Travel Guide to Jordan 2026: Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Amman & Aqaba
Planning to visit Jordan? This travel guide to Jordan covers everything for a first trip: where Jordan is, the best time to go, the visa and the money-saving Jordan Pass, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary down the King's Highway, realistic costs, safety and etiquette, and the best hotels and universities. From the rose-red city of Petra and the desert of Wadi Rum to floating in the Dead Sea, the Roman ruins of Jerash, the hills of Amman and the coral reefs of Aqaba, Jordan is one of the Middle East's most welcoming destinations.
Last updated: October 2026 · Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Jordan were checked against official sources
📊 Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Jordan
- Capital: Amman💡 A hilly city of white stone and Roman ruins
- Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)💡 Pegged to the US dollar (JD 1 ≈ US$1.41). Check today's rate
- Language: Arabic💡 English is common in tourism
- Population: About 11.6 million💡 2026 estimate
- Area: 89,342 km²💡 About the size of Portugal
- Time zone: UTC+3💡 No daylight saving. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 8💡 Including Petra, Wadi Rum, Umm el-Jimal and the Aqaba Marine Reserve (added 2026)
- Power: 230 V, plug types C, D, F, G and J💡 Bring a universal adapter
ℹ️ Figures in this travel guide to Jordan are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
📍 Where Is Jordan?
Jordan sits at the crossroads of the Middle East. It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and the West Bank to the west along the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, at about 430 m below sea level the lowest point on land. Its only coast is a 26 km stretch of the Red Sea at Aqaba. Most of the country is desert plateau, with highlands running north to south.
Amman is about 5 hours from London by air. Petra is a 3-hour drive south of Amman, and Aqaba about 4 hours. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
📅 Best Time to Visit Jordan
The best time to visit Jordan is March to May and September to November, with warm, dry days (20–28 °C) that are ideal for walking around Petra and sleeping in Wadi Rum. Summer is very hot in the desert, the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea (often above 38 °C), though Amman is milder. Winter (December–February) is cool and can bring rain or even snow to Petra and Amman, while Aqaba stays warm. During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public in daytime is discouraged and opening hours change.
Wildflowers and the best hiking weather.
Very hot inland; Aqaba diving and Jerash Festival.
Warm days and cool desert nights.
Cool and quiet; warm sunshine in Aqaba.
📅 Use the seasons in this travel guide to Jordan to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
🛂 Jordan Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa on arrival or Jordan Pass: citizens of the USA, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia and many others can get a single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Queen Alia Airport and most land borders for JD 40. Buy the Jordan Pass online before you arrive and the visa fee is waived, as long as you stay at least three nights. Arriving by air into Aqaba (inside the special economic zone) can also mean a free visa.
- PassportValid at least 6 months from arrival.
- Jordan PassJD 70 (1 day in Petra), JD 75 (2 days) or JD 80 (3 days).
- Allenby/King Hussein BridgeVisas are not issued at this crossing; check rules before travelling from the West Bank.
- Main airportQueen Alia International (AMM), about 35 km south of Amman.
🔗 Official sources: Jordan Pass (official) · Visit Jordan. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
🛂 Entry rules in this travel guide to Jordan were last checked in October 2026.
🏛️ 10 Best Places to Visit in Jordan
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Jordan, with the best months to see each one.
The Siq, the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the Monastery (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Mar–May, Sep–NovRed desert, jeep tours and nights in a Bedouin camp (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Sep–MayFloat in the saltiest water on Earth and try the mud.
💡 Best time: Oct–MayOne of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy.
💡 Best time: Mar–May, Sep–NovThe Citadel, Roman Theatre and Rainbow Street.
💡 Best time: All yearRed Sea reefs and the newly listed Aqaba Marine Reserve (UNESCO 2026).
💡 Best time: Oct–MayA 6th-century mosaic map and views over the Holy Land.
💡 Best time: All yearWade and climb through a sandstone gorge to the Dead Sea.
💡 Best time: Apr–OctHiking trails and the Feynan Ecolodge.
💡 Best time: Mar–May, Sep–NovThe baptism site of Jesus on the Jordan River (UNESCO).
💡 Best time: Oct–Apr🗺️ 7-Day Jordan Itinerary: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea
A classic loop by car or with a driver: Amman, the King's Highway, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Driving is straightforward outside Amman.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Jordan day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Amman: the Citadel, Roman Theatre and dinner in the downtown.
- Jerash: half-day trip to the Roman city; evening back in Amman.
- King's Highway: Madaba, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle on the way to Petra.
- Petra: a full day: the Siq, the Treasury and the climb to the Monastery.
- Petra to Wadi Rum: Little Petra in the morning, then a desert camp.
- Wadi Rum: sunrise, a jeep tour, then drive to the Dead Sea.
- Dead Sea: float and relax, then 1 hour to the airport.
➕ With more time: add a second day in Petra (or Petra by Night), Aqaba for snorkelling, Dana and Feynan for hiking, or the desert castles east of Amman.
💵 How Much Does a Trip to Jordan Cost?
Jordan is moderately priced, with Petra entry and hotels the biggest costs. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | JD 40–60 | Guesthouses, falafel and shared transport |
| Mid-range | JD 90–160 | Hotels, a rental car and desert camps |
| Luxury | JD 300 + | Dead Sea resorts and private guides |
💡 All prices in this travel guide to Jordan are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
🎟️ Without the Jordan Pass, Petra costs JD 50 for one day. Wadi Rum jeep tours and camps are priced per person and vary widely, so book with a well-reviewed local operator. Tipping 10% in restaurants and a few dinars for guides and drivers is customary.
💡 Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Jordan
Jordan is generally safe and very welcoming to tourists, with a strong police presence at major sites. Because of conflicts in neighbouring countries, governments advise against travel near the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and regional tensions can change quickly, so check your government's latest advice before you go. Dress modestly away from resorts, agree taxi fares or use apps in Amman, and drink plenty of water in the heat.
Before you arrive, to waive the visa fee.
Gates open at 6 am; beat crowds and heat.
Cover shoulders and knees in towns.
Never splash or dive in the Dead Sea.
The King's Highway is a great drive.
"Marhaba" (hello) and "Shukran" (thank you).
🏨 Best Hotels in Jordan: 8 Top Picks
Stay near the Petra gate in Wadi Musa so you can start early, and spend at least one night in a Wadi Rum camp.
Hilltop views over the capital.
Check prices on Booking.com →Spacious suites near Abdoun.
Check prices on Booking.com →Right at the entrance gate to Petra.
Check prices on Booking.com →Sunset views over the valley.
Check prices on Booking.com →Domes and tents under the stars.
Check prices on Booking.com →Infinity pools and a spa on the shore.
Check prices on Booking.com →A candlelit, solar-powered desert lodge.
Check prices on Booking.com →Lagoons and Red Sea beaches.
Check prices on Booking.com →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Jordan: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
🤝 Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
🎓 Top Universities in Jordan
Jordan has strong universities that attract students from across the Arab world.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Jordan | Amman | Public |
| Jordan University of Science and Technology | Irbid | Public |
| Princess Sumaya University for Technology | Amman | Private |
| Yarmouk University | Irbid | Public |
| German Jordanian University | Madaba | Public |
Jordan's oldest and largest university (1962).
Visit website →Known for medicine and engineering.
Visit website →A leader in computing and IT.
Visit website →Strong in archaeology and the arts.
Visit website →Applied sciences with a year in Germany.
Visit website →🔎 How we chose for this travel guide to Jordan: the leading universities in Jordan by reputation and research. Last checked: October 2026.
🍲 Jordanian Culture & Food
Jordanian culture is built on Bedouin hospitality: guests are offered cardamom coffee and sweet tea, and refusing outright can seem rude. The country has a long history, from the Nabataeans who carved Petra to Romans, Byzantines and the Islamic dynasties that left desert castles. Most Jordanians are Muslim, with an old Christian community, especially around Madaba.
Try mansaf (lamb in a fermented yoghurt sauce over rice, the national dish), zarb (Bedouin lamb cooked underground in Wadi Rum), maqluba (an upside-down rice dish), hummus and falafel at Hashem in downtown Amman, and warm knafeh for dessert.
❓ Travel Guide to Jordan: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Jordan?
Yes, but most visitors get one on arrival for JD 40, or free with the Jordan Pass and a stay of 3+ nights.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Yes for almost everyone who visits Petra; it covers the visa fee and Petra entry.
What is the best time to visit Jordan?
March to May and September to November.
Is Jordan safe for tourists?
Generally yes; avoid the Syrian and Iraqi border areas and check current advice.
How many days do you need in Petra?
One full day for the highlights; two days to include the Monastery and back trails.
What should I wear in Jordan?
Modest clothes covering shoulders and knees; swimwear at hotels and beaches.
How many days do you need in Jordan?
Seven days covers Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
What currency does Jordan use?
The Jordanian dinar (JOD).
📚 Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Jordan
- Visit JordanOfficial Jordan Tourism Board
- Jordan PassOfficial pass and visa waiver
- UNESCO: JordanWorld Heritage Sites in Jordan
Finished this travel guide to Jordan? 🌍 More Middle East guides: Egypt · Oman · United Arab Emirates · Saudi Arabia · Turkey
⚖️ Compare Jordan with other countries in Compare Countries.
🏛️ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
Ready to plan Jordan?
Use our free travel tools to compare costs, time zones and distances, or browse our printable AtlasWise guides for other destinations.
Free travel tools → Browse AtlasWise travel guides🔖 Bookmark this travel guide to Jordan and check it again before you fly: we update entry rules, prices and hotels regularly.