Asia
Jordan
Petra by candlelight, nights in the Wadi Rum desert and a float on the Dead Sea.
Jordan is small enough to cross in a day, and most trips run down the King’s Highway from Amman to Aqaba. On the way you pass Roman Jerash, the mosaics of Madaba, the Dana nature reserve and, of course, the rock-cut city of Petra.
It is not the cheapest country in the region, but the Jordan Pass covers your visa and entry to Petra, and Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum include dinner under the stars. People are famously welcoming, and a cup of tea is never far away.
Good to know
- Time zone
- GMT+3
- Plugs
- Types C, D, F, G and J, 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 911 for all emergencies
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
- Tipping
- Expected in small amounts: about 10% in restaurants unless service is added, and a dinar or two for guides and drivers.
- SIM cards
- Zain, Orange and Umniah tourist SIMs with 20GB or more cost about 10–15 dinars at the airport; bring your passport.
When to go to Jordan
Best months to go: March to May and October to November. Pick a month to see what it’s like.
Bars show rainfall; numbers are the average daytime high. Amber marks the best months to go.
September
Still hot, but the evenings in Wadi Rum start to cool.
- Daytime high
- 31°C
- Rainfall
- 0 mm
- Crowds
- Quiet
| Month | Daytime high | Rainfall | Crowds | Best time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C | 65 mm | Quiet | No |
| February | 14°C | 60 mm | Quiet | No |
| March | 18°C | 45 mm | Busy | Yes |
| April | 23°C | 15 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| May | 28°C | 5 mm | Busy | Yes |
| June | 31°C | 0 mm | Quiet | No |
| July | 32°C | 0 mm | Quiet | No |
| August | 33°C | 0 mm | Busy | No |
| September | 31°C | 0 mm | Quiet | No |
| October | 27°C | 5 mm | Peak season | Yes |
| November | 20°C | 35 mm | Busy | Yes |
| December | 15°C | 45 mm | Quiet | No |
What Jordan costs
Work out a budget for your trip, then check what everyday things cost.
$756for 14 days, about $54 a day (JOD 537 in total)
| Cost | Per day | For the trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | $15 | $210 | |
| Food and drink | $12 | $168 | |
| Getting around | $8 | $112 | |
| Things to do | $15 | $210 | |
| Everything else | $4 | $56 |
Per person, in US dollars. Flights and insurance not included.
What things cost
- Falafel sandwichJOD 0.50, about $0.70
- Hummus, falafel and bread at a local caféJOD 3, about $4.23
- Glass of sweet teaJOD 0.50, about $0.70
- Plate of mansafJOD 8, about $11
- Hostel dorm bed in AmmanJOD 12, about $17
- JETT bus, Amman to PetraJOD 11, about $15
- Jordan Pass with one day at PetraJOD 70, about $99
Routes through Jordan
Where to go and how long to stay, for the time you’ve got.
14 nights, 7 stops
North to south down the King’s Highway, with time at Petra and a night in the desert, then back up to the Dead Sea.
Amman
3 nights
The Citadel, the Roman theatre and a day trip to Jerash.
Madaba
1 night
Byzantine mosaics and the view from Mount Nebo.
Dana
2 nights
Hike down the Wadi Dana from a village guesthouse on the rim.
Petra
3 nights
The Treasury, the Monastery and the back trail to the High Place of Sacrifice.
Wadi Rum
2 nights
A jeep tour through red canyons and a night in a Bedouin camp.
Aqaba
2 nights
Snorkel the Red Sea reefs straight from the beach.
Dead Sea
1 night
Float in the saltiest water on earth, then cover yourself in mud.
Getting around
Bus
$10–16 for a long trip
JETT runs comfortable coaches from Amman to Petra, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Book a day ahead in busy months.
Minibus
$1–7 a ride
Local minibuses leave when full from Amman’s bus stations. Cheap, but sparse on Fridays and after dark.
Private car
$30–50 a day to hire
Roads are good and a car makes the King’s Highway and Dana much easier. Split it between a group.
Jeep / 4x4
$40–70 for a day tour
The only practical way to see Wadi Rum. Most camps bundle a tour with dinner and a bed.
What to eat and drink
Mansaf
Lamb cooked in fermented yoghurt, served on rice. The national dish, eaten with your right hand.
JOD 8, about $11
Falafel and hummus
The standard breakfast, with bread, mint and tea. Hashem in downtown Amman is the classic spot.
JOD 3, about $4.23
Maqluba
Chicken, rice and fried vegetables cooked in a pot, then flipped upside down to serve.
JOD 6, about $8.45
Zarb
Meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a pit under the sand. The dinner at most Wadi Rum camps.
Knafeh
Hot, sweet cheese pastry soaked in syrup. Habibah in Amman always has a queue.
JOD 1.50, about $2.11
Shai bil na’na
Sweet black tea with mint, offered everywhere you go.
JOD 0.50, about $0.70
Say it like a local
A few words go a long way. Tap “Hear it” to listen, where your browser can.
Hello
مرحبا
Say it like: mar-ha-ba
Welcome
أهلاً وسهلاً
Say it like: ah-lan wa sah-lan
Thank you
شكراً
Say it like: shook-ran
How much?
بقديش؟
Say it like: bi-ad-daysh
Too expensive
غالي كثير
Say it like: gha-lee ik-teer
No, thank you
لا، شكراً
Say it like: la, shook-ran
Delicious
زاكي
Say it like: za-kee
Let’s go
يلا
Say it like: yal-la
Questions travellers ask
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Almost always. It costs 70–80 dinars, covers Petra and around 40 other sites, and waives the 40 dinar visa fee if you stay at least three nights. Buy it online before you land.
How many days do I need at Petra?
Two is ideal. One day covers the Siq, the Treasury and the Monastery, but a second lets you take the quieter trails and see it without the tour groups.
Is Jordan safe?
Yes, it is one of the most stable countries in the region and serious crime against travellers is rare. Check your government’s advice for the border areas before you go.
What should I wear?
Amman is fairly relaxed, but covering shoulders and knees is respectful everywhere and wise in small towns. Swimwear is fine at the Dead Sea and Aqaba beaches.
Can I travel during Ramadan?
Yes, and it can be a lovely time to visit. Many restaurants close during the day and transport runs less often, so eat discreetly and plan around iftar at sunset.