💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Amman: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for taxis and buses, and what to carry for souks and day trips. For Jordan-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order JOD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Amman?
Yes. Amman is a cash-first city for everyday spending. Upscale restaurants, hotels, and modern malls accept cards, but much of daily life runs on Jordanian dinars. Downtown souks, street food vendors, most yellow taxis, and smaller restaurants all prefer (or require) cash. Carry JD 10–20 in small notes when you head out.
Where You Will Need Cash
Downtown souks (Al-Balad) for spices, sweets, and souvenirs. Street food vendors selling falafel (JD 0.25–0.50), shawarma (JD 0.75–1.50), and knafeh. Yellow taxis (metered, cash only). Local restaurants in Jabal Amman and Jabal Al-Weibdeh. Fruit juice stands. Public minibuses and service taxis (shared routes). Entrance fees at smaller historical sites.
Where Cards Work Fine
Hotels of all levels. Abdali Boulevard restaurants, cafes, and shops. Sweifieh and Abdoun upscale dining and shopping. Malls (City Mall, Taj Mall, Abdali Mall). The Citadel and Roman Theatre ticket offices. Supermarkets (Carrefour, Cozmo). Careem and Uber (card via app). Compared to Dubai, Amman requires significantly more cash for daily spending.
Paying by Card in Amman
Card acceptance is split along economic lines in Amman. West Amman (Abdali, Sweifieh, Abdoun) is modern and card-friendly. East Amman and Downtown are heavily cash-based. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted where cards work. Amex is limited to international hotels and a few upscale restaurants. Contactless payments are growing but not universal.
Abdali Boulevard
Amman's modern downtown district has excellent card acceptance. Restaurants, cafes, shops, and the Abdali Mall all accept Visa and Mastercard. The W Amman and Rotana hotels accept all major cards. This is Amman's most card-friendly neighborhood, comparable to any modern Middle Eastern city.
Rainbow Street & Jabal Amman
The trendy strip along Rainbow Street has a mix. Cafes and restaurants (Books@Cafe, Cantaloupe, Sufra) accept cards. Souvenir shops and smaller eateries prefer cash. The Jordan Museum (JD 5, card accepted) is nearby. Walk downhill toward the 1st Circle for more card-friendly dining. Budget JD 10 in cash as backup.
Downtown (Al-Balad)
The heart of old Amman is almost entirely cash. The souk along King Talal Street, Hashem Restaurant (Amman's most famous falafel spot, cash only), gold and spice shops, and street vendors all require cash. The Roman Theatre (JD 2) and Citadel (JD 3) accept cards at the ticket office. Bring JD 15–20 for a Downtown visit.
Sweifieh & Abdoun
West Amman's upscale dining and shopping district. Taj Mall, Baraka Mall, and restaurants along Wakalat Street accept cards. International chains (Starbucks, Costa, McDonald's) all take cards. The Abdoun Circle area has card-friendly restaurants and nightlife. This is where Amman's expat community shops and dines.
Jabal Al-Weibdeh
Amman's arts district has a growing cafe and gallery scene. Newer cafes and restaurants (Darat al Funun area, specialty coffee shops) accept cards. Older local restaurants and corner shops are cash-only. The National Gallery of Fine Arts (free) is here. A pleasant neighborhood for walking with JD 10 in your pocket.
Local Markets & East Amman
The Friday Market (Souk al-Juma'a) is entirely cash. Vegetable markets, bakeries, and small grocery shops in residential neighborhoods require dinars. East Amman has fewer international-style restaurants. If you are exploring beyond the tourist areas, carry JD 20 and expect to pay cash for everything.
ATMs in Amman
For Jordan-wide ATM advice, see the Jordan guide.
Look for these logos. Jordanian bank ATMs offer reliable withdrawals with foreign cards.
Arab Bank
Housing Bank
Jordan Ahli BankCentral Amman ATM Locations
Downtown: Arab Bank branches along King Faisal Street and near the Roman Theatre. Rainbow Street: Housing Bank branch near the 1st Circle. Abdali: Multiple bank ATMs inside and around Abdali Mall. Sweifieh: ATMs at Taj Mall and along Wakalat Street. All major Jordanian banks accept Visa and Mastercard for withdrawals.
⚠ Avoid Exchange Bureaus at the Airport
Queen Alia International Airport exchange counters offer poor rates. Withdraw dinars from the airport ATM instead (Arab Bank and Housing Bank ATMs are inside the terminal). Downtown exchange offices on King Faisal Street offer better rates than the airport if you prefer to exchange cash. Always decline DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) at ATMs.
Paying for Taxis, Buses & Ride-Hailing
Yellow Taxis
Amman's yellow taxis are metered and cash only. The flag drop is JD 0.25 and most rides within central Amman cost JD 1–3. Insist the driver uses the meter. Late-night surcharges apply after 10 PM. Keep small bills (JD 1 and JD 5 notes) as drivers rarely have change for JD 20 or JD 50.
Careem & Uber
Careem (dominant in Jordan) and Uber both operate in Amman and accept credit cards through the app. Rides are slightly more expensive than yellow taxis but eliminate the cash and meter negotiation. Careem also offers a cash payment option. This is the most convenient way to get around without carrying large amounts of cash.
Public Buses & Minibuses
Local buses and shared minibuses cost JD 0.25–0.50 and are cash only. Pay the driver when boarding. Routes are not well-marked for tourists. The Amman Bus rapid transit system (larger buses on fixed routes) is newer and more tourist-friendly but still cash-based. Google Maps shows some routes.
