Itinerary 🌍
Summary 🧐
Jordan had been on our radar for a while, but it wasn’t until a random scroll through Petra photos last winter that we finally decided to go. It’s not your classic ‘beach holiday’, but it turned out to be way more chill and comfortable than we expected—and honestly, one of our favorite trips so far.
We based our route on a few suggested itineraries from travel agencies, pretty much a copy-paste job, which saved us a ton—because the agencies were charging a lot for something we realized was very doable on our own. Renting a car, booking our own hotels, and organizing hikes locally worked perfectly.
We visited in spring 2025 and, due to the ongoing regional conflict, the country was unusually quiet—almost no tourists. That said, it felt absolutely safe the entire time, and we had zero issues. Locals were warm, welcoming, and clearly eager for tourism to return—it’s a huge part of their livelihood. If you're thinking about it: just go.
Petra, of course, is the headline act—and totally worth the hype. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing really prepares you for being there in person.
General Tips 👏
- Jordan is safe to travel, especially in rural and touristic areas. Expect regular police checkpoints on the roads—they're very friendly and mostly routine.
- Roads are in great condition, but beware of hidden speed bumps, especially on highways.
- Alcohol is only available in specific touristic spots or liquor stores, which aren’t common so plan ahead if you want a drink. Some bars sells alcohol are also happy to do take away!
- Locals are extremely kind and helpful. Hospitality is a core part of Jordanian culture. However most of them are financially interested when close to famous sites like Petra.
- Weather in spring (April) is ideal: warm days, cool but not too cool nights.
- Most people speak at least some very basic English, especially in tourism.
- Bring good water shoes and hiking shoes—you’ll need both!
- Most sites (like Petra, Wadi Mujib, Kerak Castle) are included in the Jordan Pass, so get that in advance. It also cover the visa fees.
- Fuel is affordable but more like european prices, and distances between locations are manageable with a rental car.
- Navigation is easy (we used Google Maps and Maps.me). That said, signage can sometimes be confusing.
- Book your accommodations and hikes in advance during high season.
Budget 💸
The total cost of our trip to Jordan (excluding flights) came to about £1000–£1200 per person for 8 days, which included car rental, accommodation, food, and activities. It’s not a super cheap destination, but it’s definitely manageable if you plan it yourself rather than going through a tour operator—those were quoting us double the price for essentially the same itinerary.
You’ll save a lot by booking hotels directly and organizing tours locally (especially hikes and day trips). We’d recommend budgeting around £100/day per person for a comfortable mid-range experience, with some splurges (like Dead Sea hotels or guided canyon hikes).
As for tips, there’s no strict rule and it's generally not expected, but we gave around 10% to guides depending on the length and effort of the tour. Tips are expected in cash, so bring enough JODs with you or plan a few ATM stops along the way.
We also got some JODs in London via PostOffice before leaving.
Transportation 🚃
We didn’t use any public transportation during our trip—Jordan is definitely a self-drive kind of country. There’s no railway network in the main tourist areas, so everything is done by car. Renting a car was super easy and gave us full flexibility to explore at our own pace. Roads are in good shape, though you’ll want to watch out for hidden speed bumps and the occasional police checkpoint (all very friendly and routine).
One smart move: we booked a transfer directly from the airport to the Dead Sea through our hotel before arriving, and only picked up our rental car there the next day. That way we avoided driving at night after a long flight, got to stay close to the airport without wasting time, and had a much more relaxed start to the trip. Highly recommend this if you're landing late or just want to ease in. Also if you finish your trip in a big resort, check if you can arrange a drop-off directly at your final hotel!
Apps 💾
- Netflix: To relax after game drives, download content before.
- XCurrency: Offline and up-to-date currency rates.
- Maps.me: Mandatory! Free offline map of the world, including trail paths.
Consider also bringing a Kindle or other offline devices, while internet is good it's not everywhere!
Food 🍗
Food in Jordan was overall great—simple, fresh, and filling. The hotel meals at the beginning and end of our trip (both near the Dead Sea and Petra) were especially good, fresh ingredients, generous portions, and solid variety.
For most of the trip, we either ate at local hotel restaurants or had meals included in our hikes and accommodations. One of the best meals we had was during our Dana hike, where our guide cooked lunch over an open fire in the shade—super basic setup, but incredibly tasty and atmospheric. Think grilled veggies, flatbread, tea, and rice with herbs.
