Jordan does not have a comprehensive public transport network — no metro, no tram, no passenger rail worth using. But it does have JETT, and for the two most-travelled tourist corridors in the country, JETT is genuinely good: modern buses, fixed prices, on-time departures, and staff who are accustomed to international travellers.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using JETT: which routes exist, what they cost, how to book, where to board, and when a taxi or private car is a better choice.
What is JETT?
JETT — Jordan Express Tourist Transport — is Jordan’s state-affiliated long-distance bus company, founded in 1942. It is not the government tourist bus that some travellers picture; it is a proper commercial operator with an online booking system, comfortable coaches, and a schedule that it actually keeps.
The company operates a mixture of domestic routes and cross-border services into Israel and Saudi Arabia. For tourists, the domestic routes are what matter.
JETT routes relevant to tourists
Amman → Petra (Wadi Musa)
This is the most-used JETT route for tourists. The bus departs from the JETT terminal at 7th Circle in Amman and arrives at the Wadi Musa Visitor Center area, which is the main access point for Petra.
- Duration: approximately 3.5 hours
- Price: 11 JOD one-way (verify on jett.com.jo as prices can adjust)
- Departures: typically one or two morning departures; check the schedule before booking as it varies seasonally
- Return: a service runs from Wadi Musa back to Amman in the afternoon
The Petra service drops you in Wadi Musa town, a 10–20 minute walk (or short taxi) from the Petra visitor centre. Hotels near the entrance are walkable.
Amman → Aqaba
The Amman–Aqaba route runs along the Desert Highway — the fastest road in Jordan — and takes 4–5 hours.
- Duration: 4–5 hours depending on traffic and stops
- Price: 11 JOD one-way
- Departures: multiple departures throughout the day; the first departure is typically in the early morning
- Terminal in Aqaba: the JETT terminal in Aqaba is near the central area; taxis to hotels are cheap and plentiful
Amman → Eilat and Israeli border crossings
JETT operates services to the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby Bridge) crossing for travellers going to Jerusalem and the West Bank. There are also occasional services toward the northern Sheikh Hussein crossing.
These cross-border services involve border formalities on both sides and take longer than the map distance suggests. Check jett.com.jo for current schedules and prices. Travellers going to Israel should also read our crossing Israel–Jordan border guide.
Where to board in Amman
The main JETT terminal for tourist routes is at 7th Circle (Saba’a Duwwar) in west Amman. This is in the middle of the residential-commercial district, not near the downtown area (Al-Balad). It is accessible by Careem or taxi from most Amman hotels in about 15–30 minutes depending on traffic.
There is also a secondary JETT terminal at the Abdali Bus Terminal in central Amman, which handles some routes. Confirm which terminal your specific service uses when booking.
Getting to 7th Circle from central Amman: Careem is the easiest option — book in advance and allow 20–30 minutes in the morning. A taxi costs approximately 5–8 JOD from the downtown hotels.
Arriving at the terminal: arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. The terminal has a waiting area, basic toilets, and a coffee shop. Luggage goes in the coach hold — the driver or ground staff will tag and load it.
How to book JETT tickets
Online: Visit jett.com.jo. The English version of the site functions reasonably well. Booking is available up to 24 hours before departure, and payment can be made by credit card. You receive a booking reference which you present at check-in.
In person: Go to the terminal and buy at the counter. This works for most services but carries the risk of finding seats sold out on busy travel days (particularly at the start and end of school holidays and during the high season in March–May and September–November).
Through your hotel: Many hotels in Amman, Petra, and Aqaba can book JETT tickets on your behalf. Expect a small service fee. This is the easiest option if you are uncomfortable navigating the website.
Recommendation: Book online at least 2–3 days ahead during peak season. Out of season, same-day booking is usually fine.
JETT vs taxis for Amman–Petra
| JETT bus | Taxi (shared or private) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 11 JOD per person | 60–90 JOD for the car |
| Duration | 3.5 hours | 2.5–3 hours |
| Flexibility | Fixed schedule | Depart when you want |
| Comfort | Good (assigned seat, AC) | Variable |
| Luggage | Hold + overhead | Boot |
| Stops | None or minimal | As many as you want |
For solo travellers or couples on a budget, JETT wins on cost. For families or groups of 4+, a private taxi becomes competitive per-person. For anyone who wants to stop at Wadi Mujib viewpoint or a roadside falafel stand, the taxi wins on flexibility.
JETT vs renting a car
JETT handles the Amman–Petra and Amman–Aqaba corridors well. But it does not serve Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea, or the desert castles. If your itinerary involves those places, you will need a car or a private driver in addition to any JETT travel.
A practical combined approach: take JETT from Amman to Aqaba, rent a car in Aqaba for the Aqaba–Wadi Rum–Petra leg, then take JETT or arrange a transfer back to Amman. This avoids the complexity of Amman traffic while giving you road freedom in the south.
