Last Updated on July 29, 2025
In 1985, Jordan’s famous archaeological site, the ancient city of Petra was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is your ultimate Jordan road trip guide to see Petra, and more!
Jordan was on my bucket list for years, but living in Toronto, Canada, my partner and I would have to pay a hefty flight fare to get ourselves to Jordan.
So when we came across a flash flight sale, we snagged it in a heartbeat. $390 Canadian dollars, and 18 hours of air travel later, we found ourselves in Amman, Jordan.
This is my guide to planning your own Jordan road trip to see highlights like Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum. Plus, learn driving tips for your Jordan road trip, and more.
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Planning a Jordan Road Trip
A Jordan road trip gives you full control over your itinerary, and it gives you the freedom of making stops as you please. You’re able to check out random towns, stopping whenever you feel like it, and you don’t have to plan your days around public transport.
Jordan is a small country, well connected by three main highways: the Desert Highway (15), the King’s Highway (35), and the Dead Sea Highway (65). You’ll likely use most of these highways for your Jordan road trip.
Driving Highway 65 in Jordan was a definite highlight. Highway 65 is also known as the Dead Sea Highway because it stretches the entire length of the sea, from the south end to the north end. Driving Highway 65 is an incredible way to see the Dead Sea.
There are many places that you can pull off the highway to overlook the sea and soak up the views. For this alone, it was very worth it to drive ourselves while traveling Jordan. If you aren’t comfortable driving yourself, you can always hire a driver in Jordan to take you on Highway 65.
Arriving in Jordan
Most travelers will enter Jordan through Amman, which is the capital of Jordan. You can enter this main port of entry by international flight, or by overland cross from Israel (using the Allenby / King Hussein Bridge crossing).
Amman’s airport is Queen Alia International Airport. The quickest way to get from Queen Alia Airport to Amman is to taxi which costs $55 – $70 and takes about 30 minutes.
It’s also possible to enter Jordan via Eliat, Israel. Free visas for several nationalities are available at this entry point, which is the Yitzhak Rabin/ Arava border.
Visas for Jordan
As with traveling anywhere, you’ll want to check the visa requirements for entering Jordan. Many nationalities require a visa on arrival, and others will need a pre-approved visa. Some middle eastern nationalities are exempt.
The Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass is a sightseeing pass that you can buy before you arrive in Jordan, and it’s essential for your Jordan road trip. The pass includes your Jordan visa fees as well as access to 40+ tourist sites, including Petra, and the fees to visit Wadi Rum.
There are 3 Jordan Pass packages available. They range from 100 USD to 120 USD. The main difference between the packages is the amount of days that each pass allows for visiting Petra, ranging from 1 day to 3 days.
The Jordan pass needs to be bought before you arrive in Jordan. After buying it online, you’ll present it when you arrive in the country (printed, along with ID). The pass will enable you to receive your arrival visa with waived fees.
After entering Jordan, you’ll present your pass with ID at eligible tourist sites for free entry.
Is the Jordan pass worth it?
Yes, the Jordan pass is worth it because it includes your visa fees, as well as entry to many of Jordan’s main sites. For example, the visa for Jordan costs on average around 40 JOD, and Petra fees start at 50 JOD. The pass, which can be bought for 70 JOD, is already worth it just by entering Jordan and going to Petra!
Tips for Driving in Jordan
Research your car rental company.
Be sure to research reviews of the rental company that you hire through. We hired a car through Discover Cars, and were super happy with our experience. We got a great rate on a car rental for our trip.
BOOK: Jordan car rental through Discover Cars.
Don’t drive above the speed limit on your Jordan road trip.
Do not speed while you’re exploring Jordan. While driving conditions are good, stray animals and often people will venture out onto the road, even in the middle of the desert. Ensure that you have enough break time should a goat appear on the highway.
Be aware that rental companies can shut off your engine. We made the mistake of going above the 120 km per hour speed limit, and to teach us a lesson our rental company shut our engine off! This is how we ended up stranded on the side of the road. Luckily, a phone call and apology got us our driving privileges back.
Avoid driving at night in Jordan.
Avoid night driving in Jordan. This is based on all of the above. We avoided driving after dark for safety reasons.
Be aware of driving norms in Jordan.
Note that Jordanian drivers do things differently. In cities, there are no designated lanes and lots of roundabouts. Many drivers will not utilize their turning signals, and expect to hear horns honking all the time.
Avoid accidents while road tripping Jordan.
Be cautious of accidents on your Jordan road trip.. It is important to know that if you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian, the driver is always considered in the wrong. This can result in hefty fines and in extreme cases, imprisonment. Ensure you have vehicle rental insurance bought from your home country to protect you on your Jordan road trip.
Purchase a sim card for your Jordan trip.
Invest in a SIM card with calling and data. SIM cards can be bought at the airport upon exiting. I went with Orange. The SIM cost 15 JOD and included calling with 4 gigabytes of data. I also recommend downloading an offline map application as backup.
Download a map app for your Jordan road trip.
Lastly, navigating Jordan was very simple. We had zero issues with directions thanks to using Google Maps. Parking was highly accessible and was in most cases free. We also found Jordanians to be very receptive and helpful whenever we asked for help or directions.
Jordan Road Trip Itinerary: Where to Go
Ready to plan your road trip itinerary? Below are 8 key stops to include as part of your road trip route.
These stops can all be fit into a 10 – 14 day road trip across Jordan. If you have less time, pick your favorites from this list to build a shorter Jordan itinerary.
1. Amman
Start your Jordan road trip in the capital, Amman. This bustling city has plenty of historic sites and museums to visit, fantastic restaurants and markets, and various neighborhoods to explore.
Be sure to visit the Amman Citadel. The Citadel is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. As a result, you’ll see structures from the Roman period, the Byzantine period, and Ummayad times.
The most notable structures in the Citadel are the Temple of Hercules and Ummayad Palace. Included in your ticket (which costs 3 JD or the Jordan Pass) is a small museum, which you won’t want to skip.
When you walk up to the Citadel, you’ll have several viewpoints overlooking the center of Amman. From those viewpoints you’ll be able to see the Roman Theatre down below. Be sure to go down to the Theatre for a closer look!
Other sites worth visiting are the Nymphaeum, al-Husseiny Mosque, Souq alias market, King Abdullah Mosque, and Rainbow Street.
While in Amman, it’s recommended to walk, take public transport, or get around by taxi or Uber because driving in Amman can be stressful.
How long to spend in Amman: You can definitely fit the main sites of Amman into 1 day, but with 2-3 days, you can explore the city at a more relaxed pace.
2. Jerash
Jerash is a city in northern Jordan, just a 45 minute drive north of Amman. There you’ll find one of the best preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East, which makes it a must-see while on a Jordan road trip.
Jerash is included in the Jordan Pass, otherwise, it’s about 12 JOD to enter. It’s possible to spend a night in Jerash (there’s plenty of hotels), or return south to Amman after your visit.
How long to spend in Jerash: It takes just a few hours to visit Jerash, so one day is plenty to dedicate to this stop.
3. Madaba
Madaba is a Jordanian city known for Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, mosques, churches, and archeological sites. Madaba’s city center is super compact and walkable, which makes it an easy city to explore on foot.
In Madaba, visit the city’s Greek Orthodox Saint George’s Church. On the floor of the church, you can see a gorgeous, large Byzantine mosaic.
From there, head to Archaeological Parks I and II, and Burnt Palace. In the archaeological parks you’ll see ancient ruins which date back to the 6th century. At Burnt Palace, you can explore the remains of a Byzantine residence.
You can also visit King Hussain Mosque, Church of the Apostles, St. John Church, and the Madaba Museum.
Madaba is just a 1 hour drive from Amman, and 30 minutes from Queen Alia International Airport. There are plenty of hotels in the city, and parking is easily accessible.
How long to spend in Madaba: You can see the main sites in 1-2 days, but spend 3 for a more relaxed pace.
