Such a cool place in the Middle East. Famous for Petra, the Dead Sea, and the desert vibes of Wadi Rum. Amazing mix of history and landscapes!
Bedouins are nomadic Arab tribes who traditionally lived in the deserts of the Middle East, known for their hospitality, resilience, and deep connection to the land.
The Bedouins know the Wadi Rum desert, which covers about 720 km², like the back of their hand. They told me they recognize the paths across the desert, and at night they navigate by the stars.
Their food is simple but full of flavor. One of the most famous dishes is zarb, meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven. Too bad I didn’t take a photo, but they showed us how it’s done. Evenings with them by the campfire were amazing, they were so honest when we asked questions.
✔️ Departure: Buses leave from the station here starting around 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM.
✔️ Companies & Prices: There are several operators and prices vary — usually up to $20, depending on the company. I personally paid 15 JOD (21 USD) for a round trip Amman–Damascus–Amman.
✔️ Arrival: In Amman, buses typically arrive at theInternational Bus Stationmostly. My bus stopped at here, and it was very convenient.
✔️ Duration: The journey takes about 8 hours, mainly because of long border procedures — around 6 hours of passport checks, searches, and scans.
I arrived very early, before 7:00 AM, and that turned out to be a great decision. At the station, I was directed to the first office on the right here exacly. I handed over my ticket and passport, and from what I understood, they told me the Jett bus wasn’t running that day. Instead, they pointed me to another bus. They took my ticket and passport, showed me the bus, and surprisingly it left at 7:15 AM. Just before departure, we got our passports back. I didn’t have to pay anything extra — my Jett ticket was accepted, though I still have no idea how that worked. Honestly, I was a bit stressed because I don’t like leaving my passport anywhere, but everyone had to do it for border control data collection. And off we went.
For the info on the bus from Amman to Damascus, click here.
✅ Where it departs from
The bus from Damascus to Amman departs from the bus station here. When I arrived, I was directed to the first office on the right after entering. I handed over my ticket and passport
✅ Timing
I had a Jett ticket for 8:00 AM, but arriving early (before 7:00 AM) was the best decision. Online sources say that buses from different companies usually leave between 7:00–7:30 AM. So I strongly recommend being there before 7:00, even if your ticket says 8:00. In my case, the alternative bus left at 7:15 AM.
✅ Price
I didn’t have to pay anything extra — my original Jett ticket was accepted, even though I ended up on a different bus. I purchased my return ticket at the Jett office in Abdali, Amman for 15 JOD (21 USD) for a round trip Amman–Damascus–Amman. More about this in my post here.
Prices can go up to 20 USD, depending on the company.
✅ Stops on the way
The bus made a few stops between Damascus and the border to pick up additional passengers.
✅ Border experience
At the border, our passports were checked around 8 times, the bus was searched twice, and all bags were scanned like at an airport. The whole process takes time. We had two stops of around 30 minutes each: one to stamp out, and another to get a visa in the office. Just follow the crowd or ask the border officers — they will guide you.
On the Jordanian side, go first to the cashier to pay for your visa or to activate your Jordan Pass. They will give you a receipt, and with that you can join the queue for your entry stamp.
Important: There is no exit tax when leaving Syria.
For Jordan VISA:
I had a Jordan Pass, so my visa was included. If you plan to visit Petra, it’s much cheaper to get the Jordan Pass, as it includes both the visa and major attractions.
Otherwise:
1) Single Entry – Visa 40 JOD Valid for 1 month. Available on arrival at most borders and airports
2) Double Entry – Visa 60 JOD Valid for up to 3 months. Not available on arrival — must be obtained at a Jordanian embassy
3) Multiple Entry – Visa 120 JOD Valid for up to 6 months. Also only available at an embassy
Jordan Pass options (all include visa if you stay min. 3 nights):
Jordan Pass Wanderer – 70 JOD (1‑day Petra) + entry to 40+ attractions (Jerash, Wadi Rum, Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, etc.)
Jordan Pass Explorer – 75 JOD (2‑day Petra) + entry to 40+ attractions (Jerash, Wadi Rum, Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, etc.)
Jordan Pass Expert – 80 JOD (3‑day Petra) + entry to 40+ attractions (Jerash, Wadi Rum, Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, etc.)
With 2025 coming to an end, I decided to take a journey: traveling by bus from Amman (Jordan) to Damascus (Syria). For Damasus – Amman bus click here. Here’s how it went:
✅ Booking the bus ticket I booked my ticket on the official JETT website: https://www.jett.com.jo. There’s technically a round-trip option online, but I could only snag a one-way ticket (Amman International → Damascus) for 10 JOD (about 14 USD). The return? That’s where the plot twist happens: the full round trip costs 15 JOD (around 21 USD). Instead, you stroll into the JETT office on the day you’re heading to Damascus, flash your original ticket – they hand you the return for just 5 JOD extra.
The Abdali office opens bright and early at 6 a.m., so even if you skipped buying the ticket online, don’t panic. You can grab one on the day of departure—my bus had a few empty seats,
✅ Getting to the Abdali bus station I stayed in the city center, and from there, I took an Uber to the JETT Abdali Office for just 1.25 JOD.
✅ Important departure time details The bus departs every day from the JETT Abdali stop (right here) at 8:00 a.m. and possibly at 1:00 p.m. The website says 7:00 and 12:00 (see below), but in reality, from Abdali, it’s 8:00. I asked at the office, and they confirmed that 7:00 is from a different station (not sure which one). So, the only time I can personally confirm from Abdali is 8:00 a.m. The afternoon departure is likely 13.00, but officially the site still lists 12:00.
The website lists several other stops, but in my experience the bus only made one stop after Abdali, around 8:15 a.m.
The bus was already waiting from 7:30 a.m., and it departed exactly at 8:00 a.m.
✅ Border crossing This was the most interesting part!
Passports were checked six times (three times on the Jordanian side, three times on the Syrian side). Two full 30-minute stops to stamp out of Jordan and stamp into Syria.
I read that leaving Jordan (exit tax) by land costs 10 JOD, but I paid nothing.
On the Syrian side, my visa was supposed to cost 75 USD (official info from the Syrian embassy in Poland), but I paid only 50 USD, the option I happily accepted. Cash or card is OK. Getting it in advance for a land border crossing is no longer possible, but make sure to check before you travel—rules can change.
I was the only tourist, so the process was quick: pay for the visa, get the receipt, then the stamp. Everyone was extremely polite and helpful. Very curious about my visit to Damascus.
Though it is no longer required, I had a printed reservation for the hotel. I have been asked about the purpose of my visit and whether I know anyone in Syria. I said that I didn’t know anyone, and that was not a problem for border control.
Time at the border We spent about 3 hours there because of passport checks and a full bus inspection. The return Damascus-Amman was 6 hours at the border!
✅ Arrival in Damascus The bus arrives at the Damascus bus stationhere (where return buses also depart). From there, I took a taxi to the city center for 15 USD — four times more than what it was supposed to be, but I didn’t mind since I saved 25 USD on the visa and 10 JOD (approx. 14 USD) on the exit tax.
Tips for Travelers
Book a bus ticket online for convenience, but ask for the return tickets at the JETT office (if you’re going back). No need to print, they will email you the ticket straight away.
Just in case, bring cash (USD and JOD) for visas.
Be patient at the border — checks are thorough but friendly.
If you’re the only tourist, like I was, expect extra attention (in a good way!).
You can exchange your money at the border and also buy a SIM card there.
There is also a duty‑free zone that many Syrians make use of. They may ask you to carry something across the border for them — I agreed.
Solo female traveller 
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