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If you’re planning to visit the Dead Sea with kids in 2025, you need to read this article. Before we visited the Dead Sea with our own kids, we had loads of questions, and we struggled to find good, accurate, and clear information online. We decided to write this article to help you plan your own trip to the Dead Sea with kids.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know to plan your own trip, including transport information, a summary of the best Dead Sea resorts in Jordan with day pass prices and facilities. We will give you top tips and information to help you plan your trip, including when to visit, what to bring, and what to expect when you get there.
We absolutely loved visiting the Dead Sea with our own children; however, it is important to recognize that this trip is not straightforward. There are some risks, challenges, and complications that you really need to know about. Please do not skim read this article. A little bit of careful reading and research now could save you a lot of money, time, and stress later. Most importantly, we really hope that you and your family have an amazing trip to the Dead Sea.
Don’t miss these super useful guides:
THE BEST RESORTS FOR DEAD SEA DAY PASSES – Dead Sea Day Passes in Jordan
THE BEST RESORTS TO STAY OVERNIGHT – Dead Sea Resorts to stay overnight in Jordan
IF YOUR HEADING TO PETRA – Full Guide to Petra with kids
Why Visit the Dead Sea with Kids?
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Dead Sea with kids. Firstly, the experience is absolutely unique. There really is nowhere in the world like the Dead Sea.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Dead Sea Day Passes at the best resorts
If you believe that kids should learn from experience, the geography and the science of the Dead Sea are completely unique and absolutely fascinating. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the surface of the Earth, located around 400 meters below sea level. The River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea, but there are no outlets. Over time, the water evaporates, leaving behind dissolved minerals, which increases the salt content of the water.
The Dead Sea has the highest salt content of any natural body of water on Earth. The dense, salty water has extremely high buoyancy. It is genuinely a remarkable and very strange experience attempting to swim in the hot water of the Dead Sea. It is actually not possible to get your head under the water, even if you try to swim down as hard as you can with an empty lung. If you have an older child who can connect with the fascinating Dead Sea facts, they really will find this a unique and amazing experience.
As a world schooling family, we really enjoyed taking the opportunity to teach our own kids about the remarkable Dead Sea, and experience really is the best teacher. So, we have given you lots of great reasons to visit the Dead Sea with kids. However, it’s important to recognize that there are some risks and challenges. We are going to unpack everything in this article to help you plan your own family visit to the Dead Sea, so keep reading.
You may also be interested in our FULL guide to Jordan with kids
What Is the Best Way to Get to the Dead Sea in Jordan?
Don’t miss our step-by-step guide – How to travel from Amman to the Dead Sea
If you’re planning to visit the Dead Sea in Jordan, there are several options to get there. The best option depends on your budget and your own specific needs and preferences. There are some unexpected advantages and disadvantages to each of the options, so we do recommend that you read this section of the article carefully.
1 Take a Bus
Booking buses in Jordan is convenient but not straightforward – Find out everything you need to know about booking a bus in Jordan
There is one bus service that runs from Amman to the Dead Sea. The best company is called Jett, and ticket costs 15 JOD for a two-way trip (£15 or $18). If you want to book the bus, you will need to book one of the Jett day tours to the Dead Sea. These tours are transport-only tours.
One disadvantage of taking a bus is that there is a fixed departure and arrival time, so you cannot be flexible with your timings. The bus departs at 8:30 am from Amman (You can opt to be picked up at the Abdali Office or the 7th Circle office). The return bus departs from the Dead Sea at 5:00 pm.
The Dead Sea bus drops you off in the main resort area by the Dead Sea (around 6 km south of Swemeh). The disadvantage of visiting this area is that you can only access the more expensive resorts, so you may feel like you are saving money by taking a bus; however, the resort day passes are a lot more expensive in this area, and overall your trip is likely to cost a lot more.
2 Take a Taxi
For a family, it may be better value for money and much more convenient and flexible to use a taxi. If you’re planning to visit the Dead Sea for a few hours, you should be able to negotiate a return taxi from Amman for around 40-50 JOD. You can find plenty of taxi drivers waiting around Amman Old City, and they are often keen to do day trips like this. If possible, try to arrange your taxi driver the day before and agree on a pickup location and time, and also agree on waiting times at the Dead Sea before you agree on the final price. Once you have made an agreement with a driver, you can exchange phone numbers. Many of the taxi drivers in Amman use WhatsApp, which makes communication very convenient.
You can also use Uber to book taxis in Jordan. If you book a one-way trip to the Dead Sea using Uber, it is likely to cost around 25-30 JOD. You could then ask your driver how much they would charge to wait and return. Alternatively, you could try booking a return Uber from your resort. However, it is important to recognize that this may be difficult because Uber relies on local drivers being in the area who are willing to do the journey.
