Jordan
Ancient cities and desert skies
Follow a compact route from Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum and the Red Sea, while checking current regional advice before travel.
Davidchocron / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image licence
The honest overview
Get to know Jordan before fixing the route.
Jordan is famed for the rock-cut city of Petra, the red sands of Wadi Rum and its long-standing role as one of the more stable, welcoming countries to visit in the Middle East, attracting history buffs, desert trekkers and first-time regional travellers alike from all corners of the world. Jordan is known for being one of the most compact countries on a backpacker's map, thanks to short drive times between its headline sites, a well-worn Amman–Petra–Wadi Rum–Aqaba loop and decades of tourism infrastructure built around exactly this kind of trip, though current FCDO advice covers the whole country at an elevated tier due to regional tensions, worth checking before you book (more on this in Safety and Common Scams).
Part of the joy of backpacking in Jordan is deciding what deserves more time. Keep space for weather changes, longer travel days and recommendations from people you meet on the road.
Card is widely accepted in Amman, Aqaba and tourist-facing businesses, but carry dinars for minibuses, market stalls and smaller towns along the King's Highway.
Jordan doesn't really have room for a loose, make-it-up-as-you-go route the way bigger countries do, so most trips follow a version of the same loop: fly into Amman, head south via the King's Highway or Desert Highway to Petra and Wadi Musa, continue on to a Wadi Rum desert camp, then finish at Aqaba on the Red Sea before looping back up past the Dead Sea to Amman. Ten days to two weeks covers this comfortably without rushing. Plenty of travellers combine Jordan with a wider Middle East trip, crossing into Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories via the King Hussein Bridge or the southern Wadi Araba crossing near Aqaba, or taking the ferry from Aqaba across to Nuweiba in Egypt.
Season by season
What each season means for your trip
Jordan's weather can change sharply by region and elevation. These are planning patterns, not guarantees.
Wetter travel conditions
Cold and often wet in the highlands, with temperatures of 5–14°C in Amman and the occasional snowfall on higher ground. Aqaba and the Dead Sea basin stay noticeably milder by day, but desert nights everywhere, including Wadi Rum, drop close to freezing.
Shoulder-season balance
The shoulder season begins, with daytime temperatures of 14–20°C, wildflowers appearing across the north and occasional late-winter rain. One of the best months for hiking before the summer heat sets in.
Drier travel window
Warm, dry and increasingly hot, with temperatures climbing from 20°C to the high 20s°C. Widely considered peak season for Petra and Wadi Rum, so book accommodation ahead and expect crowds at the main sites.
Drier travel window
Very hot and dry, with Amman reaching 30–34°C and the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and Aqaba pushing well past that. Wadi Rum's daytime heat is intense but the desert nights cool sharply, so a warm layer still matters even in summer.
Seasonal conditions
Temperatures ease back into the low-to-mid 20s°C with clear skies and less crowded sites than spring. A strong alternative to the March–May window for anyone avoiding peak pricing.
Wetter travel conditions
Transitional and generally pleasant, with temperatures around 15–20°C and the first rains of the season arriving toward the end of the month.
Check the forecast for the exact region and elevation on your route, then leave room to change outdoor plans when conditions move.
Cost of day to day travel
Build a budget around the route
Jordan runs pricier than most people expect from a Middle East "budget" destination. £35–45 a day covers a dorm bed, food and local transport in Amman or Wadi Musa, but entry fees push that up fast: a one-day Petra ticket alone runs around £28 for anyone not travelling on a Jordan Pass, and an overnight Wadi Rum desert camp with meals typically adds £30–50 on top of a normal day's budget.
Jordan runs pricier than most people expect from a Middle East "budget" destination. £35–45 a day covers a dorm bed, food and local transport in Amman or Wadi Musa, but entry fees push that up fast: a one-day Petra ticket alone runs around £28 for anyone not travelling on a Jordan Pass, and an overnight Wadi Rum desert camp with meals typically adds £30–50 on top of a normal day's budget.
Long transfers, specialist tours and headline activities can change the daily total quickly.
Card is widely accepted in Amman, Aqaba and tourist-facing businesses, but carry dinars for minibuses, market stalls and smaller towns along the King's Highway.
Average the full trip rather than forcing every day into the same number. Keep emergency funds separate from daily spending.
Key backpacker routes
Find the route that feels right for you
There is no single route you need to follow. Let your timeframe, interests and season shape the journey through Jordan.
Start with the natural route Core journey
Jordan doesn't really have room for a loose, make-it-up-as-you-go route the way bigger countries do, so most trips follow a version of the same loop: fly into Amman, head south via the King's Highway or Desert Highway to Petra and Wadi Musa, continue on to a Wadi Rum desert camp, then finish at Aqaba on the Red Sea before looping back up past the Dead Sea to Amman.
Add the region that earns your time Build depth
Ten days to two weeks covers this comfortably without rushing.
Keep the order flexible Adapt as you travel
Plenty of travellers combine Jordan with a wider Middle East trip, crossing into Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories via the King Hussein Bridge or the southern Wadi Araba crossing near Aqaba, or taking the ferry from Aqaba across to Nuweiba in Egypt.
