The Dead Sea is accessible only by road — there is no public transport serving the Jordanian shoreline. The standard approach is from Amman, which is about 55 km and 50 minutes away by car via the Dead Sea Highway. The road descends dramatically from 800 metres above sea level to 430 metres below it in a short distance, with views of the sea and the cliffs improving as you descend.
From Amman: Taxis and hired cars are the standard transport. Uber operates in Amman and can do the run, though surge pricing applies. Several tour operators in Amman offer day trips that combine a Dead Sea swim with a visit to the Baptism Site, Mount Nebo, or Madaba. Renting a car from Amman gives the most flexibility for the region.
From Aqaba: The Dead Sea is about 4 hours from Aqaba via the King's Highway, a scenic route through Wadi Rum and the highlands. This makes for a good two-day itinerary combining Petra or Wadi Rum with the Dead Sea before flying out of Amman.
From Israel: The Israeli side of the Dead Sea is accessible separately; crossing between the Jordanian and Israeli sides requires going through the Sheikh Hussein/Jordan River Crossing or Allenby/King Hussein Bridge border crossings, which involve customs processing and are not quick.
Climate note: The Dead Sea region is extremely hot in summer (May–September), with temperatures regularly above 40°C. The air is dense and oxygen-rich, which is partly why the climate is considered therapeutic. Winter is comfortable, around 20°C during the day. Most visitors who want to swim comfortably come between October and April.