Aqaba is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Aqaba works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The city has an airport, so you can fly in directly. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Aqaba, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 2 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Aqaba, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Aqaba starts at around €96 per night, with a typical rate near €288 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Kempinski Hotel Aqaba, 5-star, guest rating 9.4 from 3101 reviews, from €256 per night; Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 812 reviews, from €243 per night; Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla Resort, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 246 reviews, from €290 per night; Al Manara, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Saraya Aqaba, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 192 reviews, from €294 per night; Royal Beach Eilat by Isrotel Exclusive, 5-star, guest rating 9.2 from 404 reviews, from €641 per night.
Day trips & routes: Petra — about 125 km, 1h 56m drive; Suwaymah — about 278 km, 3h 27m drive. Fastest option is Petra: 1h 56m by car.
Aqaba: what to know
Things to see: "2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba", rated 5 from 78 reviews, from €40.2; "Take advantage of a half-day boat dive experience in Red sea of Aqaba.", rated 5 from 71 reviews, from €133.98; "Jordan Joyride Tours & Transportation", rated 5 from 61 reviews, from €71.46; "5-hours Jeep Tours + Free sunset", rated 5 from 55 reviews, from €98.26; "Private Jordan Transportation", rated 5 from 43 reviews, from €129.52.
Aqaba has its own airport, so a direct flight is the fastest way in. Getting around the city and out to the 2 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Aqaba is around €288, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Aqaba you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 2 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Jordan, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
