The national airline is Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) (website: www.rja.com.jo). There are flights to 50 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Far East and Asia.

From London to Amman is five hours.

Queen Alia International (AMM) is 35km (22 miles) southeast of the capital. To/from the airport: The airport is connected by a good highway (travel time – approximately 40 minutes). There is a regular bus service to Amman every 30 minutes (travel time – approximately 50 minutes), and taxis are also available. Facilities: Duty free shops, bank/bureau de change, eating and shopping facilities and car hire.

JD5 for individual tourists which is included in the airline ticket, JD25 for Jordanian nationals on international departures. Transit passengers are exempt.

The only port is Aqaba, which is on the cruise itineraries for Cunard, P&O and Swan Hellenic. Car and passenger ferries from Aqaba to Cairo and Aqaba to Nuweiba operate twice-daily and there is also a high-speed hydrofoil service. There is a weekly passenger service to Suez and Jeddah. Contact Telstar Maritime Agencies (tel: (6) 462 4104; website: www.telstarmaritime.com).

JOD5 for foreigners and JOD6 for nationals of Jordan.

The Hijaz Railway operates twice a week on the old Ottoman track between Amman and Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic).

There are roads into the Syrian Arab Republic via Ramtha or Jaber. The route to/from the Syrian Arab Republic to Western Europe is through Turkey. Driving time from Amman to Damascus is four hours. From Egypt, there is a ferry connection from Nuweiba to Aqaba (visa should be obtained in advance). Multiple-entry visas may be needed. A coach service runs from Damascus to Irbid or Amman. There is a share-taxi service from Amman to Damascus. Public buses and coaches run from Amman to Damascus, Baghdad, Cairo, Egypt, Iraq, Istanbul, Saudi Arabia and Syria daily, as well as to Allenby Bridge for the crossing to the Palestinian National Authority Region. To cross, a visa is required, and it should be obtained in advance. Further border crossings to Israel are at Sheikh Hussein Bridge (Jordan River Crossing) near Lake Tiberias in the north and Wadi Arabah (Arava Crossing) in the south, the latter linking Jordan to the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat. Most nationalities can obtain a visa at the border; for information on which nationals require a visa, contact a travel agent in Jordan. Some cars are permitted to cross these two borders, subject to various rules and regulations; for further details, contact the Jordanian authorities.

JOD4.

Royal Wings operates regular flights from Amman to Aqaba (tel: (6) 487 5201; website: www.royalwings.com.jo). It is also possible to hire executive jets and helicopters.

There is no longer a reliable public railway service.

Main roads are good (there are nearly 3000km (1900 miles) of paved roads in the country), but desert tracks should be avoided. It is important to make sure that the vehicle is in good repair if travelling on minor roads or tracks. Take plenty of water and follow local advice carefully. In case of breakdown, contact the Automobile Association. Regulations: Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 60kph/38mph (cities), 80 kph/50mph (country roads) and 120kph/75mph (motorways). There are frequent passport controls along the Red Sea and travellers are advised to have their papers ready. Bus: Services are efficient and cheap. Alpha, JETT and Petra all operate modern, air-conditioned fleets. Taxi: All taxis operate a meter and can be hired for the day. Share-taxi service to all towns on fixed routes is also available and can be hired for private use. Share-taxis to Petra should be booked in advance owing to demand. Car hire: Major international car rental companies and a number of local companies operate services in the main towns, including Amman and Aqaba, available also from hotels and travel agents. Drivers are available for the day. Documentation: National driving licences are accepted if they have been issued at least one year before travel. However, an International Driving Permit is recommended. Visitors are not allowed to drive a vehicle with normal Jordanian plates unless they have a Jordanian driving licence.

When using routes which go near the Israeli border (and even when sailing or swimming in the Red Sea without a guide), the traveller should always have all papers in order and within reach.

There are conventional buses and extensive fixed-route ‘Servis’ (share-taxis, most seating up to seven) in Amman. The ‘Servis’ are licensed, with a standard fare scale, but there are no fixed pick-up or set-down points. Vehicles often fill up at central or outer terminal points and then run non-stop.