Which place is cheaper, Aqaba or Amman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Amman or Aqaba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Aqaba. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Amman or Aqaba?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Jordan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Jordan.
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Amman Prices
Jordan PricesAqaba Prices
Jordan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $135Aqaba $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Aqaba is $157. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amman and Aqaba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Aqaba $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Aqaba $118
Compare Hotels in Amman and Aqaba
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Aqaba? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amman Hotel Prices and Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Aqaba $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from/To King Hussein Border: $45
- Airport Transfer To The Dead Sea: $51
- Airport Transfer To and From Amman: $23
- Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $63
- Amman Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
- Amman Airport Private Transfer: $34
- Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $20
- Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $25
- Amman Airport Private Transfer To Amman: $40
- Amman Airport Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations : $40
- Amman Airport Transfer to/from Multi Destinations: $55
- Amman Airport Transfer vice versa: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Wadi Rum: One-Way Transfer to/from Aqaba by Private Car: $80
- Wadi Rum to Aqaba Border Private Transfer – Hassle-Free Travel: $100
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Amman Airport: $101
- Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
- Private Transfers from Wadi Rum Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $129
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Petra City Hotels: $93
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Aqaba?
Prices for flights to both Aqaba and Amman change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAmman $58Aqaba $73
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
- Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
- The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
- Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $106
- Private Panoramic Amman Tour and Local Lunch or Dinner-Wine Taste: $107
- Traditional Cooking Class in Amman with Return Hotel Transfers: $118
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Aqaba $54
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the hidden gems of Amman's Rainbow street on a self-guided audio tour: $5.00
- Amman Shopping Private Tour: $20
- Amman Private City Tour: $20
- Tree of Al Buqayawiyya and Seven Sleepers Cave Private Tour : $30
- Full Day Madaba Mount Nebo Baptism and Dead Sea Private Tour: $35
- Private Sightseeing City Tour: $38
- Amman Heritage Walk: A Private City Center Tour: $40
- Sightseeing Tour in Heart of Amman downtown: $40
- Private Walking Tour in Madaba with Local Guide: $41
- Amman Heritage Tour: Street Food, Local Culture & Art: $44
- Amman Private City Tour From Airport: $45
- Madaba Mount Nebo and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Full-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum without Overnight Stay: $85
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- "Jordan: 3-Day Tour of Ancient Sites, Nature,&Local Culture": $317
- 03 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $47
- 04 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $70
- 05 Hrs Jeep tour in Wadi Rum: $68
- 2 Days & 1 Night | Jeep & Hike Tour in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $258
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $45
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $202
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Aqaba $9.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Amman
Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Amman and Boulevard Walking Tour: $93
- Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting : $127
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Aqaba, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Amman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amman and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Amman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Aqaba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Aqaba?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Aqaba, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Amman or Aqaba?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Amman or Aqaba in the Summer?
Both Aqaba and Amman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round.
Amman usually gets more rain in July than Aqaba. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Aqaba receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Aqaba, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amman. In the summer, Amman often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aqaba. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aqaba receives 384 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. Amman is cooler than Aqaba in the summer. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Aqaba fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Aqaba 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Amman or Aqaba in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Aqaba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Amman usually receives more rain than Aqaba. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Aqaba receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aqaba this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aqaba during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Aqaba receives 295 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Amman is cooler than Aqaba. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amman in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Aqaba averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Aqaba 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Amman or Aqaba in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Amman as well as Aqaba. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year.
Amman receives a lot of rain in the winter. Amman usually gets more rain in January than Aqaba. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Aqaba receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aqaba. In the winter, Amman often gets less sunshine than Aqaba. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aqaba receives 234 hours of full sun.
In January, Amman is generally much colder than Aqaba. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 8°C (46°F), and Aqaba fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Aqaba 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Amman or Aqaba in the Spring?
Both Aqaba and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Amman usually receives more rain than Aqaba. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Aqaba receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Aqaba. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aqaba during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Aqaba receives 282 hours of full sun in the spring.
Amman is cooler than Aqaba in the spring. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Aqaba fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Aqaba 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Aqaba and Amman
| Amman | Aqaba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.