An Ultimate Guide visiting to Jordan
Fresh from our adventure in Jordan, we'll cover all the essentials, from getting in and around the country to must-see attractions and more. If you're planning your visit, we will share practical advice here to help you make the most of your Jordanian adventure.
How to get to Jordan?
Jordan is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the south and Israel and the West Bank to the west. If you are travelling in to Jordan, you'll likely land at Queen Alia International Airport in the capital city of Amman. The airport is very modern and efficient.
There is a small airport in the south at Aqaba, but very few international airlines fly here.
Best time to visit to Jordan
The best time to visit Jordan is likely the the spring months of March to May or the autumn months of September to November. Be wary of traveling during Ramadan season. We found it challenging to eat in the middle of the day. Outside of touristy areas, most restaurants were closed and we did not want to come across as rude eating in front of locals.
Do I need a VISA for Jordan? What is the Jordan PASS?
If you are visiting Jordan for atleast 3 nights, you can and should grab a Jordan Pass. It is available for everyone except Arabic nationalities.
The Jordan pass is a sightseeing package that waives the cost of the visa and includes entry to 40 attractions in Jordan including Petra.
There are 3 cost options based on the number of days you want to spend at Petra. Considering the cost of Petra entry ticket, this saves a bit of money.
What is the currency used in Jordan? Where do I get exchange cash in Jordan?
Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar (JOD), which is actually quite steep as it is directly tied to the USD.
During our visit, 1 JOD was 1.4 USD or 2.15 AUD.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere including by the bediouns on our Petra trail walk, but it's handy to have some cash on you. If are looking to exchange cash, go to one of the exchanges in the downtown area around here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1x6d8XvYZgev3Nt77
Best SIM Card for Jordan
You could purchase and use an eSIM for Jordan from Airalo like this
If not, make sure to pick up a local SIM card at the airport. There are a few options here, and we went with Orange mobile which supposedly has the best connectivity in Jordan. A 20GB plan costed us 15 dinars and it activated quite fast.
How to get from Amman airport to city?
It is a 30 minute drive from Queen Alia Airport in Amman to the city centre.
Upon touchdown, we were hassled by taxi drivers to get into their car. So, it pays to download an app like Uber or Careem. Both work very well in Jordan and we found rides to be readily available at the airport and in Amman.
How to get around Jordan?
Based on our itinerary, we realised that renting a car is likely the most flexible option for us. There are several car rental agencies at the airport. We paid about 15 dinars per day base price for a small sedan.
If you want to save some cash, there are local buses that travel the main touristy routes, but the schedule is quite limited.
Is it easy to drive in Jordan?
The roads were very well maintained and easy to drive in, atleast outside of Amman. Just be aware of the following theings
GPS spoofing: Along the Jordan valley highway, This made it really confusing when driving. However, in most cases, there was only one road to follow.
Speed limits: They tend to change a lot and there are seperate limits for cars. We did end up getting a fine.
Car rentals: Take full insurance if possible and do a walkaround tour with video for record purposes.
What is the language and how are the local people of Jordan?
The official language is Arabic, but most people understand and speak atleast a little bit of English. It is always nice to learn a few basic words. The people of Jordan are very nice and friendly. Everywhere we went, we were welcomed with a big smile. This included the various police checkpoints where they checked our car’s registration. On our first day, we were waiting for a table at a popular restaurant in Amman and one of the locals even invited us to sit at their table and share a meal.
What to eat in Jordan?
Jordan has its own flair of middle eastern cuisine. Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan consisting of lamb cooked in tangy yogurt sauce and served over rice. There were other fragrant rice dishes and ofcourse the grilled meats were delicious. In terms of sweets, knafeh is Jordan’s speciality, but we really liked Osh
Must-see attractions in Jordan:
You are probably going to Jordan for Petra, one of the 7 wonders of the world. Petra is not just the Treasury that you see in Instagram, it used to be a flourishing city. It was a crucial junction for trade between the east and west. The Nabateans who were the rulers of Petra had impressive water engineering skills that gave them a distinct advantage over their neighbours.
Equally impressive as Petra are the stunning desert landscapes of Wadi Rum also known as the valley of the Moon. Located in south Jordan, the unique terrain draws comparisons to the surface of mars and as a result feature in numerous films including the Martian.
Finally, you cannot go to Jordan without a trip to the Dead sea, the lowest point on earth. With a salinity of 34.2%, it allows for effortless floating and the beaches and resorts alongside provide options for rejuvenating mud treatments.
Our Jordan itinerary: Coming Soon
