In today’s post I am finally sharing my experience about traveling to Jordan with you. I will give you some practical travel tips if you plan a visit to Jordan and I will answer the question I have been asked the most : Is Jordan safe? Aka Is Jordan safe for women?
In my second article, I will share with you my Jordan Itinerary going to Amman, Jerash, Wadi Rum, Petra and to the Dead Sea.
Is Jordan safe? / Is Jordan safe for women?
I know many people are scared to travel to the Middle East because of the political situation but I did not feel unsafe at any moment while traveling. I would say that Jordan is not unsafer than Europe right know. As a woman I also know how to behave in the Middle East, I avoid short clothes. I cover my arm and my legs and like everywhere else, I avoid to go out on my own late at night.
I never had a problem while in Jordan, I never felt oppressed or harassed.
Practical travel tips for a visit to Jordan
How do I get to Jordan?
You can fly to Jordan from everywhere but I found it convenient to combine my travel to Jordan with my trip to Israel. You can fly with Royal Jordan from Tel Aviv to Amman in 30 minutes or go via car but it will take you more time and the border control is not open all day long. A friend of mine did the border crossing by car and she said it was very complicated and stressfull so I would not recommend this option. From Israel you can also consider booking a group tour to Jordan from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv(generally taking you to Petra and Wadi Rum, border crossing will be stress free as well as getting around.
Do I need a visa for Jordan?
As a french citizen I was able to do my visa on arrival. It costs 56dollars for a single entry valid one month. It get more expensive if you want multiple entries and longer validity.
Most citizens get to do their visa on arrival but check on the official website to be sure. Also depending from where you enter Jordan you might not be able to do your visa on arrival.
Also, you can get a free visa if you enter from Aqaba or travel with a group of 5 and more (group tours).
How to get around in Jordan?
This is a little bit tricky. You can go on a group tour but if you would like to backpack Jordan you will have to take public buses : bus companies include the JETT bus company and Hijazi Company.
There are also private mini buses that have the same routes as public buses? They are a bit more expensive and you will have to wait until the minibus is full to depart. Generally it goes quite quick.
You can also rent the services of a guide and a driver. This can be as expensive as 200dollars a day but totally worth it if you travel with 2 or 3 people and want to visit Jordan stress free and with no time restriction.
Is Jordan expensive?
Jordan is quite expensive, actually I felt like it similar prices than the one we have in Berlin. Count 10dollars per meal.
Entrance to historical sites is very expensive. Petra for example is one of the most expensive site in the world with an entrance fee of 73dollars!
Things to do in Jordan
There are a lot of things to do in Jordan. The most famous places are : Amman and Jerash both great for their roman ruins, Petra , Wadi Rum known as the Valley of the Moon, the Dead Sea but also Aqaba for diving in the very south.
Best time to visit Jordan
I was in Jordan in November. It is a good time to travel around. During the day I could walk around with a t-shirt but needed a jacket in the evening when it cooled down. It was still warm to swim in the dad sea.
Another good time to visit Jordan is Spring, when it is not too hot and flowers are blooming.
Hercules temple in Amman Hercules temple in Amman
View over the city from the Hercules temple View over the city from the Hercules temple
Dinner at Sufra Dinner at Sufra
