Jordan travel guide: when to go, where to go and how to plan it together

November 8, 2026 · 10 min read

Jordan is a small country with a very large amount to see. In a week you can walk down a narrow canyon to a city carved into rose-coloured rock, sleep in a Bedouin camp in a red desert, float in the saltiest water you will ever swim in, and snorkel on a coral reef. Between the big sights there are Roman ruins, crusader castles, mosaic churches and hill roads with views to the Dead Sea.

The country is compact, the hospitality is genuine, and the distances are short enough that a group can see the highlights in eight days without rushing. This guide covers when to go, where to go, a route and what to decide before you book.

Capital: Amman
Currency: Jordanian dinar (JD)
Languages: Arabic; English is widely spoken in tourism
Plugs: Type C, D, F and G, 230 V
Driving: On the right
Time zone: UTC+3, no daylight saving
Best time to go: March to May and September to November
Daily budget: About US$100–190 a person a day, mid-range, 2026

When to go

Spring (March to May) is the best season. Temperatures are warm without being hot, the hills are green with wildflowers in March and April, and Petra and Wadi Rum are comfortable to walk. It is also the busiest time, so book hotels and camps ahead. Easter and school holidays are especially full.

Autumn (September to November) is nearly as good: warm days, clear light and cooler nights. September can still be hot in the south, but by October the weather is ideal for walking.

Summer (June to August) is very hot in Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba, with daytime temperatures that can pass 40 °C. Start sightseeing at dawn, rest in the afternoon, and plan swimming for the Dead Sea or the Red Sea. Amman and the north are cooler. Hotels are cheaper, and the crowds are thinner.

Winter (December to February) is cool and wet in Amman and the hills, sometimes with snow, and cold at night in the desert. Petra can be cold and rainy, and heavy rain can cause flash floods in canyons, so listen to local advice before walking in narrow valleys. The Red Sea at Aqaba stays mild, which makes it a winter sun stop.

Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year. Daytime restaurants and some local shops close or serve discreetly, though hotels and tourist sites carry on. After sunset, towns come alive. The Eid holidays bring family travel and busy roads. Friday is the main day of rest, and many local businesses close on Friday mornings.

Where to go

Amman

The capital is built across hills, and its old centre has a Roman theatre, a hilltop Citadel with the columns of a temple to Hercules, and a lively downtown of cafés and souks. Try hummus, falafel and knafeh in the old streets, and walk Rainbow Street in the evening. Give it one or two days, at the beginning or end of the trip.

Jerash

About an hour north of Amman, Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, with a colonnaded street, a hippodrome and two theatres. Go in the morning for the light and cooler air. A half day is enough.

Madaba and Mount Nebo

Madaba, south of Amman, is known for a Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land in a church. Mount Nebo, nearby, is where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, and has wide views to the Dead Sea on a clear day. An easy half day on the way south.

The Dead Sea

The lowest point on land, where the water is so salty you float without effort. Most resorts and a public beach sit on the eastern shore, about an hour from Amman. Keep your swim short, don't put your head under, and avoid shaving beforehand. Cover yourself in mud if you like. One night, or an afternoon.

Petra

The rose-red capital of the Nabataeans, reached by a narrow canyon about a kilometre long, the Siq, that opens onto the Treasury. Beyond it are tombs, a theatre, a colonnaded street and the long climb to the Monastery. Allow two days: one for the main sights and one for the Monastery or a hike to a high viewpoint. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and start early. Stay in Wadi Musa, the town at the entrance.

Wadi Rum

A desert of red sand, sandstone mountains and rock arches, made famous by T. E. Lawrence and many films. Visit by 4x4 with a Bedouin guide, ride a camel, climb a dune and watch the sun set from a rock. Sleep in a desert camp, from basic to comfortable, and look at the stars. One night is the best use of time.

Aqaba

Jordan's only port, on the Red Sea, has coral reefs for snorkelling and diving, a relaxed beach atmosphere and views across the gulf. It is the place to rest at the end of the trip. Two nights.

Dana and the Kings' Highway

For walkers, the Dana Biosphere Reserve has trails through canyons and villages, with Bedouin-run eco-lodges. The Kings' Highway, the old road from Madaba to Petra, passes crusader castles, such as Karak, and gorges such as Wadi Mujib. It is slower than the main highway, but far more interesting.

An 8-day itinerary

Day 1: Amman. Arrive, see the Citadel and the downtown, and eat well. If you land late, keep it simple.

Day 2: Jerash, Madaba and the Dead Sea. Jerash in the morning, Madaba and Mount Nebo around noon, and finish at the Dead Sea for a swim at sunset and a night by the water. This is a full day, with three to four hours on the road in total.

Days 3–4: Petra. Drive about three hours south, by the Kings' Highway or the Desert Highway, to Wadi Musa. Spend a full day in Petra on the first afternoon and the next morning, and walk up to the Monastery.

