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Some scams

Western Asia

Tourist scams in Jordan

Jordan is relatively safe, but tourist overcharging is common when prices are not agreed in advance. The main problems involve taxis, commission-driven recommendations and misleading offers; threats and serious cheating are rare.
  1. 1 TaxisCommonTaxi meter refusal and inflated faresThe driver leaves the meter off and demands an inflated fare at the end. Meters are rarely used in Irbid. In Amman, drivers may also offer an expensive return airport ride after bringing you into the city.Amman, Aqaba, Irbid 2Read
  2. 2 TaxisCommonA whole-taxi price becomes a per-person priceYou agree a fare, but the driver later says that amount applies to each passenger rather than the whole car.Amman, Aqaba, Jerash 2Read
  3. 3 Tours and guidesCommonGuides and drivers steer you to overpriced businessesA guide or taxi driver takes you to businesses that pay them commission. You pay for their service and then face inflated prices or a hotel surcharge. A guide standing beside you while you ask the price can affect the quote.Tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and other venues across Jordan. 2Read
  4. 4 ShoppingCommonThe cousin or friend with a cheaper dealSomeone says a cousin or friend has exactly what you need at a lower price. The connection may be invented, and the deal may cost more than other options.Offers for goods, services and tours across Jordan.Read
  5. 5 Buses and trainsCommonFalse claims that other transport or services are unavailableA tout or driver says your alternative does not exist, is unavailable or goes the wrong way. This pushes you towards their service. One example is a taxi driver falsely saying there are no buses from the Allenby Bridge into Jordan.Across Jordan, including the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing. 3Read
  6. 6 TaxisCommonLuggage held in the taxi bootAfter demanding an inflated fare, the driver refuses to open the boot and return your bags until you pay.Unmetered taxis across Jordan. 1Read
  7. 7 TaxisCommonBus-stop taxis claiming to be the official serviceDrivers crowd arriving buses and aggressively offer overpriced rides. Some board the bus and claim to be the official taxi service.AmmanRead
  8. 8 TaxisCommonInflated border taxi pricesBorder taxis use standardised but inflated prices for onward journeys. Continuing directly to a distant destination can cost more than changing taxis in Aqaba.Aqaba 2Read
  9. 9 TaxisOccasionalHotel-arranged taxi kickbacksA hotel calls a taxi and receives a kickback. The passenger may pay twice the usual fare.Aqaba 2Read
  10. 10 TaxisOccasionalA free welcome ride turns into an expensive tripA driver offers a short free ride as a welcome to Jordan. They then offer to wait and take you onward. They use the free ride as an excuse to leave the meter off and demand an excessive fare at the next stop.AmmanRead
  11. 11 TaxisOccasionalPrivate cars posing as taxisA private driver offers a ride and says you can pay whatever you want. At the end, they insist on more money.Amman 1Read
  12. 12 TaxisOccasionalAn extra old-meter surcharge on a new meterSome older meters start at a lower rate, so a small extra charge is legitimate. A driver with a newer meter may try to claim the same extra charge even though it is already included.AmmanRead
  13. 13 TaxisOccasionalPretending there is no changeA driver claims to have no change so they can keep more than the fare.Amman 1Read
  14. 14 TaxisOccasionalRide-hailing drivers asking for extra cashA driver asks for more money than the app fare, particularly when the passenger pays in cash.Amman 1Read
  15. 15 TaxisOccasionalA driver changes your sightseeing destinationA driver tries to convince you that the Roman Theater is better so they can leave you at the bottom of the hill instead of driving up to the Citadel.Amman 1Read
  16. 16 ShoppingOccasionalOverpriced antiquesVisitors may be quoted inflated prices for antiques. An English-speaking seller does not guarantee good value.Amman 2Read
  17. 17 Online bookingsOccasionalA questionable online Aqaba airport shuttleAn online service advertised as an Aqaba airport shuttle has attracted numerous reviews alleging a scam. The exact method is not described.Aqaba 1Read
  18. 18 Airport and borderOccasionalGoods confiscated at Aqaba airport securityTravellers are warned that many types of purchased goods may be confiscated at departure security. The exact goods and circumstances are not specified.Aqaba 1Read
  19. 19 ShoppingOccasionalTouts selling archaeological findsChildren and teenagers approach visitors to sell Roman coins and small artefacts said to come from the site. Buying these finds is described as illegal; this does not establish that the objects are genuine.JerashRead
  20. 20 TaxisOccasionalA remote taxi ride becomes an extortion threatA driver takes passengers into the desert and threatens to leave them unless they hand over their money. This is described as rare and very unlikely with recommended drivers.Long-distance taxi journeys through remote desert areas.Read

