Jordan Travel Guide 2026
Petra carved into rose-red cliffs, the otherworldly Wadi Rum desert, and floating in the Dead Sea — all in one compact, safe itinerary.
Search flightsWhy Jordan
Jordan concentrates an outsized list of world-famous sights into a small, safe, well-organized country — Petra’s treasury carved into sandstone cliffs, Wadi Rum’s Mars-like desert (where several films were shot), and the Dead Sea’s famous float, all reachable within a week.
What to know before you go
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival, though the Jordan Pass (bought online in advance) covers the visa fee AND entry to Petra and dozens of other sites — worth arranging before you fly if Petra is on your itinerary.
Best time to visit
March-May and September-November avoid both summer’s extreme desert heat and winter’s cold nights in Wadi Rum and Petra, which sit at higher elevation than they look on a map.
Getting there
Queen Alia International Airport near Amman is the main gateway, with good connections across the Middle East and increasingly direct routes from Europe.
Getting around
A private driver or organized tour is the common way to cover Amman-Petra-Wadi Rum-Dead Sea efficiently, since public transport between these spread-out sites is limited.
Where to stay
Amman as an arrival/departure base, Wadi Musa (Petra’s gateway town) for 2 nights minimum to see Petra properly including the night show, a desert camp in Wadi Rum for at least one night.
eSIM & connectivity
Coverage is reliable in Amman and Petra; expect it to thin out in the deeper stretches of Wadi Rum desert.
Travel insurance for Jordan
Worth getting cover that includes desert excursions and any adventure activities (rock climbing, jeep tours) if that’s part of the Wadi Rum plan.
Everything else for your trip
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Get an eSIMWhat to Pack for Jordan
The non-obvious stuff people forget, plus what genuinely helps.
Don’t forget
- Sturdy walking shoes for Petra’s uneven stone paths
- Modest, loose clothing — especially for women, and for desert sun protection
- A warm layer for cold desert nights in Wadi Rum
- Universal power adapter (Type C/F/G sockets)
Nice to have
- A headscarf or shawl — useful for sun, wind, and modest dress
- Cash (Dinar) — many smaller vendors are cash-only
- A reusable water bottle — desert heat means constant hydration
- Sunglasses and a hat for Petra and Wadi Rum’s exposed sun
Not Sure When to Go?
What a Day in Jordan Actually Costs
Real per-day cost ranges based on our destination research, broken down by travel style. Your total will vary, but this gives you a realistic starting budget.
| Per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $40 | $110 |
| Food | $8 | $18 | $40 |
| Local transport | $6 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Total / day | $39 | $98 | $245 |
Practical Info: Culture, Currency & Electricity
Top Attractions
- Petra (arrive early to beat both heat and crowds)
- Wadi Rum desert camp and jeep tour
- Dead Sea floating
- Jerash’s Roman ruins
- Amman’s Citadel and downtown souks
Culture & Etiquette
Jordanian hospitality is a genuine cultural cornerstone — being offered tea or coffee is common and worth accepting graciously. Modest dress is expected, particularly for women, outside resort areas, and especially when visiting mosques. Jordan is one of the more religiously moderate and stable countries in the region, but respectful, low-key behavior is still the norm.
Currency & Exchanging Money
Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
JOD is one of the more stable regional currencies and pegged to the US Dollar, making rates easy to sanity-check. Bank ATMs in Amman and Petra’s gateway town Wadi Musa are reliable; licensed exchange offices in central Amman typically offer fair, competitive rates.
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Electricity & Adapters
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Plug type: C, D, F, G, and J (unusually mixed — bring a universal adapter)
If your home plug type doesn’t match, bring a universal travel adapter — it’s the one item worth packing regardless of destination.