Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is the largest airport in Jordan and the main hub of the national carrier, Royal Jordanian. It’s often referred to as QAIA, an acronym of the official name. Many call it simply Amman Airport, although it’s not to be mistaken with Amman Civil Airport, which is much closer to the city but handles very little traffic.
The airport is located in a relatively isolated desert area, approximately 32 km south of central Amman, the country's capital. The nearest settlement is the small town of Al Jizah.
Queen Alia Airport handled nearly 10 million passengers in 2025, making it one of the top 25 busiest airports in the Middle East. It’s a major regional transit hub, although much less popular than global hubs like Dubai (DXB) and Istanbul (IST).
Major Airlines - Royal Jordanian
The vast majority of flights at Amman Airport are operated by Royal Jordanian, which uses Queen Alia as its global hub. The airline flies to over 60 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Some of its long-haul routes include services to London, Chicago, New York, Montréal, and Bangkok.
Ryanair started flying to AMM in 2018. Since then, the Irish low-cost carrier has allowed millions to visit the Jordanian capital cheaply with direct flights from major and minor European airports. Most of Ryanair’s routes depend on seasonality and demand.
Other major airlines that fly to Amman include Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and EgyptAir, to name a few.
Check out all airlines that fly to Queen Alia Airport, Amman.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Queen Alia Airport has a single terminal. It’s a modern and spacious facility, built to accommodate much more than the present passenger numbers.
All 25 gates can be reached within a 10-minute walk of the Security screening checkpoint. Gates are split into two concourses, respectively on the left and on the right of the central airside area, where most of the shops, restaurants, and lounges are.
Departures are located on the first floor. Arrivals are on the ground floor.
For layovers at AMM, you won’t need to go through Immigration as long as both of your tickets are booked under the same reservation (PNR). After disembarking, follow the “Transit” signs, go through Security, and enter the Departure (transit) area, then find the gate for your next flight.
In most cases, you won’t need a visa for Jordan, as long as you remain within the transit and your next flight is within 24 hours.
Staying longer in Jordan? Check out the best things to do in Amman!
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Amman Airport offers unlimited free internet via the “Zain-QAIA-Free” and “Airport-Free-WIFI” networks. You won’t need to register or verify via OTP code - just accept the terms and conditions and click connect on the welcome page.
Other passenger services at Queen Alia Airport include:
- Banks & ATMs: Four Jordanian banks have branches and cash machines at the airport:
Ajib: Several locations, including 4 on the Departures Level and 2 on the Arrivals Level. Also provides currency exchange services.
Arab Bank: Public area on the Arrivals Level.
Bank of Jordan: Arrivals Hall, landside. Open 24/7.
Housing Bank (HBTF): Arrivals Hall, landside.
Currency exchange: In addition to Ajib bank booths, you can also exchange cash at the 6 Global Exchange Booths in various areas of the terminal.
Medical care center: Located on the Ground Level in the Arrivals Hall. Open 24/7. Provides first aid and emergency help.
Pharmacy: Rawhi Pharmacy has two locations, one in the public departures area and one in the North Pier, near Gates 208 and 210. Both are open 24/7.
Prayer rooms: Available on the Departures and Arrivals Levels.
Post office: There’s a mailbox of Jordan Post in the Arrivals Hall.
Lost & Found: For any lost items, contact the Airport Security and Protection Directorate Lost and Found Office at +962-79-150-8982 or at [email protected].
Lounges at Queen Alia Airport
Royal Jordanian has a lounge at the airport - the Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge, located airside on Level 4 after immigration. It operates 24/7 and includes showers, a hot buffet, workstations, a bar, and a smoking room. It welcomes passengers of other airlines and holders of certain lounge membership passes, too. Note that you may only enter within 3 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure time.
Another lounge option is the newer Plaza Premium Lounge, located above the duty-free area, towards Gates 21-24 and 202-228. It also includes showers, workstations, buffet dining, and space for around 130 people. Unless you are eligible for free entry, the 3-hour pass costs 50 USD at the door. It’s also possible to buy a 6-hour pass for 95 USD.
The last lounge at AMM is the Petra Lounge, located near Gate 208. It is a quieter and calmer lounge, with nice views of the airport’s apron.
Dining Options at AMM
Most restaurants, cafes, and casual eateries are in the Departures/Transit area after the Security check.
If you’d like to have some Arabic coffee, pastries, shawarma, mezze, or other local traditional food for one last time, check out:
Al Daya'a: A popular shawarma spot that also serves other grilled meat dishes.
Al-Ameed: A Jordanian coffee roaster.
Hamada: Best place for Jordanian falafel and sandwiches.
Mn ElForon: A traditional bakery where you can try fresh manaqeesh and other savory pastries.
Qahwa BLK: A stylish specialty café. Located in Arrivals.
Blue Fig: A Jordanian cafe serving international cuisine. Located near Gates 214/216.
There are, of course, international fast food brands that you can normally find in most airports nowadays. At Amman Airport, these include Subway, McDonald’s, and Donuts Factory.
WHSmith has several mini markets at AMM, both before and after Security, where you can buy snacks, sandwiches, and essentials.
Most places are open 24/7.
Transport to and from the airport
The cheapest way to travel between the airport and Amman is the modern and air-conditioned Sariyah Airport Express Bus. It stops at Exit Gate 2 on the Arrivals Level and terminates at Tabarbour North Bus Station in the city, with a few stops in the center too. The buses run every 30-60 minutes, depending on the time of day, between:
From the airport: 24/7.
From Amman: 6:15 AM to midnight.
Single tickets cost 3.40 JOD. You can purchase from the ticket offices before boarding, directly from the driver, or use your contactless card.
Official airport taxis operate 24/7 and use regulated fares, which you can find posted near the designated taxi stands at the airport’s terminal exits. For example, the price to the city center is 23 JOD. The reverse trip (Amman to QAIA) usually costs less - around 15 JOD.
Ride-hailing through Uber and Careem is also available, though they usually only offer comfort cars, which tend to be more expensive than traditional taxis. There is a ride-hailing booth on the Arrivals Curbside, near Exit Gate 3.
Lastly, you may consider renting a car directly at Queen Alia Airport, especially if you want to explore more of Jordan on your own. Several rental car companies have desks in the Public Arrivals Area. These include Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Payless, and SIXT.
Parking at QAIA
There are three parking facilities, listed below in order of proximity to the terminal:
Premium VIP: The closest to the Terminal. Offers larger parking spaces. Costs 3.25 JOD per hour or 78 JOD per day.
Premium: Spaces just behind the Premium VIP, still within a 3-minute walk from the terminal. Parking fees are 2.25 JOD per hour or 54 JOD per day.
Economy: Although a bit farther from the terminal (~700 meters), it’s duly recommended for overnight parkers or parking stays of more than three hours, due to its much lower cost: 1 JOD per hour or just 5 JOD per day.
Valet Parking is also available right in front of the Departures Hall with pick-up in front of the Arrivals Hall. This service costs 5 JOD for the first hour, 2 JOD for each additional hour, or 15 JOD per day. Exterior car wash is available upon request for 5 JOD.
Hotels near Queen Alia International Airport
There is no terminal transit hotel inside the secure zone. If you’re in transit, your only option is to rely on lounges or sleeping in the terminal itself.
Outside, the closest hotel is the Amman Airport Hotel (Golden Tulip), about 2.2 km from the terminal. It offers a complimentary shuttle for staying guests, making it the most convenient option if you need to stay near the terminal.
There are several other small hotels and guesthouses in Al Jizah or on the main road towards Amman, for example, Airport Villa Amman, Caprios Motel, and AlQatal.
Amman, Jordan
