Jordan is one of the easiest countries in the region to travel, and a little planning makes it easier still. Know about the Jordan Pass, when to come, and how to get between the big sights, and the rest falls into place. Here are the practical basics — transport, money, language and etiquette — with the one money-saving tip every first-timer should act on before they fly. For anything that changes with time, like visas and current safety guidance, we point you to the official source rather than guess.

Start with the Jordan Pass

If you do one piece of admin before you travel, make it this. The Jordan Pass gives entry to over 40 of Jordan’s tourist attractions, Petra and Wadi Rum included, in a single prepaid pass you buy online before you arrive. For most visitors it pays for itself at Petra alone, and it saves queuing to buy a ticket at every site. It can also simplify some of the arrival formalities for qualifying travellers; the exact, current terms are set out on the official Jordan Pass website, so read them there before you buy rather than relying on word of mouth or an old blog.

When to go

The climate in Jordan varies greatly from the highlands to the desert and the Dead Sea rift, so the season matters. Spring and autumn are the comfortable sweet spots nearly everywhere — warm days and cool evenings, good for walking Petra and Jerash. Summers are hot in the south and down at the Dead Sea, while winters can be cold and even snowy around Amman, so pack for the altitude you’ll be in, not just the country on the map.

Getting around

Jordan is compact and well connected. For intercity travel the JETT bus company runs comfortable services linking Amman to Aqaba, the King Hussein Bridge and Hammamat Ma’in, and private operators run buses from Amman to Irbid and Aqaba too. Minibuses connect the smaller towns, though they keep their own rhythm — they usually leave only once they are full, which is all part of the experience. For day trips within one to three hours of Amman a taxi is by far the easiest option, and sharing local minibuses is a cheap, sociable way to meet Jordanians along the way. If you are short on time or travelling as a small group, hiring a driver or a guided car for the long southern run to Petra and Wadi Rum often works out easier than piecing the journey together yourself.

Money

Jordan’s currency is the Jordanian Dinar. Cards work in cities, hotels and bigger restaurants, but a lot of everyday life — minibuses, small cafes, village shops, tips — still runs on cash, so keep a stock of smaller notes on you. Draw or change money in the cities rather than relying on finding an ATM at a remote site, and carry enough for a day out before you head into the desert or down to Petra, where card machines are scarce and a camp or a Bedouin guide will expect cash.

Language and etiquette

Arabic is the national language, but English is widely understood, especially in Amman and anywhere used to visitors, so you will rarely be stuck. A few Arabic courtesies go a long way in a culture that prizes hospitality. Dress on the modest side — covered shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women at religious sites — always ask before photographing people, and accept the tea or coffee you will inevitably be offered; refusing it outright can seem cold.

Staying comfortable

A few habits keep a trip smooth. Carry more water than you think, especially for Petra and Wadi Rum, where there is a lot of walking and little shade; wear sturdy shoes for uneven ancient stone; and keep sun protection on even when a desert breeze makes it feel cool. Build in slow time too — a long mezze lunch, a night in a desert camp — because Jordan rewards travellers who don’t try to rush it. Tipping a few coins for good service is normal and appreciated, Friday is the quiet day of the week when some shops and offices close, and a scarf or light layer in your daypack covers you for both a mosque visit and a cold desert night.

Before you go — the official bits

A couple of things change with time and must be checked at the source. Confirm the current arrival and entry formalities on Jordan’s official channels and the Jordan Pass website, and read your own government’s current travel advice for up-to-date safety guidance before you book and again close to departure. Travel insurance that covers your planned activities, from desert trips to diving in Aqaba, is always worth arranging in advance.

Jordan at a glance

Add a local-guided experience in Jordan

Jordan travel FAQ

Sources

• Jordan Pass — supports: “The Jordan Pass gives entry to over 40 of Jordan’s tourist attractions”
• wikivoyage — supports: “Jordan is an Arab kingdom in the Middle East, at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe”