TravPa

Jordan

Walk the Siq to Petra's Treasury and climb to the Monastery, explore Roman Jerash and the Amman Citadel, then see the Madaba mosaic map and float in the Dead Sea.

Best timeMar to May, Sep to NovMoneyJordanian dinar (JOD)PlugsRound two-pin plugs, 220 VMain airportAmman (AMM)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Visa rules depend on your passport.
Choose the country that issued your passport to see what you need.

Overview

Most first trips start with two days in Amman, one of them a day out to Jerash, about 50 min north, or to Madaba and Mount Nebo, about 40 min south. JETT buses then take about 3 hours on the Desert Highway to Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's gate, where two days cover the Treasury, the Monastery and Little Petra. Wadi Rum's desert lies about 1 hour 40 min south of Petra by car, and the Dead Sea and the Baptism Site are about 50 min west of Amman.

Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, are the mildest months for long walks in Petra. Summer days are hot, and winter brings cold nights and shorter opening hours at Petra. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public by day.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janColdfebColdmarBestaprBestmayBestjunHotjulHotaugHotsepMildoctBestnovBestdecCold

The Jerash Festival usually fills the Roman city with music, theater and crafts at the end of July and the start of August.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Petra]
Petra in 2 daysThe Siq, Treasury, Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, Petra Kitchen, Little Petra, Royal Tombs, Petra MuseumPacked pace
[Photo: Amman]
Amman in 2 daysAmman Citadel, Roman Theatre, Downtown souqs, Jabal al-Weibdeh, Rainbow Street, Jerash, Madaba, Mount NeboPacked pace
[Photo: Jordan]
Jordan in 5 daysAmman Citadel, Roman Theatre, Jerash, Madaba, Mount Nebo, Treasury, Monastery, Royal Tombs, Little PetraPacked pace

Where to stay

AmmanDowntown (Al-Balad) for the souqs and ruins on foot; Jabal Amman around Rainbow Street for cafés and evenings; Jabal al-Weibdeh for galleries and a quieter base.Best areas to stay in AmmanHotels in Amman
Show a map of hotels in Amman with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

PetraTourism Street by the Visitor Center for walking to the gate at opening time; Wadi Musa town for more hotel choice; Al Baidha camps near Little Petra for desert evenings.Best areas to stay in PetraHotels in Petra
Show a map of hotels in Petra with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Getting around

  • Amman to Petra: JETT buses leave Abdali in Amman at 6:30 AM and return from Petra at 5 PM; by car the Desert Highway takes about 3 hours.
  • Queen Alia Airport: The airport lies 35 km south of Amman: taxis take about 30 to 45 min, and shuttle buses run to the city's southern bus terminal.
  • In Amman: Yellow taxis have meters but often skip them after 11 PM, so agree the fare; Careem, Uber and Jeeny also work in Amman.
  • Day trips by car: Jerash is about 50 min north of Amman, Madaba about 40 min south, and the Baptism Site about 50 min west.
  • Wadi Rum: The Wadi Rum visitor center is about 1 hour 40 min south of Petra by car; 4x4 tours start there or from your camp.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Read your government's travel advice for Jordan too, since some policies exclude areas it warns against.
Get a quote from World NomadsOpens World Nomads in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.
Phone dataMobile data lets you book Careem or Uber rides in Amman, show your Jordan Pass and keep a map on the long walks inside Petra.How a travel eSIM works
See Jordan eSIMs on AiraloOpens Airalo in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.