One Week in Jordan: Self-Launched Adventure

Fly into Queen Alia International Airport and take the Airport Express Bus 701 into central Amman (~£2.50, runs regularly). Check into your hostel in the Jabal Amman or Weibdeh area — both walkable to Rainbow Street. Spend your first afternoon getting your bearings: wander Rainbow Street for falafel, shisha and people-watching, or visit the King Abdullah I Mosque (JOD2/~£2). In the evening, explore the local bar scene on Rainbow Street or grab a hearty mezze dinner at one of the many local restaurants.

🚌Airport Express Bus 701 from Queen Alia Airport to downtown Amman (~£2.50). Use local taxis (metered) or walk within the city.

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Jabal Amman/Weibdeh area — e.g. Jordan Tower Hotel or Farah Hotel (~£18-22/night)

• →Take Airport Express Bus 701 from Queen Alia Airport to central Amman (~£2.50)
• →Stroll Rainbow Street for falafel, hummus and shisha
• →Optional: King Abdullah I Mosque entrance (JOD2/~£2)
• →Optional: Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts (free or small fee)
• →Optional: Day trip to Jerash Roman ruins (JOD10/~£10, shared taxi or bus from North Bus Station)

Start your morning with a self-guided walking tour of Amman's highlights — begin at the hilltop Citadel (JOD3/~£3), then walk down to the Roman Theatre (JOD3/~£3). Wander through the souqs and stop at nut shops along the way. Visit the Royal Automobile Museum if you wish (JOD3/~£3). After lunch at a local eatery, head to Wadi Rum. Take a JETT bus or minibus from Amman's South (Wehdat) Bus Station to Aqaba or Wadi Rum village (~£8-10, ~4 hours), or book a shared transfer. At Wadi Rum village, arrange your Bedouin camp stay directly — many camps include dinner and breakfast. Sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent under a spectacular star-filled sky.

🚌JETT bus or public minibus from Wehdat Bus Station, Amman to Wadi Rum/Aqaba (~£8-10, ~4 hours). Local taxi to camp from Wadi Rum village (~£3-5).

🛏Bedouin-style desert camp in Wadi Rum — e.g. Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp or Rahayeb Desert Camp (~£35-45/night including dinner and breakfast)

• →Self-guided walk: Amman Citadel (JOD3/~£3 entrance)
• →Roman Theatre (JOD3/~£3 entrance)
• →Browse local souqs and nut shops
• →Optional: Royal Automobile Museum (JOD3/~£3)
• →Travel to Wadi Rum by JETT bus or shared minibus (~£8-10)
• →Check into Bedouin desert camp — dinner and mint tea included in camp fee

Wake before dawn to catch the legendary Wadi Rum sunrise — a magical palette of orange and pink over the sandstone mountains. Join a shared jeep safari tour bookable directly through your camp or at the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre (around JOD25-35/~£25-35 per person for a half-day shared tour). The safari winds past Lawrence Spring, Lawrence's House, enormous sand dunes and natural rock bridges. Your camp can also arrange a short guided morning hike. Spend the afternoon relaxing at camp, sipping mint tea with your Bedouin hosts, and enjoy another evening of traditional food and stargazing.

🚌Jeep safari transport included in tour fee. No additional transport needed today.

🛏Bedouin-style desert camp in Wadi Rum (second night, breakfast included)

• →Wake early for the Wadi Rum sunrise
• →Self-guided or camp-arranged morning hike
• →Book a shared 4WD jeep safari at the Visitors Centre or through your camp (~£25-35/person for half-day)
• →Visit Lawrence Spring and Lawrence's House
• →Climb the large sand dunes
• →Explore rock bridges in the valley
• →Evening: traditional Bedouin dinner and stargazing at camp

After breakfast at camp, arrange a shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Rum to Wadi Musa (the town next to Petra) — approximately £8-12 per person (~1.5-2 hours). Alternatively, take a bus to Aqaba and change to a minibus to Wadi Musa. Check into your guesthouse in Wadi Musa and head straight to Petra — your two-day pass (JOD50/~£50) covers both today and tomorrow. Walk the famous Siq and emerge to the breathtaking Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Book a short guided walking tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15-20) or hire a local guide at the gate for deeper historical context. Explore at your own pace through tombs, temples and the rock-hewn amphitheatre. End your day at the famous Cave Bar for a well-deserved drink.