4. Al-Karak
Al-Karak, is a town in Jordan known for its medieval castle, the Kerak Castle. This fortress is one of the largest in the region. It was once a Crusader stronghold, before later becoming a Mamluk Fortress.
Visiting the castle is the main reason to stop in Al-Karak. Entrance is included with the Jordan Pass, or, it costs 10 JOD. Throughout the castle there are information boards to teach you about the history of the fortress.
And when you reach the top of the fortress, you’ll be treated to incredible views of the surrounding area.
After visiting Kerak Castle, head into Al-Karak to wander around and pop into a restaurant for lunch. Staying a night in Al-Karak isn’t absolutely necessary since visiting Kerak Castle takes just a few hours.
How long to spend at Al Karak: 1 day is plenty of time to see Kerak and the surrounding town.
5. Petra
Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside the town of Wadi Musa. During the Nabatean period, Petra was a massive, bustling city.
Today, it’s an archaeological site that gives you a glimpse into what life was like over 2000 years ago, along the ancient trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean sea.
In Petra, you’ll want to see The Siq, Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), The Theatre, the Royal Tombs, Colonnade Street, Ad Deir (The Monastery), and the High Place of Sacrifice.
To visit Petra, stay in Wadi Musa, which is known as the “Guardian of Petra” because it’s so near the ancient city. Wadi Musa is small, but has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and even a Turkish bath.
From Wadi Musa it’s just a 10 minute walk to the entrance of Petra. This makes Wadi Musa a convenient home base for exploring Petra. Before you go, be sure to read my 22 Must-Know Tips for Visiting Petra.
How long to spend exploring Petra: The highlights of Petra can be seen in 1 day, but it’s recommended to spend 2 – 3 days to take a slower pace, and see more of the site.
6. Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a desert valley cut out of sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan. It’s known for its sandy dunes and rock formations by day, and its bright starry skies by night.
This gorgeous desert landscape can be explored by hiking, camel, or by adventuring around in the back of a jeep. To experience the incredible night sky, spend a night sleeping in a Bedouin camp.
Most visitors opt to explore Wadi Rum with a tour. This way, your transportation and camping is arranged for you.
How long to spend in Wadi Rum: It’s common to do a 1 day tour of Wadi Rum, but if you have more time, spending 2 – 3 days will allow you to see more of the desert.
7. Aqaba
Aqaba is a coastal city that sits at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba. The city has a long and interesting history which can be discovered by visiting its castles and ruins, like Mamluk Fort (also known as Aqaba Castle).
But Aqaba is also the perfect city to relax in. You can spend an afternoon at one of their beach clubs, go diving in the gulf, or head out on a snorkeling tour. There are plenty of hotels and resorts to choose from in Aqaba, making it an easy stop on your Jordan road trip.
How long to spend in Aqaba: 1-2 days is enough time to enjoy Aqaba.
8. Dead Sea
The Dead Sea has 10 times more salt than ordinary seawater, and this is exactly what it’s famous for. The lake is bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west.
Visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan is a must while you road trip Jordan, because floating in the sea is unlike floating in your average lake. Because the Dead Sea has a high salt concentration, the sea’s water is denser than plain fresh water. The salt concentration is so dense, that you float in it!
To float in the Dead Sea, you have the option of checking into a Dead Sea resort, or going to a public beach. The more economical option is the public beach, because you’ll just pay a small fee to use the beach and its facilities like showers.
How long to spend at the Dead Sea Jordan: 1 day is enough to experience floating in the Dead Sea.
Where to Stay in Jordan
There are plenty of hotels to choose from across Jordan, starting at 30 USD, ranging into the hundreds. Booking your hotels in advance is recommended, especially if your Jordan road trip is during high season.
What to Eat in Jordan
You will be well fed while you’re exploring Jordan!
Foods
Expect to eat chicken, lamb, rice, shawarma, hummus, moutabel, falafel, mansaf and lots of middle eastern sweets. Note that it is safest to drink only bottled water, which is readily available at most shops.
Alcohol
While alcohol is available at designated shops, drinking is largely taboo and having a beer or glass of wine should be done with discretion, and not in public. Instead, smoking shisha is a customary evening social event.
