Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Aqaba

Enterprise car hire locations in Aqaba

Aqaba Airport is an easy 10-km drive from the city centre. When you land, you can go straight to the Enterprise Rent-a-Car desk and pick up your vehicle for your adventure in Jordan.

What to do and see in Aqaba

Aqaba is best known for the Red Sea. With warm water all year round, this is a true paradise for lovers of water sports. Scuba diving is very popular here, both for experienced divers and newcomers to the sport. If you don't fancy going quite so deep underwater, you can always put on your snorkel and inspect the shallows. Either way, you'll be stunned by the colourful coral reefs. Visit the Japanese Garden dive site to see adorable turtles, or the impressive Taiyong Wreck, now a playground for over 1,000 species of fish. Finally, there are also plenty of options for those who'd rather sit back and relax, including glass-bottom boat trips.

Of course, there's plenty to see in Aqaba without getting your feet wet. This has historically been a major trading outpost, and the souks - the traditional Arabian markets - are still the lifeblood of the city. One of the best is the Souk by the Sea, which opens on Friday nights and sells handicrafts. Elsewhere, you'll find souks that specialise in food, spices, blankets and more. Remember, bargaining is a way of life for Jordanian traders. Don't be afraid to join in the fun by haggling over the price.

The main historical sight in town is Aqaba Castle, also known as Mamluk Fort. This building tells a fascinating story: it was built in the 1100s by Christians during the Crusades. Later, Muslim armies destroyed it before rebuilding it in the 1500s. It played a key role in the 1917 Arab Revolt when Jordanians and other Arabs fought against the occupying Ottoman Empire. Take a look inside, and you'll be mesmerised by its intriguing history.

Car hire in Aqaba lets you explore the rest of Jordan. The famous desert of Wadi Rum is just an hour away. Here you can stay in a Bedouin camp, sleeping under the stars. The immensity of the desert is hard to imagine until you're there, gazing up at the enormous rock formations and seemingly endless sands. All kinds of tours of the eerie desert landscape are available, with something to suit every budget, from camel rides and 4x4 tours to hot air balloon trips that take you high above the blazing sands.

You can also use a car or van hire in Aqaba to visit the Aqaba Bird Observatory, beside the border with Israel. This is a man-made wetland zone built to attract migratory birds on their annual journeys around the world. Over 400 species are known to visit, making it a delightful place to spend a morning.

Driving in Aqaba

You'll find several free car parks in the centre of Aqaba, close to Sharif Hussein bin Ali Mosque. If you can, try to leave your car under the shade of a tree, particularly on hot days. Aqaba is a popular tourist destination, so you can expect to find more traffic on weekends. Be aware that in Jordan, the weekend runs from Friday to Saturday.

Aqaba is Jordan's resort city, and it's easier to buy alcohol here than in other parts of the country (though, given the eye-watering prices, you might prefer to stick to soft drinks). It's important to remember that Jordan has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving. There is no legally permitted BAC level. If you drive after a single glass of beer, you are breaking the law, and you will be fined if the police stop you.

If you are driving from Aqaba to Wadi Rum, you will probably pass a police checkpoint along the way. This is nothing to be afraid of, as it is a normal part of daily life in Jordan. The police may ask to see your documents, but they are unlikely to do anything more than this.

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drive in the desert of Wadi Rum. Even if you have a 4WD, the desert is extremely inhospitable. There are no signs or road markings. The locals might be able to find their way around by landmarks they have known all their lives, but visitors will quickly become lost. Phone signals are sporadic in the desert, making the situation even more dangerous. When you arrive at Wadi Rum, park your car in the village and wait for transportation from your camp.

Watch out for animals on the roads. Camels, donkeys and goats are very common and show little fear of cars. Don't honk your horn in an effort to hurry them - they might try to attack your vehicle.

Aqaba is very close to the border with Israel. However, you don't need to worry about crossing by accident. This is a heavily defended border, with armed guards on both sides. Unlike many other countries in the region, Jordan allows travel to and from Israel. If you are planning an international road trip, be sure to discuss this with your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent, as border crossings in the Middle East can be complicated.

Car and van hire in Jordan with Enterprise

Enterprise Jordan offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Aqaba

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Aqaba

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Aqaba, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.