🚌Shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Rum to Wadi Musa (~£8-12, ~2 hours).

🛏Budget guesthouse or mid-range hotel in Wadi Musa — e.g. Petra Moon Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel (~£20-28/night)

• →Travel from Wadi Rum to Wadi Musa by shared taxi or minibus (~£8-12)
• →Purchase 2-day Petra entry pass (JOD50/~£50 — valid for 2 consecutive days)
• →Walk the Siq to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
• →Self-guided or hired local guide tour of Petra's main sites
• →Explore Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street and the Amphitheatre
• →Optional: Book a guided Petra tour via GetYourGuide (~£15-20)
• →Optional: Petra By Night (JOD30/~£30, runs Mon/Wed/Thu)

Your two-day Petra pass means today is all yours to explore at your own leisurely pace — and there's plenty left to see. Head up the 800+ steps to the awe-inspiring Monastery (El-Deir) for panoramic views — arrive early to beat the crowds. Alternatively, hike to the High Place of Sacrifice for incredible vistas over the city. Visit the Byzantine Church mosaics within the site. In the afternoon, head just north of the main site to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) — completely free to enter and far less crowded. Grab dinner in Wadi Musa town — plenty of great local restaurants at reasonable prices.

🚌Walking within the Petra site. Local taxi to Little Petra and back (~£4-6 return).

🛏Budget guesthouse or mid-range hotel in Wadi Musa (second night)

• →Second day with Petra 2-day pass (already purchased on Day 4)
• →Hike up to the Monastery (El-Deir) — 800+ steps, stunning views
• →Visit the High Place of Sacrifice trail
• →Explore the Byzantine Church and its mosaics
• →Free afternoon visit to Little Petra / Siq al-Barid (free entry)
• →Dinner in Wadi Musa town

After breakfast, arrange a shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Musa heading north toward the Dead Sea (~£10-15, stopping en route, or take a JETT bus toward Amman). The most budget-friendly Dead Sea access is at the free public beach near Amman Beach resort, though some opt for a day pass at a resort (~JOD15-20/~£15-20 including facilities and towels). Float in the hyper-saline waters and coat yourself in the famous mineral-rich mud. Afterwards, continue north to Madaba (~£5-8 by shared taxi or bus). Check into your hotel in Madaba and visit St George's Church, home to the 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land — entrance is just JOD2/~£2. Explore the town's mosaic workshops and grab dinner at a local restaurant.

🚌Shared taxi or bus from Wadi Musa to Dead Sea (~£10-15). Shared taxi or bus from Dead Sea to Madaba (~£5-8).

🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Madaba — e.g. Mosaic City Hotel or Mariam Hotel (~£18-25/night)

• →Travel from Wadi Musa toward the Dead Sea (shared taxi or bus, ~£10-15)
• →Float and swim in the Dead Sea — use public beach or pay resort day pass (JOD15-20/~£15-20 for resort access with facilities)
• →Apply and rinse off the famous Dead Sea mineral mud
• →Optional: Stop at Mt Nebo en route to Madaba (JOD3/~£3 entrance)
• →Visit St George's Church and the ancient mosaic map (JOD2/~£2)
• →Explore Madaba's mosaic workshops
• →Dinner at a local restaurant in Madaba

Enjoy a final breakfast in Madaba and use any remaining time to explore the town's charming streets, pick up mosaic souvenirs, or visit the nearby Archaeological Park. Madaba is just 30km from Queen Alia International Airport, making it one of the most convenient places to end a Jordan trip. Take a local taxi or minibus directly to the airport (~£8-12, ~30-40 minutes), or hop on a local bus into Amman (~£1.50) and connect to the airport bus from there. If your flight is late, consider a final day trip to Amman or Jerash.

🚌Local taxi from Madaba to Queen Alia International Airport (~£8-12, ~30-40 mins). Alternatively, local bus to Amman (~£1.50) then Airport Express Bus 701 to airport (~£2.50).

🛏No accommodation needed — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Madaba
• →Explore Madaba Archaeological Park (small entrance fee)
• →Browse mosaic shops and pick up souvenirs
• →Optional: Final morning trip into Amman (~30 mins by shared taxi)
• →Transfer to Queen Alia Airport by taxi (~£8-12) or via local bus to Amman then Airport Express Bus 701