The public transportation system in Jordan is not very well-developed, which is why renting a car is ideal. Not only is it the easiest way to travel in Jordan, but you also get to drive through the most beautiful landscapes. You’ll often come across camels, donkeys, sheep, and goats on the road, and you’ll pass through authentic villages where time seems to stand still. Renting a car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, and that freedom makes your trip even more enjoyable. In this article, you’ll read about our experiences and tips for renting and driving a car in Jordan.
Is driving in Jordan safe?
Yes, driving in Jordan is definitely safe. The only thing that can be a bit challenging is driving in Amman and just outside of Amman. The traffic is busier there, and the driving can be a bit more chaotic than what we’re used to. But there’s nothing to worry about, and you’ll get used to it quickly. Just stay calm, and before you know it, you’ll be out of the chaos. The roads outside of Amman are generally very quiet, and people usually drive quite responsibly. On the larger roads, you’ll see quite a few police checkpoints in Jordan. During our ten-day trip, we were stopped for checks about eight times. After a friendly chat, we were always allowed to continue without any issues.
Traffic rules in Jordan
In general, the traffic rules in Jordan are quite similair to ours, but Jordanians don’t always adhere to them strictly. For example, cars on a roundabout have the right of way, but cars entering the roundabout will often push (gently) to merge. Honking is also quite common. It’s simply a way to let others know that someone is passing or that the traffic light has turned green. We recommend adjusting your driving behavior to match the locals. People do adhere to speed limits in Jordan because there are quite a few speed cameras. In Amman, many roads are one-way, so pay attention to the signs and follow your navigation to see where you can and cannot drive.
How are the roads in Jordan?
The roads in Jordan are generally very good. They are wide, well-paved, and have relatively little traffic. There are three major roads that run from the north to the south of Jordan: the Kings Highway, Highway 15, and Highway 65. We recommend driving south via the Kings Highway. The Kings Highway takes you through the mountains of Jordan, passing through incredible landscapes, small towns, and villages. Here, you’ll get a taste of local life, and although it takes longer to travel this itinerary, it’s much more interesting than Highway 15. Highway 15 is a long straight road where you can maintain a speed of 110 km/h (68 mph), allowing you to reach the south of Jordan quickly, but it’s not very enjoyable or scenic. Therefore, we do not recommend driving via Highway 15. Then there’s Highway 65, which runs along the Dead Sea and the desert. This is a beautiful road to drive from the south back to the north via the Dead Sea.
Tip: Pay attention to speed bumps, as they can have the same color as the road and can easily go unnoticed.
It’s a good idea to download the map of Jordan in Google Maps before your trip so that you can always navigate offline. If you’re looking for gas stations, supermarkets, or restaurants, you can find them all offline. It’s also handy to pin your pre-booked hotels and any attractions in Google Maps in advance. This will make it easier for you during your trip!
At what age can you rent a car in Jordan?
The minimum age to rent a car in Jordan depends on the rental company. In most cases, it is 21 years old, but some rental companies allow you to rent a car from the age of 18. However, drivers under the age of 25 often have to pay a “young driver surcharge.” You can find this information under the “specific conditions” section during the booking process.
Don’t forget your credit card
When renting a car in Jordan, it’s important to know that almost all rental cars require a credit card in the name of the main driver. This is for the security deposit, so make sure your credit card has sufficient funds. The amount of the deposit can vary depending on the rental car company, and you can find this information under the “specific conditions” section during the booking process. You won’t be able to pick up the rental car if you cannot provide a credit card in the name of the main driver or if the credit card doesn’t have enough funds for the deposit. If you don’t have a credit card yet, we recommend this credit card.
What does it cost to rent a car in Jordan?
When renting a car in Jordan, prices can vary depending on the season and how early you book. Booking a rental car through Rentalcars.com is highly recommended for Jordan. With a rental car, you always have a chance of damage and problems along the way, which is why it’s smart to book with a reliable party. At Rentalcars, you can always take out a Full Protection Insurance, you can change your booking for free and all conditions are clearly indicated. So you don’t have to worry about snags and if something goes wrong on your trip, everything is always reimbursed and taken care of. This is totally worth it as far as we are concerned, especially on holiday.
Note: Sometimes the local rental company will try to sell you extra insurances. These are absolutely unnecessary as everything is covered with Rentalcars’ Full Protection Insurance. So don’t be fooled because you are 100% covered, even your excess will be refunded in case of damage.
Price hikes due to shortage of cars: There is currently a huge shortage of rental cars worldwide. To survive the corona crisis, car rental companies have had to sell a large portion of their cars. Since demand is rising fast, there are not enough chips for new cars and prices are skyrocketing due to the shortage. As a result, many rental cars are double the price or even fully booked. It’s best to book as early as possible to be sure of a rental car that is still somewhat affordable. At Rentalcars.com, you can currently cancel or change your booking free of charge up to 48 hours in advance, so you are not stuck with anything but still be sure of a rental car.
