Jordan

Travel tips for Jordan: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and gas stations in Amman, but you will need cash for rural areas like Wadi Rum, smaller vendors, and to avoid card surcharges.

Try the food

  • Mansaf (منسف): A hearty dish of tender lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served over rice or bulgur.
  • Maqluba (مقلوبة): A savory pot of meat, rice, and fried vegetables that is flipped upside down onto a serving dish before eating.
  • Knafeh (كنافة): A warm, sweet dessert made of gooey white cheese topped with crispy pastry and soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup.

Say it in Arabic

  • Hello: مرحبا (Marhaba)
  • Thank you: شكرا (Shukran)
  • Please: لو سمحت (Law samaht)
  • Excuse me: عفوا (Afwan)
  • How much is this?: بكم هذا؟ (Bikam hatha?)
  • The bill please: الفاتورة لو سمحت (Al-fatoorah law samaht)
  • Yes / No: نعم / لا (Na'am / La)
  • Goodbye: مع السلامة (Ma'a as-salamah)

Essentials

Plugs
Type C / Type D / Type F / Type G / Type J
Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Tap water
Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency
911 (all services)
SIM tip
Purchase a Zain or Orange tourist SIM card at the kiosks in Queen Alia International Airport arrivals for the most reliable nationwide coverage.

Etiquette

Always accept tea or coffee when offered by locals, as refusing can be seen as a rejection of their hospitality, and leave a 10% tip in restaurants if a service charge is not included.

Airports in Jordan