Self-Launched Kingdoms of Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea

Welcome to Jordan's vibrant capital. Take the Airport Express Bus (JD3, ~£3) from Queen Alia International Airport to Downtown Amman — runs every 30 minutes and takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, negotiate a shared taxi for around JD15–20 (~£15). Check into your hotel, grab a falafel sandwich from a street stall and rest up for the days ahead. The Nomads Hotel or Jordan Tower Hotel in downtown are excellent mid-range options with rooftop views.

🚌Airport Express Bus (JD3/~£3) or shared taxi (~£15)

🛏Nomads Hotel or Jordan Tower Hotel, Amman (~£30–40/night)

• →Airport bus or shared taxi to Downtown Amman
• →Check in and explore the neighbourhood
• →Street food dinner in Downtown

After breakfast, take a shared minibus (JETT or local service) from Amman's North Bus Station to Jerash — about 45 minutes and costs JD1 (~£1). Entry to Jerash is JD10 (~£8) for non-Jordanians (included in Jordan Pass if you've bought one — highly recommended at ~£70 and covers most major sites plus your visa). Spend the morning exploring the breathtaking oval forum, colonnaded streets, Temple of Zeus and two Roman theatres. Return to Amman by midday, then self-tour the Citadel (Al-Qal'a) and Roman Theatre in the afternoon — both within walking distance of Downtown. End the day with dinner at Hashem Restaurant, a legendary local institution.

🚌Shared minibus Amman–Jerash–Amman (~£2 total)

🛏Nomads Hotel or Jordan Tower Hotel, Amman (~£30–40/night)

• →Shared minibus to Jerash (~£1 each way)
• →Jerash archaeological site (Jordan Pass or JD10 entry)
• →Amman Citadel & Roman Theatre self-tour
• →Dinner at Hashem Restaurant

The King's Highway is one of the world's oldest trade routes and is best done with a hired car or shared taxi for the day — budget around JD60–80 (~£45–60) for a private taxi hired from Amman, or consider renting a car from around £30/day. Stop at the Byzantine mosaics of Madaba (free to walk around, ~£2 entry to St George's Church mosaic map), drive up to Mount Nebo for sweeping views across the Jordan Valley (JD1 entry), and explore the imposing Crusader castle at Kerak (Jordan Pass or JD3 entry). Arrive in Petra by evening and check into a guesthouse in Wadi Musa village. The Petra Gate Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel offer great value with views.

🚌Private taxi or rental car Amman → Petra via King's Highway (~£45–60)

🛏Petra Gate Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£25–35/night)

• →Drive the King's Highway by hired taxi or rental car
• →Madaba mosaic map at St George's Church
• →Mount Nebo viewpoint
• →Kerak Crusader Castle
• →Arrive Petra/Wadi Musa

An early start is essential to beat the crowds and the heat. Entry to Petra is JD50 for a two-day pass (~£38) — strongly recommended to buy the Jordan Pass before travel as it includes this. Walk the dramatic Siq — a 1.2km narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs — to the iconic Treasury (Al Khazneh). Continue through the city to the Roman-era Colonnaded Street, the Great Temple and the Royal Tombs. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Lunch at one of the on-site cave restaurants (~£5–8). In the afternoon, consider the walk up to the Monastery (Ad Deir) — 850 steps but utterly spectacular. You can book a local Bedouin guide directly at the visitor centre for around JD20 (~£15) if you'd like more context.

🚌Walk or horse-drawn carriage within Petra site

🛏Petra Gate Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£25–35/night)

• →Walk the Siq to the Treasury
• →Colonnaded Street, Great Temple & Royal Tombs
• →Optional: climb to the Monastery (850 steps)
• →Optional: hire a local Bedouin guide (~£15)

Use your two-day Petra pass to return early and take a different route. Hike up the High Place of Sacrifice trail — a steep but well-marked path rewarding you with panoramic views over Petra and the surrounding mountains. The descent via the Wadi Farasa route takes you past the Lion Fountain, Garden Tomb and Soldier Tomb. Alternatively, revisit your favourite spots or explore the Street of Facades at a slower pace. Pack a picnic lunch from the Wadi Musa market to save money. Evening back in the village — try the local restaurant Cave Bar for dinner in a genuine 2,000-year-old Nabataean tomb.

