Jordan
Watching Petra's Treasury emerge from the narrow Siq is one of travel's genuine goosebump moments, and camping in Wadi Rum's red desert under a clear sky follows close behind. Add Roman Jerash, a float in the Dead Sea and the Red Sea reefs at Aqaba, all within a few hours' drive of each other.
Overview
Jordan packs an extraordinary amount into a country you can drive from end to end in about five hours. Most first trips run a week to ten days along a north–south spine: Amman and Roman Jerash, a night at the Dead Sea, then down the King's Highway past Madaba's mosaics, Kerak's crusader castle and the Dana reserve to Petra. Wadi Rum's desert follows, and Aqaba's Red Sea reefs make a fitting finish before flying home or taking the ferry across to Egypt's Sinai.
It is not a cheap destination – Petra's entry fee alone is steep – though the Jordan Pass softens the blow. Distances are short, roads are good and many visitors hire a car. Hospitality is famous: expect tea pressed on you in shops and Bedouin camps. Petra deserves at least two full days, with the climb to the Monastery best tackled early. Spring and autumn are ideal; summer is fierce in the south, while winter can bring cold, rain and even snow to Amman and Petra.
Map of Jordan
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Petra
The Nabataean capital is carved into rose-red sandstone: walk the Siq to the Treasury, explore the Royal Tombs, then climb some 800 steps to the Monastery. Allow two days and enter at opening time.
- 2Adventure
Wadi Rum
A protected desert of sandstone and granite mountains and red dunes, the setting for Lawrence of Arabia and several Mars films. Take a jeep tour with a Bedouin guide, then sleep at a camp under the stars.
- 3History
Jerash
One of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere: an oval plaza ringed by columns, a colonnaded street still rutted by cart wheels, temples and two theatres, under an hour's drive north of Amman.
- 4Nature
Dead Sea
At over 400 metres below sea level, this is the lowest point on land. Float effortlessly in the dense, salty water, coat yourself in mud, and stay at a resort or visit a beach for the day from Amman.
- 5Nature
Dana Biosphere Reserve
Jordan's largest nature reserve tumbles from the stone village of Dana down to the desert lowlands at Feynan. Hike the Wadi Dana trail, stay at the candlelit Feynan Ecolodge, or trek onwards to Petra.
Biggest cities
Amman
A sprawling, hilly capital that grows on you: the Citadel and Roman Theatre downtown, Rainbow Street's cafés, Hashem's falafel, and a handy base for Jerash and the Dead Sea.
Zarqa
An industrial city just north-east of Amman with little to detain visitors; it is mainly passed through on the way to Qasr al-Hallabat and the oasis of Azraq.
Irbid
A lively university city in the north, handy for the Greco-Roman ruins of Umm Qais and Pella, with cheap eats along University Street and a good heritage museum.
Zarqa and Irbid figures are 2015 census city populations. UN urban-area estimates treat Zarqa as part of Greater Amman, which would put Irbid second.
When to go to Jordan
Best time: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Amman
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarRamadan
The holy month changes the country's rhythm: quieter days, then streets and cafés come alive after the sunset iftar meal, with seasonal sweets such as qatayef sold everywhere.
- Jul–AugJerash Festival
For about ten days each summer, Jerash's Roman theatres and colonnaded streets host Arab and international music, folk dance and poetry, a tradition running since 1981.
How much does Jordan cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Mansaf
Lamb cooked in jameed, a tangy sauce of dried fermented yoghurt, piled on rice and thin shrak bread with almonds and pine nuts; traditionally eaten with the right hand.
Maqluba
Literally 'upside down': rice, chicken and fried aubergine or cauliflower cooked in one pot, then flipped onto a platter at the table.
Zarb
The Bedouin barbecue of Wadi Rum: chicken, lamb and vegetables slow-cooked on racks in a pit oven buried under hot sand.
Getting around
JETT coaches run from Amman to Petra (Wadi Musa) and Aqaba, and minibuses leave Amman's South Bus Station when full. There is no passenger rail network, so many visitors hire a car: roads are good, signs are in English and Arabic, and the King's Highway is a classic drive. Uber and Careem work in Amman, yellow taxis are metered, and Royal Jordanian flies between Amman and Aqaba.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDFGJ230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +962
- Time zone
- UTC+3 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Restaurants often add a 10 per cent service charge; otherwise leave about 10 per cent. Tip guides, drivers and camp staff, and round up taxi fares.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees outside resorts. Accept offered tea or coffee with your right hand; with Bedouin coffee, gently shake the cup when you have had enough.
- Main airports
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Amman; King Hussein International Airport (AQJ), Aqaba
Visas & entry for Jordan
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Jordan.
If you wish to also visit Israel or Palestine and re-enter Jordan, you can get a multiple-entry visa from the Jordanian Embassy in the UK.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Jordan
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 5 Jan 2027 | Isra' and Mi'raj (date may shift) |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (date may shift) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Day of Arafah (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha Holiday (date may shift) |
| Tue 25 May 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Arabic
| English | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| How much is this? | بكم هذا؟ | BI-kam HA-tha |
Know before you go
- Buy the Jordan Pass online before you travel; it bundles entry to more than 40 sites, including Petra, Jerash and Wadi Rum. Read its current terms carefully, as the conditions change.
- Friday is the main day off: many shops and offices close and buses run less often, while midday prayers quieten city centres.
- Start Petra at the early-morning opening to beat heat and tour groups, carry plenty of water, and avoid donkey or camel rides if the animals look overworked.
Jordan travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Jordan?
The best time to visit Jordan is generally Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Peak months are March, April, May, September, October and November. Average highs in Amman range from 13°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Jordan cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £100 mid-range and £230+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Jordan?
Jordanian dinar (JOD).
What plug type does Jordan use?
Type C, D, F, G and J sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Jordan?
Traffic drives on the right in Jordan, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Jordan?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Jordan?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Jordan. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Jordan before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/jordan/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Jordan?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
