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Jordan is an absolutely stunning country, packed with rich culture, fascinating history, and a beautiful arid countryside. However, there are some important things you need to know before you go to Jordan in 2025.
Jordan is one of those countries that can go very wrong if you are not well-prepared. Spending a little time reading and researching now will save a lot of time, stress, and money later. We really enjoyed exploring Jordan as a family. There are plenty of epic things to see and do in this beautiful country.
This guide is designed to help you plan and prepare for an independent, adventurous and intrepid trip to Jordan. This guide is packed with up-to-date travel information. We have also linked out to other articles that may help you plan your trip around Jordan. If you are planning to visit Jordan in 2023, please take time to read this article carefully.
Not sure whether to visit? Don’t miss our article – Is it worth visiting Jordan?
Is Jordan Safe to Travel in 2023?
Yes, Jordan is safe to travel in 2023. Many people are having amazing, safe trips around Jordan. There are a few safety things that you need to be aware of. At present, the conflict in Israel has not stopped tourism in Jordan. There are a few restrictions and warnings you need to be aware of. We have found the information on the UK FCO website to be very relevant, helpful, and up-to-date. Make sure that you read our full guide on safe travel in Jordan in 2023.
For information and health advice for Jordan travel, we recommend speaking to your GP or contacting a travel clinic. The information on the NaTHNaC website is also very useful and comprehensive.
Find out more in this full guide to safe travel in Jordan AND Is it safe to travel Jordan with a baby?
You may also be interested to learn How to Avoid Scams in Petra
What is it like to explore Jordan?
Don’t miss our immersive vlog to get a feel for what it is really like to travel Jordan…
What Are the Best Things to See and Do in Jordan?
Early in the planning stage for any international trip, we recommend spending some time working out what things you really want to do and whether you can fit them into your itinerary. Here is a list of the best things to do in Jordan to help inspire you:
- Visit the Amman Citadel.
- Explore the Amman Old Town.
- Visit the Jordan Museum in Amman.
- Visit Bethany beyond the Jordan baptism site.
- Visit the Dead Sea (consider a Dead Sea day pass or even stay at a Dead Sea Resort)
- Explore Mount Nebo.
- Explore Petra.
- Visit Wadi Rum and stay in a glamping tent
DELIGHTFUL DAY TRIPS FROM AMMAN – don’t miss our guide to the best day trips from Amman
How Long Should You Spend in Jordan?
How long do you spend in Jordan? This really is one of the key things to know before you go to Jordan.
It is possible to see all of the main attractions in Jordan in only 3 days. However, a 3-day itinerary in Jordan is likely to be rushed and may miss some of the best bits. If you only spend 3 days in Jordan, that will not be much time to slow down and rest if you do want to see some of the main attractions.
The ideal amount of time to spend in Jordan is around 7 days. In this time, you should be able to visit all of the main attractions. A 7 day itinerary in Jordan has a good pace. 7 days is sufficient time to connect with the culture and experience the best bits.
Things to Prepare Before You Go to Jordan – Travel Checklist
If you’re planning to visit Jordan, you will need to make sure that you prepare well for your trip. Here is a list of things you need to do before you travel to Jordan:
- Work out your dates and rough itinerary. When will you travel and what things do you want to see in Jordan?
- Book your transport to Jordan; most people arrive by air, flying to Amman or Aqaba.
- Purchase a travel insurance policy; make sure your policy has sufficient medical cover; we recommend at least 5 million Medical with around £100 excess. If possible, make sure that insurance covers cancellations.
- Purchase a Jordan pass or an e-Visa online (if you’re planning to visit Petra, we recommend a Jordan pass). Buy your pass on the Official Jordan Pass website. Find out more about the Jordan Pass.
- Purchase your Jett bus tickets in advance. if you are not in Jordan at the time of purchase, we recommend booking your bus as a Jett day tour. Don’t miss our full guide on how to book a bus in Jordan.
- Book your accommodation in advance; we recommend using Agoda or booking.com.
- Get hold of some Jordanian currency (Jordanian Dinar).
- Make sure you have a good international debit card (and a backup card if possible).
- Pack and get ready for your trip. Remember to check airline baggage allowance and check in online. Keep an eye out for flight updates and changes.
Where Are the Best Places to Stay in Jordan?