🚌Walk within Petra site

🛏Petra Gate Hotel or Rocky Mountain Hotel, Wadi Musa (~£25–35/night)

• →High Place of Sacrifice hike
• →Wadi Farasa descent route
• →Free exploration of Petra
• →Dinner at Cave Bar, Wadi Musa

Start the morning with a visit to Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) — a free site just 8km north of Wadi Musa, easily reachable by taxi (~£5). It's far quieter than the main site and features impressive carved facades and Nabataean frescoes. Then take a shared taxi or arrange a direct transfer (~£20–25) south to Wadi Rum village. At the visitor centre, join a group 4WD jeep tour of the desert highlights — book on arrival or via GetYourGuide for around JD25–35 (~£20–27) for a 4-hour tour. Stay overnight at a Bedouin camp; Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp or Captain's Desert Camp offer authentic tented experiences with dinner and breakfast included for around £40–55/night. Watch the sunset, enjoy a zarb (underground-cooked) dinner, stargaze around the fire.

🚌Taxi Petra → Wadi Rum (~£20–25); 4WD jeep tour included in camp or booked separately

🛏Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp or Captain's Desert Camp (~£40–55/night, dinner & breakfast included)

• →Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) — free entry
• →Shared taxi to Wadi Rum (~£20–25)
• →4WD jeep tour of Wadi Rum highlights (~£20–27 via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Sunset & stargazing at Bedouin camp
• →Traditional zarb dinner at camp

After breakfast at camp, take a shared taxi or JETT bus from Wadi Rum/Rum Village to Aqaba (about 1 hour, ~£8–12). Check into a mid-range hotel near the seafront — the Aqaba Gulf Hotel or Mövenpick Resort offer good value with beach access. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the public beach or rent snorkelling gear (~£5–8) to explore the coral reefs just offshore. Aqaba's marine reserve is accessible directly from the beach. Head to the local fish market for an affordable fresh seafood dinner (~£8–12 per person) — far better value than hotel restaurants.

🚌Shared taxi or JETT bus Wadi Rum → Aqaba (~£8–12)

🛏Aqaba Gulf Hotel or similar mid-range seafront hotel (~£35–50/night)

• →Shared taxi or bus Wadi Rum → Aqaba (~£8–12)
• →Snorkelling on Aqaba's coral reef (~£5–8 gear hire)
• →Public beach relaxation
• →Fresh seafood dinner at local fish market

Take a JETT bus or shared service taxi from Aqaba north to the Dead Sea area (approx. 4–5 hours, ~£15–20). The JETT bus is comfortable and air-conditioned — book at the station in advance. Check into a mid-range hotel near the Dead Sea public beach. The Amman Beach Resort or O7 Hotel Dead Sea offer access to the shore at a fraction of the price of luxury resorts. Spend the afternoon floating in the famously salty, mineral-rich waters and slathering yourself in therapeutic Dead Sea mud — a surreal and unforgettable experience. Celebrate your Jordan adventure with a group dinner at your accommodation or a local restaurant.

🚌JETT bus or shared service taxi Aqaba → Dead Sea (~£15–20)

🛏Amman Beach Resort or O7 Hotel Dead Sea (~£40–55/night)

• →JETT bus or shared taxi Aqaba → Dead Sea (~£15–20)
• →Floating in the Dead Sea
• →Dead Sea mud treatment (free from the shore)
• →Farewell dinner at local restaurant

After a final breakfast and one last look at the remarkable saltwater expanse, arrange a shared taxi or pre-booked transfer from the Dead Sea to Queen Alia International Airport (~1 hour, ~£20–25 by private taxi or ~£10 by shared service). The airport is straightforward to navigate. If time allows before your flight, the duty-free shops stock excellent Jordanian Dead Sea beauty products to take home. Safe travels!

🚌Shared service taxi or private taxi Dead Sea → Amman Airport (~£10–25)

• →Final breakfast and Dead Sea view
• →Taxi or shared transfer to Queen Alia Airport (~£10–25)
• →Depart Jordan