Day 5: Wadi Rum. Drive about an hour and a half from Petra. Take an afternoon jeep tour, see the sunset and stay in a desert camp.

Days 6–7: Aqaba. About an hour from Wadi Rum. Spend two days on the beach or on a boat, snorkelling or diving.

Day 8: Back to Amman. The drive is about four hours, or fly from Aqaba. Fly home from Amman.

With more time, add a night at Dana, a day on the Kings' Highway or a second day in Wadi Rum. Jordan pairs well with a trip to Egypt, which is close by; see our Egypt travel guide.

Getting around

A car is the best way to see Jordan. The roads between the main sights are good, signs are in Arabic and English, and the routes are simple. The Desert Highway is the fastest north–south road, and the Kings' Highway is the scenic one. Our guides to renting a car abroad and driving abroad cover the paperwork and the checks.

Private drivers are common and very good value for groups. Many hotels can arrange a driver for the whole trip, which removes any worry about parking, navigation. Agree the route and the arrangements for each day beforehand.

Buses and shared minibuses link the main towns, though schedules are less frequent for visitors than for locals. Jordan has no passenger rail network for visitors.

Taxis and ride-hailing are the way to move around Amman and Aqaba. Use the meter, or agree a fare, and use a ride-hailing app if you prefer. Amman's hills make walking tiring in the heat.

Flights connect Amman with Aqaba and are useful if you are short of time. Fly into Amman, or into Aqaba, and fly home from the other.

Money and costs

Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in Amman and Aqaba. In smaller towns, on the road, at desert camps and for guides and drivers, cash is better. ATMs are widespread in towns. The dinar is a strong currency, so prices on menus and receipts look small in dinars but add up quickly.

A tip of about 10% is normal in restaurants that don't add a service charge, and small tips are expected for drivers, guides, hotel staff and the person who helps with your bags.

Haggling is normal in souks and for taxis without meters. Food is cheap and excellent: falafel, hummus, grilled meat and fresh bread cost little, and the traditional dish mansaf, lamb with rice and a sour yoghurt sauce, is a treat. Hotels at the Dead Sea, desert camps with comfortable tents and guided tours cost the most. Jordan is not as cheap as its neighbours, mostly because tours and transport are priced for visitors.

Rough daily costs a person, in 2026:

Budget: about US$50–90, with simple hotels, local food and shared transport.
Mid-range: about US$100–190, with good hotels, a driver for part of the trip and a few tours.
Comfortable: US$250 and up, with resort stays, a private driver and guide and a desert camp with comfortable tents.

Planning Jordan as a group

Jordan is easy to do with several people, and costs less per person when you share.

A driver or a car. A minibus with a driver for six to eight people is often cheaper per person than separate cars, and it lets everyone enjoy the view. Decide early whether you want the freedom of self-drive or the ease of a driver.

The early start at Petra. Petra is at its best at dawn and in the late afternoon, and the walks are long. Agree a meeting time and place, as the site is large and phone signal is patchy. Decide who wants to climb to the Monastery and who prefers to rest.

Desert camps. In Wadi Rum, camps have set numbers of tents, so a group of six or eight should book early and ask for tents near each other. Confirm what is included, such as dinner and breakfast, and whether the 4x4 tour is part of the price.

Costs. One person usually pays for the driver, another for the camp and another for dinner. Log each cost when it is paid, in dinars, and settle the total at the end.

Before you go

Entry rules: check the official government site of Jordan and your own government's travel advice before you book, as requirements depend on your passport.
Travel insurance that covers medical costs, and any activities such as diving or hiking.
Connectivity: an eSIM or a local SIM works well in towns, but coverage is limited in Wadi Rum and the hills.
A plug adapter for the sockets you use; Jordan has several types, so a universal adapter is the easiest choice. 230 V suits most phone and laptop chargers.
Health: no special vaccines are usually needed; ask a travel clinic. Drink bottled water, and carry water on every outing. Bring a hat and strong sunscreen.
Customs: dress modestly away from the Dead Sea resorts and Aqaba beaches, with shoulders and knees covered, and more so in mosques. Ask before photographing people. Accepting tea or coffee when it is offered is polite, and a hand on the heart says thank you. Public displays of affection should be discreet.

What to pack

Pack for sun, dust and big temperature swings. Light, loose clothes that cover your arms and legs work best, and a scarf is useful against sun, sand and for mosques. Sturdy walking shoes with grip are essential for Petra's rocky paths and steps, and sandals are fine for the beach and camps.

In spring and autumn, add a fleece or a warm layer, as desert nights are cold. In winter, bring a waterproof jacket and warm clothes. In summer, bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a refillable bottle and plenty of sunscreen; our hot-weather packing list covers the rest. Swimwear, a snorkel mask if you like your own, and a head torch for the camp are useful.