Jordan

Jordan packs Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash, and lively Amman into a compact country, so smart planning helps you make the most of it. Many travellers combine Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea in 7–10 days, adding places like Dana Biosphere Reserve or Aqaba if you love hiking or diving. The official Visit Jordan site lists current entry rules and the Jordan Pass, which can save money if you’re visiting multiple archaeological sites.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out travel days, ticket times, and hotel moves so you’re not switching cities every night. Aim for at least two nights near Petra to avoid rushing the trails, and one night under the stars in Wadi Rum. The rainy season runs roughly November–March, and summers can be very hot, so factor weather into your itinerary and daily start times.

Transport between major hubs is straightforward by bus, private driver, or rental car. Keep notes on estimated costs in the app, and use budget tracking in Jordanian dinar (JOD) to see how your plans line up with your actual spending as you go.

Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar (JOD), and prices can feel higher than some neighbouring countries, especially around Petra and the Dead Sea. As a rough guide, street food in Amman might be 3–5 JOD (about US$4–7), while a simple sit-down meal near major sights can easily reach 10–15 JOD (US$14–21). Petra’s main ticket for one day is around 50 JOD (about US$70), so entrance fees are a meaningful part of your budget.

Cash is useful for small shops, taxis, and tips, though cards are widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants. ATMs are common in cities but less so in remote areas like Wadi Rum, so withdraw what you need in advance.

To avoid roaming surprises, buy and activate a Hello eSIM before you land. You’ll have data ready for maps, translation, and ride-hailing as soon as you step off the plane. Use Hello’s budget tracking to log expenses in JOD, and expense splitting when sharing taxis, desert tours, or group dinners—especially handy when everyone is paying in the same currency but thinking in different ones.

Jordan’s food scene is a highlight, from hearty home-style dishes to sweet treats in old-city bakeries. Don’t miss mansaf, the national dish of lamb cooked in fermented yogurt and served over rice—look for it in traditional restaurants in Amman or Madaba. For lighter bites, you’ll find excellent falafel, hummus, and mutabbal in local spots around Rainbow Street and downtown Amman.

Sweet lovers should hunt down knafeh—a gooey cheese dessert topped with crisp pastry and syrup. Popular places like Habibah Sweets in Amman often have a queue, which is part of the fun. In many cafés and homes you’ll be offered mint tea or strong Arabic coffee; it’s polite to accept at least a small cup unless you have a good reason to decline.

A few practical tips:

• Street food is generally safe at busy, well-known stalls; follow the crowds.
• Dress modestly in smaller towns when dining out.
• Carry small notes for tipping.

Hello’s expense splitting makes it easy to share the cost of large shared platters, and budget tracking helps keep daily food spending in check while you say yes to one more dessert.

Distances in Jordan are manageable, but the landscapes are dramatic: think winding roads from Amman to Petra, then open desert into Wadi Rum. Many travellers hire a car to move between cities, combining this with local guides for specific sites. If you’re driving, download offline maps and keep your Hello eSIM active for live navigation, traffic updates, and quick checks on fuel stations.

In cities, licensed yellow taxis in Amman are common; agree to use the meter or confirm a fare beforehand. Intercity buses link major destinations like Amman, Petra, and Aqaba, but schedules can be approximate, so build in buffer time.

For Wadi Rum, book a camp or jeep tour in advance—your host usually arranges pickup from the village. Spend at least one night in the desert to enjoy sunset on sandstone cliffs and a sky full of stars. In Petra, wear sturdy shoes and start early; the walk from the gate through the Siq to the Treasury is longer than it looks.

Use Hello’s trip planning to keep transport bookings, meeting points, and camp details in one place, and log shared taxi or jeep tour costs with expense splitting so everyone contributes fairly after a long day in the sun.