What I’d Do Differently: Jordan Edition

Updated April 2026 | 4 min read

Jordan is one of those destinations where the right preparation turns a good trip into an extraordinary one. Between navigating the Jordan Pass, timing Petra visits, and choosing Wadi Rum camps, the details matter. Here is what I would do differently.

Buy the Jordan Pass Before You Fly

The Jordan Pass at 70 Jordanian dinars covers your visa fee and one day at Petra. The Explorer version at 75 dinars gives you two days at Petra. It pays for itself if you are staying three or more days and visiting at least Petra plus two other sites. Buy it online before arrival since you need it to skip the visa line at the airport.

Give Petra Two Full Days

Everyone says one day is enough. Everyone is wrong. Petra is massive. The walk to the Treasury alone takes 30 minutes and the Monastery is another 45 minutes of steep climbing beyond that. Day one covers the Siq, Treasury, and Royal Tombs. Day two goes to the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice, and the lesser-visited trails. Heat exhaustion is real, especially in summer. Start at 6 AM both days.

Sleep in Wadi Rum for at Least One Night

Day trips to Wadi Rum miss the point entirely. The desert at sunset and sunrise is what makes it special. Luxury camps like Memories Aicha have metallic domes with glass roofs for stargazing. Budget camps like Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp have fantastic food and authentic Bedouin hospitality. Hot air balloon rides are often cancelled last-minute due to wind, so book multiple mornings to improve your odds.

The Best Route Is a Loop

Amman to Petra takes three to three and a half hours by JETT bus for 10 dinars. Petra to Wadi Rum is 100 kilometers with no direct bus, so the options are the Rum Bus at 6 AM for 10 dinars, the JETT at 11:30 AM for 15 dinars, or a private taxi for 30 to 40 dinars. From Wadi Rum, continue to the Dead Sea or Aqaba before looping back to Amman. Do not backtrack.

The Dead Sea Is Worth a Day But Not a Fortune

Day passes at Dead Sea resorts range from 25 to 65 dinars depending on the property and day of the week. The Dead Sea Spa Hotel and Holiday Inn offer budget-friendly options. Arrive before 9 AM for shaded spots. Pay in Jordanian dinars only since credit card currency conversion adds a 10 percent penalty. The JETT bus from Amman costs about 12 dollars.

Amman Is Underrated

Most travelers skip Amman or give it a few hours. That is a mistake. The Roman Theatre, Citadel, and downtown souks take two to three hours. Rainbow Street has excellent cafes, art galleries, and city views. The food scene is reason enough to stay. Mansaf, the national dish of lamb and rice with jameed yogurt sauce, is best at Jabri or Deeritna. Falafel at Hashem Restaurant costs less than a dollar.

Haggle with Humor

Prices in souks are inflated for tourists. Start at 30 to 40 percent of the asking price and negotiate toward a middle ground. Walking away often brings sellers back with better offers. Use a few Arabic phrases to build rapport. Once you shake hands on a price, you are committed. Backing out is considered deeply offensive.

What I Would Prioritize

Two nights in Amman for food and history, two nights at Petra starting with a 6 AM entry, one night in Wadi Rum at a Bedouin camp, one day at the Dead Sea, then back to Amman. Seven days total. Visit March through May or September through November for the best weather.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Jordan — Buy before you land. Instant data the moment you arrive for maps and translation.

Book Tours and Activities

• Petra day tour from Amman
• Wadi Rum jeep tour and overnight
• Dead Sea day trip from Amman
• Jordan highlights multi-day tour

Gear We Recommend

• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — Keep your bag organized across desert camps and city hotels.
• High-SPF Sunscreen — The Jordanian sun at Petra and Wadi Rum is relentless.
• Portable Charger 20000mAh — Charging at desert camps is limited.
• Quick-Dry Travel Towel — Useful for the Dead Sea and desert camps.

Find Flights to Jordan

Book Tours: GetYourGuide Petra guided tours and Wadi Rum jeep safaris | GetYourGuide Dead Sea day trips from Amman

Plan Your Trip to Jordan

Ready to book? Search flights to Jordan to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Jordan to find the best deals for your dates.

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• Jordan Beyond Petra

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