Jordan is small – about the size of Portugal – but it holds Petra, the red desert of Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea at the lowest point on Earth, Roman Jerash, the holy sites of the Bible and the coral reefs of Aqaba, all within a few hours’ drive. Here is what is good to know before you go.
Jordan at a glance
- Capital: Amman
- Population: about 11 million
- Language: Arabic; English is widely spoken in hotels, shops and at the sites
- Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD), pegged to the US dollar – 1 JOD is about 1.41 USD
- Time zone: UTC+3 all year
- Weekend: Friday and Saturday – the main sites stay open
- Religion: mostly Muslim, with one of the oldest Christian communities in the world
- Country code: +962 · Emergency number: 911
- Driving: on the right
Visa and entry
Citizens of most countries get a tourist visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, Aqaba and most land borders; the standard single-entry fee is 40 JOD. Some nationalities must apply in advance, so check before you travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Visas are not issued on arrival at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge: if you cross there, arrange your visa before you travel. More details are in our travel guide.
The Jordan Pass
Bought online before you arrive, the Jordan Pass waives the tourist visa fee for eligible visitors who stay at least two consecutive nights (three days) and includes entry to over 40 sites, among them Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, Ajloun, Kerak and the Amman Citadel. For most visitors it pays for itself with the visa and Petra alone. It does not include the Baptism Site, Mount Nebo, Petra by Night or nature-reserve entries and trails such as Dana and Wadi Mujib. How the Jordan Pass works.
When to go
- March to May: the best season almost everywhere – green hills, wild flowers and warm days.
- June to August: hot in Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley; start early and rest at midday. A good time for Aqaba and the Wadi Mujib water trail.
- September to November: excellent weather and clear skies – popular, so book early.
- December to February: cool and sometimes rainy in Amman and Petra, with occasional snow on the highlands; the Dead Sea and Aqaba stay mild.
Nights in Wadi Rum are cold for much of the year, even after a hot day – bring a warm layer.
Getting around
There are no passenger trains, and buses between the sites are few, so most visitors travel with a private car and driver or a rental car. Approximate driving times:
- Amman – Dead Sea: about 1 hour
- Amman – Jerash: about 1 hour
- Amman – Petra: about 3 hours on the Desert Highway, longer on the King’s Highway
- Petra – Wadi Rum: about 1.5 hours
- Wadi Rum – Aqaba: about 1 hour
- Queen Alia Airport – Amman: about 40 minutes
Keep your passport with you: there are routine police checkpoints on the main roads.
Money and costs
Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops; carry cash for markets, small shops, Bedouin camps and tips. Cash machines are easy to find in the cities and towns. On Jordan Routes you can show prices in US dollars, euros or Jordanian dinars; converted amounts are approximate, and bookings are charged in Jordanian dinars (JOD) – the currency and amount are shown before you confirm.
Culture, dress and etiquette
Jordanians are famous for their hospitality – accept a cup of tea or coffee when it is offered. Modest dress is appreciated outside the resorts: shoulders and knees covered in towns, villages and religious sites; women visiting mosques cover their hair. Ask before you photograph people, especially women.
During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants stay open, and the evenings are lively.
Food and drink
Try mansaf (lamb cooked in dried yoghurt, the national dish), maqluba, zarb (meat and vegetables cooked under the sand in Wadi Rum), falafel and hummus for breakfast, and knafeh for dessert. Sweet mint tea and cardamom coffee are everywhere. Alcohol is served in hotels and many restaurants. Drink bottled or filtered water.
Health and safety
Jordan is known as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the region. Always check your own government’s travel advice before you go. Protect yourself from the sun, drink plenty of water at Petra and in the desert, and take travel insurance that covers medical care. Pharmacies are easy to find, and hospitals in Amman are of a high standard. In an emergency, call 911.
Phone, internet and electricity
- Mobile data: buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport from Zain, Orange or Umniah; Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés.
- Electricity: 230 V; plugs of type C, D, F, G and J are all in use – a universal adaptor is useful.
- Tipping: around 10% in restaurants; for a full day, about 10–15 JOD for a driver and 15–20 JOD for a guide, as you see fit.
Places not to miss
- Petra – the rose-red city of the Nabataeans, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- Wadi Rum – red dunes, sandstone mountains and nights in a Bedouin camp
- The Dead Sea – float at the lowest point on Earth
- Jerash – one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy
- Amman – the Citadel, the Roman Theatre and the downtown souqs
- Madaba and Mount Nebo – the mosaic map of the Holy Land and the view Moses saw
- The Baptism Site – Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised
- Aqaba – the Red Sea, coral reefs and diving
- Dana, Wadi Mujib and Ajloun – nature reserves, canyons and forests
Ready to plan?
Browse our private tours and day trips, or tell us your dates and interests and a local travel planner will send you a day-by-day plan and price within 24 hours – free.