Renting a car in Jordan: Everything you need to know
Whether you choose a taxi, bus, or car, there are several options for traveling through Jordan. We find renting your own car the most convenient way to explore the country. Jordan is very suitable for this and the vast majority of people choose this way of traveling. Along the way you will see the most beautiful landscapes, local villages and encounter camels and other animals. Every country has different traffic rules. What should you pay attention to when renting a car in Jordan? In this article you can read everything about renting your car and driving in this beautiful country.
Renting a car in Jordan
Renting a car and going on a road trip is the best way to see Jordan. You can rent a car from Discover Cars, which we find to be a very reliable rental company. They offer a Full Coverage package that covers any damage or theft of your car, they will pay you back for any charges up to a limit. You just pay once and don’t have to worry about anything else. The price of the car rental highly depends on the car type and how long you rent it for. For more peace of mind, we highly recommend adding Full Coverage to all your rentals.
There is a minimum and maximum age
Depending on the rental company where you pick up the car, usually a minimum age of 21 years is required. There are exceptions that you can rent a car from the age of 18. Please note that an additional surcharge for young drivers often applies up to the age of 25. A maximum age of 65 or 75 years can also be used. When booking the car, all the information you need is included in the rental conditions.
Take your credit card with you
Almost all rental companies require that you carry a credit card in the name of the main driver. An amount will be reserved on the credit card for the deposit. It is important to have sufficient balance available. Without the credit card or if you do not have enough space on the credit card, you will not receive the car. The amount of the deposit may differ per company.
Renting a car without a credit card is possible. At Discover Cars you can select the filter “Debit Card”. You will then see all rental cars that can be booked without a credit card.
Do you need an international driver’s license
To drive in Jordan, you need a driving license from your own country or an international one. It should be in Arabic or English, or have a translation in these languages. Just to be safe we recommend getting an international driver’s license (IRB), because rental companies or the police sometimes ask for it. You can buy your IRB from the official store or agency who issues these documents in your country. But make sure you take a passport photo with you.
Don’t be persuaded to take out extra insurance
With Discover Cars Full Coverage package you are completely insured. This even goes so far that in the event of damage, your deductible is also reimbursed. Some local rental companies will try to offer you extra insurance. Don’t go into this, it’s really not necessary.
Is driving in Jordan safe?
Driving in Jordan is safe, but it can be a bit exciting in Amman and just outside the capital. The traffic there is a bit more chaotic and busier than we are used to in most countries. Above all, stay calm and give the local driver priority where necessary. Outside Amman the roads are quiet and people generally drive neatly. The traffic rules in Jordan are comparable to those in most countries, although Jordanians do not always adhere to them very well. There is also a lot of honking, this is mainly a way to communicate when passing or when you cannot see around a corner.
People tend to keep to the speed limits in Jordan because of the many speed cameras and police checks. During our 15 day trip we were stopped three times by the police. After a few standard questions and a document check, we were always allowed to continue driving without any problems. The speed limits in Jordan average 100 or 110 km/h on open roads, 90 km/h on main roads and 40 or 60 km/h in built-up areas.
What are the roads like?
The roads in Jordan are generally of good quality. They are wide, well paved and there is little traffic outside Amman. Pay close attention to thresholds! They often have the same color as the road and it is easy to overlook the speed bumps. Look carefully at the behavior of the other cars on the road. We therefore advise against driving in the dark. There are three main roads that run from north to south: Kings Highway 35, Highway 15 and Highway 65. We recommend driving south via the Kings Highway. This road goes straight through the mountains of Jordan and takes you past beautiful landscapes, small towns and villages. Highway 65 runs along the Dead Sea and through the desert. This is a nice route to drive from the south back to the north.
Tip: Brown signs indicate tourist attractions. This makes navigation a lot easier.
What is the best way to navigate in Jordan?
In the Google Maps or Maps.me apps it is possible to download the map of Jordan offline and you can navigate without data usage. Finding and navigating to important locations such as gas stations or supermarkets becomes a lot easier. You can also pin sights and booked hotels to the map. This way they can easily be found in your overview and you can drive there in no time. Because you navigate offline, you will of course not receive the latest information about traffic situations. Pay close attention to the signs to see where you can and cannot drive.
Tip: If you want to stay online in Jordan we highly recommend getting an eSIM through Airalo. They offer cheap data packages so you always have access tot the internet.
A rental car gives you the most flexibility to get the most out of your visit to Jordan. Experience the freedom and enjoy all the beauty the country has to offer.
