandatory, despite occasional pressure to purchase.

Important: Sometimes, the total amount appears in USD instead of EUR during payment. If this happens, we recommend using travel-friendly cards like Revolut or N26, which provide more favorable exchange rates compared to standard banks.

Essential tips for renting a car in Jordan

Before finalizing your rental choice, consider these helpful tips:

• You must present a credit card (not debit) in the name of the main driver, which will be used to block the deposit amount until the car is returned.
• A Spanish driving license is sufficient; an international license is only necessary for certain countries, but it’s wise to carry it for added security.
• Opt for a company with an airport office to avoid shuttle bus delays. Other reputable options include Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, and Europcar.
• If you reserve with an off-airport agency for a significant price difference, carefully read the pickup instructions and jot down any contact numbers you may need.
• Paying in advance can help avoid misunderstandings and unexpected charges during collection, as well as fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
• Ensure your reservation includes a full-to-full fuel policy and that the mileage is unlimited.
• Inspect the vehicle thoroughly upon pickup, documenting any existing damages with photos and videos to avoid disputes later.
• In the event of an accident, call the police and keep a copy of the report while notifying the rental company.

Driving in Jordan: What to Expect

Your initial reaction to the idea of driving in Jordan might be filled with trepidation, especially if you’re used to the hectic traffic of major cities like Madrid or Barcelona. However, let us reassure you, you won’t be the first or the last to navigate these roads!

The state of the roads in Jordan

Contrary to some accounts suggesting that Jordanian roads are generally well-maintained, our experience tells a different story. While some routes, like the Desert Highway (15), are indeed in good shape, others, such as the Dead Sea Highway (65), are riddled with potholes and cracks.

Many of these roads were once major trade routes connecting cities across the region, but they are now in varying states of disrepair. Despite this, driving is feasible if you exercise caution. A positive aspect is that there are no tolls or fees for using Jordanian roads.

Speed bumps galore!

One of the most amusing aspects of driving in Jordan is the abundance of speed bumps and road humps. These are not just confined to urban areas; even on main highways, you might suddenly encounter a bump that takes you by surprise.

While most are marked with signs, you’ll inevitably miss a few. In fact, I encountered my first one just 20 minutes into my drive, despite being warned about them!

Police checkpoints

It’s not uncommon to find police checkpoints at the entrances and exits of towns. Although it’s less frequent than in some other Arab nations, you will encounter a few throughout your journey. Generally, the officers will only ask for your vehicle documents and driving license without much fuss.

During our trip, we never felt targeted as tourists; the police stopped vehicles at random, and we never experienced any attempts to deceive or hassle us.

Speed limits and radar

Speed limits on main highways range from 90 to 110 km/h, while in towns and on secondary roads, the limits drop to 50-60 km/h.

Interestingly, we didn’t come across any speed cameras during our travels. Though it’s worth noting that patrols may be stationed at certain spots to monitor speeds, and others have reported receiving tickets for speeding.

Using GPS applications

For navigation, we relied on Google Maps, which generally served us well, even if it occasionally directed us down questionable backroads. Make sure to review your route before heading out, as the estimated travel times can be optimistic.

Other useful GPS apps include Maps.me, Waze, and Navmii. Ensure you download offline maps, although having an active internet connection is ideal for unexpected situations. For more information on connectivity, check out our guide on buying a SIM card in Jordan.

Fuel stations

When refueling, keep an eye on the pump to confirm the total cost, as there can be occasional discrepancies. The number of gas stations is limited, so it’s wise to fill up whenever possible, especially near popular sites like the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum. At the time of our visit, the price for 1 liter of fuel was approximately 1 dinar, which is slightly less than in Spain.

Traffic lights and the green light sprint

One of the most surprising aspects of driving in Jordan is the immediate rush of honks that greet you when the traffic light turns green. It’s almost like a mini Formula 1 race, where the reaction time is measured in milliseconds!

If you find yourself at the front of the line, be ready to accelerate quickly to avoid the cacophony of horns. But don’t stress too much; sometimes, we lingered just for a laugh!

While we chose to travel independently, Jordan also offers many organized tours that can enhance your experience. If you prefer a guided approach, check out this 8-day circuit of Jordan.

Our road trip itinerary in Jordan

We spent eight days exploring Jordan, entering and exiting from Amman. While you could enter or exit through Aqaba for an optimized route, flight options from Aqaba are limited, and a one-way rental fee would apply.

Here’s a breakdown of our day-to-day itinerary, complete with distances traveled:

• Days 1 and 2: Amman. We only used the car to get to our hotel from the airport on the first night.
• Day 3: Amman to the Dead Sea, with stops at Jerash and Ajlun Castle / 201 KM.
• Days 4 and 5: Dead Sea to Petra, with no intermediate stops. On Day 5, we only drove to Petra’s parking lot / 207 KM.
• Day 6: Petra to Wadi Rum / 111 KM.
• Day 7: Wadi Rum to Madaba, stopping at Shobak and Karak castles, as well as the Grand Canyon / 364 KM.
• Day 8: Madaba to Desert Highway and returning the car at the airport / 195 KM.

In total, we covered 1,078 KM and consumed 66.5 liters of fuel (averaging just over 6 liters per 100 KM), which cost us about 63 dinares (around 80€).

The landscapes in Jordan can be quite barren, with little vegetation in sight. However, you’ll often encounter soldiers jogging back to their barracks, a reminder of the country’s geopolitical priorities.

⭐ For a more detailed itinerary, check out our guide on 7, 10, and 15-day routes in Jordan.

So, are you ready to rent a car in Jordan and hit the open road? We assure you, it's an experience you won’t regret! And just one more thing… watch out for those speed bumps!

Follow our day-to-day adventures in Jordan on our Instagram stories.

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