VRENTY CAR is an independent comparison service. The search above is provided by our partner Localrent and lists local agencies side by side; you book directly with the provider. Always confirm the price, insurance and deposit before you pay.
📍 Jordan: a country in the Middle East with two main airports, Amman Queen Alia (AMM) in the north and Aqaba King Hussein (AQJ) on the Red Sea in the south.
Is It Worth Renting a Car in Jordan?
Usually yes if you want flexibility. Sights are far apart, public transport between them is limited, and tours run to fixed schedules. A car lets you reach Jerash, Madaba, the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum when you choose, start early at Petra and stop at viewpoints along the King's Highway. Roads between the main sights are generally in good condition, but city driving in Amman is busy and hilly.
Distances are moderate: Amman to the Dead Sea is roughly 55–65 km, to Petra about 230–250 km, and from Petra to Wadi Rum or Aqaba roughly 120–130 km. Many travellers pick up in Amman and return in Aqaba or the other way round; ask the agency about a possible one-way fee.
Where to Go: Car Rental by Airport and City
Pick the airport or city closest to where your trip starts. Each page lists pick-up options, drive times and local driving notes.
Airport Car Rental in Jordan: Where to Pick Up
Jordan has two airports that matter to most visitors. Many travellers fly into Amman and finish in Aqaba, or the reverse, so the real choice is where to collect and where to return.
| Pick-up area | Approx. from airport | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Amman Airport (AMM) | ~30–40 km to the capital | The north, Dead Sea and King's Highway |
| Madaba and Dead Sea | ~35–90 km from AMM | Easy first stops by car |
| Aqaba Airport (AQJ) | ~10 km to Aqaba | Wadi Rum and the Red Sea |
| Petra (Wadi Musa) | ~120–250 km depending on start | Mid-trip overnight |
How the hand-over works depends on the agency: some meet you in the arrivals hall or the car park, some use a nearby yard and a shuttle, and many deliver to a hotel. The search lets you choose with the "Specify location" option, and your voucher shows the manager's phone number and the meeting point. Many flights land late at night, so give the provider your flight number and confirm any out-of-hours fee.
No-Deposit Car Rental in Jordan: How It Really Works
A deposit is the amount a rental company blocks on your card until you return the car undamaged. Many agencies block it on a credit card. With basic insurance the excess — the part of any damage you pay yourself — can be large, so the deposit is large too. "No deposit" does not mean "no insurance": it usually means you buy a higher level of cover, and the provider then has far less to protect.
What the Search Filters Mean
The booking search lets you filter by the terms that matter most:
- No deposit — nothing is blocked on your card. Usually tied to full insurance
- Low deposit — a small hold, common on economy cars
- No credit card — the provider accepts another payment method for the deposit and the rental; the exact method is on the car card
- Full insurance — the higher cover level that cuts the excess to zero or close to it
- Free cancellation and unlimited mileage — shown on the car card, so you can check before you book
What Full Coverage Usually Does Not Include
Even with full coverage, local agencies typically exclude tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage, lost keys and any damage on unpaved or off-road surfaces. Fines, tolls and parking charges are not insurance matters at all: the agency bills them to you after the rental. Read the exclusions on the car card, not only the headline.
Checkpoints, Speed Cameras and Border Rules
Police checkpoints are common on main roads and at town entrances: slow down, be polite and keep your licence, passport copy and rental papers handy. Speed cameras issue fines linked to the car, and the agency charges them to you after the rental, sometimes with a handling fee. Land borders with Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are restricted for rental cars; ask the agency before booking and do not cross unless it confirms in writing that it is allowed. Check with the agency whether any road, parking or border-related charges apply to your route.
Documents You Need to Rent a Car in Jordan
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least one year; minimum age is typically 21 (some agencies ask for 23 or 25 for larger or premium cars)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national licence — requirements for foreign drivers differ by licence country and can change, so verify with the agency which documents it needs before you travel
- Passport and proof of entry as required
- The booking voucher, and a payment method that matches the offer
Driving in Jordan: Rules and Road Conditions
Rules in Short
- Traffic drives on the right; seatbelts are compulsory, and children need a suitable child seat
- Speed limits are signed and enforced by police and cameras; limits drop in towns and near checkpoints
- Strict drink-driving rules — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- Do not use a handheld phone; fines can apply
- Expect speed bumps and sudden braking, and keep a larger gap than at home
Road Conditions
Main roads between the sights are generally paved and in good condition, including the Desert Highway, the King's Highway and the Dead Sea Highway. Amman and its approaches are hilly and busy. Winter rain can cause flash floods in wadis and on low roads, and sandstorms reduce visibility in the desert. Lorry traffic is heavy on the Desert Highway, and unlit vehicles and animals make night driving harder. Mountain sections of the King's Highway have bends and sometimes fog in winter.
Off-Road and Border Rules
- Insurance is not valid on desert tracks or off the paved road, even with full coverage
- Park in Wadi Rum village and book a local jeep tour; do not drive your rental car into the desert
- Land borders (Israel, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia) are restricted for rental cars: ask the agency and do not cross without written confirmation
- Tracks shown on a map are not always roads; stay on the tarmac
Which Car to Rent in Jordan
Popular Road Trips by Car
When Is the Best Time to Rent a Car in Jordan?
Spring (roughly March to May) and autumn (about October to November) are the most comfortable for driving and sightseeing, and also the busiest. Summer is very hot, especially in Aqaba, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, so start early. Winter is cooler, with rain and sometimes fog or snow on higher roads; flash floods can affect wadis and low roads, so check the forecast.
Photograph the Car at Pick-Up
Check the body and interior with the agent present, film or photograph every scratch and make sure each one is written in the acceptance document. This is your best protection against a damage claim when you return the car. Do the same at return, including the fuel gauge and the odometer.
Local Agencies or International Chains?
Local agencies listed through comparison services often offer lower prices, flexible pick-up and a wider choice of no-deposit and no-credit-card terms. International brands are present at the main airports, but they usually charge more and require a credit card. For most travellers a well-reviewed local agency with a real-photo car card, clear insurance terms and free cancellation is good value. Compare the full-insurance total, not only the base rate.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the cheapest base rate and finding a large deposit at the desk — compare the all-in price with full coverage
- Taking the rental car on desert tracks in Wadi Rum: insurance does not apply
- Attempting a land border crossing without written permission from the agency
- Ignoring speed bumps and sudden braking, especially near checkpoints and villages
- Driving the Desert Highway at night or running low on fuel on long stretches
- Not photographing the car at pick-up and return
- Ignoring fines — they are billed to you after the rental
- Driving into low wadis or flooded roads after heavy rain