This is the 5-6 day itinerary that we created for Jordan in 2022. Our must do activities were to see Petra and Wadi Rum.
Getting to Jordan
There were no direct flights from New York to Jordan and all routes were costly and long. We opted to book the cheapest round trip to London (~$500) then book a separate set of flights for Jordan. There are 2 useful international airports in Jordan. One near Amman (Queen Alia AMM in north Jordan) and one somewhat closer to Wadi Rum (Hussein AQJ in south Jordan). There are more flights to Amman and the drive is probably 2 hours additional to Petra with many sites around Amman. Taking multiple legs on different discount airlines (like Ryan) would only cost $200 London-Amman. A direct 5 hour flight on British Airlines or Jordan Airlines was $500. Overall this was 30 to 50% cheaper than booking all at once although there is risk if something.
Activities and Lodging
Day 1 – Arrive after midnight in Amman. Since we will see Amman at the end of the trip, stay near the airport. Unfortunately there is only one hotel near the airport and it is terrible and over-priced. We opt to rent the car and go to a nicer and cheaper ($100/night) hotel (Opal Hotel Amman) between the airport and Amman. Only sleeping there for 6 hours before driving to Petra. Car booked through Alamo for about $45/day including insurance.
Day 2 – Up early and breakfast. ~3 hour drive to Petra. Get Petra at Night tickets during and come back for Petra night show (only on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Stay at The Old Village Hotel & Resort for 2 days. $250/night is expensive but we are splurging for Petra.
Day 3 – Up early to arrive at Petra by 6AM. Race to get the tourist free shots. 6.5 hour round trip hike to the Monastary. More hiking then back to the same hotel.
Day 4 – At 6AM for a 3 hour morning at Petra to climb to some tombs. Drive 2 hours to Wadi Rum. Use WhatsApp to let the camp know to come pick us up in the 4×4. Stay at Arena Desert Camp & Adventurers for about $70/night. All the places are inexpensive BUT expect more charges for extras like Jeep tours and dinner. Key thing is understanding if you want a private bathroom and air conditioning when selecting where to stay. We take 3 hour Jeep ride and see the sunset where a scene from the Martian was filmed. Dinner cooked under the sand and dug up at 830PM and large buffet at 9. Everyone is Arab and we have live music and dancing.
Day 5 – Camel doesn’t show up for our 530AM ride and are disappointed but acknowledge we have ridden them several times in the past. Leave Wadi Rum and head south to glance at the Red Sea before driving north along the Israel border. After 4 hours of driving, see the Dead Sea and go uphill 9km to the Panorama for lunch and a view. Then 2 hour drive to Jerash and see the most intact Roman ruins. It is huge with few foreign tourists. Then head to the outskirts of Amman to a nice Monarch hotel. It does not at all feel like the city outskirts as traffic and street life is crazy.
Day 6 – Book stay for last night at Opal. Extended car reservation and simply dropped off car in the morning at the airport. Take 30+ minute ($9) Uber to old city part of Amman to see old ruins and get great meals.
Day 7 – Leave hotel at 530AM and drop off rental car at 6AM for 830AM flight to London.
Tools
Jordan Pass – Visa and admission to major attractions for $100
Jordan Travel Declaration Form – Creates required QR code required for entry. Can only be used 14 days before entry.
WhatsApp – preferred way of calling and texting people. Strongly recommended if you need to contact anyone local.
Kayak.com – finding good airfare options. Google Flights also.
Booking.com – convenient way to find and book hotels
TripAdvisor – attractions, reviews, tag places visited and want to visit
Google Travel – automatically build itinerary based on gmail info
eSIMdb.com – find cheapest local internet for your phone. Or just use the AirALO app – $18 for 3GB, TMobile is $35 for 5GB if you have that carrier in the US.
