Amman travel guide
Jordan
A city of white stone spread over steep hills, with a Roman theatre downtown and a citadel above it. Amman is relaxed and welcoming, and the natural base for Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
Essentials
- Language
- Arabic; English is widely spoken
- Currency
- Jordanian dinar (JOD)
- Plugs
- Several types in use, most often C, F and G, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- A service charge is often added in restaurants; if not, around 10% is usual, and taxi fares are rounded up.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $35-55, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $90-150, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Amman
- Jabal Al Weibdeh: galleries, cafés and an artistic, neighbourly feel.
- Jabal Amman: Rainbow Street, old villas and the area around First Circle.
- Downtown: the souks, the Roman Theatre and the city's oldest eateries.
Getting around Amman
The hills make walking slow, so most people use taxis and ride-hailing apps. Intercity coaches run to Petra and Aqaba.
Best time to visit Amman
March to May and September to November; winters can be cold and wet.
Top things to do in Amman
- Explore the Citadel's Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace above the city
- Climb to the top rows of the Roman Theatre downtown, carved into the hillside
- See Dead Sea Scroll fragments and the ancient Ain Ghazal statues at the Jordan Museum
- Stroll Rainbow Street in the evening for cafés and views
- Visit the blue-domed King Abdullah I Mosque, which admits visitors outside prayer times
What to eat in Amman
- Mansaf: lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yoghurt and served over rice, the national dish
- Maqluba: rice, chicken and fried vegetables cooked in one pot and turned upside down to serve
- Falafel and hummus: the classic downtown breakfast, with fresh bread
- Kunafa: warm, stretchy cheese under shredded pastry soaked in syrup
Day trips from Amman
- Jerash: one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the region, about an hour north
- The Dead Sea: float in the salty water at the lowest point on land, about an hour south-west
- Madaba and Mount Nebo: Byzantine mosaics, including an ancient map, about 45 minutes south-west
Local etiquette
Dress modestly, especially downtown and at religious sites, and remember that Friday is the main day off. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight.
Staying connected
Zain, Orange and Umniah sell SIM cards at the airport and in town with a passport, and Wi-Fi is common in cafés.
Staying safe
Street crime is low, but taxi drivers sometimes skip the meter, so insist on it or use a ride-hailing app. Traffic is fast and pedestrian crossings are few, so cross with care.
A local tip
Climb to the Citadel for late-afternoon views, then walk down to Downtown for falafel and kunafa.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Amman on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Amman for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Amman, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Amman
- What currency is used in Amman?
- Amman uses the Jordanian dinar (JOD).
- What is the emergency number in Amman?
- In Amman, call 911.
- When is the best time to visit Amman?
- March to May and September to November; winters can be cold and wet.
- How much does a day in Amman cost?
- Roughly $35-55 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-150 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Amman?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Amman without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.