Planning a trip to Jordan, flying to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and wondering if you can buy a sim card at the airport? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Amman Airport in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, my recommendation, a vlog about my arrival and my experiences, more info about eSIMs for Jordan and more.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in my destination, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for Jordan
- My recommendation
- Where to buy a sim card at Amman Airport
- Prices Jordan sim cards at Amman Airport in 2024
- Best tourist sim card at Amman Airport
- Best eSIMs for Jordan
- Buy a prepaid sim card for Jordan online
- Vlog about arriving at Amman Airport and buying a sim card
- How to get from Amman Airport to the city
Related: Best Things to do in Amman in 2024.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Amman Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Why buying a sim card for Jordan
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Amman, but the main reason is that we want to avoid high roaming charges and don't end up with a shocking phone bill.
Having a data connection on our phone makes life so much more convenient. Think about ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a cool nearby rooftop bar, it is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't depend on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
As a full time nomad and world traveler who is trying to visit every country in the world I swing by Jordan so now and then as it is pretty centrally located between Asia, Europe and Africa.
Everywhere I go I write sim card guides to help other travelers save money on high roaming costs and get them the best connection to stay connected. Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Europe, Rome, London, Paris, Germany, Netherlands, Hong Kong, South Africa, USA, Canada, Thailand and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying an Orange sim card at Amman Airport. Orange has a great 4G/5G network in Jordan and great prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Amman Airport is the best place to buy a prepaid sim card in Jordan. Prices for tourist sim cards at Amman Airport are pretty similar to prepaid sim cards in phone stores around Jordan.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Jordan in 2024 with a comparison of the mobile internet operators, including 4G/5G coverage maps.
However, being online as soon as the plane lands is very tempting and therefore I nowadays always get myself an eSIM on the internet. The best value eSIM for Jordan is from Airalo with 10 GB data for $32.5 USD. SimOptions has 17 different eSIM plans for Jordan so pick your favorite.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then there is also the possibility of ordering a world travel sim with global data. Check out my list of the best international travel sim cards in 2024.
Where to buy a sim card at Amman Airport
When entering the arrival hall at Queen Alia International Airport you can't miss the mobile phone stores. Have a look at the picture above what it looks like walking into the arrival hall.
You will find an Orange, Zain and Umniah shop next to each other right in front of you.
Prices Jordan sim cards at Amman Airport in 2024
All info and prices are updated in November 2024. Prices are in Jordanian Dinar: $1 USD = 0.71 JOD and 1 JOD = $1.41 USD. Yes, the Jordanian Dinar is stronger than the USD.
Orange
Orange sells two Jordan sim cards for tourists:
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls & sms + 20 minutes international calls for 30 days = 15 JOD - $21 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls & sms + 60 minutes international calls for 90 days = 30 JOD - $42 USD
Orange provides eSIMs for tourists in Jordan, so when buying an Orange sim card for Joran at Amman Airport you can opt for a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Umniah Jordan sim card Amman Airport
There are 2 Umniah prepaid sim card deals available at Amman Airport:
- 30 GB data for 10 days + 100 local minutes + 20 international minutes = 10 JOD - $14 USD
Umniah provides eSIMs for tourists in Jordan, so when buying an Umniah sim card for Joran at Amman Airport you can opt for a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Zain Jordan sim card Amman Airport
The Zain macho boys were definitely not amused with all my questions, all I wanted was some extra information. Relax guys! Sadly Zain does not show its costumers any information about the sim card deals they offer, you gotta do it with the arrogant guys.
- 8 GB data + 1000 min + 50 minutes international calls for 30 days = 14.5 JOD - $20.4 USD
- 15 GB data + 1000 min + 50 minutes international calls for 30 days = 18.5 JOD - $26.1 USD
- 20 GB data + 1000 min + 50 minutes international calls for 30 days = 23.7 JOD - $33.4 USD
- 50 GB data + 1000 min + 50 minutes international calls for 30 days = 29.25 JOD - $41.2 USD
It is also pretty clear that Zain prepaid sim cards at Amman Airport are the most expensive sim cards for tourists at Amman Airport.
