Self-Launched Jordan: Amman, Jerash, Petra & Wadi Rum in 5 Days
5 days · Jordan
Flow Travel and Tourism charges £448
No-markup version: ~£315 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Discover the ancient wonders of Jordan on your own terms — from Roman ruins at Jerash to the rose-red city of Petra and the vast desert silence of Wadi Rum. This self-launched version follows the same route as Flow Travel and Tourism's guided group tour, swapping package pricing for budget guesthouses, public minibuses, and self-bookable entrance tickets. All costs are approximate estimates in GBP per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Amman
Amman
Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) and make your way into the city. The Airport Express Bus (JD3, ~£3) runs regularly to Abdali bus station in central Amman — much cheaper than a taxi. Check into your guesthouse in the lively Rainbow Street or Downtown area. No activities are scheduled today; grab a falafel wrap from a local stand and get settled. Dinner at one of Amman's neighbourhood restaurants.
🚌Airport Express Bus from Queen Alia Airport to Abdali station, ~£3. Taxi to guesthouse if needed, ~£4.
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in central Amman — e.g. Farah Hotel or Sydney Hotel Downtown, ~£18-25/night.
- →Arrive and settle into accommodation
- →Explore Rainbow Street or Downtown Amman at leisure
- →Dinner at a local restaurant
Amman City Tour, Jerash & Ajloun Castle
Amman, Jerash, Ajloun
Start the morning with the classic Amman foodie trail: falafel and hummus at Hashim Restaurant (Downtown), fresh sugarcane juice from a street vendor, and kunafa at Habiba Sweets nearby. Then visit the Amman Citadel (Umayyad Palace, Temple of Hercules, Byzantine Church, Archaeological Museum) and the Roman Theatre — both walkable from Downtown. After lunch, take a public minibus from Abdali station to Jerash (~45 min, JD1, ~£1), one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Explore the Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, and temples at your own pace (entrance ~JD10, ~£11). Then catch a shared taxi or service taxi to Ajloun Castle (~45 min, JD2-3, ~£2-3). Return to Amman by shared taxi or minibus in the evening.
🚌Public minibus Amman–Jerash from Abdali station, ~£1. Shared taxi Jerash–Ajloun, ~£2-3. Shared taxi/minibus Ajloun–Amman, ~£3.
🛏Same guesthouse in central Amman, ~£18-25/night.
- →Falafel and hummus breakfast at Hashim Restaurant
- →Fresh sugarcane juice and kunafa at Habiba Sweets
- →Amman Citadel: Umayyad Palace, Temple of Hercules, Byzantine Church, Archaeological Museum (entrance ~£5)
- →Roman Theatre of Amman (entrance ~£2)
- →Visit Jerash — ancient Roman city of the Decapolis (entrance ~£11)
- →Visit Ajloun Castle (entrance ~£4)
Madaba, Mount Nebo, King's Highway & Little Petra
Madaba, Mount Nebo, Little Petra (Wadi Musa area)
Take an early public minibus from Amman's South Bus Station (Wehdat) to Madaba (~45 min, JD0.6, ~£0.7). Visit St. George's Church to see the famous 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land (entrance ~JD1, ~£1). Hire a local taxi for the short hop to Mount Nebo (~JD5, ~£5), where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land — stunning views over the Dead Sea and beyond. From Mount Nebo, negotiate a taxi or join a shared vehicle heading south along the King's Highway toward Petra. Stop at Little Petra (Siq al-Barid, free entry) in the afternoon before checking into a budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa (the town adjacent to Petra).
🚌Public minibus Amman (Wehdat station)–Madaba, ~£0.70. Local taxi Madaba–Mount Nebo–back to Madaba, ~£5. Shared taxi or private taxi Madaba south along King's Highway to Wadi Musa, ~£15-20. Taxi detour to Little Petra from Wadi Musa, ~£5.
🛏Budget guesthouse in Wadi Musa — e.g. Valentine Inn or Rocky Mountain Hotel, ~£15-22/night.
- →Visit Madaba and St. George's Church with Byzantine mosaic map (entrance ~£1)
- →Visit Mount Nebo viewpoint (entrance ~£4)
- →Drive the scenic King's Highway south toward Petra
- →Visit Little Petra / Siq al-Barid (free entry)
Petra & Wadi Rum Jeep Safari
Petra, Wadi Rum
Rise early for Petra — the earlier you arrive, the fewer crowds at the Treasury. The main Petra entrance fee is JD50 (~£53) for a one-day pass (Jordan Pass covers this and the visa if pre-purchased — highly recommended). Walk the dramatic Siq gorge to the iconic Al-Khazneh (Treasury), then explore the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and the rock-carved theatre at your own pace. Self-guided audio tours are available via the official Petra app. After Petra, arrange shared transport or join a group taxi to Wadi Rum Village (~1 hr, ~£8-10). Book a 2-hour 4x4 jeep excursion directly with local Bedouin operators at the visitor centre (£15-20pp). Sip traditional Bedouin tea under the stars. Return to Amman by public bus or shared taxi from Wadi Rum/Aqaba direction (~3 hrs, ~£7-10), or overnight in Wadi Rum if budget allows.
🚌Shared taxi Wadi Musa–Wadi Rum Village, ~£8-10. Public bus or shared taxi Wadi Rum–Amman (via Desert Highway), ~£7-10.
🛏Return to budget guesthouse in central Amman, ~£18-25/night.
- →Full Petra city tour: walk the Siq to Al-Khazneh (Treasury), Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, rock-carved theatre (Jordan Pass or day ticket ~£53)
- →Use the official Petra app for self-guided audio commentary (free)
- →2-hour 4x4 jeep excursion in Wadi Rum with local Bedouin operator (~£18)
- →Traditional Bedouin tea in Wadi Rum
Depart Amman
Amman
Enjoy a final breakfast in Amman. Check out by noon and store luggage at your guesthouse if your flight is later. Use the remaining time to pick up souvenirs in the Downtown souk or revisit Rainbow Street. The Airport Express Bus (JD3, ~£3) departs Abdali station regularly and takes around 45 minutes to Queen Alia Airport — allow 3.5-4 hours before departure to be safe.
🚌Airport Express Bus from Abdali station to Queen Alia Airport, ~£3.
- →Final breakfast in Downtown Amman
- →Browse the Downtown souk or Rainbow Street for souvenirs
- →Airport Express Bus to Queen Alia International Airport
Self-launched vs. Flow Travel and Tourism
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Flow Travel and Tourism | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£315 | £448 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £133 per person (30%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Flow Travel and Tourism-style trips? Check them out here.~£315
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Jordan: Amman, Jerash, Petra & Wadi Rum in 5 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £315 per person for 5 days in Jordan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Flow Travel and Tourism?+
Yes — Flow Travel and Tourism charges around £448 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £315 — a saving of roughly £133 (30%) per person.
How long is the Jordan trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Jordan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Jordan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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