The King Hussein International Airport is an airport located in Aqaba 6 miles away from the city center, near the Arava Border Crossing with Israel. The city can be reached via air, land, and sea.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you only have two options for transportation from the airport to your hotel.

The airport is a 20-minute drive away from the city center and taxis and rental cars are the main options for transport into the city. The taxi service from the airport to the city will cost around JD10-15. There are several major car rental companies at the airport including Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, and Europcar.

There are several bus stations in the city of Aqaba. Abdali bus station is located about a 20-minute walk from downtown and taxis can be found outside as well as buses. The Tabarbour bus station is situated in the northern section of the city where minibusses and taxis await passengers. The central bus station is found on King Talal Street which is 10 minutes on foot from the heart of the city.

The main forms of public transportation in Aqaba are local buses and taxis. The local minibusses connect the downtown area with residential areas for a low price of around JD17. There are bus stops found on King Hussein Street by the flagpole. Destinations of the buses are written on the sides (only in Arabic) and they leave when they are full, routes are fixed and they all return to the central bus station.

There are blue and green taxis readily available all over Aqaba, many can be found outside of the bus stations, hotels and on the main streets. There are hundreds of taxis on the street, taxis are unmetered and most rides cost around JD1-2 for a trip within the city limits and 5JD for rides outside the city and to the nearby beaches.

There are many opportunities for walking around the city of Aqaba. This is a beautiful beachside resort town and the gateway to the Red Sea. The streets lead to hidden treasures including street-side cafes, unique boutiques, and bustling souks. Strolling along the beach promenade also known as the corniche is the perfect place to soak in the sea and spectacular surroundings, stop for ice cream and do some window shopping. The corniche leads to the Al Hafayer Park and the Arab Revolt Plaza where Aqaba Castle is found. In the heart of the old town at the southern end of Raghadan Street, there are a handful of bustling, vibrant souks selling handicrafts and spices with traditional cafes serving tea.

Aqaba is not a dangerous city; there are very few incidents of violence, theft or harassment and tourist police do well maintaining the safety of the city. Travelers should still be cautious just as in any other city in the world, be aware of pickpockets in tourist areas and certain scam artists. Keep your bags and belongings close to you, especially at night.

Despite the country of Jordan`s troubled neighboring countries, it is a safe destination and visitors should not be put off by the metal detectors that are installed at hotels, malls, movie theatres, and supermarkets. These are there for safety and security measures to keep locals and visitors safe.

Shopping in the colorful souks in Aqaba is a unique shopping experience found in the old part of town. These interesting alleyways filled with covered stalls are a great place to shop for those souvenirs to take home, vibrant headscarves, loofahs, Dead Sea products, and spices are just a few items found here. The Souk by the Sea is hosted on Friday night in Aqaba where local artisans sell their handcrafted goods, clothing, and jewelry in a vibrant lively atmosphere from 6-11 pm. There are many food stalls found here too along with live entertainment making it a fun venue for the night. Aqaba has its fair share of malls too including the Aqaba City Center Shopping mall the most famous mall in the city with an abundance of retail stores including international brands, famous restaurants and a great place to hang out with the family.

Aqaba is the perfect destination to soak up the sun on the spectacular beaches and exclusive beach clubs such as Berenice Beach Club which is the perfect location to relax and unwind. The beach club offers views of the mountains, glistening clean waters, several pools, and great food. The entry fee is JD10 which includes a towel, sun loungers and access and discounts to their water sports offered. There are several other beach clubs found in Tala Bay which is just 15 minutes away from downtown Aqaba which offers guests access to their amenities for a small fee.

Ayla is located on the border with Israel boasting 11 miles of beautiful beachfront access and home to the luxurious Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort. There are several other exclusive beach clubs in Ayla along with the first golf course in Jordan. The Marina and Marina Village are a great place for luxury dining and shopping.