Zain provides eSIMs for tourists in Jordan, so when buying a Zain sim card for Joran at Amman Airport you can opt for a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Best tourist sim card at Amman Airport
In my research for the best tourist sim card in Jordan in 2024 I compared the 4G/5G network coverage in Jordan. Turns out that Umniah has a much weaker and smaller 4G/5G network compared to Orange and Zain.
However, Umniah is the cheapest sim card for Jordan at Amman Airport and for just $14 USD you get 30 GB data.
eSIMs for Jordan are more expensive than buying a prepaid sim card for tourists at Amman Airport. But you are online as soon as the plane lands and there is no hassle buying a tourist sim at Amman Airport.
Airalo has the best value eSIM for Jordan: 10 GB data for $32.5 USD. SimOptions has more than 15 different eSIM plans for Jordan so pick your favorite.
There is 5G in Jordan, but it is mostly limited to the Greater Amman region.
Zain prepaid sim cards are much more expensive than tourist sim cards from Orange. Zain might have a slightly better 4G/5G network but a 20 GB data sim card from Zain is around $33 USD and a 20 GB data sim card from Orange is only $21 USD.
Traveltomtom concludes that Orange is the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Jordan in 2024.
Heading into the city then check out my travel guide with the best things to do in Amman in 2024.
Best eSIMs for Jordan
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Amman in 2024 is an eSIM. No more visiting a sim card store and swapping physical sim card. You can arrange everything online within a couple clicks.
You order an eSIM for Jordan on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Jordan eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Amman it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM plans for traveling to Jordan in 2024:
- 1 GB for 7 days = $5 USD
- 2 GB for 15 days = $9.5 USD
- 3 GB for 30 days = $12.5 USD
- 5 GB for 30 days = $19 USD
- 10 GB for 30 days = $32.50 USD
Click here for more info or to directly order your eSIM for Jordan via Airalo.
The above eSIMs from Jornet operate on the 4G/LTE network of Zain and are data-only eSIMs.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a marketplace for eSIMs and really lives up to that name as for Jordan they offer almost 20 different eSIM plans. Below you will see a selection.
SimOptions is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Read here our full SimOptions review for more detailed info.
Below is a selection of the best SimOptions eSIM deals for Jordan:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $18.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35.90 USD
Click here to order an international eSIM for Jordan via SimOptions.
Please make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Jordan.
Buy a prepaid sim card for Jordan online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Jordan online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Jordan with an international prepaid sim card. You order online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Jordan, basically when the plane lands you are online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Jordan:
- 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Jordan via SimOptions.
This Orange Holiday World physical prepaid sim card is valid in 124 countries around the world including Jordan.
Last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can order an eSIM for Jordan online.
Vlog about arriving at Amman Airport and buying a sim card
If you rather watch a vlog then check out my YouTube video above about arriving at Amman Airport and my experiences buying a prepaid sim card for Jordan at Amman Airport.
How to get from Amman Airport to the city
Once you get connected you have the option to order an Uber but you will see that is pretty expensive. An Uber ride from Amman Airport to the city can easily cost you around 30 JOD which is $42 USD.
My recommendation is that you take the bus which runs every 30 minutes and a bus ticket only costs 3.3 JOD ($4.5 USD). The only problem is that you will need cash for buying a bus ticket. It is no problem to get cash as there are several ATM's at Amman Airport near the sim card shop. The issue is that they all charge $5 USD fee for withdrawing money, no matter the amount.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card in Jordan check my guide in the link or if you are wondering what to do in Amman in 2024 then read my complete guide with the best things to do and places to see in Amman.
Interested what it looks like traveling to every country in the world then check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so there is still a long road to go.
Enjoy your trip to Amman!