Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Picking up Hitchhikers
Although there's no obligation to give anyone a ride, if you're driving your own or a hired
car, it's hard not to feel a twinge of guilt as you fly past weary-looking locals by the road-
side. On remote stretches like the Wadi Mujib stretch of the King's Highway, where pub-
lic transport is limited or even nonexistent, it's customary to give a ride or two. Besides,
it's a great way to meet Jordanian people. You should never charge a local for these lifts.
They will assume, probably fairly, that any foreigner driving a private or hired car doesn't
need the extra money.
Taxis
Private Taxis
Yellow private taxis work like ordinary taxis and can be chartered for the day. In Amman
most drivers use the meter - note that fares are displayed in fils not dinars. Outside Am-
man negotiate a reasonable fare before you set off. Women should avoid sitting next to the
driver.
Service Taxis
White service taxis
(servees)
run along set routes within and between many towns, as well
as between Jordan and neighbouring countries. They are shared by more than one passen-
ger and usually have writing and numbers (in Arabic) indicating their route. They usually
only leave when full. They cost up to twice as much as a minibus, and about 50% more
than a local bus, but are quicker because they stop less often along the way to pick up pas-
sengers. To avoid waiting for passengers, or to give yourself extra room, you can always
pay for an extra seat. Lone female travellers should sit next to the driver if the back is
jammed with men.
Tours
An alternative to a pricey group tour organised from abroad is to arrange your own private
mini-tour with a Jordanian travel agency. Many of these can arrange hiking or archaeolo-
gical itineraries and provide a car and driver.
For hiking and activities in Jordan's nature reserves contact the tourism department of
the
Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
(RSCN;
www.rscn.org.jo
)
, which can
arrange short activity breaks or entire itineraries (
Click here
)
. For an extended trip to Wadi
