There are several ways to get from Cairo to Amman. They include by car, by plane, by bus and can even include by ferry via the Red Sea. The fastest (and most expensive) way to get from Cairo to Amman is by plane, taking just a few hours, and costing several hundred dollars. The cheapest way to get from Cairo to Amman is by bus, it takes several hours, almost an entire day, it requires crossing first into Israel before crossing into Jordan and then taking another bus. A route by car is similar. Another route, which avoids crossing the border with Israel includes taking a ferry from Nuweiba to Aqaba.
Where to Stay when you get from Cairo to Amman
On arrival to Amman, you have hundreds of hotel options, from lively hostels to luxury hotels. Below you will find some popular options, some for their luxuries and others for their location!
FIVE-STAR HOTELS IN AMMAN: Landmark Amman, W Amman, Amman Rotana, Four Seasons Hotel Amman
MIDRANGE HOTELS IN AMMAN: Olive Tree Hotel, Toledo Hotel,
BUDGET HOTELS and HOSTELS: Castle Star, Amman Pasha Hotel
Further Reading on Amman: Best Restaurants in Amman, Things to do in Amman, Amman with kids, Luxury Hotels in Amman
Cairo to Amman by Bus
For those who are not limited by time, the Cairo to Amman bus option is one of the cheapest way to get from Egypt to Jordan. When you look up the route, it says it is only 9 hours, but let me assure you, travel in the Middle East always takes a lot longer than anticipated. You can click on the link below and see the schedule.
Check schedules and rates from Cairo to Amman HERE
Cairo to Amman by Plane
The most popular, and the most time efficient, is to take a plane from Cairo to Amman. Royal Jordanian and Egypt Air both service the route regularily. If you are trying to buy plane tickets with a credit card in Egypt, note that a lot of credit card companies automatically block purchases, so make sure your credit card company knows you will be traveling to Egypt.
Cairo to Amman by Ferry
Yes it is possible to involve a ferry on your travels from Cairo to Amman. First, you will take a bus to Nuweiba (check the schedule here) and then a ferry from Nuweiba to Aqaba. This is a LONG journey and may even involve a hotel stay in Nuweiba or Aqaba. Once you arrive in Aqaba, after clearing customs, you will need to take a taxi into downtown Amman (about 10 minute’s drive) and get dropped off at the JETT bus station. There you can take a bus from Aqaba to Amman. (book tickets here). I only really suggest this option if you are planning on spending some time in Nuweiba on the Red Sea, or in Aqaba on the Red Sea. Otherwise, it is a long ride, with lots of connections and you are far better booking the more direct route.
However, Aqaba is part of Jordan that should not be skipped! If you have never been off the coast of the Red Sea, it is well worth spending a few days in Aqaba as there are plenty of things to do!
More Useful Resources for your trip from Cairo to Amman Jordan
There is so much to see in such a small country. Jordan packs a punch! Start with things to do in downtown Amman, as well as these day trips from Amman. Also check out Best Restaurants in Amman and Best places to have breakfast in Amman. Consider taking a food tour in Amman as well!
Travel Insurance for Jordan
There are a few other things to think about when it comes to travel. The first thing is travel insurance. Whether it is an emergency room visit for something as simple as strep throat, or an emergency appendix surgery, or an unfortunate moped incident things do go wrong when people travel everyday.
I highly suggest travel insurance and a good policy. I personally never travel without it, and I even checked into my policy about care for my children if I am ever in an accident or hospitalized. There are just too many things to think about.
You can find out more information and buy your travel insurance here.
5 Things to Bring with You to Jordan
GUIDE BOOK – I have always been a guide book person and physically having that book in your hand as you plan your day, in addition to blogs like this one, can help immensely. Pick up a Lonely Planet Guide to Jordan (or the kindle version) before your trip to Jordan.
SCARF – Whether you want to keep the sun off your head or want to show a little modesty, a scarf goes a long way in Jordan any time of the year. You can bring one with you or pick up one when you arrive, but don’t leave your hotel in the morning without it! It can serve as a hat to keep the sun off your head and neck in the summer and can add some warmth in winder and can offer modesty to cover shoulders for women.
WATER PURIFIER – A Grayl Water Bottle is something I recommend for every traveller, not just those going to the Middle East. Some people say the water is safe to drink from the tap, others say it is not; it is not something I am going to chance. And Jordan has a HUGE garbage problem. The streets, the forests and even the desert are littered with plastic bottles.
If you consider drinking at least 1-2 big water bottles a day while you are there, think of how much plastic that creates when every visitor and the population’s 9 million people do the same. With a Grayl, you can filter any tap water (or actually any water source) and have clean drinking water in seconds. Since most people travel with water bottles already, consider one like this with a filter so that you are not just pouring from big water bottles to small. It might sound expensive, but when you compare it to spending a few dollars per day on water while you travel (and do not forget how expensive the water is inside airports), you will pay for this very quickly.
TRAVEL ADAPTER – An inexpensive Universal Travel Adapter is another must for Jordan. You will find an assortment of 220V plugs, from European 2 pin, another style of 2 pin and UK Plugs. While European 2 pin is most common, it is best to carry one of these adapters with you. With a handy USB input, you do not need to bring your plugs from home.
KLEENEX – Kleenex or Wipes are another thing to put on your list. Jordan’s public washrooms (and even restraint or hotel lobby washrooms can often be unstocked. Unless you are good with a bidet sprayer, bring yourself some kleenex or wipes just in case! You will find that most washrooms in tourist sites and rest stops have an attendant that will give you toilet paper and paper towel for a small tip. Usually, half a dinar is fine.
In Jordan, the plumbing is not set up to handle toilet paper. Every bathroom (even hotels) you should use the garbage can beside the toilet for your toilet paper and any sanitary products.
NOTION SICKNESS PILLS – Motion Sickness Pills might be needed if you are prone to motion sickness and plan on traveling by bus or in the back of the car. There are many windy, hilly and bumpy roads in Jordan. Sea Bands might work for you if you are prone to motion sickness.
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.