Main destinations and attractions
Where to spend your days
Pick a connected group and leave room for hostel friendships and changing plans. Jordan rewards depth more than a checklist of stops.
Amman. Photo: Mashhour Halawani / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0.Amman
The capital is more a practical base than a headline stop in itself, though the Roman Theatre, the Citadel overlooking downtown and the Rainbow Street area for food and bars are worth a day or two before heading south.
Jerash and Ajloun. Photo: DVIDSHUB / flickr, BY 2.0.Jerash and Ajloun
A popular day trip north of Amman, Jerash holds some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy, including a colonnaded main street and two amphitheatres.
Petra and Little Petra. Photo: Egisto Sani / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0.Petra and Little Petra
The main reason most people come to Jordan, and it earns the reputation, with the walk through the Siq to the Treasury standing as one of the best-built entrances to any ancient site in the world.
Wadi Rum. Photo: Drouyn / flickr, BY 2.0.Wadi Rum
A vast desert landscape of red sand and sandstone mountains, best experienced with an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp arranged through a local operator.
Aqaba. Photo: CharlesFred / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0.Aqaba
Jordan's only coastal city and a low-key finish to a trip that's easy to underrate, with Red Sea diving and snorkelling considerably cheaper than in Egypt or the Gulf.
The Dead Sea. Photo: jemasmith / flickr, BY 2.0.The Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth, and floating in it is exactly as strange as everyone says. Public beach access exists but is limited, and most travellers pay for a day pass at one of the resorts along the shore for showers and facilities, which pushes this stop above typical backpacker prices.
Jordan packs a lot into a small footprint, and most of it can be covered in one loop: To get a feel for Amman before heading south, a free walking tour via Guruwalk is worth building into your first day or two. Our Outpacker chatbot is available to help you plan and build out your itinerary to make the most of your trip.
Getting around
Compare time, comfort and cost
Distances in Jordan are short by regional standards, and most routes between major sites take a few hours at most.
Bus
JETT runs comfortable, reliable coaches between Amman, Petra and Aqaba, and is the standard option for backpackers moving between the main stops.
Minibus and service taxi
Shared minibuses and service taxis cover the smaller towns and the King's Highway route that JETT doesn't reach, though schedules can be loose and waiting for a full vehicle before departure is normal.
Taxi and rideshare
Careem and Uber both operate in Amman and are the easiest way around the capital.
Rental car
A popular option for the King's Highway, which passes Karak Castle, Dana Biosphere Reserve and several other stops the bus routes skip.
Download offline maps, keep key booking details available without data and avoid placing an international departure immediately after a fragile overland transfer.
Culture and events
Events worth knowing about
Dates can shift, so verify the current programme before building a trip around an event in Jordan.
A religious observance rather than a festival, with fasting from sunrise to sunset across the country.
A religious festival marking the end of Ramadan, with family gatherings, shared meals and a noticeably festive atmosphere in towns and cities for several days.
A cultural festival of music, theatre and dance staged among the Roman ruins at Jerash, drawing performers from across the Arab world and beyond.
A national holiday marking Jordan's independence, with flag displays, some public events and a generally celebratory mood in Amman, though it's a lower-key affair than Ramadan or Eid.
Confirm the official programme, accommodation pressure and transport changes before committing non-refundable plans.
Jordanian food
Discover the flavours that make Jordan memorable
Jordanian food leans heavily on shared plates, slow-cooked lamb and fresh bread, and it's some of the best value eating in the country relative to everything else you'll be paying for.
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Mansafthe national dish: lamb cooked in a fermented dried yoghurt sauce (jameed) over rice, traditionally eaten by hand.Photo: samdaq (AT) hotmail / flickr, BY-ND 2.0 -
Falafel and hummusan everyday staple rather than a tourist add-on, best from a busy local spot rather than a hotel buffet.Photo: The Jordan Collective / flickr, BY-NC-ND 2.0 -
Maqlubaan "upside-down" dish of rice, meat and fried vegetables, flipped out of the pot at the table.Photo: Kalboz / flickr, BY-NC-SA 2.0 -
Knafeha sweet, syrup-soaked pastry layered with cheese, popular across Jordan and worth trying warm.Photo: Anita363 / flickr, BY-NC 2.0 -
Mezze spreadsmall plates like baba ganoush, moutabal and stuffed vine leaves, usually shared at the start of a meal.Photo: young shanahan / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Manakish za'atarflatbread topped with the region's signature herb blend, sold everywhere as a cheap breakfast.Photo: young shanahan / flickr, BY 2.0 -
Arabic coffee and mint teaserved throughout the day and often offered as a gesture of hospitality rather than just a drink order.Photo: Brett Jordan / flickr, BY 2.0
Visible turnover is a useful guide. Explain allergies carefully and carry a translated note when an ingredient could cause a serious reaction.
Hostels
Choose the atmosphere, not just the bed
Jordan's hostel scene is real but small, concentrated in Amman and Wadi Musa, with Wadi Rum covered by Bedouin camps instead of anything resembling a standard hostel.
