Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visitors Centre
( 3253563; Abu Bakr as-Seddiq St; 8am-5.30pm Oct-Apr, to 6pm
May-Sep)
This helpful information office has a range of brochures and some informative
displays. Ask to see the 10-minute film that sets Madaba in the context of the surrounding
highlights. There are toilets and a handy car park.
Getting There & Away
The bus station is about 15 minutes' walk east of the town centre on the King's Highway.
Most attractions around Madaba (with the exception of Mt Nebo and Mukawir) are time-
consuming if not impossible to reach by public transport. It's easy, however, to charter a
taxi in Madaba or take one of the well-thought-out tours from the Black Iris Hotel or the
Mariam Hotel, both of which have a wealth of experience in organising trips for inde-
pendent travellers.
To/From the Airport
If you want to bypass the bustle of Amman, it's possible to reach Madaba from Queen
Alia International Airport by private taxi (day JD19) in under half an hour (15 minutes
when the new highway opens). Most hotels in Madaba can arrange a taxi (JD15) to or
from the airport if you contact them in advance.
To/From Amman
From the Muhajireen, South (Wahadat) and North (Tababoor) Bus Stations in Amman,
there are regular buses and minibuses (between 500 fils and 750 fils, one hour) throughout
the day for Madaba. Minibuses return to Amman until around 8pm (earlier on Friday).
Taxis cost JD12 during the day, JD15 at night.
To/From the Dead Sea
It's really not feasible to rely on public transport to reach the Dead Sea as the route in-
volves two minibus rides, which are unreliable at best, and a taxi ride from Suweimah that
can cost almost as much as a taxi from Madaba. If you're determined, check with your
hotel for the latest information on these ad hoc services. To visit the Dead Sea by taxi with
enough time for a swim, you need to factor in three hours' waiting time. The Black Iris of-
fers this trip for JD28.
One popular trip from Madaba to the Dead Sea is via Mt Nebo and Bethany, returning
via the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex and Hammamat Ma'in (around JD50).
With your own transport, you can drive to the Dead Sea via Mt Nebo and return along
the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex road. Branch off to Hammamat Ma'in and the new