FIND OUT MORE about taking taxis in Jordan
Road Safety in Jordan
Our main concern with taxis in Jordan was safety. Some of the vehicles are old and poorly maintained, and many taxis do not have functioning seat belts in the rear. If you’re not happy with the safety of a taxi, we recommend finding a different driver. Alternatively, if you use Uber, you can select a comfort option. This should allow you to book a newer and better-maintained vehicle, which is more likely to have functioning seat belts in the rear. We also found that many of the drivers drive quite fast and don’t leave a sufficient stopping distance, so road safety is a concern in Jordan. The bus option may be slightly safer than taking a local taxi.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Transport in Jordan – super helpful guide to getting around the country
Is It Better to Visit the Dead Sea in Jordan or Israel?
The Dead Sea sits on the border of Jordan and Israel. There are locations to visit the Dead Sea from both countries. It is slightly cheaper to visit the Dead Sea from Israel because you only need to pay for a local bus from Jerusalem. The cost to access the beach in Israel is also much lower; it only costs around 10 to 15 dollars to use facilities on the Dead Sea beach in Israel.
However, Israel is a more expensive country overall, with food typically costing two or three times the price of Jordan and accommodation costing three or four times the price of Jordan. So your overall travel budget in Israel is likely to be a lot higher. It may be a false economy to try to visit the Dead Sea in Israel because you are likely to need to stay for longer and will, therefore, pay more for food and accommodation. Visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan can actually be quite expensive for a family. In this article, we will share all the prices to help you work out your family budget and the best way to do the Dead Sea.
Is It Better to Visit a Dead Sea Resort or Go to a Free Beach?
Here is the location of a beautiful FREE beach at the Dead Sea in Jordan…
There is a free Dead Sea beach where you can access the Dead Sea without needing to pay for a day pass at an expensive resort. However, we don’t recommend using a free beach if you’re planning to visit the Dead Sea with kids. The Dead Sea is an extremely intense and challenging environment. The saltwater can actually be quite painful and unpleasant, and it is important to be able to step straight out of the Dead Sea into a freshwater shower.
This is why we recommend using one of the Dead Sea resorts in the area. You are much more likely to have a fun and enjoyable family experience if you have the facilities of a resort during your trip. Another advantage of visiting the Dead Sea at a resort is that they also tend to have outdoor swimming pools. You can make a family day of it, enjoying the pools and maybe even taking a lunch at the resort, rather than roughing it on the free beach.
Map of the Best Dead Sea Resorts
Here is a map of the best Dead Sea Resorts in Jordan WITH beach access…
What are the best Dead Sea Resorts with beach access?
Here is a picture of the view from the O Beach Resort. This Resort offers the cheapest Dead Sea day passes…
Here is a summary of the main Dead Sea resorts in Jordan and the prices for day passes. If you are planning to visit as a day guest, you do not need to pre-book your pass; you can just show up and pay on arrival. Each of these resorts includes Dead Sea beach access with the price of the day pass. They also include access to hotel facilities such as swimming pools, changing rooms, and toilets. In some cases, they may also include lunch. We have listed what is included for each resort.
Dead Sea Resorts Day Passes – Summary and Prices
The Dead Sea resorts are listed in order of increasing price for the day pass, so you can find the best option for you and your family.
| Dead Sea Resort | Details | Day pass price |
| O Beach Dead Sea Resort | Access to the pool, changing rooms and toilets. Beach access with sun loungers, mud spa & showers. Pay an additional 10JOD for a tasty buffet lunch. Lockers 3JOD. Towels 3JOD. | 20JOD for adults. Kids under 12 years FREE |
| Grand East Resort & Spa | Access to the pools, changing rooms, toilets & beach. Buffet lunch included in the price. | 25JOD for adults and 12.50JOD for kids 3 – 10 years old |
| Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea | Access to the hotel swimming pool, changing rooms and toilets. Beach access with sun loungers, mud spa & showers. Delicious buffet lunch included. | 40JOD for adults. Kids 20JOD (5 – 12 years). Under 5 FREE |
| Crowne Plaza | Includes access to the beach & swimming pool. Also includes a decadent buffet lunch. It costs an additional 10JOD for using the spa facilities (indoor pool, sauna & jacuzzi). | 45JOD for adults. Kids 22.5JOD (5 – 12 years) Under 5 FREE |
| Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea | Pay and additional 15JOD for food and drinks. Spa entrance day pass on weekdays is 65 JOD and on weekend’s is 75 JOD per person | 45JOD weekdays and 55JOD on weekends. |
| Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa | Day passes available weekdays Sundays to Wednesdays. The day pass includes a JOD 25 voucher for food and drinks. The kid day pass doesn’t include food and drinks. | 75JOD for adults and 25JOD for kids under 6 years old |
How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Dead Sea in Jordan with Kids?