Shisha
Shisha lounges are marketed as tea houses. You’ll often find them on the 2nd or 3rd floor of a building. My partner and I loved sitting in these lounges, watching locals as they played cards or dominos, sipping on tea and enjoying watermelon shisha. We found out later that shisha is terrible for you, so we don’t recommend indulging too often!
Amman recommendation: Hashem Restaurant
While in Amman, drop by Hashem Restaurant. In downtown Amman, it is one of the city’s most well known spots for Jordanian food.
Many royal family members have eaten there! Open air seating and no menus, they serve classic Jordanian dishes. My favorites were the stuffed falafel and the moutabel (eggplant dip).
How to Dress in Jordan
Culturally, it’s custom to cover up in Jordan. Respecting this custom is an important part of being a responsible tourist, so it’s recommended to try to follow cultural norms for clothes as much as possible.
Both men and women should wear ¾ or full length pants, and shirts that cover your shoulders and chest. In the very touristy regions, and at resorts and beaches, it’s acceptable to show a bit more skin.
Budgeting Your Jordan Road Trip
Most of the travelers we encountered in Jordan agreed: Jordan is expensive! But as with all travels, it is as expensive as you make it. It’s definitely possible to responsible budget travel on your Jordan road trip.
While some expenses are inescapable, there are ways to save on your budget. We controlled our budget by staying in budget hotels and eating tons of street food.
Our hotels typically cost around 25 JOD for a private room (approx 40 CAD), and all the rooms were well outfitted and clean. No complaints there!
Meals in restaurants typically cost around 5 – 8 JOD. For lunch we stuck to simple street food: hummus, moutabel and shawarma. We supplemented our meals by swinging by markets and grocery stores to stock up on fruits and snacks.
Our daily Jordan road trip budget worked out to approximately 55 JOD per day. This included food, water, hotels, tourist sites, souvenirs, activities, and gas.
? Hot tip: Cash is essential in Jordan. It’s the easiest way to pay for things. But, ATM withdrawal fees are VERY high. If you’d like to save on those fees, be sure to take out large sums of JOD.
Safety in Jordan
Jordan is safe, but as with any destination, be mindful of local customs, culture, and adjacent conflict.
It is important (as with traveling anywhere) to respect local practices. For example, dress modestly, refrain from most public displays of affection, and show respect for Islam and the Jordanian royal family.
Because Jordan is situated between conflict zones, it is also important to familiarize yourself with regions to avoid, which are mainly borders, and be sure to stay away from protests, large gatherings, and maintain a general degree of alertness.
Canadians and Americans can register their trip with the Canadian government. This is a convenient precaution to take, because should any security issues arise during your trip the government will inform you via email or text message.
If you identify as a woman or LGBTQ+, I recommend reading up on local laws and customs relating to your identity. I’ll note that I (a white cis-woman) felt secure and safe for the entirety of my trip to Jordan, but, I was accompanied by my boyfriend throughout.
My Jordan Road Trip Highlights
My partner and I experienced many big travel moments road tripping Jordan, from seeing the ancient city of Petra to sleeping in a Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert, and floating in the Dead Sea. But, many of the insignificant moments were our most memorable.
An evening in a barber shop in Amman
My partner went to a small barber shop one evening in Amman for a haircut. The shopkeeper didn’t speak English, but popped out of the shop and came back with a cardamom spiced coffee for me to sip while I waited.
After a buzz cut and a shave, my partner’s barber began threading his face. Lucas exclaimed to me, “what is he doing to my face!?” I giggled as I explained what threading was.
A relatively newly adopted hair removal method in the West, threading has been used to remove facial hair and shape eyebrows for centuries in the Middle East and South Asia.
It is a technique that rolls looped, twisted cotton threads across the face, ripping fine hairs out in a swift motion. I only knew what this was thanks to Arabic friends of mine, and I was thrilled to see how it’s done.
The shopkeeper noticed my enthusiasm and next thing I knew he was ushering me into the other chair in the small shop. My face was fully threaded within minutes.