Things to know before you go to Jordan – Surely accommodation is one of the most important things. SO we have dedicated plenty of time sharing recommendations and top tips to help you plan your hotels. Here are some guides to the best hotels in Jordan:
BEST HOTELS IN AMMAN – Don’t miss the 10 BEST Hotels in Amman
BUDGET HOTELS IN AMMAN – The Best Budget hotels in Amman
LUXURY HOTELS IN PETRA – Stunning Luxury Hotels in Petra
DREAMY DEAD SEA RESORTS – The best Resorts to stay by the Dead Sea
What Is the Best Way to Book Accommodation in Jordan?
The best way to book accommodation in Jordan is to use a platform like booking.com or Agoda. Both of these websites list many hotels and guest houses across the full budget range. Hotels in Jordan often charge additional taxes on top of the base price. If you use a website like booking.com and Agoda, hotels need to list these charges, so you can work out exactly what you need to pay.
It is also very helpful to read reviews before you make your booking, as this can give you a real picture of the hotel. We have also found that booking through platforms like booking.com and Agoda improves the chance of better customer service. Most hotels are keen to improve their reviews and rating scores on the platforms, so you are more likely to get a better standard of service and care.
Using booking.com and Agoda also allows you to access other advantages, such as meals or breakfast inclusions or free cancellation policies. This is particularly useful if you are not able to commit to your travel dates but you want to pin down some accommodation before it gets too busy.
There is one disadvantage to booking your hotel online: hotels may charge slightly higher prices compared to direct bookings because they need to cover their fees. So, if you are traveling on a very low budget, it may be better to contact a hotel directly and try to negotiate a deal.
What are prices like in Jordan?
Jordan is a pretty cheap country – between Europe and Southeast Asia in prices. For example, beds in shared dorms start at around 5JOD (£5 or $6) budget rooms start at around 10JOD (£10 or $12). You can buy bread and street food snacks for under 1JOD (£1 or $1.20). Meals in Restaurants cost around £2 – £5 ($2.50 – $6) in non-toustist areas. Short taxi journeys typically cost 2JOD – 3JOD (£2 – £3 or $2.50 – $4). Find out more about prices in Jordan – how much does a 7 day independent trip around Jordan cost?
ALSO don’t miss our special tips and savvy tricks to budget travel in Jordan
Are There ATM Machines in Jordan?
There are plenty of ATM machines in Jordan. You can find ATM machines at all of the most important attractions, such as the International Airport, the land borders, the Amman Old City, and also around Petra (near the entrance to the Archaeological Park).
ATM machines in Jordan do have standard charges for international bank cards. The charges are as follows:
- Bank of Jordan: 5 JOD (£5 or $6)
- Islamic bank: 3.50 JOD (£3.50 or $4.50)
- Commercial Bank: 3 JOD (£3 or $4)
The cheapest ATM machine for withdrawing money in Jordan is Commercial Bank. If you are using an international bank card, there is generally a maximum withdrawal amount of around 250 JOD (your bank may also have their own maximum withdrawal limits). This is around £250 or $300)
Before you travel to Jordan, we do recommend sorting out a good international bank card; many high street banks have additional charges for withdrawing money overseas. These charges can be surprisingly high. Remember, the local ATM machine also charges for withdrawals.
So, if possible, we do recommend having a good international bank card or two. Online banks like Wise and Starling allow free withdrawals with competitive exchange rates. Although we say they allow free withdrawals, the local bank will still charge, but Starling and Wise should not charge.
TOP TIP: We do always recommend arriving with some local currency in case you have trouble withdrawing money. We also recommend bringing a spare bank card as a backup if you lose your main card.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Jordan?
The Jordan climate can be very extreme and varies massively from season to season. The summer months from June to August can be intensely hot and very dry. If you’re traveling Jordan in the summer months, we recommend being well-prepared for the heat. Bring plenty of sun protection and sunscreen, and remember to drink plenty of water. We traveled around Jordan with a baby in August, and it was essential to have an umbrella for sun protection.
During the spring and autumn months, the temperatures in Jordan are mild, and the weather is very beautiful. Peak season for travel in Jordan is from September to November, with a small peak in December around Christmas. During these months, the temperature is relatively mild, and the conditions are very nice for travel. Jordan is also busier in these months, so it is important to book buses and hotels nice and early if you’re planning to travel in the autumn or spring months.
