Cheap flights to Aqaba
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Quick summary
Country
Jordan
Continent
Asia
Airport
AQJ
Currency
Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Time zone
UTC+3 (no daylight saving)
Deals already spotted to Aqaba
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
AQJ, King Hussein International Airport, north of the city
King Hussein International Airport, Aqaba (AQJ)
It is about 9 km north of town, around 20 minutes by car per Wikivoyage (EN), and is served by a few airlines including Royal Jordanian from Amman. There is no public transport to the airport: use the fixed-fare taxis posted at the terminal or a hotel transfer per the same source. We give no fares, which change.
Approximate distance per Wikivoyage (EN). The same guide also mentions flying to Eilat in Israel and crossing the border: check the airport on your ticket and the crossing rules.
Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city, at the very south of the country on the Gulf of Aqaba and right beside Eilat in Israel per Wikipedia (EN). From Amman it is about 350 km by the Desert Highway, roughly 4 hours per Wikivoyage (EN), or direct coaches about every two hours per Wikivoyage (DE). Ferries also link Aqaba with Nuweiba in Egypt per Wikivoyage (EN, DE).
Landmarks and sights
The Red Sea, a Mamluk castle, Ayla and the beaches
Aqaba sits at the north-eastern tip of the Red Sea between Asia and Africa, which has made its port important for millennia per Wikipedia (EN). Five images illustrate the city; the castle, Ayla and the mosques are described in text.
A town below red mountains
Aqaba stretches along the gulf with reddish mountains behind and a large white mosque among the houses. Wikivoyage (FR) stresses that the town has no major sights of its own: it works best as a place to relax, dive and start for Wadi Rum, about 50 km away per Wikivoyage (EN).
Beaches and resort areas
The special economic zone has encouraged resort areas such as Ayla Oasis, Saraya Aqaba, Marsa Zayed and Tala Bay per Wikipedia (EN). Sandy beaches run alongside palms and low buildings; Tala Bay is about 20 km to the south per Wikipedia (EN).
A coast from the air
From above, the coast alternates between lagoon, urban areas and desert mountains. Jordan's strip of shore is very short, about 20 km per Wikivoyage (DE), shared on the gulf with Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt.
The town from the sea
At dusk, seen from a boat, the town spreads beneath its mountain ridge. Glass-bottom boat trips are offered per Wikivoyage (DE); prices vary and are negotiated.
Marinas and turquoise water
Along the coast, marinas shelter pale houses by turquoise water. Diving is the main draw: more than thirty sites per Wikipedia (EN), almost all reached from the beach per Wikivoyage (EN).
Castle, Ayla and mosques, in text
Aqaba Castle, in its current Mamluk form, dates from the early 16th century per Wikipedia (EN) and stands near the public beach; it was under reconstruction in 2018 per Wikivoyage (EN). Ayla was the early Islamic town, whose excavations can be seen near the seafront per Wikivoyage (EN, DE); the Aqaba Church, built between 293 and 303, is considered the world's oldest known purpose-built church per Wikipedia (EN). The Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque in the centre can be visited by non-Muslims who follow the usual rules per Wikivoyage (DE).
Museums and culture
Museums and heritage in Aqaba
Aqaba Heritage Museum
Wikivoyage (EN, DE) describes a simple museum on the history and people of the region, near the castle.
Aqaba Archaeological Museum
It shows finds from the early Islamic town of Ayla; Wikipedia (EN) says other pieces are on show in Amman. Wikipedia (ES) places the museum in the old town. Check opening days, which vary.
Aquarium and marine centre
A small aquarium of local and exotic fish exists south of town per Wikivoyage (EN), which judges it poor value for foreigners. We give no fees, which change.
Food and drink
Fresh fish, sayadieh and kunafa
The fish street
Al-Afran Street, nicknamed the fish market, is lined with fish shops where customers pick from the catch, mostly locals per Wikivoyage (EN). Smarter seafood restaurants cluster further north downtown.