Once both Lucas and I’s faces were beautiful and smooth, we sat for another coffee, explaining in broken Arabic what our plans in Jordan were. “Welcome to Jordan,” both men shook our hands as we said goodbye.
A breakdown on the highway
Days later our car stalled near a Bedouin village. Within moments a Bedouin man was there to help us, and soon after cars were pulling over. A young guy with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth tried jumper cables, and a trucker offered to tow us to the nearby town to a mechanic.
One particular man stayed with us for nearly an hour, examining our engine and calling mechanics to consult. In the end, our rental company saved the day by making an adjustment remotely (more on that later).
As we drove away, waving to the Bedouin goodbye, Lucas and I agreed that we were overwhelmed by all the help that was so generously offered to us. This generosity was constant.
Recommendations from shopkeepers as to where we should visit, what we should eat. A free postcard given to me along with the purchase of a fridge magnet. Early one morning a stuffed pita (this is called ‘sfeeha’) was handed to us on a side street of Madaba. The baker saw we were curious about them!
The tourist perspective of Jordan
Throughout our trip we had bucket list experiences mixed with lazy afternoons, shisha, and many shawarmas. We learned the history of the region and discovered Jordanian customs.
But before I completely romanticize Jordan, I want to acknowledge that our experience was brief, and it was shaped by our privilege.
We traveled as white North Americans with few financial barriers, and we traveled by rented car. We were sheltered from the many realities of Jordan and the surrounding region.
I think it is important to acknowledge this, because working towards responsible tourism means doing the work to put our travel experiences into context. In this case, I want to emphasize that we were privileged to see mostly the positive aspects of Jordan.
We did not see the refugee camps on the Syrian or Iraqi borders. Za’atari refugee camp is Jordan’s fourth largest city, home to 80,000 Syrian refugees who have fled the Syrian war. More than half of those refugees are under the age of 24.
Meanwhile, the Bedouin populations of Jordan are facing threats to their lifestyle and impending poverty. With modernization, their semi-nomadic traditional lifestyle has been challenged, resources that they rely on have dwindled, and the Bedouin have recognized the importance of educating their youth, meaning they are more inclined to settle in permanent locations.
According to a World Bank study, about one third of Jordan’s population experience transient poverty, meaning that during some periods of a year a third of the population lives below the poverty line.
With all this said, Jordan is considered a middle income nation. Jordan doesn’t lack economic strength, rather its poverty issues stem from distribution of wealth, influx of refugees, and lack of natural resources.
As tourists, my partner and I’s visit to Jordan was valuable to the country’s economy. Our friendly welcome may very well have stemmed from local cognizance of the importance of tourism dollars.
As with all our travels, my partner and I felt incredibly privileged to have had such a positive experience. We left with precious memories and a better understanding of Jordan and the Middle East.
Jordan FAQ
How many days do you need to travel Jordan?
You’ll need a minimum of 7 days to see the highlights of Jordan. While a week is enough to visit Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, more time is recommended for an in-depth experience of Jordan. With 10 days or more in Jordan, you can include lesser visited cities and sites like Aqaba and Al Karak.
Can you travel in Jordan by car?
Yes, you can explore Jordan by car. A Jordan road trip is the perfect way to see Jordan’s main sites like Jerash, Petra, and Wadi Rum, because with a car you have the freedom to follow your own itinerary.
Is 7 days enough for Jordan?
Spending 7 days in Jordan is enough time to experience the highlights, like exploring the ancient city of Petra, camping in Wadi Rum, and floating in the Dead Sea. With added days, you’re able to take a slower pace and see Jordan in more depth.
What’s the best time to visit Jordan?
Spring and fall are the best time to visit Jordan. During those seasons, it’s warm and sunny during the day, and cooler in the evenings. During the summer, temperatures are quite hot, and the winter months can be quite cool.
More from Pina Travels for planning your trip to Jordan:
- 22 Must-Know Tips for Visiting Petra, Jordan
- Your Guide to Visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan
- Your Essential Guide to Driving in Jordan
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