You can take a boat ride on a glass-bottom boat in Aqaba, it is one of the most popular pastimes and departs from the Corniche. The glass-bottom boats offer tours out on the waters through Tala Bay and into the beautiful waters of the Red Sea, many of the companies offer snorkeling and diving as part of the tour.

The city of Aqaba is situated on the coast of the Red Sea and these waters are home to some world-famous diving and snorkeling sites. The vibrant corals and underwater marine life in the Aqaba Gulf combine to form a unique and diverse ecosystem. The Gulf is home to over 1,000 fish and 240 species of coral along with hawksbill turtles, stingrays, and snappers. There are around 25 dive sites that scatter along Aqaba`s coast, the waters offer superb visibility and are warm. Visitors can also get PADI Certified in Scuba diving in Aqaba with several dive schools for beginner, intermediate and advanced available.

Aqaba is a great destination to visit all year round with a fantastic hot sunshine climate boasting beaches, resorts, and warm waters. This is the ultimate resort town brimming with aquatic attractions including world-class diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea. The perfect season is springtime with daily temperatures in the 80s. Summers are hot and dry and winters are warm with cooler evenings.

The currency in Aqaba is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD or JD) the Jordanian Dinar is divided into 1000 fils, it is also referred to as `leerah`. US Dollars are not accepted. You must exchange your dollars for Jordanian Dinar before or upon arrival. ATMs and banks exchange currency and are available in the city. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is recommended to carry some cash with you at all times to pay for transportation, snacks, and purchases in outdoor markets.

Tipping is part of the culture in Jordan and leaving a tip is good etiquette throughout the country. A 10% tip is pretty standard across the board in the service industry. Always be sure to check your bill for any added service charges which can be common, in this case, it is always a nice gesture to leave an additional small tip for the workers as they rarely get any of the added service charges.

For information on tipping please see our Guide to Tipping in Jordan What is the food like?

There is a wide range of delicious food options found throughout the city of Aqaba. Local authentic restaurants dish up the traditional Arabic fare including great hummus, Falafel and Shawarma and the signature dish of the city is `sayadieh` which is grouper prepared with spices and a special sauce made of onions, nuts, herbs, and tahini sauce.

Restaurants are found throughout the city with many situated along King Hussein Street and Raghadan Street in downtown. There is an abundance of beachfront cafes and restaurants found along the Corniche with breathtaking views of the water.

Be sure to visit the delicious bakeries and sweet shops found in Aqaba, a few of the most popular include Abu Gharbiya Sweets and Pistachio Sweets and Cafe where visitors can try the popular `kunafeh` a pastry made of fried cheese, covered in sweet syrup and sprinkled with pistachios.

The city offers a vibrant nightlife scene spread throughout the bustling restaurants, bars, and terraces that come alive at night. There are many places to see in the evenings, including visiting the bustling waterfront Corniche filled with restaurants and cafes. The Souk by the Sea is one of the highlights of the city`s nightlife held every Friday night, a lively market place where over 50 local artisans, food, drinks, and live music.

There are many top-end hotels that have bars and offer happy hours other resorts in the city such as the Royal Yacht Club Bar of Jordan Restaurant is a fantastic establishment to visit with a beautiful location. The rooftop terrace and lounge are set amongst stunning surroundings overlooking the Aqaba port featuring a first-class restaurant with an extensive menu filled with Asain, Oriental and Italian dishes.

The official language spoken in Jordan is Arabic, however, English is widely spoken by people working in the service and tourism industries. We recommend that you get a good English-Arabian guidebook and familiarize yourself with a few common phrases, such as hello, goodbye, please and thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Some will insist on speaking as much English as possible and ignoring your attempts to speak Arabic

In case of an emergency dial 911 for ambulance, fire, and police.

Hospitals:

Islamic Hospital tel. 962-3-201-8444

Aqaba Modern Hospital tel. 962-3-201-3609

Prince Hashem bin Abdullah Military Hospital tel. 962-3-209-2030