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Is it safe to travel to Jordan in 2025? If you’re planning to travel to Jordan, you have probably been watching the situation in Israel very closely. Conflicts like this do have the potential to escalate and spread, and you will probably have some questions and concerns. In this article, we are going to share advice, recommendations, travel tips, and also help you identify the best places to get up-to-date and reliable travel information.
This article is also going to focus on other aspects of safe travel in Jordan. We visited Jordan with three children. Although we found Jordan to be a safe and enjoyable experience, there were some risks which surprised us. In this article, we are going to share some of the more surprising risks to help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip.
It is important to recognize that any travel comes with inherent risks. We always recommend that you do your own research to evaluate the risks and make your own informed decisions before you travel.
Don’t miss our detailed and step-by-step 7 day Jordan itinerary AND things to know before you go to Jordan
IN BRIEF: Is it safe to travel Jordan now?
Good news – YES it is safe to travel to Jordan now BUT there are some things you need to know. We don’t recommend travelling overland into Jordan at the moment. Watch out for last might cancellations on flights – Especially if you’re flying to Aqaba in the south. If you haven’t yet booked flights, make sure you purchase travel insurance that covered cancellations to flights due to conflict. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before you buy the policy to check they will cover cancellations to Jordan. Keep an eye on the news for developments in the region and keep checking in with your consulate for the latest advice.
Preparing for safe travel in Jordan
- Get a good travel insurance policy to cover all members of your group.
- Make sure you have suitable clothing for the climate.
- Check your vaccinations are up to date. Have a record of your vaccinations.
- Don’t forget to pack any medications you may need on your trip.
- Take photos of your valuables (you may need this to make insurance claims)
- Consider how you will secure your valuables.
If you’re visiting Petra you may also be interested in our FULL guide to Petra
How do you get the latest safe travel advice for Jordan?
At present, the UK FCO website recommends against all but essential travel to the northern region of Jordan within 3 km of the northern border of Jordan with Syria.
We will do our best to keep the information in this article accurate and up-to-date; however, for the most reliable and up-to-date information, we recommend keeping an eye on your consulate website for travel advice in Jordan. We have found the information on the UK FCO website to be very reliable, specific, and helpful.
It is very important that you never travel against the advice of your consulate. If they do put out a travel warning and you choose to go ahead with your trip, it is very likely that your insurance policy will not be valid. Therefore, we recommend that you always keep an eye on the recommendations and advice from your consulate and never travel against their advice.
If you do need to cancel your trip due to a changing situation, you may be entitled to coverage on your travel insurance policy. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to find out more.
The conflict in Israel & Travel in Jordan
Jordan is still deemed a safe country to travel (as of October 2023); however, we recommend keeping a close eye on the news and on your consulate website for the latest updates. Situations can change very quickly, and it is important to be equipped with the latest advice and information.
The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency. International borders (air and land) in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could close at short notice. The border crossings into Jordan from Israel might be closed at short notice. There is also an increased risk of public protests and demonstrations in Jordan. This risk is particularly high in cities and populated areas and during the Friday prayer time. It is important to be vigilant and avoid any public demonstrations and protests.
Politically speaking, Jordan is allied with the Palestinians and supports the Palestinian cause; however, they have also developed peace treaties with Israel, and at present, they are not directly in conflict with Israel. At present, the fighting in Israel is localized to the Gaza Strip and some sections of Lebanon. Over the past few weeks, some areas of Israel have been hit by missiles.
Safety in Jordan – Summary
- The Jordan-Israel land borders may be closed at short notice.
- Thousands of people visit Jordan every month.
- Most visits are trouble-free.
- The political situation in Jordan is stable.
- Protests and demonstrations sometimes occur, especially with the tensions in Israel.
- The majority of protests in Jordan are peaceful, but they can become confrontational.
- Avoid all political gatherings and demonstrations.
- Terrorists may carry out attacks in Jordan.
- There have been a number of serious incidents in the past decade.
