Car Rental in Aqaba

Why rent a car in Aqaba?

Aqaba is a great travel destination. For decades, travelers from all over the world have been venturing to this Jordanian resort city on the Red Sea to enjoy its amazing beaches and some of the best diving on the planet. Like other places in Jordan, Aqaba also has a lot of interesting historical sites - and with a rental car, it’s easy to travel to spectacular places like Wadi Rum, Petra, or even the nation’s capital, Amman. 

Top ways to enter Aqaba

• Aqaba Airport: Also known as King Hussein International Airport (AQJ), it is served by ten different airlines, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet (although most only operate seasonally during the summer months). The airport is predominantly serviced by domestic flights operated by Royal Jordanian from Amman but also provides connections with Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Turkey, and a number of other destinations. Located just 10 km (6 miles) north of Aqaba city center, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Amman Queen Alia Airport: Also known as Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), it serves Jordan’s capital and is the largest airport in the country (and one of the busiest in the whole region), handling 7.8 million travelers in 2022. A hub for Royal Jordanian and served by around 25 other airlines, it provides flights to and from destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, North America, and Southeast Asia. Located 305 km (189 miles) north of Aqaba, the airport can be reached in just under four hours.
• Ramon Airport: Also known as Eilat-Ramon Airport (ETM), it is located just over the border with Israel. With many flights by low-cost airlines (seasonally operated), flying to Eilat can be a tempting way to travel to Aqaba. While Eilat is indeed only about 16 km (10 miles) west of Aqaba, it is important to keep in mind that you cannot cross the Israel/Jordan border in a rental car. You can, however, travel to the Yihak Rabin/Wadi Arava border terminal by taxi, cross the border, then take another taxi to Aqaba, and pick up a rental car at Aqaba Airport or a few other smaller city locations. Check to see if you need a visa to enter either Israel or Jordan, as each country has its own unique visa policy.
• By sea: There is a ferry service between Taba and Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba (Tala Bay - around 14 miles south of Aqaba Airport). Unfortunately, it is not permitted to bring a rental car on the ship. It’s also a good idea to check the ferry schedule in advance as it does not operate daily. If you plan to travel to or from Egypt, make sure to check to see if you need a visa to enter. 
• Important: While it is possible to enter Jordan from three of its neighboring countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories, it is currently not possible to enter Jordan with a car rented in a neighboring country. Neither is it allowed to rent a car in Jordan and then to travel to a neighboring country. 
• All non-essential travel to Jordan’s two other neighbors, Iraq and Syria, is strongly advised against by most foreign ministries and international organizations due to the ongoing conflicts in these two countries.

City facts

• Although located on the coast, Aqaba has a desert climate. Summers can be scorching hot while winters are short and warm. The average high temperature is 33°C  (92°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 15°C  (59°F) in January, the coolest. There is practically no precipitation in Aqaba year-round, with rainfall only occurring very rarely from December to March.
• Inhabited for more than 6,000 years, Aqaba has been the home of many different cultures and peoples. The first port in the area, called Elath, was built by the Edomite Civilization around 1500 BC and was later mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Other ancient rulers of Aqaba were the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Romans. After the rise of Islam, the city was ruled by different Muslim dynasties like the Abbasids, Fatimids, and Ottomans. Different Bedouin tribes have also lived in the surrounding desert since antiquity and continue to do so to this day.

Top sights and activities

• Aqaba Fortress. Built by the Crusaders not long after they invaded the region, Aqaba Fortress is more than 800 years old. Over the centuries, it was destroyed a number of times and later rebuilt by its Muslim rulers, giving it an ecclectic appearance. One of the most photographed buildings in southern Jordan, it definitely deserves a visit. The fortress has been renovated a number of times over the last decade, so check the latest situation before your trip.
• Aqaba Church. About 1,700 years old, it is considered the oldest purpose-built church in the world. Not long after the church’s completion, the last great persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire (in which Aqaba was then located) began. Historians assume that the church wasn’t destroyed because of its great distance from the center of the empire. It suffered over the following centuries and only ruins of the old three-aisled basilica now remain,  but it is nonetheless a fascinating place to visit.
• Aqaba Archaeological Museum. One of the most impressive museums in the country is located in the former home of Sharif Hussein bin Ali. The museum houses many artifacts of and exhibits about the different cultures and civilizations that have inhabited Aqaba over centuries, with a special focus on those that lived in the Aqaba region. Every couple of years, a renovation takes place in the museum, so check the opening times before your visit
• Ayla. An oasis surrounded by desert and the sea, the area of Aqaba has been known for centuries and was once home to the historical city of Ayla. The ruins of Ayla were only discovered relatively recently but have since become a popular tourist attraction. The historical Ayla should not be confused with the modern, built-up part of the city of the same name.

