# Jordan travel guide - Source: https://tourison.com/destinations/jordan - Location: Middle East, Jordan - Updated: 2026-10-14 > Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Roman Jerash in one compact country. Plan your Jordan trip with the Jordan Pass, best months, transport and costs. ## Jordan at a glance Jordan is a compact Middle Eastern country where Roman ruins, Nabataean rock-cut tombs, desert canyons and the lowest point on land sit within a few hours of each other. Most trips follow one line from Amman in the north to Aqaba on the Red Sea in the south, with Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea as the headline stops. The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), and English is widely spoken in tourism. Distances are short, so you can sleep in the same hotel in Amman for several days and still reach Jerash, Madaba and the Dead Sea, or move south and base yourself near Petra. ## Best time to visit Jordan - **March to May:** the best season. Days are warm, wildflowers bloom and walking at Petra is comfortable. - **June to August:** hot, especially in Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Start early and rest at midday. The Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is open in this period. - **September to November:** the second-best season, with warm days and cooler evenings. - **December to February:** cool and sometimes wet, with cold desert nights and snow possible in the hills. It is the quietest season, and Wadi Mujib is closed. ## How long to stay Seven days covers the classic circuit: Amman, Jerash, Madaba and Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea, a full day at Petra and a night in Wadi Rum. Five days is possible if you skip Jerash or the Dead Sea, and ten days lets you add Wadi Mujib, Dana and Aqaba without rushing. Our full [7-day Jordan itinerary](/blog/jordan-petra-wadi-rum-dead-sea-guide) sets out the route day by day. ## Where to go - **Amman:** the capital, with the Citadel hill, the Roman Theatre and a lively downtown for food. - **Jerash:** one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities, about an hour north of Amman. - **Madaba and Mount Nebo:** Byzantine mosaics, including the Holy Land map in St George's church, and a famous viewpoint over the Jordan Valley. - **The Dead Sea:** float in the salt water at a public beach or a resort day pass, more than 400 metres below sea level. - **Wadi Mujib:** a wet canyon hike, open roughly April to October and closed after rain. - **Petra and Little Petra:** the Nabataean capital, best with a full day, plus the quieter Siq al-Barid nearby. - **Wadi Rum:** red sandstone desert explored by 4x4 with Bedouin guides, with overnight camps. - **Aqaba:** Jordan's Red Sea coast, with snorkelling, diving and beaches. ## Getting there and around Most international flights land at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) near Amman. King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba is handy if you want to run the route from south to north. The Desert Highway links Amman and Aqaba in about four hours, and Amman to Petra takes around three hours by road. The JETT bus serves Amman and Petra once a day, so book ahead. Hiring a car or a driver gives the most flexibility for the Dead Sea road, Madaba and Little Petra. ## Costs and the Jordan Pass The Jordan Pass bundles the tourist visa fee (JOD 40) with entry to Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum and dozens of other sites. It comes in one-, two- and three-day Petra versions at about JOD 70, 75 and 80, and it must be bought online before you arrive. The visa waiver depends on a minimum stay, usually given as three nights, so check the official site when you buy. Without the pass, Petra costs about JOD 50 for one day if you stay overnight in Jordan. Petra by Night is a separate ticket. ## Safety and etiquette Jordan is widely visited and generally welcoming, but regional events can change quickly, so read your government's travel advice before you book and again before you fly. Dress modestly in towns and at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people, carry water at Petra and in the desert, and agree prices for rides and tours in advance. During Ramadan, restaurants and some services keep shorter hours in the daytime, so plan meals and transport accordingly. ## A Tourison tip Book your Amman hotel and flights early, then keep Petra and Wadi Rum flexible. The deals below cover a Petra day trip from Amman, a Wadi Rum jeep tour, a Dead Sea day, Amman stays and flights from Oslo, so you can build the week around what suits you. Our [Egypt page](/destinations/egypt) makes a natural pairing if you are planning a longer trip. _Disclosure: Tourison is an affiliate site. Some links go to Aviasales, Klook or other partners via Travelpayouts; Tourison may earn a commission if you book. The price you pay does not change._ ## Related stories - [Jordan in 7 Days: Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea Without the Tour-Bus Rush](https://tourison.com/blog/jordan-petra-wadi-rum-dead-sea-guide.md) - [10 Places You Must See Before You Die (And How to Get There Cheap)](https://tourison.com/blog/places-to-see-before-you-die-cheap.md)