Extra Traveller
Aqaba, JordanProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Carob Hostel
Amman, JordanProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Hakaia Community
Aqaba, JordanProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →Rafiki Hostel
Petra, JordanProperty image from Hostelworld's official HOSCAR record.View photos and details →What you need to pack
Pack for the route, not every possibility
Pack according to where and when you're going, so check the trip planner for a kit list tailored to your dates and route through Jordan.
Climate and clothing
The real challenge here is the swing between hot days and cold nights, especially in the desert: Wadi Rum and the King's Highway can hit the low 30s°C by afternoon and drop close to freezing after dark, even outside winter.
- A wide-brim hat and proper sunglasses – desert glare in Wadi Rum and around Petra's exposed stone is stronger than it looks.
- Sturdy trekking shoes – Petra's paths are uneven stone and gravel, not flat walkways, and the Monastery hike in particular rewards proper footwear.
- Run all of this through the trip planner to build a kit list matched to your actual route and dates.
Rain and terrain
Modesty matters more here than in a lot of backpacker destinations, particularly outside Amman and Aqaba: pack at least a couple of longer, looser layers that cover shoulders and knees, and a light scarf if you're likely to visit a mosque.
- High-SPF sunscreen – reapply more than you think you need to, especially on the multi-hour Petra walk.
- Padlocks – for hostel lockers and securing bags on longer bus journeys.
Hostels and travel days
Hostels in Amman and Wadi Musa typically offer laundry, so you don't need to pack for the whole trip.
- A dry bag or dust cover for your phone – Wadi Rum's sand gets into everything, including camera gear and electronics.
- A basic first aid kit – plasters, rehydration sachets and something for an upset stomach.
Activities and health
Add specialist equipment only for booked activities and current health guidance.
- A universal travel adapter – Jordan runs on Type C/D/F/G/J sockets at 230V, so check your existing kit covers at least one of these.
- A reusable water bottle – tap water in Amman is generally treated but not always reliable for visitors' stomachs; most travellers stick to bottled or filtered water outside major hotels.
Language
A few Arabic phrases go a long way
Jordan's official language is Arabic, and while English is widely understood in Amman, Petra and other tourist-facing spots, a few phrases go a long way once you're off the main routes.
| English | Say it in Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Marhaba | mar-ha-ba |
| Goodbye | Ma'a salama | ma-ah sa-la-ma |
| Yes / No | Na'am (na-am) / La | la |
| How much? | Addaysh? | ad-daysh |
| How are you? | Kifak? (kee-fak, said to a man) / Kifik? | kee-fik, said to a woman |
| Please | Min fadlak (min fad-lak, to a man) / Min fadlik | min fad-lik, to a woman |
| Do you speak English? | Btehki inglizi? | bteh-kee in-glee-zee |
| Help, please | Sa'idni, law samaht | sa-id-nee, law sa-maht |
| Where are you from? | Min wein inta? | min ween in-ta |
| What is your name? / My name is... | Shu ismak? / Ismi... | shoo is-mak / is-mee... |
| Thank you | Shukran | shook-ran |
| Use the phrases respectfully: Jordanian Arabic changes the ending of several everyday phrases depending on whether you're speaking to a man or a woman, worth listening out for even if you don't get it right yourself. | ||
Visa requirements
Check the rule for your passport
Entry rules depend on nationality, journey and length of stay. Confirm the current rule before booking, then check it again shortly before departure.
Check your exact requirements
Use Sherpa to review entry requirements for your passport and journey. Also confirm passport validity, permitted stay, proof of onward travel and any current arrival-form requirements.
Vaccinations
Make the advice fit your route
Vaccination and health advice depends on your route, duration, medical history and activities.
Review current CDC guidance
Read the current CDC Jordan traveller guidance, then discuss personal recommendations with a qualified clinician.
Arrange appropriate travel insurance and keep policy details available offline. Consider the practical risks created by climate, altitude, insects, animals, water activities and road travel on your specific route.
Safety and common scams
Standard caution, specific habits
Day-to-day crime against tourists in Jordan is low, and Jordanian hospitality toward visitors is a real, well-earned reputation rather than a marketing line.
Unofficial "guides" at Petra
Freelancers offering to guide you around for a fee, sometimes claiming areas are closed or hard to find without them. Official guides can be booked at the visitor centre; anyone approaching you inside the site directly is working independently and the price is negotiable, or skippable entirely.
Taxi meter avoidance
Particularly from Amman's Queen Alia Airport, some drivers prefer a flat fare over the meter. Agree a price upfront or use Careem/Uber instead.
Wadi Rum tour quality variance
Not a scam exactly, but cheap last-minute camp bookings sometimes deliver a much rougher setup than advertised. Book through a camp with recent, verifiable reviews rather than the first offer at the visitor centre.
Follow the current FCDO guidance and stay close to the established route, and Jordan remains a country most people come away from talking about the hospitality, not the hassle.
Sources and feedback
Help us keep this guide useful
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