Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Jordan, or should I carry local cash?
In Jordan, taxis are firmly in the cash-only camp. I traveled between Amman and Jerash and never saw a driver with a card machine. Even in Aqaba, where tourism is big, the system is old-school. Careem is your best bet if you want to avoid carrying too much cash in the capital, but beyond that, it’s all dinars exchanged hand-to-hand. Definitely don’t expect to hop in a taxi after Petra and swipe your card-it’s not how things work here.
I had a mix of experiences in Amman, but card never worked in taxis. Even when I booked what looked like a newer taxi from Abdoun, the driver said he only accepted cash. Negotiating the fare is also standard practice, so having exact change really helps. The only exception is Careem, where you can link your card. If you’re heading outside of Amman, forget about apps and rely on cash. Jordan is not card-friendly when it comes to taxis.
My trip to Jordan made it clear: taxis rely on cash. I stayed near Rainbow Street in Amman, and every driver asked for dinars in cash. Even the hotel warned me not to expect card payments in taxis. Careem was convenient for airport runs, but once I went south to Wadi Musa for Petra, it was all cash again. If you want to avoid hassle, break your money into smaller notes at banks or shops before heading out.
Jordan is a cash-first country for taxis. In Amman, every cab ride I took was negotiated in Jordanian dinars and paid by hand. I asked once about paying with a card, and the driver laughed. The only modern option is Careem, which works in Amman and lets you pay digitally. Outside the capital, in Petra and Aqaba, cash is the only option. If you’re visiting, make sure to carry plenty of small bills because drivers rarely have change.