Your Complete Guide to Planning a Trip to Jordan

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Jordan 101: Country Overview

The entire Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (this is the official country name, by the way) is only 34,4445 square miles (or 89,2108 square km), more or less the same size as the state of Maine in the United States, and a little smaller than Portugal. 

Jordan is home to about 11 million people, making it the 11th most populous Arab nation in the Middle East. It shares borders with Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. 

King Abdullah II is the head of state and government. The country is a constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses. 

The official language is Arabic, but you’ll find that some people who work in tourist areas speak some English (and maybe a few other languages, too, from talking to so many visitors!). The majority of people in Jordan are Arabs, with a minority of people belonging to the indigenous Bedouins (who you’ll meet in Petra and the Wadi Rum desert). 

The land is ancient and is prominently mentioned in the Bible, but the country of Jordan is fairly new.  It was part of the Ottoman Empire until 1918, then became a mandate of the United Kingdom.  It became an independent kingdom in 1946.

Amman is the capital city and the largest city in Jordan. The second largest city is Irbid in the north.

The currency is the Jordanian Dinar.

👉 Check out all the available Petra tour options from Amman. Don’t forget to read the reviews!

Getting Into Jordan, Visas, and Restrictions

US citizens require a visa to travel to Jordan.

Fortunately, the visa can be obtained for a fee at most international ports of entry and land border crossings upon arrival. A single-entry visa costs 40 Jordanian dinars (JD); two entries cost 60 JD, and a multiple-entry visa is 120 JD.

If you’re getting a Jordan Pass – which you should – then your visa costs will be included. Great deal!

However, if you’re crossing the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge land border, you cannot get a visa upon arrival, so double-check your plans if you’re traveling overland from Israel. I crossed the land border at Aqaba from Israel and had no issues getting my visa issued.

Note: The Israel-Jordan border situation changes often, so check that it’s open before you go.

Once issued, visas are usually valid for 30 days, so make sure your travels within Jordan don’t exceed this time limit.

All travelers must have a valid passport for at least six months after their entry date, and the passport should have at least two blank pages available.

If you come from a country where citizens benefit from the visa-on-arrival policy, like US citizens, you may be able to enter Jordan with just a passport. However, it’s important to check if there are any additional entry requirements for your nationality and passport.

Is the Jordan Pass Worth It?

The Jordan Pass is worth it!

With the Jordan Pass, you can get a free visa online when applying for a tourist package and receive access to 40 different tourist attractions, including Petra, Wadi Rum, Pella, and Jerash.

Plus, you’ll save money too – without the pass, you would spend at least 90JD on just visa fees and at least 50JD for Petra entrance tickets. When you add in other attractions, you’ll save even more.

There are three different options or levels of the Jordan Pass, the main difference being how many consecutive days you will visit Petra. 

Most attractions didn’t scan the pass, but a few did, including border control. 

Note: Petra by Night is a different ticket not included in the Jordan Pass.

How Much Time Do You Need in Jordan?

A sweet spot for most trips to Jordan is 7-10 days if you can swing it. 14 days in Jordan would allow you to see most of the country.

The more time you have in Jordan, the more you can do without feeling rushed. 

At the very least, you should allow one full day for Petra, one day and night for the Wadi Rum desert, and two days for traveling in and out—realistically, that is already about five days for your Jordan Itinerary.

A trip to Jordan can be done in less time, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

And if you’re relying on public transportation (of which there’s not too much), add more time for getting around.

Is Jordan Safe?

I traveled solo (and I’m a woman, by the way) through Jordan for 3.5 weeks.

Jordan is one of the safest places I’ve ever visited. Trust me, my solo travels took me to over 60 countries, and few countries are as safe to travel to as Jordan.

The people there are kind and welcoming, often saying “Welcome to Jordan” and “You are welcome” as soon as I arrive somewhere. And driving around Jordan was mostly safe and easy, except for the traffic in Amman.

I did have a couple of awkward experiences due to cultural differences, but I didn’t feel like my safety was in jeopardy.

But like anywhere in the world, you should use common sense regarding your safety – such as not walking alone at night or flaunting your valuables – and you will have a wonderful time.

Is Jordan Good for Backpackers?

Jordan is an exciting destination for the adventurous backpacker.

With its stunning deserts, majestic mountains, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities, this Middle Eastern country will surely provide you with a unique journey.

Public transportation in Jordan isn’t always the best option, but it’s still manageable. Buses are available from some of the major cities, and some organized tours offer transportation to popular sites.