Local minibuses: an honest note
You will encounter references to local servis minibuses (also written as “service” or “servis”) as a budget alternative to JETT. These do exist and are very cheap. But they are genuinely impractical for most tourists:
- They depart when full, not on schedule
- They are often uncomfortable for tall passengers
- Drivers and destinations are not always clearly marked in Latin script
- Routes can change without notice
- They may stop at multiple points, adding significant time
For short local journeys within a city (from a bus station to a market, for example), they are fine. For intercity tourist travel, the time and complexity savings of JETT are worth the modest price premium.
What JETT does not cover
To be clear about JETT’s limitations:
- No service to Wadi Rum directly — you need a taxi or arranged transfer from Aqaba or Wadi Musa
- No service to the Dead Sea — taxi or private car from Amman
- No direct service to Jerash — local buses from North Bus Station (Tabarbour) in Amman, or a day-trip taxi
- No service to Madaba or Mount Nebo — local minibuses from Amman or a taxi
- No service to the desert castles — car rental or organised tour from Amman
For these destinations, the options are renting a car, booking a private driver for the day, or joining an organised tour. See our getting around Jordan guide for a complete picture of all transport options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a large suitcase on JETT?
Yes. Luggage goes in the hold beneath the coach. Standard suitcases, backpacks, and rucksacks are all fine. There is also an overhead rack for smaller carry-on items. No excess luggage fees for normal travel amounts.
Is there Wi-Fi on JETT buses?
Some JETT coaches have on-board Wi-Fi, but reliability varies. Download offline maps and entertainment before your journey to be safe. A local SIM with data (available from the airport on arrival) is a more dependable option for staying connected.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. A booking reference on your phone screen is sufficient. The ground staff scan or manually verify references at check-in.
What if I miss my JETT bus?
The ticket is for a specific departure and is not generally transferable. You will need to buy a new ticket for the next available service. In practice, ground staff at the terminal are sometimes flexible with passengers who arrived slightly late — but do not count on it. Arrive early.
Are there food options on board?
JETT does not provide food or drinks beyond water on some services. The Amman–Aqaba route is long enough that you may want to bring snacks. There are petrol station stops where you can buy food and use the facilities.
Is JETT the only intercity bus option?
JETT is the main quality intercity operator. There are other private bus companies operating some routes, but JETT has the most reliable network and the easiest booking system for non-Arabic speakers. For practical purposes, treat JETT as the default option and look at alternatives only if the JETT schedule does not match your plans.
JETT practical experience: what to expect on board
Arriving at the 7th Circle terminal: The terminal in west Amman is a modest, functional facility. There is a ticket counter, a waiting area with seating, toilets, and a small cafe serving tea, coffee, and light snacks. Luggage is loaded into the coach hold by ground staff. Keep your passport, wallet, and phone in your carry-on bag on board, not in the hold.
On the bus: JETT operates modern coaches — typically Temsa or similar European-style long-distance vehicles. Seats are assigned and numbered. There is an overhead rack above each row and a small seat-back pocket. Air conditioning runs throughout — it can be quite cold on the Amman–Aqaba run; bring a light layer regardless of outdoor temperature.
The journey itself: Amman → Petra traverses the central Jordanian plateau. The landscape outside the windows is arid tableland with the occasional Bedouin encampment — scenic in a stark, open way. The last 30 km into Wadi Musa involves a winding ascent that offers glimpses of the Wadi Rum direction on clear days. Amman → Aqaba is longer: the Desert Highway runs straight and flat through the increasingly arid south, with the granite mountains of Wadi Rum appearing on the eastern horizon in the final stretch.
At Wadi Musa terminal: The JETT Petra bus terminates at or near the Wadi Musa Visitor Center area, not at the Petra visitor centre gate itself. The visitor centre gate is a 10–15 minute walk from the bus stop, or a short taxi (2–3 JOD). Ask the driver or ground staff for the walking direction if you are unsure.
At the Aqaba terminal: JETT’s Aqaba terminal is in the central city area. Taxis to all Aqaba hotels are immediately available outside. The main hotel strip is 5–15 minutes by taxi (3–5 JOD) depending on your hotel’s location.
JETT timetable and itinerary planning
The JETT schedule constrains your itinerary in specific ways. The key points:
Amman → Petra departure timing: The main tourist departure is typically a morning service (verify exact time on jett.com.jo as it changes seasonally). Arriving in Wadi Musa around mid-morning gives you an afternoon in Petra on day 1 and a full second day with an early start.
Petra → Amman return: The return service from Wadi Musa typically departs in the early to mid-afternoon. If you want to attend Petra by Night (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings from 8:30 PM), you cannot take the JETT same-day return to Amman. Stay an extra night in Wadi Musa or arrange a private transfer back to Amman late in the evening.
Amman → Aqaba multiple departures: The Aqaba route has more daily departures than the Petra route, giving greater scheduling flexibility.
Multi-city JETT routing: A common practical route uses JETT for both long-haul segments:
- Amman → Aqaba by JETT (morning, arrive lunchtime)
- Aqaba + Wadi Rum by local transport or day tour
- Private taxi Aqaba → Wadi Musa (no JETT direct link)
- 2 nights in Petra
- Petra → Amman by JETT return
This covers all four main southern Jordan destinations with JETT on the two long highway runs and only one taxi booking for the Aqaba–Petra gap.