A family trip to the Dead Sea in Jordan is likely to cost in the range of 100-400 JOD (£100-£400 or $120-$450). The cheapest day trip to the Dead Sea in Jordan for a family of three (two adults and one child) is likely to be around 100 JOD (£100 or $120), including access to a Dead Sea beach resort and transport.
Here is a breakdown of the individual prices for a cheap independent family trip to the Dead Sea:
- Two-way taxi from Amman: 50 JOD (a few hours waiting at the Dead Sea).
- Two adult day passes to the O Beach Resort: 40 JOD.
- Assuming the child is under 12, they are free.
- Food & drinks: 10 JOD.
As you can see, this is the lowest price for a family going to the cheapest resort and assuming that your kids are under 12 and free. It is important to recognize that the prices can be much higher depending on which resort you visit, how many kids you have, whether your kids pay, and whether you are able to negotiate a good price for a taxi. An expensive family trip to the Dead Sea in Jordan could cost as much as 400 JOD. This is based on a larger family with more kids paying full prices and visiting one of the more expensive Dead Sea resorts.
- Expensive two-way taxi from Amman: 100 JOD (a few hours waiting at the Dead Sea).
- Two adult day passes to the Marriott: 150 JOD.
- Two paying children at the Marriott: 150 JOD.
What Are the Challenges of Visiting the Dead Sea with Kids?
We don’t want to put you off a visit to the Dead Sea; it is genuinely a superlative experience. However, it can also be a very challenging experience, especially if you are visiting with kids. It is important to know your own kids’ strengths and weaknesses. The Dead Sea is a very challenging environment throughout the year; it is especially hot and exposed in the summer. The water of the Dead Sea is also very intense; getting splashed in the face with Dead Sea water is extremely unpleasant, whatever age you are. If your kids have any cuts or scratches, they will probably find the Dead Sea quite painful. Even walking into the Dead Sea can be painful and challenging because of the sharp salt crystals on the rocks. We recommend bringing some suitable water shoes.
The extreme and harsh conditions of the Dead Sea can be very challenging, and you may not be able to stay in for very long with kids. It is very important to enter the Dead Sea at a location where you can shower in freshwater afterwards.
We personally visited the Dead Sea with three kids, aged 6, 3, and a 6-month-old baby. Our 6-year-old boy really enjoyed floating in the Dead Sea and also enjoyed swimming in the resort swimming pool. The 3-year-old boy enjoyed the Dead Sea for a short amount of time, but then he was splashed in the face and found it very unpleasant. Our baby stayed in a sling under an umbrella and had a nap.
Packing List for Visiting the Dead Sea with Kids
Here’s a packing list to help you prepare for a visit to the Dead Sea with kids. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list; everyone will have their own unique ideas and things they want to bring. We hope that this packing list helps you get started.
- Swimming kit (don’t bring anything too expensive because the minerals in the Dead Sea can discolor clothing).
- A dry change of clothes.
- SPF 50 Sun cream.
- Sunglasses, sun hat, and umbrella.
- A small day bag.
- Money (we recommend bringing cash in case you struggle to pay with a card).
- Phone and Camera.
- Water bottle and snacks.
- Travel towel.
- Plastic bag to put wet swimming clothing in.
- We also recommend bringing some toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer.
- Water shoes for getting in and out of the Dead Sea; it is important to make sure that you have something that is well fitted to your foot so it doesn’t slip off in the Dead Sea.
What Are the Risks of Visiting the Dead Sea with Kids?
There are also some risks of visiting the Dead Sea with kids. The extreme environment can be very intense; in the summer, you need to watch out for heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Make sure you protect your kids from the direct sun. Also, make sure your kids drink plenty of water so they stay well hydrated.
The rocks at the edge of the Dead Sea are very sharp, with salt crystals; it can be quite dangerous if you slip on these rocks. We recommend wearing water shoes and supervising kids carefully in and out of the water.
Many of the Dead Sea resorts have swimming pools. If your children are not strong swimmers, we recommend that you supervise them carefully in the resort, especially if you’re spending time around the swimming pools.
Dead Sea with Kids – Summary
- Unique experience: The Dead Sea is one-of-a-kind, offering fascinating geography and science.
- Geographical uniqueness: The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, with the highest salt content.
- Plan your visit: Carefully read this article to save time, money, and stress.
- Transportation options: Choose between a bus or taxi to reach the Dead Sea.
- Road safety: Consider the safety of your transportation choice, with options like Uber.
- Resort or free beach: Resorts offer facilities and safety, while free beaches are more challenging.
- Dead Sea resorts: Summary of prices and facilities at various resorts.
- Cost for families: Budget for your trip, considering different factors like the number of kids.
- Challenges with kids: Be aware of the intense environment and prepare accordingly.
- Packing list: Essentials to bring, including water shoes for the Dead Sea.
- Risks: Watch out for heat-related issues and sharp rocks at the Dead Sea.
- Supervision: Carefully supervise kids, especially around swimming pools.
