Transport in Jordan

Transportation in Jordan is characterized by a high reliance on a developed road network, as the kingdom currently lacks a comprehensive domestic rail system for passenger travel. The sector is a vital component of the national economy, centered around the capital hub of Amman and the primary port city of Aqaba. Movement across the country is facilitated by a combination of state-regulated bus services, private tourist coaches, and an extensive network of "service" (shared) taxis and minibuses that connect urban centers with rural and archaeological sites.^[1][2] For intercity travel, the most reliable choices for tourists are modern coaches like those from JETT (Jordan Express Tourist Transport).^[3]

In 2009, it was estimated that Jordan had 7,891 kilometres (4,903 mi) of paved highways. Some of the major highways in Jordan are:

• Highway 15 (Desert Highway): This is the fastest route between north and south Jordan but offers little in terms of scenery.^[4] It connects the Syrian border with Amman and to the port city of Aqaba on the Gulf of Aqaba. It is a four-lane, double carriageway road almost on its entirety, from the Syrian border until the junction with the road to Petra.
• Highway 35 (King's Highway): connects Irbid in the northern region to Aqaba, it takes the name and route of the historic King's Highway. It has four lanes on double carriageway on its stretch from Irbid until Amman.
• Highway 65 (Dead Sea Highway): connects Aqaba to the northwestern region of Jordan.
  • The first part of the highway (Safi-Aqaba) was constructed in 1978 as part of the Red Sea - Dead Sea Access. It connected Safi, the south end of Dead Sea to Aqaba, the north point of Red Sea.
• Jordan Highway: encircles the city of Amman and connects it to Jerash and Irbid

Rail transport in Jordan is limited and plays a minor role in the country’s transportation system, despite its historical significance as part of the Hejaz Railway, constructed in the early 20th century to connect Damascus with Medina. The railway passed through key settlements including Amman and Ma'an, contributing to their development. In the present day, rail services are operated on a limited scale by the Hejaz Jordan Railway, primarily offering infrequent passenger and heritage services, while freight operations such as the former phosphate line to Aqaba have largely declined. Consequently, the rail network has minimal impact on domestic mobility, with road transport remaining dominant, although proposals for a modern national railway system have been put forward.^[5]

Jordan's pipeline infrastructure is a critical component of the nation's strategy to address severe water scarcity and energy dependence. The network encompasses major systems for water conveyance, natural gas, crude oil, and wastewater management.

Given Jordan's arid climate, large-scale water conveyance pipelines are among the most vital and capital-intensive infrastructure projects in the country.

• Disi Water Conveyance Project: This operational system transports water from the ancient Disi aquifer in southern Jordan to the capital, Amman. The pipeline spans approximately 325 kilometres (202 mi) and delivers 100 million cubic meters of water annually.^[6] The project, constructed at a cost of approximately US$1.1 billion, began pumping water in 2013.

• Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project (AAWDCP): Also known as the National Water Carrier, this is the largest planned infrastructure project in Jordan's history. It involves the construction of a major desalination plant on the Red Sea coast in Aqaba and a pipeline system to convey treated water northward to Amman.^[7] The pipeline will be approximately 438–450 kilometres (272–280 mi) long and will pump water against an elevation gain of over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). The system is designed to supply up to 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, meeting an estimated 40–45% of the country's municipal water needs.^[7] The project, with an estimated investment of US$6 billion, is being developed under a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession by a consortium including Meridiam, SUEZ, VINCI Construction, and Orascom Construction.

Jordan's energy sector relies on a combination of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and domestic natural gas transported via pipeline.

• Arab Gas Pipeline (AGP): This is a significant regional energy link, a 1,200-kilometre (750 mi) pipeline originally designed to export Egyptian natural gas to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.^[8] Operations have been intermittent, and in recent years, the flow has sometimes been reversed, with Jordan supplying gas from its Aqaba LNG terminal to Egypt.

• Risha Gas Field Development: Located in eastern Jordan, the Risha field is being expanded to increase domestic gas production. Development plans include drilling up to 80 new wells and a planned investment of US$985 million for a new pipeline to connect the Risha field directly to the existing Arab Gas Pipeline network.^[9]

• Zarqa–Amman Gas Distribution Network: A planned 61-kilometre (38 mi) pipeline network designed to supply natural gas to residential and industrial sectors in the cities of Amman and Zarqa.

