Departing Jordan: Before You Leave

No one would want a trip to end with some negative experience; it can tarnish the entirety of memories from that travel.

Departing Jordan? After spending time exploring Jordan, experiencing its rich history and culture, enjoying delicious food and meeting its hospitable people, the last thing you want is for the final few hours to be stressful. In order to make your departure as smooth and stress-free as possible, here, in this blog, is some information that we hope you will find valuable.

When it comes to the time to leave Jordan, we assume you will depart via the same means by which you arrived, which is, for the majority of travelers, through Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA). Located approximately 30 Kilometers south of Amman, QAIA is the main international airport in Jordan and is generally straightforward to navigate. Nevertheless, as with any international flight, it is always better to allow yourself plenty of time rather than risk arriving at the last minute, just to find a long queue, effectively missing the boarding.

We recommend that you be at the airport 3 hours prior to your flight’s departure if you have checked baggage. This should give you enough time to check in, drop off any hold luggage, pass through security and passport control, and make your way to your departure gate without having to worry about time pressure, yet if you only have carry-on bag and you did an online check-in you can be at the airport 2 hours ahead of flight instead of 3. Airports can become busy, particularly during peak travel periods, and allowing extra time means that unexpected queues or delays should not cause unnecessary stress.

The airport has one terminal, but three floors, each serving a different purpose. The first floor is used for arrivals, while the second floor divides departures into international travelers and Jordanians. There are limited facilities on this floor, so you should not expect to spend a great deal of time here.

On the third floor, you will find passport control, the duty-free area, several bars and restaurants, a children’s play area, a place for prayer and the departure gates. Should you have spare time between passing through security and passport checks, there are several options for spending the remainder of your time- and your remaining Dinars—before your departure. Whether you want to have something to eat, enjoy a final coffee or tea, browse the duty-free shops or simply relax before boarding your flight, you should have enough options to keep you occupied.

The security procedures are much the same as those found at other international airports. In your hand luggage, you should not have any liquids over 100ml, sharp objects, weapons or explosives. There should, of course, be no weapons or explosives in your checked luggage either! To save yourself any unnecessary hold-up, be sure to pack any sharp items, such as nail scissors, as well as toiletries and electrical goods such as chargers, in your main luggage where appropriate.

Traveler top tip: remove large jewellery, watches, belts and keys from your person ahead of time. Doing so can help you avoid the inconvenience of setting off the metal detector and having to undergo additional checks. Preparing these items before you reach security can make the process quicker and easier, particularly if there is a queue behind you.

Another important consideration before leaving Jordan is your visa. Should you have outstayed the period permitted by your visa, you may be charged a fine of JOD2 per day for each day that your visa was not valid. This will be dealt with at passport control and is not a particularly complicated procedure, provided that you make sure you have the necessary money available and, importantly, plenty of time to spare. It is always better to arrive at the airport early if you know there is an issue with your visa, rather than leaving yourself rushing to make your flight.

As a visitor to Jordan, you will probably wish to return home equipped with a few souvenirs and gifts to remind you of your time here. Jordan has plenty of wonderful products that make excellent presents, and food is always a popular choice. Goods such as nuts, dates and spices are enjoyed by many travelers, as the quality and flavor here are fantastic. They are also relatively easy to transport and provide a simple way of taking a small taste of Jordan home with you. You really cannot go wrong with food-related gifts!

We would, however, advise that you buy these items ahead of time, in Amman or wherever you are staying, rather than waiting until you reach the airport. Although the airport has a duty-free area, some items have higher price than usual, others are not sold there anyhow, so shopping for your souvenirs during your travels can help you get better value. It also means that you can take your time choosing gifts rather than trying to make your purchases during the final moments of your trip.

For more advice on things to take back from Jordan, you can read our blog post here. It contains further information for travelers who would like to take a little piece of Jordanian culture home with them after their visit.

We hope that your time in Jordan is filled with wonderful memories, from exploring the country’s remarkable sights and landscapes to enjoying its food, culture and hospitality. With a little preparation and our tips above, your departure from Jordan should be a hassle-free part of your journey.

We wish you a very pleasant trip to Jordan, from the moment of your arrival all the way through to your departure!

Finally, should you have used our services at all during your visit, we would love for you to spare a moment to write a review on our TripAdvisor page and/or Google maps. Reviews from our travelers are greatly appreciated and help other visitors who are planning their own trip to Jordan to make informed decisions about their travel experiences.