Two taxi options exist in Jordan’s cities: Careem (the app-based ride-hailing service) and conventional yellow taxis. Both are generally cheap, both get you where you need to go, and both have situations where they shine — and where they frustrate.
This guide gives you an honest side-by-side comparison so you know which to use and when.
What is Careem?
Careem is the dominant ride-hailing app across the Arab world, operating much like Uber (which acquired Careem in 2019 for 3.1 billion USD). In Jordan it operates in Amman, Zarqa, and Aqaba. You book via the Careem app, receive a fixed price upfront, track your driver on the map, and pay either in-app by card or in cash.
The experience is essentially identical to using Uber in any major city: familiar, predictable, and largely free of the negotiation and guesswork that come with hailing a conventional taxi.
Where Careem operates in Jordan
- Amman: Full coverage across all districts, including the airport to city route
- Aqaba: Good coverage within the city and to Wadi Rum village
- Zarqa: Coverage available, limited tourist relevance
- Petra/Wadi Musa: No Careem service
- Madaba: No Careem service
- Wadi Rum: No Careem service
- Dead Sea area: No Careem service
- Jerash: No Careem service
If you are based in Amman or Aqaba, Careem covers most of your in-city needs. Outside those two cities, you are in conventional taxi territory.
Conventional taxis: how they work
Jordan’s yellow taxis are metered by law. The flag-fall rate in Amman is approximately 0.25 JOD, with per-kilometre charges running around 0.3–0.4 JOD. A city ride in Amman (say, Abdali to Rainbow Street) should cost 2.5–5 JOD on the meter.
The catch is that many drivers will offer you a fixed price before you get in — and that fixed price is usually 50–100% above what the meter would show. This is not unique to Jordan; it is standard in most of the Middle East and Mediterranean. The correct response is straightforward:
- State your destination clearly
- If the driver offers a price, say “ala el-asas” (on the meter) or simply point at the meter
- If the driver refuses to use the meter and quotes an unreasonable price, decline and flag another taxi
In most cases, drivers will use the meter when asked. A minority will not — that is the moment to find a different cab.
At airports, tourist sites, and bus stations: Fixed-price taxis are the norm, and meters are rarely used. At Queen Alia International Airport, there are officially registered airport taxis with fixed rates (25–30 JOD to central Amman). At Petra, local taxis from Wadi Musa to the visitor centre quote fixed rates. Negotiate or confirm the price before getting in.
Careem vs taxi: price comparison
These are approximate Amman 2026 fares for common journeys:
| Journey | Careem | Taxi (metered) | Taxi (negotiated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown to Abdali | 3–4 JOD | 2.5–4 JOD | 5–7 JOD |
| Downtown to 7th Circle | 4–6 JOD | 3.5–5.5 JOD | 7–10 JOD |
| Airport to central Amman | 22–28 JOD | 25–30 JOD | 35–45 JOD |
| Amman to Dead Sea (if available) | N/A | 20–30 JOD | 30–50 JOD |
The conclusion: when taxis use the meter, they are roughly equivalent to Careem in cost and sometimes slightly cheaper. When taxis do not use the meter, Careem is significantly cheaper and more transparent.
In Aqaba: Both Careem and taxis are very cheap for the short distances within the city. Most in-city Aqaba rides run 2–3 JOD.
When to use Careem
- Any journey in central or eastern Amman where you do not speak Arabic and want to avoid negotiation
- Airport transfers — Careem to the airport is convenient, price-fixed, and trackable
- Late-night travel when fewer taxis are on the road and driver behaviour is less predictable
- When you want to pay by card (many Jordanian taxis are cash-only)
- When you want to show your driver the destination without language barriers (pin the location on the app)
When to use a conventional taxi
- In cities and towns where Careem does not operate (Petra, Madaba, Jerash, the Dead Sea)
- When surge pricing on Careem makes it significantly more expensive (rare in Jordan, but possible)
- Short local hops where a flagged taxi is immediately available and you are comfortable negotiating
- When travelling to a destination that is not pinnable on a map (some small villages, specific local restaurants)
Taxis outside Amman and Aqaba
In Petra (Wadi Musa), the taxi market is small and informal. Most rides are short — between Wadi Musa town and the Petra visitor centre entrance (5–10 minutes, 2–3 JOD). For longer journeys (Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum, approximately 1h45), negotiate the fare before departure. Expected fare: 35–50 JOD for the car. See our dedicated Aqaba to Petra transfer guide for southern Jordan specifics.
In Madaba, taxis are plentiful and cheap. Most journeys within town cost 1–2 JOD. To Mount Nebo and back (12 km round trip) with waiting time: expect 8–12 JOD, negotiated before departure.
In Jerash, the main taxi stand is near the entrance to the ruins. Short hops 2–3 JOD; a taxi from Amman (North Bus Station) is a negotiated price, typically 30–45 JOD for the car.
Tourist traps to avoid
The “my meter is broken” line: The meter works. If a driver claims otherwise and then quotes you a fixed price, decline and find another taxi.
Airport queues without fixed fares: At Queen Alia Airport, the official taxi rank has regulated fares. If someone approaches you in arrivals before you reach the official taxi rank, be cautious — these are typically unregulated drivers charging significantly more. Use the official rank, Careem, or a pre-booked hotel transfer.
