Driving in Jordan: Car Hire Tips, Road Rules & What It’s Really Like

If you’re wondering whether driving in Jordan with kids is realistic, this guide is for families planning a self-drive route between Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Aqaba.

Quick answer: is driving in Jordan easy for families?

Yes — for us, self-driving in Jordan was much easier than expected. The main tourist routes were straightforward, the roads were generally in decent condition, and having our own car made the trip far more flexible with Joshua.

This guide is for families deciding whether to drive in Jordan with kids and wanting to understand what it’s actually like before booking a car.

We’ll cover:

• whether self-driving in Jordan is realistic for families

• what car we hired and whether you need anything bigger

• what the roads are like between Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea

• how parking works at hotels, cities and tourist sites

• what to know about car hire, insurance and child seats

• how we used Google Maps and an eSIM to make navigation easier

• the practical things that surprised us as UK drivers

The aim is to help you decide whether renting a car in Jordan is the right choice for your family — and how to make the experience as simple and stress-free as possible.

Just a quick note: some links in this guide are affiliate links. This doesn’t affect the price you pay, and we only recommend booking tools and travel products we’ve used ourselves or would confidently use again as a family.

Is Self-Driving the Best Way to Travel Around Jordan With Kids?

For most families, self‑driving is the easiest and most flexible way to travel around Jordan.

It meant we could start early, stop when Joshua needed a break, and adjust the day if plans changed — which matters more than you expect on longer travel days.

In reality, the driving distances between the main highlights are very manageable. Most journeys are:

• 1–2 hours (Petra → Wadi Rum, Dead Sea → Amman)

• 2–3 hours for longer stretches (Dead Sea → Petra)

• with one longer return leg of around 4 hours from Aqaba to Amman

The roads themselves are generally in good condition on the main tourist routes, with long, open highways between destinations and fairly straightforward navigation overall. Outside cities, driving felt easy and predictable, with plenty of space and fewer pressure points than you might expect.

Jordan does have buses and organised tours, but they don’t give you the same freedom. With children, being able to stop for snacks, toilets or just a breather makes a big difference — and turns what could feel like long travel days into something much more manageable.

If you’re still working out your wider route, read 9-Day Jordan Family Itinerary: Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum & Aqaba Road Trip — it shows how the main stops connect and why self-driving works so well for this kind of trip.

What Is Driving in Jordan Actually Like?

Honestly, we found driving in Jordan far more manageable than we expected.

Although Jordan sounds like it might be rural or difficult to navigate, the main roads between tourist areas felt fairly similar in condition to what we’re used to in the UK. The big difference is that Jordan drives on the right-hand side of the road, so UK drivers need to adjust to that.

The main tourist roads were straightforward, and Google Maps made navigation easy. City driving was busier — especially around Amman — but it wasn’t unmanageable. It certainly didn’t feel like trying to drive through Rome or somewhere equally chaotic.

The most memorable difference? Road signs warning about camels rather than deer. We also had the occasional sheep near the road, so you do need to stay alert, particularly outside city areas.

Do You Need a Big Car or 4x4 in Jordan?

No — not if you’re following the usual family route.

We hired a Nissan Kicks, and it was completely fine for our Jordan road trip. It fitted:

• two large suitcases

• our day bags

• Joshua’s travel car seat setup

We didn’t need anything bigger or more robust because we stayed on the main tourist routes. If you’re driving yourself into remote desert tracks, that’s different — but for Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum Visitor Centre and Aqaba, a small car is enough.

We compared car hire through Trip.com because it made it easy to check prices, vehicle sizes and cancellation options. For a family Jordan road trip, focus on a practical, affordable car — not the biggest vehicle available.

Car Hire in Jordan: What Families Should Know

Car hire in Jordan is straightforward, especially if you’re collecting from Amman airport. Rental companies commonly operate from Queen Alia International Airport, and many providers expect drivers to show a valid licence, passport and credit card for the deposit.

We had no issues with pick-up or drop-off during our trip. As always, we photographed the car carefully before leaving the rental point so we had a record of any marks or scratches.

We also usually buy an annual car hire excess insurance policy before trips, rather than paying for expensive excess cover at the rental desk. That gives us peace of mind without feeling pressured into extras on arrival.

If you want the full transport planning context, link this section to How to Plan a Family Trip to Jordan: Step-by-Step Guide for First Timers, because car hire is one of the big decisions that shapes the whole trip.

Do You Need an International Driving Permit for Jordan?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is essentially a translated version of your UK driving licence, recognised internationally so local authorities and rental companies can easily understand your details.

In Jordan, you’ll still use your UK licence — the IDP just sits alongside it. While not always checked, some car hire companies require it, and it can be helpful if you’re stopped by police or dealing with paperwork.