Jordanian cuisine is all about mezze: hummus, falafel, moutabal, tabbouleh, and fresh flatbreads. Mains are usually grilled meats (chicken or lamb), rice, or stews. Vegetarian options are easy to find, especially at local places.
If you’re staying in eco-lodges or booking hikes with local guides, you’ll often have meals included—and you can usually chat ahead about dietary preferences. Everyone was super accommodating.
Telecom 📞
We used a Holafly eSIM for the whole trip and it worked perfectly—unlimited data, super easy setup before leaving, and solid coverage even in more remote areas like Dana and Wadi Mujib. It wasn’t fast enough for heavy streaming, but more than enough for maps, messaging, and checking bookings.
You can also buy a local SIM card at the airport if you prefer, but honestly, the eSIM saved us the hassle. Coverage in Jordan is generally good across cities and most tourist areas, though expect occasional dead zones while driving through remote valleys or canyons (nature does what it wants).
WhatsApp is widely used across the country, especially for bookings with hotels and local guides, so make sure yours is active and linked to your number.
Visas 🛂
We bought the Jordan Pass in advance, which includes the visa fee and entry to most major attractions (like Petra, Wadi Mujib, and Kerak Castle). Totally worth it and made everything super smooth.
At the airport, entry was quick and easy—just a passport stamp, no extra forms or questions. If you’re coming from the EU/UK, there’s no need to arrange a separate visa as long as you have the Jordan Pass. Just make sure to buy it before flying in.
Tip: Print out a physical copy of the pass. While most places accept the digital version, having it on paper made things faster at checkpoints and entrances, especially in more remote areas.
Hotels 🏠
We booked all our hotels in advance, mostly through Booking.com or directly on the hotel’s website for better rates. Accommodations in Jordan were a mix of relaxing spa-style resorts (Dead Sea), charming eco-lodges (Dana), and more practical stays (Petra). All clean, comfortable, and with friendly staff.
One thing to note: hotel staff were always helpful but sometimes communication required a bit of patience, just repeat what you need clearly and kindly. Also, most hotels include breakfast, which is super handy before a long day out exploring.
Tourism 🏄🏽♀️
Tourism in Jordan is incredibly well-developed, yet right now, it’s quieter than ever. We visited in spring 2025, and due to the ongoing war in the region, there were barely any tourists—even in usually packed places like Petra. That said, we felt completely safe the entire time. Locals were warm, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see visitors.
It’s clear that tourism is a major source of income for many Jordanians, and with numbers so low, your presence really makes a difference. If you’re hesitating—don’t. Everything was open, functioning smoothly, and honestly, it was a rare privilege to experience these sites without the crowds.
Jordan has a perfect mix of nature, culture, history, and adventure. From floating in the Dead Sea to canyoning in Wadi Mujib and hiking into Petra from the back entrance, every day brought something different—and unforgettable.
Packing List 📦
We didn’t get a list ahead of time, but after going through hikes, canyons, and multiple climates in one trip, here’s what we’d definitely recommend bringing along:
- Hiking shoes – essential for Dana and Petra (lots of walking and rocky paths)
- Water shoes – a must for Wadi Mujib (you’ll be walking in a river)
- Quick-dry clothing – especially for hikes where you’ll get wet
- Warm layers – it gets surprisingly cold at night, even in the desert
- Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm (the sun is no joke)
- Refillable water bottle – easy to refill at hotels or cafes
- Power bank – for long drives or remote hikes (not always plugs around)
- Travel meds – especially for stomach issues or food-related discomfort
- Mosquito repellent – not overwhelming, but still a good idea in some areas
- Copies of key documents – including a printout of the Jordan Pass
- Swim gear – for the Dead Sea and hot springs - note that the salt might damage it so take cheap ones.
- Light scarf or shawl – useful for sun, modesty, or just to layer up
Overall Experience 🤓
Jordan completely exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect mix of nature, history, and adventure—with just enough comfort to make it all feel smooth and easy. From floating in the Dead Sea to hiking into Petra through the backdoor, every day was packed with wow-moments and quiet, peaceful stretches in nature.
Despite the regional instability, we felt safe at all times, and the lack of crowds made the whole experience feel even more special. The locals were some of the kindest people we’ve met while traveling—genuinely happy to welcome us and share their country.
It’s a destination that manages to feel both epic and grounded—one of those rare trips where you feel like you really travelled. Highly, highly recommended.
Hope this was helpful, you can ask us any questions on Instagram.