Jordan can actually get quite cold in the winter months from November to February. If you’re traveling around Jordan in these months, it is important to be prepared for the climate. Bring plenty of warm layers, especially if you are planning to spend some time in Petra, Wadi Rum, or in the hills.
What Are the Best Ways to Get Around in Jordan?
If you’re planning to visit Jordan you need to plan your transport. We have LOTS of guides to help you get around in Jordan…
FULL GUIDE TO TRANSPORT IN JORDAN – Getting around in Jordan – everything you need to know
AMMAN TO THE DEAD SEA – How to travel from Amman to the Dead Sea step-by-step
AMMAN TO PETRA – How to travel from Amman to Petra Guide
AMMAN TO THE BAPTISM SITE – How to travel from Amman to the Baptism Site (Al Maghtas)
For short journeys around towns and cities, the best way to get around in Jordan is to use local taxis. You can either flag a taxi at the side of the road and agree on the price with the driver, or alternatively, you can use the Uber taxi app to book short journeys. Most short taxi rides in Jordan are likely to cost around 1 JOD – 3 JOD (£1 – £3 or $1.20 – $4).
Don’t miss our Full guide to Taxis in Jordan
For longer journeys around Jordan, you will need to book a bus. There is only one bus company that operates between the main towns and tourist attractions in Jordan; the company is called Jett. We recommend booking your buses in advance to make sure that you get a seat. Most long-distance journeys with Jett cost between 10 JOD – 30 JOD (£10 – £30 or $12 – $40).
You can also use taxis for long-distance journeys around Jordan. It is important to be aware that long-distance taxi journeys in Jordan can be relatively expensive. For a solo traveler or a couple, it is probably better value to take a bus. However, for a family or a larger group, you may save money by taking a taxi. A short day trip by taxi is likely to cost 40 JOD – 50 JOD (Amman to the Dead Sea and back with some waiting time). This is around £40 – £50 or $50 – $60. A long day trip is likely to cost 100 JOD – 150 JOD (e.g. Amman to Petra and back). This is around £100 – £150 or $120 – $180.
What Is Family Travel Like in Jordan?
Jordan is a very beautiful and impressive country; however, it is not the best place in the world for family travel. Traveling Jordan with kids definitely has its challenges, and it’s important to be well-prepared for your trip. We have produced a full guide on traveling Jordan with kids to help you understand some of the challenges and opportunities of traveling Jordan with kids.
The climate can be very challenging in Jordan, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. It is important to be well-prepared for the climate. It also takes several hours to travel between tourist attractions in Jordan; these long journeys can be challenging with younger kids. It is also important to recognize that there are not a lot of child-friendly activities in Jordan.
On a budget, hotels are not generally family-friendly, and you need to be aware of risks and challenges. If you are looking for good family-friendly accommodation, you will need to find more expensive and luxurious hotels. The facilities and amenities for families are quite limited in Jordan. For example, it is rare to find baby changing rooms, and nappies are also expensive and difficult to find. We strongly recommend a travel changing mat if you’re traveling Jordan with a baby.
This may sound like a lot of negativity. Don’t get us wrong. Jordan really is a beautiful country, and families can genuinely enjoy their time in Jordan. However, it is important to be aware of some of the challenges and difficulties so that you can prepare for your trip and recognize some of the pressure points.
What Is Food Like in Jordan?
And last but not least, food in Jordan. We were very impressed by the quality and price of food in Jordan. Food in Jordan is fresh, tasty, healthy, and readily available. We were particularly impressed by the quality and range of options in Amman. The style of food is very similar to typical Middle Eastern food, and it is not too dissimilar to European food. Jordanian food tends to be relatively mild, and there are not too many strong spices. You can also find plenty of familiar options like bread, pizzas, chips, and kebabs. There are also plenty of markets selling fresh fruit and veggies.
Food in some of the tourist areas (such as Petra and Wadi Rum) can be surprisingly expensive. And you don’t get a lot for your money. So it is important to shop around in these areas, especially if you are traveling on a budget. We were particularly impressed with the food in Amman. As a hungry family of five, we visited a restaurant and were surprised that the bill was under 12 JOD (£12 or $15). We ordered very freely, and there was more food than we could eat.