Jordan has minimal domestic crude oil production and relies on regional pipelines for refinery supply and energy security.

• Basra-Aqaba Oil Pipeline: This is a planned pipeline to transport crude oil from Basra, Iraq, to the export terminal and refinery in Aqaba, Jordan. The pipeline would extend approximately 1,680 kilometres (1,040 mi) and have a planned capacity of 1 million barrels per day (bpd).^[10] The project is currently in the feasibility and development phase between the two governments.

A network of wastewater pipelines is essential for public health, environmental protection, and the reuse of treated water for agriculture.

• Southern Amman Sanitation Networks Project: A major initiative involving the construction of over 520 kilometres (320 mi) of new sanitation pipelines, trunk lines, and house connections in southern Amman. The system is projected to serve approximately 382,500 residents by 2035.^[11]

• Additional Regional Projects: Other significant sanitation pipeline projects include the Ramtha & Sahel Houran project (160 km (99 mi) of new pipelines), the West Irbid project (32 km (20 mi) of sewage lines), and the Shobak District rehabilitation project (30 km (19 mi) of new pipeline).

The Port of Aqaba, situated on the Gulf of Aqaba, is the sole maritime gateway of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.^[12] Strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, the port serves as the nation's dominant trade hub, handling approximately 80% of Jordan's exports and 65% of its imports.^[13] The port complex is managed by the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), the development arm of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).

The Port of Aqaba comprises several specialized terminals:

• Aqaba Multipurpose Port: This is Jordan's sole general cargo and multipurpose seaport.^[13] It handles a diverse range of cargo, including general goods, grains, livestock, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro), and project cargo. The facility has an annual handling capacity of 11 million tonnes and is supported by nine berths, a total quay length of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi), and a draft of 13.5 metres (44 ft).^[14]

   * Operations: In February 2026, a 30-year concession agreement was signed between ADC and AD Ports Group. The Abu Dhabi-based company will manage and operate the terminal through a joint venture (70% AD Ports Group, 30% ADC), with formal operations scheduled to commence in August 2026.[14]
   * Cruise Terminal: The port also includes a dedicated cruise terminal, which has been operational since January 2023 and is managed by AD Ports Group.[15]

• Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT): The primary facility for containerized cargo is a key component of the port, handling the vast majority of Jordan's container traffic.

   * Capacity and Expansion: The terminal's current annual capacity is 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). In October 2024, a $242 million upgrade agreement was signed with APM Terminals to increase this capacity to 1.7 million TEUs.[16]
   * Concession: The partnership between ADC and APM Terminals dates back to 2006. In 2024, the government approved a 15-year extension of APM Terminals' concession, pushing the agreement through 2046.[16]

• Aqaba Industrial Port: This port is dedicated to handling dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo, as well as containerized and Ro-Ro operations. It includes the Sheikh Sabah LNG Terminal, which is a proposed facility with a planned capacity of 715 million cubic feet per day.^[17]

• Passenger and Ro-Ro Terminal: A new passenger and roll-on/roll-off cargo terminal is under development by the Arab Bridge Maritime Company (ABM).^[18]

• Cargo Throughput: In the first eight months of 2025, containerized imports through ACT rose by 19% year-on-year, reaching 325,259 TEUs.^[19] By the end of 2025, ACT achieved a record annual throughput, surpassing 1 million TEUs in a single year for the first time.^[20]
• Passenger Traffic: Passenger traffic through the port saw a 28.7% increase in the first seven months of 2025, rising to 208,063 passengers.^[21]

• Aqaba Port Railway Project: In April 2026, Jordan and the UAE signed a $2.3 billion agreement to launch the Aqaba Port Railway project. This 360-kilometre (220 mi) railway network will connect the phosphate and potash mines in Al-Shidiya and Ghor Al-Safi to the industrial port, with the capacity to transport 16 million metric tons of minerals annually.^[22]
• Marsa Zayed: This is a $10 billion, 3.2 million square meter beachfront resort and residential community being developed in Aqaba by AD Ports Group.^[23]

Jordan's merchant marine fleet is relatively small but plays a strategic role in supporting the nation's import-export trade through the Port of Aqaba, its sole maritime gateway. The fleet has seen modest growth in the 21st century, increasing from 7 vessels in the late 1990s to over 30 vessels by the late 2010s.

