How Taxis Work
As mentioned, you’ll likely need to take a cab during your time exploring Amman. If you’re based in accommodation outside of downtown, then it may be necessary to start / end your explorations each day.
Uber works in the city (there’s also a popular local alternative called Careem), but we just hailed one of the regular taxis on the street when needed. There’s lots driving around, and you’ll often get a beep or a slow down offering you a lift when you don’t need one. Note that some taxis in Amman, usually white, are driving to specific destinations and won’t stop for you.
The meter starts at at a rate of about 0.35 qirsh or piastre, with the most common journeys you’ll make within the city costing 1-2 JD max. It’s a good idea to have change or small notes with you for this. Keep an eye on the meter when you set off, and if it doesn’t look to be working, you should query this with the driver to prevent a dispute over price at the end of the journey.
If a taxi driver quotes you a price at the start, there is the potential to haggle it down reasonably or go with it, rather than use the meter. This is more necessary when it comes to a taxi driver offering to drive you to the Dead Sea or Jerash, rather than short trips across the city.
Either way, don’t start you taxi journey without knowing if you’re on the meter or there’s been a fixed price agreed beforehand.
If you don’t speak any Arabic, it’s a good idea to have you accommodation’s business card or details available for the drive, or know a big landmark nearby for directions. We always have an offline Google map downloaded (here’s how to do it) as it allows us to track our GPS and directions without a connection.
Although we recommend walking up to the Citadel, for some of you it will be best to accept the offer of one of the many taxi drivers offering to drive you up there for 1 or 2 JD, and then simply enjoy the walk back down to the city.
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