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.
📍 Aqaba: Jordan's Red Sea port and resort town in the far south; Aqaba Airport (AQJ) is a short drive from the centre.
Is a Car Worth It in Aqaba?
The town and beaches are easy by taxi, and many hotels run shuttles. A car pays off when you want Wadi Rum and Petra on your own timetable, or a drive north via the Desert Highway or the King's Highway.
Our advice: book for the days you leave town and ask the agency to deliver it to your hotel. Leave desert tours to local jeeps; your rental is not insured off the paved road.
Drive Times from Aqaba
Times are approximate and depend on traffic; use live navigation for the real figure.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Aqaba Airport (AQJ) | ~10 km | about 15–25 min |
| Wadi Rum village | ~60–70 km | about 1 hour |
| Petra (Wadi Musa) | ~120–130 km | about 1.75–2.25 hours |
| Karak | ~220 km | about 3–3.5 hours |
| Amman | ~330–350 km | about 4–4.5 hours |
Heat, Fuel and the Highway North
Summers are very hot, so check the air conditioning and tyres before you set off. The Desert Highway north has few services, and trucks from the port share the road. Fuel up in town before leaving. Dust and crosswinds can reduce visibility, and flash floods after rare heavy rain can affect low sections in winter.
- Carry water and keep the fuel tank well above reserve
- Avoid desert tracks: insurance is not valid there
- Do not head for border or port zones with the rental car
- Fines from police and cameras are sent to the agency, which charges you after the rental
Pick-Up and Delivery
Pick-up is usually delivered to your hotel in Aqaba, or collected at Aqaba Airport (AQJ). Use the "Specify location" option in the search to choose, and check the car card for any fee. Do not rely on a named office unless it is written on the car card. If you arrive late, give the provider your flight number.
Documents and Age
- Valid driving licence, usually held for at least a year; minimum age is typically 21 (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 the booking voucher
- A payment method that matches the offer: many agencies block the deposit on a credit card; use the No deposit or No credit card filter if you need an alternative
Insurance and Deposit Explained
With basic insurance the excess — your share of any damage — can be large and the agency blocks a deposit. Full coverage brings the excess close to zero and, with many local agencies, means no deposit. Typical exclusions are tyres, glass, the underbody, interior damage and lost keys, and the cover is not valid off-road. Fines, parking and any border-related fees are billed separately. Photograph the car with the agent at pick-up and return and make sure all damage is in the acceptance document.
Driving in Aqaba: Roads and Habits
Aqaba's streets are wide and quiet compared with Amman, but speed bumps and sudden stops are common. Trucks heading to the port are slow, and the road north rises into cooler, windier country.
- Traffic drives on the right; overtake on the left and give way as signed at roundabouts
- Speed limits are signed and enforced by police checks and speed cameras; limits drop sharply in towns and on approach to checkpoints
- Expect speed bumps, sometimes unmarked, and drivers who brake suddenly or stop in the road; keep a generous gap
- Strict drink-driving rules — the safest rule is zero alcohol before driving
- No handheld phone; seatbelts are compulsory and children need a suitable seat
- Police checkpoints are common on main roads; slow down, keep your licence, passport copy and rental papers to hand
- Heavy rain in winter can cause flash floods in wadis and low-lying roads, and sandstorms can cut visibility on desert roads
- Do not take the car on desert tracks or off the paved road: insurance is not valid there
- Do not cross the land borders with a rental car unless the agency has confirmed in writing that it is allowed