Aqaba Airport Transfer Guide: King Hussein International (AQJ)

King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) is Jordan’s southern gateway — a compact regional airport serving the Red Sea resort of Aqaba and, for many travellers flying on Ryanair or Wizz Air routes from Europe, a direct entry point to Petra and Wadi Rum without the need to pass through Amman at all. The airport is small, arrivals are quick, and the city is genuinely close. Here is everything you need to know about getting away from the terminal.

About King Hussein International Airport

AQJ is located approximately 10 km north of central Aqaba on the road that parallels the Jordan-Israel border. The terminal is a single building — arrivals, departures, and baggage claim all share the same floor. There are no rail connections and no scheduled public bus. What you will find: a taxi rank, car rental desks from the main agencies, and a currency exchange booth.

Airlines flying into AQJ: Ryanair (London Stansted, Budapest, Kraków, Malta, and others), Wizz Air (several European cities), flydubai, Air Arabia, and Royal Jordanian’s domestic Amman–Aqaba shuttle. Routes expand seasonally — check directly with your airline for current summer schedules.

Option 1: Airport Taxi

The default option for most arrivals. Taxis wait outside the terminal exit on a small forecourt. They are not metered at AQJ — negotiate the fare before getting in.

Approximate fares from AQJ (as of 2026):

Destination	Approximate Fare (JOD)	Approximate Fare (USD)
Central Aqaba / city centre	JOD 8–12	USD 11–17
Aqaba hotel strip (South Beach area)	JOD 10–15	USD 14–21
Wadi Rum Village	JOD 35–50	USD 49–70
Petra (Wadi Musa)	JOD 60–80	USD 85–113
Amman city centre	JOD 90–130	USD 127–183

Prices as of 2026. Late-night arrivals and holiday weekends attract higher rates.

Practical notes:

• Settle the fare before entering the taxi — there are no meters at this airport
• Keep small bills: JOD 10–20 notes are ideal; asking for change on a JOD 50 note will create friction
• If heading to a large hotel, the driver will almost always know it by name
• For long-distance runs to Petra or Amman, a private transfer booked in advance will typically offer better value and accountability than negotiating at the kerb

Option 2: Pre-Booked Private Transfer

For solo travellers with a tight schedule, groups, families, or anyone arriving late, a pre-booked private transfer from AQJ removes the guesswork entirely. You get a named driver in arrivals, a confirmed fixed price, and vehicle tracking.

Typical pre-booked transfer fares (as of 2026):

Route	Saloon / 1–3 pax (JOD)	Minivan / 4–7 pax (JOD)
AQJ → Aqaba city centre	JOD 12–18	JOD 18–25
AQJ → Wadi Rum Village	JOD 40–60	JOD 60–85
AQJ → Petra / Wadi Musa	JOD 65–90	JOD 90–125
AQJ → Amman	JOD 95–140	JOD 135–185

Pre-booked transfers make particular sense if:

• You are connecting directly to Petra or Wadi Rum without stopping in Aqaba overnight
• You arrive on a late charter flight (Ryanair and Wizz Air frequently schedule arrivals after 10 pm)
• You are travelling as a group of three or more (per-person cost approaches taxi rates)

Book through /go/transfers-jordan (Kiwitaxi) — price is fixed at booking, free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and drivers are vetted. Welcome Pickups is an alternative with English-speaking drivers and meet-and-greet in arrivals.

Option 3: Rental Car

All three major desks at AQJ — Hertz, Avis, and local operator Reliable — operate from the arrivals hall. Collecting a rental car at AQJ and driving yourself gives maximum flexibility for Wadi Rum and Petra, though Aqaba city centre itself is compact enough to walk or taxi.

Things to know:

• The Desert Highway north from Aqaba to Petra is straightforward — well-signposted dual carriageway, no mountain passes
• Wadi Rum sits 60 km northeast of Aqaba on a paved single-carriageway road; the final stretch to the visitor centre is fine in a standard saloon
• Petrol is cheap in Jordan: approximately JOD 0.85–0.95 per litre as of 2026
• International Driving Permit recommended but rarely checked; your home licence is generally accepted
• See our car hire in Jordan guide for full details on rental conditions and road rules

From Aqaba to Petra: Transport Options

AQJ is a common entry point for travellers whose primary destination is Petra, particularly on Ryanair routes from Europe. Here is how to get there from the airport or from Aqaba city.

Private Transfer (Airport to Petra Direct)

The most efficient option: approximately 2–2.5 hours, JOD 65–90 for a saloon. No intermediate stops, driver meets you at arrivals, takes the Desert Highway north and then the Kings Highway or Wadi Araba route up to Wadi Musa. Book in advance through Kiwitaxi — trying to negotiate this run at the kerb is possible but typically costs more and with less accountability.

JETT Bus (Aqaba city to Petra)

JETT operates a scheduled bus service from Aqaba’s JETT bus terminal — not from the airport. If you are already in Aqaba (staying overnight or using the bus from another city), this is the most affordable land option.

Fare: Approximately JOD 10–12 per person (as of 2026) Departure: Typically one departure per day in the morning; check the JETT website for current times as the schedule changes seasonally Journey time: Approximately 3–3.5 hours to the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa Where to board: JETT bus station, Al-Nuzha Street, Aqaba city. A short taxi ride from the airport or any Aqaba hotel.

Note: JETT does not operate direct airport pickups for this service.

Shared Taxi (Aqaba city to Petra)

Shared taxis (service taxis) run between Aqaba’s main taxi station and Wadi Musa. The fare per seat is approximately JOD 8–12, though departure depends on filling the taxi — waiting times can be 30–90 minutes, especially outside the morning rush. These depart from the main Aqaba taxi stand, again not from the airport.

Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who are already in Aqaba and have time flexibility.

Self-Drive Aqaba to Petra

The distance from AQJ to the Petra Visitor Centre is approximately 130 km. The route via the Desert Highway is the fastest (about 2 hours); the Kings Highway (turning inland near Ma’an) takes longer but passes through Crusader castle Shobak and is scenically far superior. Both roads are paved and manageable in any standard rental car.

Aqaba Airport Facilities

AQJ is a small regional airport. Facilities are basic but functional:

• Currency exchange: One booth in arrivals — rates are fair for a small amount; better rates available in central Aqaba
• ATM: One machine in arrivals (accepts Visa and Mastercard)
• SIM cards: No dedicated SIM kiosk; pick up a Jordanian SIM at a phone shop in central Aqaba (Zain or Umniah on Al-Hammamat Al-Tunisiya Street)
• Luggage storage: Not available at the terminal — most Aqaba hotels will store bags for the day if you are exploring before check-in
• Wi-Fi: Free terminal Wi-Fi available

Practical Tips

For direct-to-Petra travellers: Book your transfer before you fly. The Desert Highway from Aqaba to Petra is well-maintained and takes about 2–2.5 hours. Your driver picks you up at AQJ arrivals — most direct transfer services include water and a vehicle with air conditioning as standard.

For Red Sea visitors: Central Aqaba and the hotel strip are 10–15 minutes from the airport. The taxi rank outside arrivals is small but there are always drivers present for inbound flights. For large groups or early mornings, pre-booking is worth the modest extra cost.

Departure tip: Aqaba Airport operates fewer security lanes than AMM and queues clear quickly — but charter flights from Ryanair and Wizz Air can all depart within the same 90-minute window in the evening, causing temporary congestion. Aim to arrive 2 hours before departure.

For other transport within Jordan, see our full getting around Jordan guide.