1 Road Safety
One of the biggest safety challenges of traveling in Jordan is Road Safety. If you’re planning to travel around Jordan using a taxi, it is important to be aware of these risks. The highways around Jordan tend to be quite fast and crowded. In many cases, drivers don’t allow sufficient stopping distance. We also found that many cars and taxis do not have working seat belts in the rear of the vehicle. If this is a concern to you, we recommend speaking to your driver. In some cases, you may be able to pull seat belt buckles out of the rear seat. If you are not happy with the safety or maintenance of a vehicle, don’t get in; just find another taxi.
In Jordan, we found the drivers were generally friendly and agreed on fair prices; however, we did have one situation where a driver tried to increase the price after dropping us off. We had agreed on the prices and details very clearly, so we just confidently and firmly walked away. We didn’t have any more problems.
If you are getting a taxi in Jordan, it is very important to agree on all of the details before you go. This includes things like location, stopping times, and checking that the price includes everyone in your group. If your driver does try to charge more at the end of a journey, it is important to be firm and confident; don’t get drawn into a confrontation.
TOP TIP: If you are concerned about Road Safety in Jordan, we recommend using buses, which tend to be a little bit safer. Alternatively, you could consider car rental in Jordan, which starts at around 35 JOD per day (£35 or $40).
2 Animals
Another slightly unusual risk in Jordan is the animals. If you are visiting rural areas, then you’re likely to encounter animals. For example, in small towns, you may find feral dogs. In the towns, we recommend keeping a distance from animals. There is also a risk from animals in Petra, particularly the area in front of the treasury, which can get very crowded. There are many camels and horses; from time to time, horses gallop around this area. This can be quite risky if you are visiting with kids. We also saw some fairly wild and aggressive dogs in the area. These dogs seem to be more interested in fighting with each other. In fact, we suspect that the locals may train dogs to fight for entertainment and gambling. Again, we found this quite concerning when we visited this area with kids.
3 Health and Climate
The climate in Jordan does pose a legitimate risk. In the summer, it can get intensely hot, especially during the midday hours. The sun is very high in the sky, and it is an extremely dry heat. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are both risks. It is important to consider sun protection and stay in the shade as much as possible. We also recommend drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated if you are visiting Jordan in the summer.
We also recommend that you stay up to date with the latest health information and advice in Jordan. We have found the NaTHNaC Website to be a great source of reliable and up-to-date information. In fact, this is the website that professional travel clinics use.
If possible try to visit Jordan in the Spring or Autumn for the best conditions. Use a sun hat or umbrellas for shade if you are out and about in Jordan in the summer.
4 Crime and Theft
In Jordan, there is a risk of petty crime and theft, particularly if you are visiting popular tourist destinations and crowded areas. We recommend being very vigilant and taking care of your valuables. If you are traveling by bus, we recommend keeping your valuables in a small bag and take the bag on the bus with you; don’t leave valuables in your larger bags underneath the bus.
Where possible, avoid bringing out more valuables than you need. One of the most effective ways of keeping our valuables safe has been to use a small dry sack inside our day bag to store valuables. This provides an extra layer of protection to deter thieves. This also protects valuables from the elements. We tend to keep a small amount of cash out and in hand so that we can buy things like drinks and bus tickets as we travel.
Is it safe to travel Jordan now? A few things to take away
Travelling with a baby? Don’t miss our guide to Safe Travel in Jordan with a Baby
The quick answer is “yes”. But there are a few legitimate risk that you need to be aware of if you are planning to travel Jordan:
- Safety when traveling to Jordan is a key concern due to the situation in neighboring Israel.
- Stay updated on travel advice from your consulate.
- Traveling against consulate advice can invalidate your insurance, so it’s crucial to heed their recommendations.
- Public protests can occur in Jordan, particularly in cities and during Friday prayer times.
- Consider road safety, including fast highways and inadequate seat belts.
- Be aware of Animal-related risks exist, especially in rural areas and near Petra.
- The climate in Jordan can be intensely hot in the summer, posing a risk of heat stroke and exhaustion.
- Petty crime and theft are concerns, and protecting your valuables is advised, especially while traveling by bus.
