Amman Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Jordan)
Amman visitors face taxi overcharging, unofficial guides charging high fees at Petra and other sites, and souvenir sellers using aggressive pressure tactics with inflated prices.
Compare with nearby destinations
Last updated: April 2, 2026
Taxi Fare Inflation for Tourists
Taxi drivers in Amman frequently refuse to use the meter with tourists and instead quote flat rates that are three to five times the actual metered fare. Drivers claim the meter is broken or that fixed rates apply for tourist destinations such as the Citadel or downtown.
📍The taxi rank on Al-Husseini Street in downtown Amman, outside the Roman Amphitheatre on Hashemi Street, and along the main road approaching the Amman Citadel on Al-Qala'a Street.
How to avoid: Insist the driver uses the meter (the Arabic word is "addad"). If they refuse, exit and find another cab. Alternatively, use the Careem app for fixed-fare rides. Agree on a price in advance for longer journeys.
2
High Risk
8
Medium Risk
1
Low Risk
Amman · Jordan · Middle East
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Amman
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Taxi Fare Inflation for Tourists
The taxi rank on Al-Husseini Street in downtown Amman, outside the Roman Amphitheatre on Hashemi Street, and along the main road approaching the Amman Citadel on Al-Qala'a Street.
Bar Drink Price Inflation Scam
Bars and nightlife venues in Shmeisani, Abdoun, and along Wakalat Street in Sweifieh
Petra Tour Operator Hidden Fees
Around the taxi and bus departure zones in downtown Amman near Abdali Bus Station and Wahdat Station, where operators sell Petra day trips, and in hotel lobbies along Mecca Street and Rainbow Street in the first and second circle areas
Petra Unofficial Guide Overcharging
Outside the Petra Visitor Centre on Tourism Street in Wadi Musa, near the main gate entrance, around the visitor car park, and along the first stretch of the Siq approach where tourists congregate before entering
Taxi Meter Refusal from Queen Alia Airport
Outside Queen Alia International Airport arrival hall exits, the designated taxi rank on the ground transport level, and along the access road leading toward the Airport Highway toward downtown Amman
Currency Exchange Shortchange
The Downtown Amman souk district around Al-Husseini Mosque on King Talal Street, the gold and currency exchange shops on Basman Street, and informal exchange stalls near the Roman Amphitheatre in the Al-Hashemi neighbourhood.
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Taxi drivers in Amman frequently refuse to use the meter with tourists and instead quote flat rates that are three to five times the actual metered fare. Drivers claim the meter is broken or that fixed rates apply for tourist destinations such as the Citadel or downtown.
How it works
In bars and nightlife venues around Shmeisani and Abdoun, an attractive local strikes up a conversation and begins ordering drinks for the table without showing a menu. Each drink is priced at 40–70 JOD, and a cover or table reservation fee of 100–200 JOD is added to the bill at the end. The person ordering works for the establishment. Multiple travelers on TripAdvisor forums have reported bills exceeding 500 JOD for what appeared to be a casual evening out.
How it works
Budget tour operators selling day trips to Petra from Amman advertise very low prices that exclude the Petra entry fee (50 JOD for non-Jordan Pass holders), transport beyond the visitor center, horse rides, and guide tips. The actual cost ends up far higher than quoted.
How it works
Unofficial guides outside Petra ticket gates offer tours for seemingly low prices, then demand much more at the end, citing additional services rendered. Some take tourists to souvenir shops for commissions.
How it works
Taxis outside Queen Alia International Airport often refuse to use meters, demanding flat rates 2–3x the legal metered fare to downtown Amman. The legal metered fare should be around 20–30 JD.
How it works
Money changers in the downtown souk area of Amman shortchange tourists by miscounting notes quickly, palming bills during the handover, or using distraction. The Jordanian Dinar denominations can be confusing to first-time visitors.
How it works
Drivers or touts near Amman offer low-cost transport to the Dead Sea but take tourists to overpriced private beach resorts with expensive mandatory entry and equipment packages, rather than the lower-cost public beaches or the ones tourists specified.
How it works
Vendors in souvenir shops and markets sell fake Roman coins, ancient pottery shards, and Dead Sea Scrolls replicas as genuine antiques. Some claim items were found locally and are genuine archaeological pieces. Exporting genuine antiquities from Jordan is illegal.
How it works
In the narrow, crowded lanes of Downtown Amman — particularly around the Al-Husseini Mosque souk, the gold market on King Talal Street, and the produce markets near the Roman Amphitheatre — pickpockets and bag-snatchers work the dense crowds. The US State Department and multiple travel advisories specifically flag the older parts of Amman city center as the primary location for theft targeting foreign nationals. Thieves often work in pairs, with one creating a distraction while the other takes wallets, phones, or camera bags.
How it works
Some budget and mid-range hotels in central Amman add undisclosed charges at checkout, including tourism taxes, city fees, mandatory breakfast charges, and Wi-Fi fees that were not mentioned at booking. Travelers on TripAdvisor have reported hotels doubling the stated room rate through add-on fees applied only upon checkout. In some cases, the hotel claims these charges are government-mandated when they are not.
How it works
A well-dressed local approaches tourists near Rainbow Street or the Roman Amphitheatre, striking up a genuine-seeming conversation about Jordanian culture. The encounter inevitably leads to an invitation to visit a family souvenir or craft shop where high-pressure sales tactics are used.
Amman Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Amman?
Are taxis safe in Amman?
Is Amman safe at night for tourists?
Which areas of Amman should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in Amman?
Browse by scam type
Filter scams in Amman by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Middle East region. Before visiting Petra, Dubai, and Beirut, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Amman are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →