Aqaba is Jordan’s only sea outlet — a compact Red Sea port city where the border with Israel is 7 km to the west and Saudi Arabia begins 20 km to the south. The city itself is not large. The waterfront Corniche, the old souk, and the main hotel strip are all within easy reach of each other, and most travellers base themselves here for Red Sea activities rather than city-hopping.
Getting to Aqaba
From Amman by JETT bus: JETT runs the most reliable long-distance service between Amman and Aqaba. Buses depart from Abdali bus terminal in Amman at roughly 07:00 and 15:00 daily (schedules change seasonally — verify at jett.com.jo before travel). The fare is approximately JOD 7 to 9 one way, and the journey takes 3.5 to 4 hours on the Desert Highway. Seats sell out on weekends and public holidays — book ahead online.
From Amman by service taxi: Shared service taxis (white saloon cars carrying 5 passengers) depart from Amman’s Wihdat bus station when full. The fare is around JOD 5 to 6 per seat and journey times are comparable to JETT. This option requires no booking but involves waiting for the car to fill.
From Wadi Rum: The village of Rum is 60 km northeast of Aqaba on the Desert Highway. A private taxi between Rum village and Aqaba costs approximately JOD 30 to 40 depending on negotiation. Some tour operators include the Aqaba drop-off in camp packages — ask when booking. There is no direct public transport between Wadi Rum and Aqaba.
From the Israeli border (Wadi Araba/Yitzhak Rabin crossing): The border terminal is about 7 km north of Aqaba city centre. Taxis from the border to central Aqaba run approximately JOD 8 to 12. The crossing is open daily and processes pedestrians and private vehicles.
Getting Around the City
Aqaba is compact enough to walk during cooler months, and most of what visitors need — the waterfront, the fort, restaurants and the beach entry points — is within a 2 km stretch of the Corniche road.
Taxis: White metered taxis circulate throughout Aqaba. Within-city fares should be JOD 2 to 5. Ask the driver to use the meter, or agree on a price beforehand. The central souk area to the South Beach resort hotels is around JOD 3 to 4.
Minibuses: Blue and white public minibuses run along the main roads for JOD 0.20 to 0.50 per trip. Routes are not signposted in English, but for the main Corniche strip (connecting the central souk to the beaches) it is straightforward. Ask locals or hotel staff to point you to the right stop.
Walking the Corniche: The waterfront promenade from the Aqaba fort to the South Beach hotel cluster covers about 4 km. It is flat, paved, and lined with cafés, souvenir stalls, and small parks. In summer, do this walk before 09:00 or after 18:00 — midday temperatures regularly exceed 40°C.
The South Beach Strip
Most of Aqaba’s resort hotels sit along the South Beach Road, 2 to 4 km from the city centre. This is where the bulk of the diving centres, beach clubs, and marine reserve access points are located. Taxis from the central souk area cost around JOD 3 to 4.
The Berenice Beach Club and Royal Diving Club are the most established public beach access points in this area. Both have day entry fees (see our Aqaba best beaches guide for current prices) and are reachable by taxi or a long waterfront walk.
To and From the Airport
King Hussein International Airport sits at the north end of the city, roughly 10 km from the South Beach hotels. Taxis from the airport to central Aqaba cost approximately JOD 10 to 15. There is no regular bus service between the airport and the city.
Onward from Aqaba
To Wadi Rum: Private transfer is the standard option. Expect JOD 30 to 40 for the 60 km journey. JETT sometimes runs a Petra/Wadi Rum combination service from Aqaba — check at the JETT office near the bus terminal.
To Petra: Wadi Musa (Petra village) is 120 km north. A private taxi costs approximately JOD 50 to 60. JETT runs a scheduled service (verify current times at jett.com.jo). Shared taxis run from the central bus area and cost around JOD 7 to 10 per seat.
To the Saudi border (Al-Durra/Mudawwara): The crossing is 25 km south of Aqaba. This is open to those with valid Saudi visas. Taxis from Aqaba run approximately JOD 20 to 25 one way.
Practical Notes
Jordanian dinar (JOD) is the currency — Israeli shekels and US dollars are sometimes accepted near the borders but at poor rates. ATMs are plentiful on the main Corniche and around the souk.
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA) means alcohol is freely available in restaurants and supermarkets — unlike most of Jordan. Grocery runs on the South Beach strip are straightforward.
Summers are genuinely extreme (June to August peak at 40 to 42°C). Early-morning beach visits and evening strolls work best. October through May offers comfortable conditions for walking and outdoor activity.