Queen Alia International Airport

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is Jordan's primary international gateway, located 30 km south of Amman in Zizya. Named after Queen Alia al-Hussein, the airport serves as the main hub for Royal Jordanian Airlines and handles nearly 9 million passengers annually. The airport is a key gateway to Jordan's world-famous attractions including Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum.

The airport has a single modern terminal opened in 2013, designed by Foster + Partners. The distinctive architecture features a series of concrete domes inspired by traditional Bedouin tents, with glass walls providing natural light throughout. The terminal is organized across three levels:

• Level 1: Arrivals hall, baggage claim, customs, ground transportation
• Level 2: Transit area, connections desk
• Level 3: Departures, check-in, security, gates, shopping, dining

The terminal is divided into two pier areas:

• North Pier: Gates 202-228
• South Pier: Gates 21-24

In 2023, Queen Alia became the first airport in the Middle East to achieve Level 3 of the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation. The airport won "Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East" at the 2025 ACI ASQ Awards.

King Hussein International Airport (AQJ)

Jordan has a second commercial airport, King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba, located 306 km south of Amman near the Red Sea coast.

When to fly into AQJ instead of AMM:

• Visiting Aqaba, Wadi Rum, or southern Petra
• Beach and diving holidays on the Red Sea
• Connecting to Eilat (Israel) or Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt)

Flights between AMM and AQJ: Royal Jordanian operates 3 daily flights between Amman and Aqaba (45-minute flight, $75-170 USD).

AMM is located 30 km south of Amman city center. Travel times vary significantly based on traffic:

Destination	Distance	Time (no traffic)	Time (rush hour)
Downtown Amman	30 km	30-40 min	60-90 min
7th Circle	25 km	25-35 min	50-75 min
Dead Sea resorts	50 km	40-50 min	60-75 min
Petra (Wadi Musa)	230 km	2.5-3 hours	3-3.5 hours

Transport options include taxi, rideshare (Uber/Careem), the Sariyah Express bus, and car rental. There is no rail connection to the airport.

Official Taxis

Taxis operate on fixed government-set rates from the airport - no meters are used. Purchase a taxi voucher from the official booth inside the arrivals hall before exiting, then present it to the next driver in queue.

Fixed taxi fares from AMM:

• Downtown Amman: 22-25 JOD (~$31-35 USD)
• 7th Circle: 20-22 JOD (~$28-31 USD)
• Dead Sea: 35-40 JOD (~$49-56 USD)
• Petra: 85-100 JOD (~$120-140 USD)

Taxis are available 24/7. Yellow taxis provide private service; white taxis operate shared routes (cheaper but wait for 4 passengers).

Rideshare

Uber and Careem are both available at AMM. Request your ride and meet drivers at the designated pickup area outside arrivals.

Typical rideshare fares (similar to or slightly higher than taxis):

• Downtown Amman: 20-30 JOD (~$28-42 USD)
• 7th Circle: 18-25 JOD (~$25-35 USD)
• Dead Sea: 35-45 JOD (~$49-63 USD)

Rideshare apps are useful for upfront pricing and avoiding cash transactions, though availability may be limited during late-night hours.

Sariyah Express Bus

The Sariyah Airport Express is the most affordable way to reach Amman, operating nearly 24/7.

Details:

• Fare: 3.30 JOD (~$4.65 USD)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes until 6 PM, then hourly (hourly all day on Fridays)
• Duration: 45-60 minutes to North Bus Station
• Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 AM daily (essentially 24 hours)

Route and stops:

1. Queen Alia Airport (Arrivals Hall)
2. 4th Circle
3. 5th Circle
4. 6th Circle
5. 7th Circle
6. Housing Bank Complex
7. North Bus Station (Tabarbour)

The bus stop is located just outside the Arrivals Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the bus or from the Sariyah office. Visa card payment accepted.

Royal Jordanian City Terminal Shuttle

Royal Jordanian operates its own shuttle between AMM and their City Terminal near 7th Circle.

• Fare: 4 JOD (~$5.65 USD)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Duration: 30-45 minutes

Convenient if staying near 7th Circle or connecting to other transport from there.

