FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Amman

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Amman each year. The main ones are listed below.

This festival commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and is one of the most important days on the Islamic (or Hegira) calendar. Muslims use this opportunity to recall the values advocated by the Prophet. It is also a day when families gather to share a traditional meal in a festive atmosphere.

This day is dedicated to planting trees to conserve the environment in Jordan. On this day, Queen Rania of Jordan, surrounded by young people and students, participates in planting saplings in the city of Amman.

The Arab League was founded 22 March 1945 in Cairo by seven countries and currently has 22 Member States, including Jordan. This regional organisation has observer status with the United Nations.

This holiday can be an opportunity, in Jordan, for worker demonstrations.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting begins each day at sunrise and ends at sunset. For the entire month, Amman operates at a slower pace during the day and stirs into action at nightfall.

On 25 May 1946, Jordan became independent from United Kingdom. An official ceremony is held at Raghadan Palace in Amman, headed by the royal couple.

This essential date in the history of Jordan marks the beginning of the Great Arab Revolt (1916-1918). The Sharif of Mecca, Hussein ibn Ali, launched the wave of rebellion that would free the Arabian peninsula from Ottoman rule, an event celebrated each year during a formal ceremony presided over by the King and Queen of Jordan.

This festival marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims in Amman take this opportunity to strengthen family ties with members living outside the capital. Various popular activities take place: traditional meals, singing, dances…

This festival celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja honours Ibrahim's proof of his obedience to Allah. Allah asked him to sacrifice his son Ismael, but just as Ibrahim was about to make the sacrifice, Allah told him to offer a ram instead. Traditionally, to remember Ibrahim's offering, each family sacrifices a sheep on Tabaski morning and the remainder of the day is spent in prayer and celebration, feasting on the roast mutton and sharing the meat with others.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Amman

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	5/41	13/55	68/2.7	Not the best period to go
February	5/41	14/57	73/2.9	Not the best period to go
March	7/45	17/63	30/1.2	Good period to go
April	10/50	29/84	14/0.6	Good period to go
May	15/59	29/84	5/0.2	Good period to go
June	17/63	32/90	0	Good period to go
July	19/66	33/91	0	Good period to go
August	19/66	33/91	0	Good period to go
September	18/64	32/90	0	Good period to go
October	15/59	28/82	5/0.2	Good period to go
November	11/52	22/72	32/1.2	Good period to go
December	7/45	16/61	45/1.8	Not the best period to go

Amman Queen Alia International Airport

The international airport of Amman, Matar al Malika Alia, is located 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the capital.

• Three terminals:
  • T1
  • T2 (Air France)
  • T3 (freight)

• Car
  • Access: the centre is located about 40 minutes from the airport by car via the highway. Parking: the Amman International Airport has three car parks
  • A drop-off area, located opposite the departures hall. You can park there for free for ten minutes, 11 to 20 minutes cost 4 JOD, 21 to 60 minutes 13 JOD, and 1 to 2 hours 26 JOD. Beyond this period, each parking hour is charged 39 JOD.
  • A short-term parking lot (less than six hours), located in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Count 2.25 JOD per hour.
  • A long-term parking lot, accessible by shuttle bus (every 10 minutes) to and from the terminal. Count 11 JOD for 24 hours, plus 1 JOD per additional hour.

• Bus
  • The Sariyah Express line, just outside the arrivals terminal, provides connection to the Tabarbour Bus Station through downtown Amman. Tickets are on sale for 2.50 JOD at the kiosk in the airport hall. Departures are every 30 minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and then every hour between 5:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. Allow about 45-60 minutes.
• Taxi
  • Taxi is the safest way to reach the capital. Rates for beige taxis stationed at the exit of the arrivals area are displayed on a panel in the airport lobby. Payment must be made directly to the driver. Allow about 22 JOD to reach the city centre of Amman (allow about 40-50 minutes).
• Services
  • Exchange offices,shops, free internet access (Wi-Fi), ATMs, post office, duty free, restaurants, first aid centre.

GETTING AROUND Amman

Traffic is chaotic in Amman and most downtown streets are one-way. As for the bus, though there are a few lines, they do not travel at fixed times and the network is difficult to understand if one does not read Arabic. It is best to opt for a taxi or to walk.

Taxi

Private taxis (‘yellow cabs') crisscross the city and are easy to hail. The fare on the metre begins at 0.25 JOD, then count about 1 JOD per five kilometres.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Amman, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc).

Adress: Tunes St. O. Box 830688 Amman, Jordan 11183
Phone: + 962 6 5678444
Website international.visitjordan.com/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD).

EGP 1 = JOD 0.04

JOD 1 = EGP 22.73

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Amman counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

No vaccine is mandatory if one comes from Europe. It is recommended to
have boosters for the following: tetanus, polio, diphtheria, pertussis,
hepatitis B, typhoid, and hepatitis A. For more information, contact the Air
France international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• You can come with or without an appointment. Appointments can be
  made:
  • online (click here): vaccinations-airfrance.fr/eappointment/form
  • by telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Avoid eating raw or undercooked food, especially meat and eggs.
Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based solution.

Tap water is deemed safe in the country. As a precaution, it is recommended you buy water in sealed bottles.

Administrative procedures

Entry requirements for Jordan

Citizens of certain nationalities are required to obtain a visa to Jordan before arriving in the country. For a list of the nationalities, see the dedicated page on the official website of the Jordan tourism office:

international.visitjordan.com/generalinformation/entryintojordan

For further information, visit the website of the Jordan Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

www.mfa.gov.jo/

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Jordan, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+962

+ phone number (without 0)

0 : 00
of time difference with
Cairo

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS
Generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Friday and Saturday.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed Friday and Saturday.

220 V / 50 Hz

TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory in Jordan, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, it is customary to leave an amount ranging from 5 to 10% of the bill, if you are happy with the service. Tips are also appreciated by taxi drivers, tour guides, and hotel staff.