Airport Transfers
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is 35 km south of the city. Airport Express Bus to 7th Circle: JD 3.30 (runs every 30 minutes, cash on board, 45–60 minutes). Airport taxi: JD 20–25 to central Amman (fixed rate, cash or arrange through hotel). Careem/Uber: JD 15–20 (card via app). The bus is cheapest but drops you at a transit point, not your hotel.
Tipping in Amman
The Jordan guide covers general tipping norms. In Amman specifically, restaurants often add a 10% service charge, but leaving an extra JD 1–2 for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest half-dinar. Hotel porters: JD 1 per bag. Cafe servers: JD 0.50–1. At street food spots like Hashem Restaurant, tipping is not expected. Always tip in cash.
Prices in Amman
Amman is moderately priced by Middle Eastern standards. Street food is very cheap, but sit-down restaurants in west Amman can approach European prices. The Jordanian dinar is a strong currency, pegged to the US dollar.
| Item | Price (JOD) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Falafel sandwich | JD 0.25–0.50 | $0.35–0.70 |
| Shawarma wrap | JD 0.75–1.50 | $1.05–2.10 |
| Hummus plate at a local spot | JD 1–2 | $1.40–2.80 |
| Knafeh (sweet pastry) | JD 1–2 | $1.40–2.80 |
| Arabic coffee / tea | JD 0.50–1 | $0.70–1.40 |
| Specialty coffee (cafe) | JD 3–5 | $4.20–7.05 |
| Lunch at a mid-range restaurant | JD 8–15 | $11–21 |
| Dinner with drinks (upscale) | JD 25–45 | $35–63 |
| Yellow taxi across town | JD 2–4 | $2.80–5.65 |
| Citadel entrance | JD 3 | $4.25 |
| Roman Theatre entrance | JD 2 | $2.80 |
| Jordan Museum | JD 5 | $7.05 |
| JETT bus to Petra (one way) | JD 11 | $15.50 |
| Budget hotel (per night) | JD 25–45 | $35–63 |
USD estimates based on approximately JD 1 = $1.41 (fixed peg). The dinar is one of the world's strongest currencies.
Day Trips from Amman
Petra (3 hours by bus)
JETT bus from Abdali station costs JD 11 one way (book online with card or pay cash at the office). Petra entry is JD 50 for one day, JD 55 for two days (card accepted at the visitor center). The site requires a full day. Restaurants and shops inside Wadi Musa (the town near Petra) are mostly cash. Bring JD 20–30 beyond the entry fee for food and souvenirs.
Dead Sea (1 hour by car)
No direct public bus. Best reached by Careem/taxi (JD 25–35 each way) or organized tour. Public beach at Amman Beach costs JD 20 (card accepted). Resort day passes (Kempinski, Marriott) cost JD 40–80 (card accepted). The Dead Sea resorts are fully card-friendly, but the drive-through villages are cash-only.
Jerash (1 hour by bus)
Bus from Tabarbour station costs JD 1 (cash only, runs frequently). Jerash archaeological site entry is JD 10 (card accepted at the gate). One of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. The small town has a few restaurants (cash preferred). Bring JD 15–20 total for transport, entry, and lunch.
Madaba & Mount Nebo (45 minutes by bus)
Bus from Wahdat station to Madaba costs JD 0.75 (cash). The Madaba Map mosaic (JD 3, cash or card at the church) is the highlight. Mount Nebo (JD 3, card accepted) offers views across to the Dead Sea and Israel. Small restaurants in Madaba prefer cash. A half-day trip that pairs well with the Dead Sea.
Amman Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdali / Sweifieh dining | ✅ Yes | JD 5 backup | Modern, card-friendly west Amman |
| Rainbow Street cafes | ✅ Most places | JD 10 | Trendy spots take cards, small shops cash |
| Downtown souks | ❌ Cash only | JD 15–20 | Bring small bills for haggling |
| Street food | ❌ Cash only | JD 5–10 | Falafel, shawarma, knafeh |
| Yellow taxi | ❌ Cash only | JD 3–5 | Use Careem for card payment |
| Petra day trip | ✅ Entry by card | JD 30 for extras | JD 50 entry + food/souvenirs in cash |
| Dead Sea | ✅ Resorts | JD 10 backup | Resort day passes by card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Amman?
Yes. While upscale restaurants and malls in Abdali and Sweifieh accept cards, much of daily life runs on cash. Downtown souks, street food vendors, most taxis, and smaller restaurants prefer dinars. Carry JD 10–20 in small notes when exploring.
How much does a falafel sandwich cost in Amman?
A falafel sandwich from a street vendor or local shop costs JD 0.25–0.50 (about $0.35–0.70). Hummus and foul plates at a downtown eatery run JD 1–2. Amman street food is remarkably cheap and almost always cash-only.
How do I pay for taxis in Amman?
Yellow taxis use meters and accept cash only. The flag drop is JD 0.25 and most rides cost JD 1–3. Ride-hailing apps Careem and Uber accept credit cards through the app, which is the easiest way to avoid cash for transport.
Can I use US dollars in Amman?
Some hotels and tourist shops accept USD, but you will get a poor exchange rate. The dinar is pegged to the dollar at roughly JD 0.709 = $1. Use ATMs for the best rate. Downtown exchange offices on King Faisal Street also offer competitive rates.
Is it safe to carry cash in Amman?
Amman is one of the safest capitals in the Middle East. Petty theft is uncommon. Keep cash in a front pocket and do not flash large amounts. You can comfortably carry JD 20–50 for a day of exploring.
How much does it cost to visit Petra from Amman?
JETT bus costs JD 11 one way (3 hours). Petra entry is JD 50 for one day, JD 55 for two days (card accepted). Budget JD 70–80 total for transport and entry. Restaurants in Wadi Musa are mostly cash.
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