Amman City Guide - Getting Around

There is no integrated public transport system in Amman and so a variety of different forms of transport operate in competition along a number of routes throughout the city. There is no timetable and although there are what appear to be bus stops they are mostly ignored with the various forms of transport picking up on demand.

There is a choice of minibuses, buses, yellow city buses and what is known as serveeces. These are shared taxis, containing between four and six people each paying a flat fare. They are easily recognisable: white cars with the route number they serve and cab number in black Arabic lettering on the front doors. Downtown acts like a hub and most transport routes radiate out from there.

All licensed cabs are metered and provide an inexpensive way to get around Amman. Make sure the driver starts the meter as soon as you get in the cab. Some drivers will try to claim that their meter is broken or to negotiate a fixed fee. Have nothing to do with them and hail another cab. Taxis can also be hired by the day or half day for sightseeing. Share taxis are licensed vehicles that operate on one particular route picking up and setting down passengers just like a bus. They can also be booked through travel agents or hotels for longer trips to tourist attractions like Petra. Reliable taxi providers include Faraneh (tel: (06) 569 0310), Taxi Al-Barq (tel: (06) 464 1299), and Intercontinental Hotel Taxis (tel: (06) 464 1361).

Most of the international big names have offices in Amman but often the best deals can be had from local companies. Good car hire companies include Avis (tel: (74) 541 4720; website: www.avis.com.jo), Hertz (tel: (06) 553 8958; website: www.hertz.com.jo) and Rent a Reliable Car (tel: (06) 592 9676; website: www.reliable.com.jo).

This is practically unknown in Amman although it may be possible to arrange through some of the budget hotels and hostels.