3 Ways to Travel from Egypt to Jordan

If you’re planning a trip from Egypt to Jordan, check out these three travel options to help you make the most of your journey.

How to get from Egypt to Jordan

Egypt to Jordan Ferry

Taking the ferry from Egypt to Jordan not only sounds fun but has many benefits over flying or crossing by foot.

1. It is relatively hassle free. You just show up to the ferry terminal, enjoy a boat ride across the Red Sea, and get off in Jordan. Customs at both entry and exit terminals are very casual.

2. You don’t cross into Israel. If you want to travel to Lebanon for example, this is important. Even without the actual Israeli stamp, officials can assume you went through Israel by your exit and entry stamps from Egypt and Jordan.

3. You are traveling with pets. Israel has more requirements for importing pets than Jordan, taking the ferry with your pet is very easy.

Taba vs Nuweiba ferry: which one is better?

When we were planning our travel from Egypt to Jordan, I had planned on catching the ferry from Nuweiba since it was closer to Dahab. However after polling several people, it seems the Nuweiba ferry takes way longer (sometimes 4 hours) and is less predictable.

The ferry from Taba is more of a common tourist route that takes less than an hour and always leaves on time.

Don’t forget there is a one hour time change between Egypt and Jordan.

How to ferry to Jordan

A taxi ride from Dahab to Taba where the ferries take off is around $40, if arranged ahead of time.

This is hugely important: there are two different ferry marina’s operated by two different companies. Both companies cost the same and leave at the same times, so it can be confusing, but the biggest difference is where you get dropped off on the other side.

AB Maritime

AB Maritime is the most popular ferry company and the one we intended to go on. They leave from two different ports: Nuweiba and Taba (‘Taba Ferry’ on google maps). As I mentioned before, I would recommend leaving from Taba as the Nuweiba route is supposedly less reliable and takes forever.

The AB Maritime ferry drops you off in the Aqaba city center close to car rentals, shops, and restaurants.

Sinbad

Sinbad is the other ferry company they operate out of ‘Taba Hights Harbor’ (a little south of Taba). Initially there isn’t much of a difference between Sinbad and AB Maritime. However the Sinbad ferry drops you off at ‘Tala Bay Marina’ which is still 20 minutes from Aqaba. This is great if you are needing to be in that area staying at a resort; this is not great if you still need to get to Aqaba.

A Tale of Two Ferries

When we traveled from Egypt to Jordan, our taxi went rogue and dropped us off at Taba Hights Harbor. Despite arguing with him and the people working there that this was not the right ferry, and the Egyptians arguing back that this was the only ferry, we eventually gave in because the price and destination seemed to be the same as the ferry we had planned on taking.

It wasn’t until I reached the other side that I realized we were not getting dropped off where we intended and now needed to find a taxi to drive us back up to Aqaba, adding another 10+ JOD ($14 and a hefty ATM fee) to our journey.

On one hand, entering Jordan through this resort was extremely lax and they didn’t even ask for a visa payment or my Jordan Pass. But on the other hand, the resort was practically deserted and I had to rely on the kindness of Jordanian strangers for a ride to Aqaba.

They also informed me that there are, in fact, two different ferries just as we had suspected…

I would recommend taking the AB Maritime ferry that drops off directly in Aqaba, unless you are running from the law or plan to stay in that resort. You can reserve your spot on the ferry by contacting them ahead of time, but must pay in cash (USD or JOD only) upon arrival.

Neither ferry company accept EGP, you must pay for the ticket in USD or JOD (Jordanian dinar), cash only.

AB Maritime email: Reservation@absimaritime.com or WhatsApp: 00962791017777

Taxi from Dahab to Taba Ferry	$40
Taba to Aqaba Ferry	$65
Total	$105

Egypt to Jordan by Road

It is, in fact, possible to travel from Egypt to Jordan by crossing land borders and might actually be the better option depending on your circumstances.

Why would it be more beneficial to travel overland?

1. You overstayed your visa and are expecting to pay the fine (2000 EGP); the only places you can pay this are at the Sharm airport or the Taba border crossing, the ferry terminals cannot process this.
2. You want to leave or arrive at a specific time. The ferries only operate on certain days, and only once per day. The only way to control your own destiny is by crossing the borders yourself.
3. You want to cross into Israel. They won’t stamp your passport so you don’t need to worry about being barred from certain countries after (Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen).
4. You want to save money. Surprisingly, traveling overland came out to be less expensive than taking the ferry.

How to travel to Jordan overland

First you must taxi to Egypt’s border with Israel. Coming from Dahab, a taxi should be around $40. Arranging one prior will give you the best deal as opposed to flagging one down on the spot.

Going through customs and entering Israel is pretty straight forward and doesn’t take very long. If you are from a citizen from North America, Europe, Oceana, or Russia, a visa into Israel is not required.

Once in Israel there is a bus or taxi’s to take you to the Jordan border. Unfortunately the bus requires a bus pass so if this is your first time in Israel a taxi might be the easiest option.

At the Jordan border crossing, it is again straightforward and doesn’t take very long to get through. Jordan does require a visa payment upon entry, or you can get Jordan Pass prior to getting to the border.

You are now officially in Jordan! From the Jordan side of the border, you can taxi to wherever you need to go. I suggest renting a car in Aqaba if you’re heading to Petra or Wadi Rum as taxi’s in Jordan are quite pricey.

Book a rental car here!

A taxi from the border to downtown Aqaba is still 10 JOD (the Jordanian Dinar is strong so that’s like $15 USD). We’re not in Egypt anymore…

Taxi from Dahab to Israel border	$40
Taxi to Jordan border	$30
Taxi from Jordan border to Aqaba	$15
Total	$85

Book a Rental Car

Egypt to Jordan Flight

Depending on where you are coming from and where you are trying to go, flying into Jordan just makes more sense.

Why would I fly?

1. You are already in Sharm El Sheik. If you are already in a city with flights to Jordan, you might as well take advantage.
2. You want to go to Amman. You might be able to easily get to Jordan by ferry or land, but then it’s another five hours to Amman. If you rent a car (the cheapest option) it adds another $150+ to the trip; at that point it is actually cheaper to fly.
3. You are in mainland Egypt. Traveling by ferry or overland really only makes sense if you’re starting out in Sinai. Mainland Egypt is quite far from Jordan and flying is a way better option.

Flight from Sharm to Amman	$145-242
Ferry with Car Rental to Amman	$255
Road with Car Rental to Amman	$235

Search Flights to Jordan

Bonus: Book a Tour

With Egypt, Israel, and Jordan being so close together, this route is common among tour companies.

You can book anything from this 1-Day Petra Sightseeing Tour from Dahab, to a 5-Day Israel, Jordan and Egypt Tour visiting the top sights in each country.

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