Queen Alia Airport offers multi-level parking facilities adjacent to the terminal.

Type	Rate	Notes
Short-term	1 JOD/hour	First 30 min free, 15 JOD daily max
Long-term	5 JOD/day	Covered parking
Economy	3 JOD/day	Uncovered, shuttle to terminal
VIP/Premium	2 JOD/hour	Closest to terminal entrance

Pre-booking available through the airport website for potential discounts.

Queen Alia Airport offers a range of dining options, primarily in the departures area on Level 3.

Departures (Airside)

Quick Service:

• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks
• McDonald's: Fast food
• Popeyes: Fried chicken
• Costa Coffee: Coffee and pastries

Sit-down Dining:

• Various restaurants: International and Middle Eastern cuisine options
• Bars and cafes: Alcoholic beverages available

Food Court

The central food court area near the duty-free shops offers multiple quick-service options with seating overlooking the terminal.

Tip: The lounges (Crown Lounge, Marhaba Lounge) offer complimentary food and beverages - consider purchasing day access if you have a long layover and want better dining options.

Free WiFi is available throughout Queen Alia International Airport.

• Network: "Airport-Free-Wifi"
• Cost: Free
• Limit: Unlimited
• Quality: Functional but not the fastest - adequate for browsing and email

Simply connect and accept terms. For more reliable connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card from the arrivals hall.

Power outlets: Free mobile phone charging units are available throughout the terminal. Bring a UK-style plug adapter (Type G) or use USB ports where available.

SIM cards are available 24/7 from kiosks in the arrivals hall. The three main carriers - Zain, Orange, and Umniah - have booths next to each other just past customs.

Orange Jordan (Best Value)

Plan	Data	Calls	Validity	Price
Tourist SIM	15 GB	60 min local + 10 min intl	10 days	10 JOD (~$14 USD)
Visitor Plus	20 GB	Unlimited local + 20 min intl	30 days	15 JOD (~$21 USD)

Zain Jordan (Best Network)

Plan	Data	Calls	Validity	Price
Weekly Visitors	12 GB	20 local + 15 intl min	7 days	10.88 JOD (~$15 USD)
Standard	15 GB	1000 local + 50 intl min	30 days	18.5 JOD (~$26 USD)
Premium	20 GB	1000 local + 50 intl min	30 days	23.7 JOD (~$33 USD)

Recommendation: Orange offers better value. Zain has the fastest network with speeds up to 341 Mbps. Bring your passport - it's required for SIM registration.

eSIM: Orange offers eSIMs for tourists at the airport. Check compatibility with your device.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal, both before and after immigration:

• Arab Bank
• Bank of Jordan
• Cairo Amman Bank
• Housing Bank

All major networks accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus.

Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD), pegged to USD at approximately 0.71 JOD = $1 USD (or 1 JOD = ~$1.41 USD).

Currency Exchange: Several exchange counters in arrivals and departures. Airport rates include 5-8% markup - withdraw from ATMs for better rates or exchange money in the city. Jordan is increasingly card-friendly, with Visa and Mastercard accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Tip: The Jordan Pass (purchased online before arrival) waives visa fees and includes entry to Petra and 40+ attractions - better value than paying separately.

Queen Alia Airport features extensive duty-free shopping operated by Jordanian Duty Free Shops (JDFS).

Departures Duty Free

The main duty-free area covers 2,520 sqm and offers:

• Perfumes and cosmetics: International brands
• Spirits and tobacco: Comprehensive selection including cigars
• Chocolates and confectionery: International and local brands
• Electronics: Limited selection
• Luxury goods: Watches, jewelry, accessories

Arrivals Duty Free

A 700 sqm duty-free shop in the baggage claim area offers over 5,000 products - convenient for picking up alcohol (not sold in regular Jordanian shops) or last-minute gifts.

Local Souvenirs

Look for:

• Dead Sea products: Mud masks, salt scrubs, skincare
• Jordanian olive oil and za'atar
• Arabic sweets and dates
• Traditional crafts: Mosaics, sand bottles, Bedouin textiles

Shopping hours: Duty-free operates 24 hours.

AMM offers several lounge options with various access methods.

Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge

Location: Level 4, Airside (above the main terminal, overlooking shopping area) Hours: 24 hours

Access:

• Royal Jordanian Business/First Class
• oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members
• Priority Pass
• Pay at door: 30 JOD ($42 USD)

Amenities: Two sections - dining area with hot food, Arabic mezze, TV suites, and a quieter side with seating, family area, and prayer rooms. Showers available for 11 JOD fee. Recently renovated and the nicest of the three lounges.

Marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge

Location: Level 1, above Duty Free area (near Gates 21-24 and 202-228) Hours: 24 hours

Access:

• Priority Pass
• LoungeKey
• DragonPass
• Diners Club
• Pay at door: ~$49 USD for 2 hours

Amenities: Food, beverages, WiFi, workstations. Showers available (fee applies). Smaller than Crown Lounge but comfortable.

Credit Card Access

• Priority Pass: Crown Lounge, Marhaba Lounge
• American Express Platinum: Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge
• LoungeKey: Marhaba Lounge

Tip: The Crown Lounge rarely gets crowded despite serving Royal Jordanian passengers and Priority Pass members. Electrical outlets are limited - bring a power bank.

Airport Hotel

• Amman Airport Hotel: Located inside the terminal at the North Pier. Convenient for early departures or overnight layovers. Day rooms available.

Near Airport

Hotels near AMM are limited - most travelers head directly to Amman or their destination.

Amman City Hotels

Most international hotel chains are represented in Amman, concentrated around:

• 5th-7th Circle area: Business hotels, 25-35 min from airport
• Downtown: Budget options near attractions, 30-45 min from airport
• Dead Sea resorts: 40-50 min from airport

Queen Alia Airport is the gateway to Jordan's remarkable attractions. Plan your itinerary based on your available time.

Top Attractions

Attraction	Distance from AMM	Drive Time	Entry Fee
Petra	230 km	2.5-3 hours	50 JOD (1 day)
Dead Sea	50 km	40-50 min	Resort access varies
Wadi Rum	280 km	3-3.5 hours	5 JOD
Jerash	65 km	1 hour	10 JOD
Amman Citadel	30 km	30-40 min	3 JOD

Layover Suggestions

4-6 hours (tight):

• Stay at airport - explore lounges, duty-free, and dining
• Or quick taxi to Amman Citadel and Rainbow Street (risky with traffic)

6-8 hours:

• Visit Amman's downtown: Citadel, Roman Theatre, Rainbow Street
• Allow 2 hours at airport before departure

Full day (10+ hours):

• Day trip to Dead Sea (1 hour each way)
• Or visit Jerash Roman ruins (1 hour each way)

Note: Petra requires a full day minimum and is best done with an overnight stay in Wadi Musa.

The Jordan Pass

Purchase the Jordan Pass online before arrival (jordanpass.jo):

• Jordan Wanderer: 70 JOD - 1 day Petra access
• Jordan Explorer: 75 JOD - 2 days Petra access
• Jordan Expert: 80 JOD - 3 days Petra access

The pass includes:

• Visa fee waiver (normally 40 JOD) - must stay 3+ nights
• Petra entry (normally 50 JOD for 1 day)
• Entry to 40+ sites including Jerash, Wadi Rum, Ajloun Castle

Essential purchase if visiting Petra - saves money and time at attractions.

Practical Tips

• Visa on arrival: Available for 120+ nationalities. 40 JOD single entry (~$56 USD). Waived with Jordan Pass (3+ night stay required).
• Currency: JOD is stable and pegged to USD. ATMs widely available. Credit cards accepted at hotels and tourist sites.
• Dress code: Jordan is moderate but conservative dress (covering shoulders and knees) is appreciated, especially at religious sites.
• Ramadan: During the holy month, restaurants may be closed during daylight hours. Hotels and tourist areas typically accommodate visitors.
• Weather: Best visiting months are March-May and September-November. Summer (June-August) is very hot, especially at the Dead Sea and Petra.
• Driving: Car rental available at the airport. Roads are good but driving style is aggressive. The Desert Highway to Petra is straightforward.
• Water: Tap water is safe in Amman but bottled water is recommended elsewhere.