Jordan travel itinerary

Planning a trip to Jordan? Here you'll find our day-by-day itinerary (From Petra to Wadi Rum and the Red Sea), plus all the practical info to organise your journey: currency, visa, e-SIM, health, plugs and useful numbers.

When to go to Jordan

The climate is Mediterranean in the north and desert in the centre-south. The best times are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), with ideal temperatures to visit Petra and the desert. Summer is scorching (over 40 degrees in Wadi Rum and Aqaba), winter can be cold and rainy in Amman and Petra, which are at altitude, with freezing nights in the desert. Dress in layers: in the desert the night is cold even in summer.

Practical info for travelling in Jordan

Updated: June 2026

Documents, visa and Jordan Pass

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months and an entry visa, available online (the Jordanian Interior Ministry site/app) or on arrival at the airport - most nationalities need it, check your own rules. TIP: consider the Jordan Pass, which bought before departure includes the tourist visa and entry to over 40 sites, Petra included (worthwhile if you stay at least 3 nights and visit Petra). At land borders there is an 8 JOD exit tax.

Currency and payments

The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), a strong currency (worth about EUR 1.3). Cards are accepted in Amman, in hotels, at Petra and in tourist restaurants, but you need cash for the souks, Wadi Rum, small towns and tips (baksheesh, a small tip, is a widespread custom). ATMs are common in the cities. Jordan is not as cheap as other Middle Eastern destinations. Change euros or dollars at a bank or exchange office.

Language

The language is Arabic. English is very widespread in the tourist sector (hotels, guides, Petra, Wadi Rum) and among young people in the cities: communicating is easy in places of interest. Learning a few words of Arabic ('shukran' = thank you, 'salam' = hello) is much appreciated by Jordanians, among the most hospitable peoples.

Health and vaccines

No mandatory vaccine, except yellow fever for those arriving from at-risk countries. Healthcare is good in Amman (especially private) but drops outside the capital; all facilities require payment: take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation. Hepatitis, amoebas and intestinal parasites are present: drink bottled water, avoid raw food and dubious ice. In the desert and at Petra bring water, a hat and sun cream: the heat is dry and intense and you walk a lot.

eSIM and connectivity

The main operators are Zain, Orange and Umniah: a tourist SIM with data costs little and is easily bought at the airport or in town. Alternatively an eSIM. 4G coverage is good in the cities and at tourist sites, weaker in the Wadi Rum desert (part of the charm). Wi-Fi is common in hotels and restaurants.

Electricity

Power is 230V/50Hz with a mix of sockets: mainly type C and F (European, which European plugs fit) and type G (British, three flat pins). Bring a universal adapter to be covered in every case.

Time zone

Jordan is at UTC+3 all year (since 2022 it no longer observes daylight saving time).

Good to know

Safety — Jordan is an island of stability and security in a difficult region, and its tourist destinations (Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Aqaba) are calm and well controlled. A terrorism risk exists, as elsewhere, but the territory is closely patrolled. The border areas, in any case outside the tourist routes, should be AVOIDED: to the west (with Israel/West Bank), the north (with Syria) and the east (with Iraq). Land crossings can close suddenly: if you plan crossings, check the updates.
At Petra and the sites — Petra is huge and you walk a lot (even 10-15 km): comfortable shoes, water and a hat are essential. NOTE: near the rock walls, in narrow passages like the Siq and in front of the Treasury there is a risk of falling rocks, especially after rain: pay attention and follow the instructions. To enjoy Petra without crowds, enter at the morning opening. Be wary of those offering paid 'shortcuts' or insistent rides; always agree every price beforehand.
Culture and dress — Jordan is a moderate, hospitable Muslim country, but it is good to respect customs: dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially women and at religious sites and in villages (a scarf is useful for mosques). Alcohol is found in hotels and some restaurants, but not everywhere. During Ramadan hours change and you do not eat in public during the day. Photographing people should be asked. Jordanian hospitality is overwhelming: accept the tea offered, it is a gesture of friendship.
Eating, tipping and drugs — Jordanian cuisine is delicious: mansaf (lamb with yoghurt and rice, the national dish), maqluba, mezze with hummus and falafel, fresh bread and sweet mint tea. In the desert you enjoy the Bedouin zarb, cooked under the sand. Tips (baksheesh) are very common and appreciated: leave something for guides, drivers and waiters. Drug laws are extremely strict: even small amounts for personal use mean long prison terms. Avoid them entirely.

Useful numbers

911 — Single emergency number (police, ambulance, fire)
+962 6 4638185 — Italian Embassy in Amman (emergencies: +962 775415000). For other nationalities, contact your own country's embassy

💡 Jordan is a safe and surprising destination, ideal for a first trip to the Middle East. Buy the Jordan Pass before leaving (it includes the visa and entry to Petra and the sites), travel in spring or autumn to avoid the desert heat, dress modestly and bring comfortable shoes, water and cash for tips. And let yourself be won over by Bedouin hospitality: a night under the stars of Wadi Rum is unforgettable.

Jordan