Best eSIM for Jordan

Jordan operates on UTC+3 (Arabia Standard Time) with no daylight saving changes, meaning it runs 2 hours ahead of Paris and 8 hours ahead of New York for most of the year. Before calling home, check the gap — the country code is +962, and using WhatsApp or FaceTime over your eSIM data avoids costly international call charges. Activate dual SIM mode on your phone to keep your home SIM active for receiving bank verification codes or two-factor authentication texts while routing all data through your Jordan eSIM.

Arabic is the official language, though English is widely understood in Amman, Aqaba, and major tourist sites like Petra. For interactions in smaller towns such as Madaba or Kerak, download Google Translate with the Arabic offline pack before departure. This works seamlessly alongside an eSIM Asia plan covering Jordan, giving you instant translation even in remote areas of Wadi Rum.

Jordanians drive on the right side of the road, and GPS navigation is essential for desert highways between Amman and the Dead Sea. Download offline maps in Maps.me or Google Maps covering the King's Highway route, as cellular coverage can thin out along canyon roads near Dana Nature Reserve. Hotel Wi-Fi in Amman is generally reliable, but speeds drop significantly at desert camps and Red Sea guesthouses, making a dedicated data connection far more practical for daily navigation and communication.

At Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, you can purchase a physical SIM from operators like Zain, Orange, or Umniah at kiosks located in the arrivals hall. Expect queues of 20 to 40 minutes during peak hours, especially when multiple international flights land simultaneously. Jordanian regulations require a valid passport for SIM registration, and the activation process can take up to 30 minutes as staff manually enter your details into the system. Some kiosks may close late at night, which is a real concern since many flights arrive in Amman after midnight.

Free Wi-Fi is available at major hotels in Amman, Aqaba, and Petra's visitor center, but speeds are often unreliable and connections drop frequently in crowded tourist areas like the Amman Citadel or Wadi Rum camps. Pocket Wi-Fi rental is not widely offered in Jordan compared to destinations in East Asia, making it an impractical choice. International roaming from your home carrier typically costs between $8 and $15 per day, which adds up quickly during a week-long trip through the Dead Sea region and beyond.

An eSIM eliminates the passport verification queue at Queen Alia entirely, letting you activate your plan before your flight even lands. You stay connected from the moment you clear Jordanian customs, which is especially useful for booking a ride to central Amman or coordinating transfers. This same convenience applies if you continue overland to neighboring countries — travelers heading north or east can also look into an eSIM for Iraq for seamless cross-border connectivity.