Just the Facts

JUST THE FACTS
To ensure you get the most from your visit to Jordan, it is important to have a few basic facts on hand before you arrive. From currency to transport, from newspapers to business hours, you’ll find the information you need by clicking the links below.

ACCESSIBILITY
Visitors with a valid passport may obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy or consulate abroad. A visa can also be obtained at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport (for unrestricted nationalities) or at any other border crossing except King Hussein Bridge and the ferryboat from Egypt. Visas are valid for one month, but can be extended at any police station.

CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Please note that many smaller shops still prefer cash payment in the Jordanian currency, and it’s essential for shopping in the local souks.

LANGUAGE
The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have traveled, or have been educated abroad, so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent. When Arabic is written in Jordan using the Latin alphabet, English spelling is applied; however, these spellings can be interpreted in various ways – the spelling, for example, of street addresses can vary widely. For this reason, the sounds of the words are a much better guide than the spelling.
Speaking Arabic is easier than you might think; attempting a few basic words will gain you respect from the locals and is a good way to break the ice. The Jordanian people are extremely understanding and will help you whenever they are able.

Here are a few useful words and phrases to get you started:

Arabic numbers are easy to read – in fact, the western numerical system was originally derived from the Arabic system. Unlike the words, Arabic numerals are read from left to right (the same as western numerals).

ELECTRICAL CURRENT
220 AC volts, 50 cycles, requiring rounded two-prong wall plugs. Visitors from the US will need a transformer, which most hotels can provide.

SHOPPING
Wherever you go in Jordan you will find plenty of opportunities to shop. For visitors, there is a wide range of locally made handicrafts and other goods available at all the popular sites, as well as within the boutiques of the leading hotels and at the various visitor centers. There you will find hand-woven rugs and cushions, beautifully embroidered items and clothing, traditional pottery, glassware, silver jewelry embedded with semi-precious stones, Bedouin knives, coffee pots, hookah, marquetry work, antiques and other artefacts. The list is endless and about as varied as you can imagine.

Take time to visit the souks in Jordan’s larger towns and cities. These are treasure troves for those seeking something a little bit out of the ordinary. Within the souks are also excellent gold and silver outlets, where some great bargains can be found. Also worth visiting are the busy market shops, especially for exotic spices, herbs and seasonings.

Pro- tip: Shopkeepers are helpful and friendly. Most speak at least a little English but even if they don’t, there is usually someone around who will only be very willing to assist you. After all, this is Jordan!

LOCAL TIME
October – March: Greenwich Mean Time plus 2 hours (G.M.T. + 2).
April – September: Greenwich Mean Time plus 3 hours (G.M.T. + 3).
Jordan is seven hours ahead of US Eastern Time.

WATER
Water is a precious resource in Jordan and visitors are encouraged not to waste it. Hotels rated 3 stars and up have their own water filtering systems and their water is considered safe to drink. Elsewhere, bottled water is inexpensive and readily available.

COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone services within Jordan are efficient and reliable. Directories in Arabic and English are widely available and international calls can be made from public and private phones. Fax services are available at most hotels while telegrams can be sent from post offices. Internet access is widespread via Internet cafes and hotels.

National Telephone Codes: City Dialing Code
Ajlun 02
Al Mafraq 02
Amman 06
Aqaba 03
The Dead Sea 05
Jerash 02
Karak 03
Ma’an 03
Madaba 05
Petra 03
Al-Tafila 03
As-Salt 05
Wadi Rum 03
Zarqa 05

CURRENCY
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar, symbol JD, also pronounced as “jaydee.” There are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD notes. The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced “pee-asters”) or 1000 fils (“fills”).

The fils is the unit most commonly used and you will usually see prices written as 4,750 (which is 4 JD and 750 fils).
Currency can be exchanged at major banks, exchange booths and at most hotels. Street money-changers are best avoided. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank.

POSTAL SERVICES
As well as post offices, most 4- and 5-star hotels offer postal services.

Post office opening hours are:

– Summer: Sat-Thurs 07.00-19.00 / Fri 07.00-13.00.
– Winter: Sat-Thurs 07.00-17.00 / Fri 07.00-13.00.

There are also a number of international courier services, including DHL, FedEx, TNT International, UPS, etc.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Banks, businesses, government offices and many shops close all day for public holidays.
Fixed public holidays include:

– New Year’s Day January 1 st
– Labor Day May 1 st
– Independence Day May 25 th
– Christmas Day December 25 th<

A number of public holidays are not fixed. These include Easter and the following Islamic Holidays, which are based on the Lunar calendar:

– Eid al-Fitr – A 3 or 4-day feast marking the end of Ramadan.
– Eid al-Adha – A 4 day feast at the end of the Hajj, or month of pilgrimage to Mecca.
– First of Muharam – Islamic New Year.
– 12 Rabee Al Awal – The Birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

WEIGHTS & MEASURES
Jordan uses the metric system.