Aqaba is well served and easy to organise — short distance between the main poles, abundant transport, international airport 9 km from the city centre.
Access from Amman: three options. 1) Royal Jordanian domestic flight Amman (AMM) → Aqaba (AQJ): 45 min flight, €50-80, 2-3 flights a day. The fastest solution for those wanting to save time. 2) JETT Bus: Amman 7th Circle → Aqaba bus station, 4-5h journey, €15-25 per person, 2-3 departures a day (morning and afternoon). Comfortable, air-conditioned. 3) Rental car or private driver: 4-5h from Amman via Highway 15 (320 km), €150-200 by private driver. Possibility of stopping at Wadi Rum (1h before Aqaba) or Petra (going up the itinerary).
Access from abroad: King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) 9 km north of Aqaba, direct charter flights from Europe in winter (Transavia, Corendon, Eurowings) — option for travellers wanting to start their stay with southern Jordan. Round-trip Paris-Aqaba fares: €350-600 depending on season. Land borders: Wadi Araba border post (Yitzhak Rabin Crossing) 4 km north of Aqaba with Eilat (Israel) — 1-2h of formalities, separate Israel visa required (free for French nationals). No direct border post between Aqaba and Egypt — mandatory passage via Eilat then Taba, or by ferry Aqaba → Nuweiba (1h30, €50-80 per person, daily departures).
In Aqaba: abundant and cheap taxis (city taxi €2-5, taxi to Tala Bay €8-12, taxi to airport €12-18). Official taxis have meters; some negotiate the price in advance (acceptable if the rate is reasonable). Uber and Careem work in Aqaba (often cheaper than taxis). Resorts offer free shuttles to the city centre and marinas. Car rental is useful for autonomous travellers — €30-60/day, agencies at the airport (Hertz, Avis, Sixt) and in the city. Distances being short (Tala Bay 12 km from the centre, airport 9 km), taxi remains the simplest option.
To Wadi Rum: 60 km north, 1h drive. Private taxi €40-60, or organised day excursion from Aqaba (€80-120 per person, 4x4 + lunch + return).
To Petra: 130 km north, 2h drive. Private taxi €80-120, or JETT bus €12-15 per person (early morning departure from Aqaba bus station, afternoon return). Day excursion possible but tiring (departure 6 am, return 10 pm, only 4-5h on site).
By sea: AB Maritime fast ferry to Nuweiba (Egypt) to reach the Egyptian Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab). 1h30 crossing, €50-80 per person, daily departures. Egyptian visa required (free Sinai visa 15 days or national visa $25 USD depending on your destination in Egypt). Sea trip to Pharaohs Island (Egyptian island with Ayyubid citadel), day excursion €60-100 meals included.
Read also
- Petra and the South — UNESCO Petra, Wadi Rum desert, King's Road: Jordan's mythical dimension.
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- Amman and the North — Amman capital, Roman Jerash, Madaba mosaics, Mount Nebo.
- Jordan — Complete country guide: visa, budget, regions to explore and the best time to visit.