Transportation in Jordan
In Amman the ancient and the modern intertwine relentlessly, in fact, the city stands on top of a mountain or "Jabal" and is characterized by various districts and neighborhoods that can be useful for finding your way in the chaotic traffic. From the skyscrapers that rise in the newly built Abdali district to the picturesque shisha clubs in the city center, 2 JD is enough to reach any destination you are looking for by taxi.
Taxis are inexpensive and often represent the most convenient form of transportation in Jordan. The "public taxis", white in color, are a shared service and usually have fixed routes. Private yellow taxis are the most common and can be and are easily reached outside large hotels, or can be stopped on the street. Taxis have a meter, but it is not always used after 23:00, so it is advisable to agree on the cost of the journey in advance. Taxi drivers are friendly, know the city well, and usually speak English. For women, it is advisable to sit in the rear seats of the taxi. Tipping is not mandatory, but taxi drivers often don't have the rest to give you, so don't be surprised if you miss around 200 fils (20 plates) from the final remainder.
Taxis in Jordan
The Hejaz Railway was built by the Ottomans between 1900 and 1908 with the main intention of promoting the movement of pilgrims heading to Muslim holy places in Arabia. It also served to strengthen Ottoman control over the furthest provinces of their empire. The mainline connected Damascus to Medina, for a distance of 1,320 km, through the Trans-Jordan via Zarqa, Al-Qatranah, and Ma'an and towards north-western Arabia up to the Hejaz region where Medina and Mecca are located.
The railway replaced the old caravan route, once used to transport goods to and from Damascus and Arabia, a round trip that took about four months to complete. The caravan merchants certainly did not welcome this new means of transport, which posed a serious threat to their survival, and in fact, made many attempts to sabotage its construction.
Railway in Jordan
Four years after its completion in September 1908, the Hejaz railway carried around 300,000 passengers per year. It was not just about pilgrims - the Turks had started using the railway to transport troops and supplies and, during the First World War (1914-1918), numerous attempts were made to destroy it with the intent to prevent the advance of the Turkish army.
Unfortunately, this railway is no longer in operation today, it has remained as an exhibition and if you are in Amman and near the Roman Theater, you can go and sit on the elegant Royal Carriage.