The size of the Jordanian-flagged commercial fleet varies slightly depending on the source and reporting year.

• Total Fleet (2023): According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Jordanian merchant fleet consisted of 34 ships with a total deadweight tonnage (DWT) of approximately 91,000 tonnes.^[24]

• Fleet by Type (2018): Data from the CIA World Factbook provides a detailed breakdown of vessel types from 2018, reporting a total of 32 ships (of 1,000 GRT or over).^[25] The composition was as follows:

Note: This data excludes military vessels, fishing fleets, and offshore support vessels.

• Historical Comparison: The fleet has grown from a reported 7 vessels in 1999.^[26]

A significant portion of Jordan's maritime activity is channeled through the Arab Bridge Maritime Company (AB Maritime), a governmental joint venture established in November 1985 by the governments of Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. The company was founded to facilitate passenger and vehicle transport across the Red Sea and is considered a model of Arab economic integration.^[27]

• Fleet and Operations: As of early 2025, AB Maritime owns a fleet of approximately 10 vessels, consisting primarily of roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferries and passenger ships designed for Red Sea crossings.^[28] The company operates regular daily sailings on the critical Aqaba–Nuweiba route, connecting Jordan to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, as well as services to Taba and Saudi Arabia.

• Passenger and Cargo Statistics: The company has experienced significant growth in recent years. Passenger traffic aboard AB Maritime vessels rose by 21.8% to 250,876 travelers in 2024.^[29] During the first nine months of 2025, the company transported more than 59,000 trucks, 256,000 passengers, and 96,000 tourists.^[27]

• Strategic Role: Beyond commercial transport, AB Maritime serves a strategic logistical function. In March 2026, the company increased sailings to accommodate travelers stranded in the region due to airline flight suspensions caused by regional conflict.^[30]

The Jordanian maritime sector has shown resilience and growth in the mid-2020s. In 2024, the Port of Aqaba received 1,989 vessels, a 7.9% increase from the previous year.^[29] Total container handling in January 2026 reached 83,732 TEUs, reflecting steady activity.^[31] The government has also engaged with shipping and logistics firms to secure strategic reserves and mitigate the impact of regional disruptions on supply chains.^[32]

As of 2012, Jordan had a total of 18 airports. The country's aviation infrastructure is centered around three civilian airports, with the remainder consisting of military air bases and smaller airstrips.

As of 2012, there were a total of 16 airports with paved runways in Jordan.

• Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA): Located approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) south of Amman, QAIA is Jordan's primary international gateway and the busiest airport in the country. It serves as the main hub for Royal Jordanian Airlines and handled 9.1 million passengers in 2024.^[33] The airport has received multiple international accolades, including recognition as the best airport in the Middle East by Airports Council International (ACI) in 2022.^[34]

• King Hussein International Airport (KHIA): Located in Aqaba, this airport serves as the gateway to Jordan's primary Red Sea resort destination and handles both scheduled commercial flights and charter operations. A major expansion project is currently underway to increase the airport's annual passenger capacity from 1.6 million to 4.5 million passengers.^[35] The project includes the construction of a new terminal building and enhanced infrastructure to support growing tourism in the Aqaba region.

• Amman Civil Airport: Located in the Marka district of eastern Amman, this airport primarily handles domestic flights, general aviation, and cargo operations. It also serves as a base for the Royal Jordanian Air Force. In early 2026, the Jordanian government began discussions regarding the potential relocation of the airport to a site approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) east of Amman to free up valuable urban land for development.^[36]

• Muwaffaq Salti Air Base: A military airport located in Azraq, operated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Runway classification (2012 data):^[37]

As of 2012, there were 2 airports with unpaved runways, both measuring under 3,000 ft (910 m) in length.^[37]

As of 2016, Jordan had 56 heliports, consisting of 55 operational facilities and 1 with unknown operational status.^[38][39]

• UNHCR Atlas Map - most stations unnamed

• Arab Mashreq International Railway
• Jordan
• Red Sea–Dead Sea Access
• Rail transport in Jordan
• Hejaz Railway

 This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.). CIA.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transport in Jordan.

• Hejaz RR Map
• https://www.jett.com.jo/en