I recommend the Jett bus over the public minibusses when available, such as when you travel from Petra to Wadi Rum. Not all routes are direct—there are no direct buses from Amman to Wadi Rum, for example, but you can still get there.

The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming, so don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice when needed!

Plus, the cuisine is fantastic – delicious kebabs and falafel are everywhere, which are perfect for your budget.

How Much Does it Cost? Is Jordan Expensive?

Jordan is expensive compared to many other destinations but comparable to the US or Europe. Your trip to Jordan will cost you a bit of money.

Granted, I did come to the Middle East after spending four months backpacking through Southeast Asia, which is famously cheap, so it felt extra expensive.

Traveling to Jordan as a vacation rather than a budget backpacking trip might not be unreasonably expensive if you’re using public transportation or splitting costs with someone.

As someone who tries to stay under $100 USD a day on my trip worldwide, I struggled. I spent less in Jordan than I did in Israel.

But in Jordan, I rented a car, had to pay for gas, and only stayed in private accommodations (which is unusual for me; I usually alternate between private rooms and dorm rooms when traveling). 

I also spent a day scuba diving in the Red Sea, paid for the 3-day Petra pass (which I didn’t need), and splurged on a fancy desert accommodation and jeep tour.

I certainly could have done this trip on more of a budget, but it didn’t happen that way. Splurging is one of my specialties.

When to Go to Jordan

Most tourists go from March to May and September to November. 

Jordan gets very hot in the summer and can get cold and rainy in the winter. Most people go in the fall and spring because the weather is great for all the outdoor activities you’ll want to do—but that also means it will be crowded.

I was lucky to be there in April when tourists were just returning to the country post-C***d, so I had great weather and no crowds.

I was in Jordan towards the end of Ramadan, which was an interesting cultural experience. A highlight of my trip was being invited to join two different families to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

On the downside, most restaurants were closed during the day, and bars were closed completely during this time. So be sure to check when Ramadan is before you go (it changes yearly).

What to Wear in Jordan

When traveling to Jordan, a country with Islamic influences, it is important to dress respectfully.

As a tourist destination, most of the communities around the main attractions are used to foreigners and their clothing choices.

However, if you choose to venture into more local areas, it’s best to be mindful of what you wear to not draw attention or offend anyone. 

I made the mistake of wearing shorts one day while walking around Aqaba, and I noticed many people staring at me, so the rest of the time, I wore loose-fitting pants instead.

Generally speaking, women should always keep their shoulders and knees covered when in public spaces. Skin-tight clothes should also be avoided. If you’re wearing leggings, you may want to wear a looser-fitting top, for example.

If visiting a mosque in Jordan, women must cover their heads out of respect for the culture and customs there. 

You may notice that many local women wear long shirts over swimsuits when swimming in the Red Sea due to cultural sensitivities around modesty.

Is Jordan Good for Solo Travelers?

Don’t hesitate – this beautiful Middle Eastern country is an ideal spot for solo travelers.

During my 3.5-week journey, I was constantly in awe of Jordan’s stunning landscapes and met some incredibly welcoming locals.

As a solo female traveler, I felt safe and appreciated everywhere I went. The Jordanian people are incredibly friendly and hospitable. I heard “Welcome to Jordan” dozens of times each day. 

I was even invited to break the Ramadan fast with two different families – an amazing experience I wouldn’t have had anywhere else!

How to Get Around Jordan

As a solo traveler on a budget, I usually prefer public transportation.  But when I was researching, I didn’t see many easy transportation options other than fully organized tours or hiring drivers, so I opted to rent a car. 

I rented a car through Avis and could pick it up in Aqaba and drop it off in Amman, which worked well for me.  

Even with the extra cost of having a different drop-off location, I paid about $38 USD daily for the car, including taxes and fees.  That’s a lot of money for a solo backpacker, especially when you add in the cost of gas, but I’m glad I did it because driving was relatively easy, and it gave me a lot of freedom to explore on my own schedule. 

Driving was pretty easy, definitely easier than my road trip through the Balkans in 2021. Just watch out for potholes.

You can hire a driver if you don’t want to rent a car.  I met two women in Wadi Rum who hired a driver for a few days to get around, and they were really happy about not having to stress about transportation. But they paid more for the driver than I paid for a car.

Many people hire tour companies to get them around and coordinate the logistics of their visit, so that’s always an option, too. There are a lot of options online; just do a Google search.

According to my research, buses and minibusses are how locals get around the country.  This is the most affordable option and also the most time-consuming.  Buses often don’t leave until full, so they don’t operate on a set timetable.  