At the table
Sayadieh (fish on rice), calamari and seafood tagine are among the dishes listed by Wikivoyage (EN). Kunafa, a hot cheese pastry, is the local sweet per Wikivoyage (FR). Wikivoyage (DE) notes that small local restaurants are generally cheap.
Tea, coffee and spices
Karak and ginger tea and shisha are served in the park east of Ayla Circle per Wikivoyage (EN). Around Princess Salma Park shops sell spices, incense and jewellery per Wikivoyage (DE).
Getting around
Green-and-blue taxis, direct coaches and ferries
In town
Aqaba's taxis are painted green and blue, the colours of the special economic zone per Wikivoyage (EN). Uber and Careem do not operate in the city. The centre is walkable per Wikivoyage (DE); ask whether the fare is for the whole car or per person.
Out of town
Buses to Amman leave from the central bus station per Wikivoyage (EN). Trips to Wadi Rum, Petra or the Dead Sea are done by day taxi or organised transport; agree the destinations before you set off.
A free zone
Aqaba is a special economic zone: customs officers check vehicles entering the zone per Wikivoyage (EN, DE), so keep your documents to hand.
Budget and precautions
A duty-free zone with prices slightly below Amman
Price level
The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD). Aqaba is a free zone, with prices generally a little lower than in Amman per Wikivoyage (DE). We publish no figures: sources are dated or disagree, notably for diving and excursions.
Entry rules
Foreign visitors should check Jordan's entry rules for their nationality. Entering at Aqaba may waive the visa fee within the special economic zone per Wikivoyage (EN, DE); rules change, so check the official portal and your foreign ministry's information.
General precautions
Before you go, check your foreign ministry's travel advice and dress modestly outside tourist bathing areas. Public beaches follow local customs per Wikivoyage (DE). SniperAir tracks flight prices to AQJ and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
When to go
A hot desert climate with mild winters
Winter (December to February)
Mild, sometimes cool at night; subzero temperatures occur every few years per Wikipedia (EN). A good season for hiking and visiting Wadi Rum.
Spring (March to May)
Temperatures rise and the sea is pleasant for diving and snorkelling.
Summer (June to August)
Very hot and dry: the record is 49.6 °C per Wikipedia (EN). Plan activities for early morning or on the water.
Autumn (September to November)
The heat eases gradually; the sea stays warm for diving.
Aqaba has a hot desert climate (BWh) with mild winters and very hot, dry summers per Wikipedia (EN). Rain is very rare and the sea is usable for diving nearly all year per Wikivoyage (EN).
By length of stay
What to do in Aqaba by length of stay
The essentials
A morning at the castle and Ayla, a swim or some snorkelling, then a fish dinner on Al-Afran Street.
Sea and desert
Add two shore dives, a hike up Mount Um al Nusaylah and a trip to Wadi Rum.
Going further
Plan Petra, the Dead Sea or the ferry to Nuweiba to continue to Egypt.
In pictures
Aqaba in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Aqaba
How do I get from AQJ airport to downtown Aqaba?
The airport is a few kilometres north, about 20 minutes by car per Wikivoyage (EN). There is no public transport: use a fixed-fare taxi or a hotel transfer. We give no fares.
When is the best time to visit Aqaba?
Winter and spring, when temperatures are milder; summer is very hot, with a record of 49.6 °C per Wikipedia (EN).
Can I dive in Aqaba without a boat?
Yes: almost all sites are reached from the beach per Wikivoyage (EN), with more than thirty dive sites per Wikipedia (EN). Dive centres are found south of town.
How long should I stay in Aqaba?
Wikivoyage (FR) sees it as a restful stop: plan a few days, with a trip to Wadi Rum and possibly Petra.
Do I need a visa for Jordan, and is it safe?
It depends on your nationality: entering at Aqaba may waive the visa fee in the special economic zone per Wikivoyage (EN). Check the official Jordan portal and your foreign ministry's travel advice before booking.
How much does a flight to Aqaba usually cost?
The price depends mostly on your departure city, the season and how early you book. The opportunities section above shows real examples of fares SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
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