For us, it’s one of those things you may not need — but if you’re asked for it and don’t have it, it can create unnecessary hassle at the rental desk. It’s a small, low‑cost document that removes risk — so it’s worth checking your rental provider’s requirements and organising one before you travel.

In the UK, you can get an IDP from most Post Office branches — it’s quick, inexpensive, and issued immediately, so it’s easy to sort before your trip without adding extra stress.

Road Rules and Driving Conditions in Jordan

Jordan drives on the right-hand side, and speed limits are typically lower than UK drivers may be used to, with motorway limits commonly around 110 km/h.

In practical terms, the main things to expect are:

• busier driving in cities

• long, open roads between destinations

• speed bumps and checkpoints in some areas

• occasional animals near or on the road

• drivers using lanes more loosely than in the UK

Seatbelts are required, and children should use an appropriate restraint system for their age and size. We took Joshua’s Trunki BoostApak, which meant we had our own setup and avoided paying extra for a rental car seat. Always check that your child’s seat or booster is suitable for your child and accepted by your rental provider.

Parking in Jordan: Much Easier Than Expected

Parking was one of the things that surprised us most.

In the UK, we’re used to signs, pay-and-display machines and worrying about being in the wrong place. In Jordan, it felt far more relaxed. Pretty much everywhere we visited, the unspoken rule seemed to be: find a sensible space and park.

We didn’t pay for parking at hotels, attractions or most city stops. At first, I kept worrying we weren’t in an “official” space, but I eventually had to get used to the fact that parking just isn’t governed in the same way.

This made life much easier as a family. There was no added stress of finding paid parking, downloading apps or worrying about overstaying.

Using Google Maps and Mobile Data in Jordan

Google Maps was essential for us. It made navigating Jordan feel simple, especially when driving between Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea.

To avoid roaming charges, we bought an Airalo eSIM before we left. It activated when we arrived, and we used it mostly for Google Maps and checking route information. Google Maps didn’t use much data, so this worked really well for navigation.

If you’re planning to self-drive in Jordan, set up an eSIM before you travel. Having Google Maps working from the moment you land removes a lot of stress, especially after a long flight with kids.

Is Driving in Jordan Safe With Kids?

We felt comfortable driving in Jordan as a family, but it’s still important to stay alert and drive defensively.

From our experience, the main safety considerations were practical:

• avoid driving when tired

• keep mobile data working

• carry water and snacks

• plan longer drives in daylight where possible

Do You Need Travel Insurance for a Jordan Road Trip?

Yes — as well as car insurance you need personal travel insurance for your family.

It covers you and your family in case of things like illness, injury or trip disruption — which matters more in Jordan due to long active days and remote locations like Wadi Rum.

We recommend Just Travel Cover to compare policies and make sure we have strong medical and cancellation cover in place.

Sort your travel insurance early — it’s the one thing that protects your whole trip.

What We’d Do Again Next Time

We would absolutely self-drive Jordan again.

For us, having our own car made the whole trip feel calmer. It meant we weren’t tied to tour timings, we could stop when Joshua needed a break, and we could adapt when our plans changed due to flight disruption.

The biggest lesson is that Jordan doesn’t require a complicated driving setup. A small car, Google Maps, an eSIM and sensible planning were enough.

If you’re visiting Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Aqaba as a family, self-driving is one of the easiest ways to make the route work.

Final Verdict: Is Driving in Jordan Worth It for Families?

Yes — driving in Jordan is absolutely worth considering for families.

It gave us flexibility, saved us from relying on transfers, and made the whole route feel more manageable with Joshua. The roads were easier than expected, parking was relaxed, and a small hire car was perfectly adequate for the main tourist route.

For a family road trip, that combination of flexibility and simplicity is exactly what you want.

FAQs: Driving in Jordan With Kids

Is it expensive to hire a car in Jordan?

No — car hire is generally affordable, especially compared to hotels and entry fees. A small car is usually enough.
See our budget breakdown for full costs.

Do you need a 4x4 to drive in Jordan?

No — a standard car is fine for the main tourist route. You only need a 4x4 if you plan to drive off-road in the desert.

How long are the driving distances between main stops?

Most journeys are 1–3 hours, with one longer drive of around 4 hours. This makes Jordan very manageable as a family road trip.

Is parking easy in Jordan?

Yes — parking is very relaxed compared to the UK. We didn’t pay for parking at most hotels or tourist sites.

What is the best way to navigate in Jordan?

Google Maps works well. We used an eSIM so navigation worked from arrival without roaming costs.

Do you need insurance when renting a car in Jordan?

Yes — basic insurance is included, but excess is high. Many families arrange separate excess cover before travelling.

plan your TRIP TO jordan

If you’re planning your family trip to Jordan, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.