In Amman, Uber is inexpensive and reliable. If you use a taxi, negotiate the price before getting in.

You’ll have no problem finding Jordanians who speak at least some English in touristy spots like Petra and Wadi Rum. Overall, about 50% of the locals I encountered spoke strong English, but it depends on where you are. 

The more local you go, the less English will be spoken. I never had any issues getting help or answers when I needed them.  I did use Google Translate a few times on this trip to chat with locals.

🚙 I recommend using Discover Cars to compare costs and get the best deal.

What to Pack for Jordan

I travel for 6-9 months at a time, so I have to more or less use/wear whatever I have in my backpack.

For Jordan, I picked up a cheap pair of flowy pants and a loose shirt because I wanted to try to dress a little more conservatively than I had in the previous five months in Asia.

It also happened that my luggage went missing en route from Sri Lanka to Israel, so I was reimbursed by my travel insurance for a few purchases. A scarf would have been useful a few times when I needed to cover up more.

💧 Thirsty? Always have clean drinking water on hand and save money with this reusable water bottle! It works great, turning tap water into safe-to-drink water that tastes good.

What to Eat in Jordan

Trying local food is one of my favorite parts of travel (as you surely know if you follow me on Instagram), and Jordan has some delicious food! This is the most important part of your Jordan 7-day itinerary, in my opinion.

The best food I had was homemade. As one of my Airbnb hosts put it, you won’t find good Jordanian food at restaurants because Jordanians don’t go to restaurants for food they can cook themselves at home. 

At most of my accommodations, the hosts offered to provide homemade meals at an extra cost (I think the most I paid for a homemade meal was about $10 USD).

Another helpful tip: check the calendar to see when the very holy holiday of Ramadan is because most of the country will be fasting during this time, which means most restaurants will be closed during daylight hours. 

I was there during the end of Ramadan, and I had to miss lunch a few times (but I made up for it with some super cool local end-of-Ramadan celebrations)!

Grocery Shopping in Jordan

If you’re on a tight budget, eating out in Jordan isn’t always cheap, so you may be inclined to go grocery shopping. Most of the “supermarkets” you find in the local neighborhoods will be very small corner stores with a different/smaller selection than we are used to in the West. 

Still, the cities usually have a larger supermarket near the center if you want more options.

Visit a local bakery for the best bread or a butcher shop for the best meat.

Alcohol in Jordan

Partying and drinking will probably not be a big part of your 7-day Jordan itinerary.

Many people in Jordan do not drink since they are practicing Muslims. So there aren’t as many bars as you may be used to. But there certainly are quite a few, especially in the cities! If drinking on vacation is important to you, be sure to check the calendar to see when the Ramadan holiday is – I was there during the end of Ramadan, and alcohol was even more scarce than usual.

Some local wineries have popped up recently, so if you’re into wine, you should try some! While in Amman, I visited JR the Wine Experience restaurant and tried several Jordanian wines and yummy food. I would recommend it if you are in Amman.

I’m not a beer person, so I didn’t try too much local beer. I think there are some local breweries, but you’ll usually find Amstel or something similar.

Tipping in Jordan

As an American, I always look up local tipping culture wherever I go because my country has a big tipping culture. Tipping isn’t mandatory in Jordan, but it’s always appreciated, so it’s up to you. 

It’s common to tip about 10% at restaurants in Jordan (but check the bill first in case service has already been added). 

Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but they appreciate it if you round up the bill to the nearest Dinar.  And if you have an excellent tour guide, a small tip is appreciated.

Tipping (as with most payments in Jordan) will be in cash.

Bargaining in Jordan

Bargaining is expected at local markets/shops (such as Petra). 

I was having tea with one of the Bedouins who runs a souvenir shop on the way to the Treasury Viewpoint. He was telling me stories about tourists buying something for hundreds of dollars over the price he was willing to sell it for. He couldn’t believe they didn’t bargain! 

So be sure to bargain. I usually start at about half the price they first offer. 

Don’t try to bargain at a commercial supermarket or mall. That would be weird.

If you can, try to know something’s value because these businessmen are savvy. I went to buy bottled water at a local shop near Petra. They tried to upcharge me by a couple of dollars, but luckily, I had already bought water somewhere and knew how much it should cost. 

At the time, a 1.5-liter bottle of water cost about 0.35 JD to 0.5 JD (in touristy spots), and I paid accordingly by walking away (and getting called back in with the right price)!

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