Where to stay alert

  • Tabarbour North Bus Station, AmmanAggressive taxi touts target bus arrivals. Some board buses and falsely claim to be the official taxi service.
  • 4th Circle airport bus stop, AmmanNewly arrived passengers may face inflated taxi quotes.
  • The route between the Citadel and the Roman Theater, AmmanDrivers may offer free welcome rides that lead to expensive onward trips.
  • The Citadel, AmmanSome drivers try to substitute a drop-off at the Roman Theater below the hill.
  • Western Amman antique dealersAntiques may be overpriced for visitors.
  • Eilat/Aqaba border crossingOnward taxi fares are standardised but inflated.
  • South Beach hotels, AqabaHotel-arranged taxis may cost double because of kickbacks.
  • King Hussein International Airport, AqabaTravellers are warned about goods being confiscated at departure security.
  • Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossingTaxi drivers may falsely claim there are no buses into Jordan.
  • Souq outside the archaeological park's South Gate, JerashYoung sellers approach visitors with Roman coins and small artefacts said to come from the site.

Habits that keep you safe

Taxis

  • Confirm meter use or a total fare before departure. State that the price covers every passenger.
  • For return trips, confirm whether waiting time is included.
  • Keep bags with you where practical and retrieve them before settling a fare dispute.
  • Choose recommended drivers for long journeys, or use buses and coaches.
  • In Amman, use app card payment to reduce extra cash demands. Uber and Careem are not available within Aqaba.

Money

  • Carry small notes, especially 1 JD and 5 JD, because change can be limited.
  • Ask the price before accepting a service or buying an item.
  • Compare several independent quotes for expensive purchases.
  • Count your change before leaving.

Cards and ATMs

  • Read the displayed withdrawal fee before accepting. A high fee alone does not mean fraud.
  • Compare machines where practical. The supplied fee examples reach 7 JD generally and 10 JD at the airport ATM before passport control.
  • Keep receipts and check them against the cash received and your account statement.
  • Shield your PIN and contact your card issuer promptly about unexplained charges.

Your belongings

  • Keep your phone, wallet and travel documents secure while dealing with touts.
  • Avoid leaving purchases in a taxi while you shop.
  • Keep copies of important documents separately from the originals.
  • Save vehicle details and booking records for longer journeys.

Where you stay

  • Choose accommodation independently of a guide or taxi driver.
  • Ask for room prices without a guide standing beside you.
  • Confirm the complete price before booking.
  • Compare a hotel's taxi quote with an independent quote.

Tours and guides

  • Get several independent quotes and check what each includes.
  • Verify claims that a tour, route or transport option is unavailable.
  • Choose your own shops and restaurants rather than following every guide recommendation.
  • Do not buy objects presented as archaeological finds.

Police and officials

  • Do not accept a taxi tout's claim to be the official service without checking.
  • If goods are confiscated at airport security, calmly ask for the reason and a supervisor.
  • Ask for a written record of confiscated items where possible.
  • Use 911 for an emergency involving threats or immediate danger.

What travellers say about Jordan

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

How worried should I be about scams in Jordan?

Jordan is relatively safe. Overcharging is common when prices are not agreed first, especially with taxis and tourist services. Threats and serious cheating are rare.

Should I insist on a taxi meter?

Usually, yes. Metered rides are generally cheaper than negotiated fares. Outside Amman, meters may not be used, so agree the full fare first. In Amman, meters are not required after midnight.

How do I avoid paying a taxi fare for each passenger?

Confirm one total for the whole car before leaving. State how many people are travelling. For a return trip, also confirm waiting time.

Can I trust a free welcome ride in Amman?

Be cautious. Around the Citadel and Roman Theater, a free ride may lead to an onward journey with no meter and a large bill. Decline unsolicited free rides or agree a separate onward fare.

Should I let my guide choose hotels and restaurants?

Choose independently and compare prices. Some guides and drivers receive commissions from businesses, which can lead to inflated prices or hotel surcharges.

Are taxis cheaper in Aqaba than at the border?

Yes, city taxi prices are lower than the inflated border fares described. Consider taking a border taxi into Aqaba and arranging another taxi for the onward trip.

Is a large ATM fee a scam?

A high withdrawal fee alone is not fraud. Check the fee before accepting and compare machines where practical. Keep the receipt and check the amount received.

How should I book an Aqaba airport transfer?

Ask your hotel or dive operator to arrange one, or check the displayed airport taxi prices. Be cautious about the online Aqaba airport shuttle service with repeated scam complaints.

Can I buy Roman coins offered outside Jerash?

Do not buy objects presented as archaeological finds. Young sellers offer coins and small artefacts outside the South Gate, but buying finds from the site is described as illegal.

What should I do if a driver threatens me or holds my bags?

Avoid a physical struggle and put your safety first. Seek police help. Call 911 if you are threatened or in immediate danger, and share your location when safe.

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