Amman Queen Alia Intl Airport (AMM) Flights & Information

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan is by far one of the most memorable airports I’ve ever flown into. Promptly upon arrival I spotted a camel meandering freely along the highway. And while airport camel sightings are far from guaranteed, it certainly showcases what makes this airport special.

Queen Alia International Airport is located just south of the capital city of Amman. From the airport it's an easy 30-minute drive into the heart of the capital (with potential camel sightings along the way). Meanwhile, the Dead Sea is just over 30 miles to the west and Petra, the famous desert archaeological site, is around 2.5 hours from the airport by car.

Here’s everything you need to know about flying in and out of Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport.

AMM terminal information

Over 97 percent of Jordan’s air traffic runs through Queen Alia International Airport, yet the airport is fairly small and straightforward with just 2 parallel runways.

The arrivals terminal on the ground floor has a smattering of banks offering currency exchange, local cellular companies and a good selection of rental car companies, including US-known brands like Hertz, Avis and Budget. I typically like to get a local SIM card upon arrival, and since I was visiting Jordan for over a month, I made my way to the Orange desk to get a SIM for my stay the moment I landed.

The more expansive departures terminal at AMM has a good selection of restaurants and great shopping, including the body care company Trinitae – a personal favorite.

How to get from AMM to Amman

There is an escorted meet-and-greet service at Queen Alia International Airport where someone meets you at the jet bridge and leads you through the fast-track line at immigration. The service through Tikram can also include ground transportation to your hotel.

However, most people, myself included, take a taxi from AMM into central Amman. You won’t have to worry about haggling or being offered a “tourist fare” because taxi fares are fixed by law and the prices are displayed near the taxi stand at AMM terminal exits.

The cheapest way to get to the capital from AMM is to take the bus, which runs from the airport arrivals hall to the North Bus Station in Amman. If you want to rent a car instead, make a reservation with one of the several car rental agencies at the arrivals terminal.

How to get from the airport to Petra

Petra is easily the most popular site in Jordan and for good reason. The archaeological site nicknamed the “Rose City” is set in the middle of Jordan’s southwestern desert. It is accessed via a narrow walkway set between rock walls and contains temples and tombs that were carved into sandstone cliffs.

From Queen Alia International Airport, the town of Wadi Musa – the gateway to Petra – is just over 2.5 hours by car. When I visited Petra, I rented a car, but if you just want to go directly to the site from the airport you can take a taxi (with a set rate) directly from AMM to Petra.

Things to do during a layover at the airport

If you have a layover at Queen Alia International Airport, the airport has plenty to do to keep you entertained, including 2 airport lounges, a good selection of eateries and varied shopping. However, if you have a layover that's 5 hours or longer, I highly recommend making the trip into Amman, which continues to be one of the coolest places I’ve ever been.

Amman is around 30 minutes from the Queen Alia International Airport by taxi and if you have the time to dip into the city, I recommend heading straight to Rainbow Street to pick up a falafel sandwich from AlQuds Falafel, a favorite since 1966.

Security lines

The official recommendation from the staff at Queen Alia International Airport is to arrive at the airport 2 to 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. When flying internationally, I typically give myself 3 hours to check in and get through security simply because you never know what to expect.

However, when I traveled in and out of AMM, 3 hours was more than enough time, so if you know that you have your luggage and airline tickets in order, you might be able to arrive at the airport just 2 hours prior to your departure time.

It also helps that Queen Alia International Airport is a fairly small, compact airport, so you won't have to take a train or bus to some remote terminal.

Lounges at AMM

There are 2 stellar lounges at Queen Alia International Airport. The beloved Petra Lounge was the regional Lounge of the Year winner in the Priority Pass Excellence Awards for 2024. It is only available to travelers on international flights and can be accessed 3 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure.

Access to the Petra Lounge is free for children under the age of 2. There is food, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, although keep in mind that alcohol is not available during the month of Ramadan.

The Marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge has a more modern feel with plenty of seating and workspaces. In addition to food and drink, the Marhaba lounge has free Wi-Fi throughout and quiet rooms for privacy. My favorite thing about the Marhaba lounge is the fact that they have hot showers available, along with plush towels, shaving kits and hair and body products. Both lounges are open 24 hours a day.

Dining and shopping at the airport

The departures terminal at Queen Alia International Airport is full of good eateries, including local spots like Hamada, which is known for its healthy Levantine fare – think mezze spreads of hummus, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush – and the worldly fare found at the Blue Fig. If you’re looking for easily recognizable flavors, you’ll also find a McDonald’s and a Subway in the departures terminal. A Starbucks helps travelers ease into early-morning departures.

There is also great shopping at Queen Alia International Airport, including plenty of duty-free stores. Retail options at AMM include Zalatimo, a Jordan sweets company that dates back to 1860 and is known for chocolates and Middle Eastern treats. I like shopping for baklava, maamoul, nougat and dried fruits here.

Another great Queen Alia International Airport shop is Trinitae, which is renowned for soaps, skin care products and cosmetics, and has been family run since the 1930s. I love their products made with Dead Sea salt.

Airlines that fly regularly into AMM

One of the main airlines that flies into Queen Alia International Airport is Royal Jordanian Airlines, which is the national flag carrier and is based in Amman. The airline flies regularly between international cities like London, Dubai, Montreal and Cairo.

In addition to smaller and budget airlines like Wizz Air, Queen Alia International Airport welcomes regular flights from airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airways.

Direct flights between the US and AMM

There are not many direct flights from the US to Queen Alia International Airport, especially year-round (non-seasonal) flights. You can fly directly into AMM from Chicago (ORD), Washington DC (IAD), Detroit (DTW) and New York City (JFK), although some flights are seasonal.

Most travelers, myself included, fly from the US to Europe before hopping on a second flight into Queen Alia International Airport. AMM is a major hub in the Middle East, so there are plenty of direct flights into AMM from EU and UK cities like Paris, London and Frankfurt.

Visa requirements for US citizens

When you go through immigration at Queen Alia International Airport you’ll need to choose a visa length. You can opt for either a single-entry visa with a 1-month validity or a multi-entry visa that lasts for 5 years. I chose the former, which is less expensive, but since I ended up enjoying my time in Jordan so much, I wish I had applied for the multi-entry visa.

If you’ll be exploring the country for a while, you might want to snag The Jordan Pass. This deal from the Jordan Tourism Board offers visitors a single-fee travel package that includes both the cost of the arrival visa and entry fees to over 40 of the major tourist sites in Jordan. This pass is a great option if you know you plan to visit several of the country’s main tourist sites, including Petra, Wadi Rum and Jerash.