Amman & Damascus transport and hotel advice

Hello

My wife and I are flying from London to Amman in December, and plan on being collected from the airport by Hotel Mariam in Madaba with a hire car being delivered to us there the following day. We will then drive around southern Jordan for a few days before driving the car back to Madaba or Amman. We will then stay in Amman for a day or two and then travel to Damascus for a few days followed by a journey to Aleppo.

I’m confused about transport into and out of both Amman and Damascus (my guide books seem to be out of date) and so I would be grateful for any help with the following questions:

• On our return to Madaba/Amman, we will stay in Amman for the next couple of nights. I would like to avoid driving in Amman itself. Should I drop off the car in Madaba and get a bus to Amman, drop off the car at the airport and get a bus to Amman or drive to Amman and brave the traffic?
• We would like to stay in a mid-range hotel in Amman which is convenient for onward travel (taxi or service taxi) to Damascus. However, I don’t know whereabouts in Amman I will arrive or leave from (I’ve read that Abdali station is now closed), and I would like the hotel to be convenient for those places if possible. Can anyone make a recommendation?
• Whereabouts in Damascus will the taxi or service taxi from Amman arrive?
• Can you recommend a mid-range hotel in Damascus which is near to this arrival point and also convenient for onward travel to Aleppo?
• Can you recommend a way to travel to Aleppo from Damascus (bus, taxi, train etc)? Within reason, convenience and comfort are more important than cost.

Thanks very much for any info.

hi, the taxi will drop you off in Damascus at Somareyya Station. from there you can taxi for about 200 s.p to the center.
-there are many hotels in the center .
-by bus to Alep is the best , if you are not visiting any sites on the road

if you need more info, you can write me: alafraa2000@hotmail.com
good luck

Thanks Albouchii - much appreciated. One other question on Damascus please - will the bus to Aleppo depart from Somareyya station?

No it won't. You go to a station called "Pullman." Completely different place.

If you are staying at the Mariam Hotel in Madaba, they might be able to arrange for a service taxi to pick you up directly at the hotel. One of these drivers lives in Madaba and is quite happy to collect passengers there.

Otherwise, leave your rental car in Madaba and get a taxi directly to the Abdali where the service taxis start and finish - only the buses have changed the terminus. The fare to the Abdali should be around 15JD which saves a lot of hassle with traffic/luggage etc.