Careem surge times: After concerts, events, or during rain in Amman, Careem surge pricing kicks in. The app always shows you the price before you confirm — if it looks much higher than normal, wait 10 minutes and try again, or hail a conventional taxi instead.
How to use Careem in Jordan: quick setup
- Download the Careem app (iOS or Android) before you arrive
- Register with a phone number — a local SIM works best, but an international number works for registration
- Add a credit or debit card for cashless payment, or select the cash option
- Set your pickup point on the map and your destination
- Confirm the fixed price shown before booking
- Track your driver and share the trip with a contact if travelling alone at night
A local eSIM or SIM card with data makes using Careem significantly easier — see our best eSIM for Jordan guide for options.
Frequently asked questions
Does Careem accept international credit cards?
Yes. Visa and Mastercard from most countries work in the Careem app. Some cards may flag the first transaction as a foreign charge — notify your bank before travel or use the cash-in-app option.
Can I book Careem to the Dead Sea from Amman?
In theory yes, if coverage extends that far. In practice, Careem coverage for long inter-city journeys outside its operational zones is unreliable. For Amman to the Dead Sea, a pre-arranged private transfer or a taxi negotiated at your hotel is more dependable.
Is Uber available in Jordan?
No. Uber does not operate independently in Jordan. Careem (owned by Uber) is the app to use.
Are there women-only taxis in Jordan?
Careem offers a “Ladies First” option in some markets — check the app to see if it is available in Amman. Conventional women-only taxi services exist but are limited and not easily bookable as a tourist. Female travellers can use Careem’s standard service — drivers are vetted and the trip is trackable, making it the safest app-based option.
What about scooter or motorcycle taxis?
Motorcycle taxis (called “bajajs” in some countries) are not a significant part of Jordan’s urban transport scene. Stick with Careem or conventional taxis for reliable, safe urban transport.
Beyond taxis: other in-city transport in Amman
Amman is not a city well served by public transport beyond buses and taxis. There is no metro, no tram, and no light rail. The city is spread across seven hills (originally — now many more) with a complex topology that makes walking between distant points genuinely difficult.
Public buses (Amman Bus): Amman has an official city bus network operated by the Greater Amman Municipality. The buses are modern (air-conditioned, GPS-tracked), and routes cover the main corridors. The fare is approximately 0.5–1 JOD. The challenge for tourists is route legibility — buses are numbered, but without knowledge of which number goes where, they are difficult to navigate. If you are comfortable with urban bus systems and willing to ask locals for help, the city bus is a cheap way to get between major areas (Abdali, 7th Circle, Sweileh).
Walking in Amman: Possible within specific walkable districts. Rainbow Street (Jabal Amman) and the adjacent Weibdeh neighborhood are flat-ish and pleasant for walking. The downtown (Alam Al-Balad) area is compact and walkable. Moving between hills — Abdali to downtown, Jabal Amman to Shmeisani — requires a taxi or Careem; the distances are deceptive and the hills are steep.
E-scooters: Lime and similar e-scooter services have been trialled in Amman with limited rollout. As of 2026, this is not a reliable or widespread option. Check when you arrive — the urban micro-mobility landscape in Amman is evolving.
Taxis for inter-city day trips
For destinations outside Amman that do not have JETT service, a conventional taxi or private driver is necessary. Common day-trip taxi routes from Amman:
Amman → Jerash → Ajloun → return: Budget 60–80 JOD for the car for the day (6–7 hours). This covers both sites at a relaxed pace.
Amman → Madaba → Mount Nebo → Dead Sea → return: Budget 50–70 JOD for the car for the day. A popular combination; the driver waits at each site.
Amman → Dead Sea (half-day): Budget 25–35 JOD each way, or 50–60 JOD for a taxi that waits 2–3 hours at the beach. Negotiate beforehand.
Amman → Bethany Beyond the Jordan → return: Budget 30–40 JOD for the car. The baptism site is 60 km west of Amman near the Jordan River.
For all of these arrangements, ask your hotel to help arrange a trusted taxi driver the evening before. You get a confirmed time, a known driver, and typically a slightly better rate than hailing at random.
Taxis with child seats
Conventional taxis in Jordan do not have child seats. If you are travelling with young children, rent a car (and bring or rent a child seat), or use Careem — you can specify a request for a car with a child seat in some Careem categories, though availability varies and confirmation is not guaranteed. Most Amman families travel with children in taxis without seats — but this is your risk calculation to make.
Night taxi safety
Late-night taxis in Amman (after midnight) are less regulated in practice — fewer taxis are running and those that are may be more inclined to negotiate informal (inflated) prices. The options for late-night transport:
- Careem: Tracked, price-fixed, available 24 hours. The safest and most predictable late-night option.
- Hotel taxi: Ask your hotel to call a trusted driver — many hotels have arrangements with reliable drivers who respond to late calls.
- Pre-arranged return: If you are going out to a restaurant or bar in Jabal Amman, ask the venue to call you a taxi for the return journey — venues in tourist-oriented areas routinely do this.
Avoid hailing an unmarked or non-yellow car from the street late at night. Stick to the official taxi fleet or Careem.