Traffic and parking

• In Jordan, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• You need to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to drive in Jordan as a foreigner. Not having one can lead to large fines.
• Most road signs in Aqaba are written in both English and Arabic. However, different English spellings might be used for the same street and location names in different places.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 80 km/h (50 mph) on country roads, and 60 km/h (38 mph) or less in populated and built-up areas.
• Most of the main roads in Jordan are in good shape and are well-maintained, though look out for unexpected speed bumps that are only signposted last-minute. Rural roads can have widely varying quality, even within the same general area.
• Always have a working GPS system and a backup map downloaded when driving in the desert in Jordan. Set out your route in advance and make sure you will always have a chance to get fuel before running out of it. Always have extra water in the vehicle as temperatures in the desert can reach extremes.
• When driving at night, especially in the countryside, take extra caution as some vehicles might be driving without the lights on or might be stopping on the side of the road without the lights on. Also, watch out for pedestrians and animals on the road as some areas have no sidewalks.
• It is only allowed to use a mobile phone while driving if you use a hands-free system. 
• Unlike in Europe or North America, Jordanian drivers use their horns a lot. Do not let this upset you - rather than a sign of road rage, it is simply a different way of communication between drivers.
• Drunk driving is prohibited in Jordan. The law has been enforced more strictly during the last few years, and breaking it can lead to large fines or even imprisonment and deportation.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving. There are frequent police checkpoints where these documents may be asked for.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.

Toll roads

Although there have been some suggestions to create them in the future,  there are no toll roads in Jordan as of early 2023.

Ideas for day trips

• Beaches. Although home to amazing architecture, Aqaba is first and foremost a beach destination. There are plenty of places for enjoying the city’s beautiful Red Sea coast, including the hip Middle Beach which is located right in the city center and a number of private beaches that can be accessed for a fee. Some beautiful spots can also be accessed by driving along the coast. Aqaba is also a world-famous diving destination, and although it is usually quite pricey, diving in Aqaba is nonetheless an amazing experience. Most of the best spots, diving shops, and schools are located just south of the city.
• Wadi Rum. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, this spectacular desert is one of the most impressive places in the Middle East. There are many cliffs, rock pillars, and sand dunes that you can explore, as well as little villages and ancient temples. The number one attraction, though, is simply taking in the otherworldly scenery used as a filming location for many famous movies. Wadi Rum is just 70 km (43 miles) east of Aqaba and can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Note: Although Wadi Rum can be reached with a rental car, to truly experience what this amazing place has to offer, you need to be in a 4x4. As the Wadi Rum desert is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected area, you can only enter the desert itself with a local Bedouin guide. You’ll need to park your rental vehicle at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre or Rum Village and switch vehicles to complete your Wadi Rum desert experience.
• Dana Nature Reserve. The largest protected area in Jordan, Dana is known for its desert peaks, gorges, unique flora, and great hiking opportunities. The area can be reached by rental car, but getting around would mostly require a 4x4 vehicle — tours can be booked in the village of the same name that’s just off Kings Highway. The drive from Aqaba to Dana takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Petra. The number one destination for many travelers coming to Jordan, Petra is a stunning ancient city carved into rock. Although the city was partially ruined by an earthquake in the 7th century, the fact that some of the areas have not been renovated only adds to the experience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra has also been called one of the new seven wonders of the world. Located 125 km (77 miles) north of Aqaba, Petra can be reached in just under two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Aqaba is the Kia Cerato, although many travelers also go for the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Chevrolet Cruze. The most popular rental car types are standard, compact, and intermediate.

Further destinations

• Ajloun Forest Reserve. Mostly made up of desert, Jordan is not usually thought of as a destination of beautiful woodlands. The Ajloun Forest Reserve, located in the northwest of the country, is an exception. A protected area, it has a number of hiking trails and is home to many unique floral species as well as wildlife such as the striped hyena, golden jackal, and roe deer. Located 370 km (233 miles) north of Aqaba, the reserve can be reached in five hours.
• Amman. Huge, loud, and sprawling, Jordan’s capital can at first seem a hectic place, but there are many reasons why travelers keep returning to this Middle Eastern metropolis. Its attractions include the stunning Amman Citadel, old Roman theater and nymphaeum, Umayyad palace, and some seriously amazing Jordanian restaurants. Located 325 km (202 miles) north of Aqaba, Amman can be reached in four hours. Nearby Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics, is also well worth a visit.
• Jerash. The ancient Decapolis city of Gerasa is another of Jordan’s most fascinating historical cities to visit. Only unearthed in the last century, it is one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman cities outside of Europe. Experience colonnaded streets, grand theaters, public plazas, the hippodrome and evidence of baths and fountains from the Graeco-Roman world. Located 373 km (231 miles) north of Aqaba, Jerash can be reached in 4 and a half hours from Aqaba
• Eilat. Located just a stone’s throw from Aqaba, this tranquil Israeli city is, like Aqaba, a great place for diving, kitesurfing, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the sea and sun. But it also has a set of its own unique attractions, like the Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve, the Underwater Observatory, the Dolphin Reef preserve, and the nearby Red Canyon. Do keep in mind that you cannot cross the border between Jordan and Israel in a rental car. Many travelers go to the border by taxi, cross it on foot, take another taxi to the center of Eilat and pick up a rental car there. Note: there is an exit tax of 10 JOD to be paid when exiting Jordan at land crossing points. If you are crossing back to Aqaba, there’s a further Israeli exit tax to pay. 

Car rental prices in Aqaba

• Small cars - from €16 per day
• Large cars - from €26 per day
• Medium cars - from €26 per day
• SUVs - from €39 per day
• Vans - from €69 per day
• Premium cars - from €109 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Land a great rental car in Aqaba by following these simple tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Aqaba is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 59% cheaper than the yearly average and an unbelievable 90% cheaper than renting a vehicle in July.