Travel tips · Amman · Jordan
Amman travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: David Bjorgen, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Jordan is known for its hospitality, and visitors are frequently welcomed with 'ahlan wa sahlan' and offered coffee or tea. Amman is relatively liberal by regional standards, but it remains a conservative Muslim-majority society with a significant Christian minority, and modest dress and polite greetings are appreciated.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Currency
- JOD
- Plugs
- Types C, D, F, G and J are all found; 230 V, 50 Hz — a universal adapter is useful
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most visitors and many locals drink bottled or…
- Emergency
- 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Things to know
- Greet people before asking questions; a handshake is normal between men, but wait for a woman to offer her hand.
- Dress modestly in downtown and at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees.
- Use your right hand for eating and passing things.
- Friday is the main day of prayer and rest; avoid visiting mosques at Friday midday prayers.
- Ask before photographing people, particularly women.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight.
- Street food in downtown is excellent and very cheap; a full breakfast can cost less than a café coffee in west Amman.
Tipping
In restaurants, about 10% is usual if service is not already included; round up taxi fares and tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Marhaba | Hello |
| Ahlan wa sahlan | Welcome |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| Min fadlak / min fadlik | Please (to a man / woman) |
| Kam? | How much? |
| Yalla | Let's go / come on |
What to wear
Long trousers or skirts and tops that cover the shoulders are best for downtown and religious sites; bring a warm layer, as evenings on the hills are cool much of the year.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Types C, D, F, G and J are all found; 230 V, 50 Hz — a universal adapter is useful
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated, but most visitors and many locals drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs are cheap and widely available; hotels and cafés usually have Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
Amman is generally calm for visitors, but check your own government's travel advice before and during your trip given wider regional tensions. Traffic is the main everyday risk: crossings are few, so take care on busy roads, and agree on the meter or use an app for taxis.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Jordan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Amman?
In restaurants, about 10% is usual if service is not already included; round up taxi fares and tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour.
+Can you drink the tap water in Amman?
Tap water is treated, but most visitors and many locals drink bottled or filtered water.
+What plugs are used in Amman?
Types C, D, F, G and J are all found; 230 V, 50 Hz — a universal adapter is useful
+What language is spoken in Amman?
Arabic and English.