Practical information to prepare for a trip to Jordan

If you plan to Traveling in Jordan Here are some practical information that will help you better prepare for your trip in this simply exceptional country. A destination to be visited once in a lifetime! I had the opportunity to visit it during a 5-day blogtrip organized by the Jordan Tourism Board and I have an unforgettable memory of it… Admittedly, 5 days is too short to fully enjoy the country and let me tell you that this short stay was quite hectic! Now, I dream of returning to Jordan for about a dozen days as part of a road trip to take the time to appreciate every wonder of the country.

How to travel in Jordan?

• Road trip in Jordan

Although it does require a bit of organization, it is quite possible to discover Jordan on a road trip that you build according to your own preferences. This is certainly the best way to explore the country at your own pace! Before you leave, be sure to purchase the Jordan Pass; you will receive numerous benefits (I’ll talk about them in more detail in the Visa section). Renting a car costs about €20/day. The total cost of a 10-day road trip in Jordan is around €1,800/person (flight + car + accommodation + meals + visits).

If you are looking for a road trip itinerary in Jordan, I recommend you to check out the bloggers’ article. Love Live Travel

• Guided tour in Jordan

The other alternative is to go through a tour operator to organize your trip in Jordan. While you won’t have as much freedom as if you were taking a road trip on your own, you will have a French-speaking guide who will provide you with a wealth of valuable information on the ground. This is a great opportunity to better understand Jordan and immerse yourself in its history, culture, traditions, etc… Note that Jordan is not a cheap destination and the prices range around 2000€ (all inclusive) for a ten-day trip in the country. More information on the site the Jordan tourism office

Practical information

• When to Leave

Autumn is the ideal time to travel in Jordan; the temperatures are pleasant and the prices are lower than in May, June and September. Avoid visiting in the summer when the heat is unbearable, especially around the Dead Sea, and also during Ramadan.

• Visa

Passport valid for 3 months after the date of travel to Jordan. The visa is mandatory, It costs 40 JD and lasts for one month. It is issued at the airports of Amman and Aqaba. Tourists who purchase a «JORDAN PASS» via the website www.jordanpass.jo You also receive a free entry visa and free access to a number of Jordanian tourist sites, provided that you stay in Jordan for at least 3 nights. The price of the pass varies depending on the number of days you stay in Petra. For the pass that includes, among other things, 1 day in Petra, expect to pay around a hundred euros.

• Budget / money

Jordan is not a cheap country, so if you want to rent a car, stay in a 3-star hotel, eat at a restaurant, and visit the tourist sites, you need to budget around 110 JD, or 150 € / day. It is also possible to sleep in guest houses and eat on the go everywhere in Jordan.

It is best to avoid withdrawals and limit card payments to avoid commission fees. You can exchange your money at banks (with better rates) or at the many currency exchange offices by following the current exchange rate to avoid being scammed.

Exchange rate: 1 JOD = 1.34 €

Currency converter provided by Investing.com France.

Security

I assure you, we feel completely safe in Jordan! I really insist on this point because I get asked a lot about it… As you will be pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the Jordanians, a welcoming people who are always ready to help you. Unfortunately, the country suffers from the unstable situation of its neighbors in Syria, Israel, and Iraq, and the tourism sector is paying the price dearly… As proof, there used to be nearly 6000 visitors per day before the pandemic, but now there are only about 2000. Petra now there are only 300 of them! Also a great opportunity to enjoy these beautiful sites in complete tranquility 🙂

Useful addresses

French Embassy in Jordan: 

40, Al-Mutanabbi Street – Jabal Amman PO Box 5348Amman
Tel: +962 6 460 46 30
Only in case of emergency: +962 777 636 065

Jordanian Embassy in France:

Consular functions provided by the Embassy
80 boulevard Maurice Barrès92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine
Tel: 01.55.62.00.00

Phone

Dial the prefix +962 to call Jordan from France. Dial the prefix +33 to call from Jordan to France. On the spot I recommend you buy a sim card that will allow you to make calls and use the internet without breaking the bank (be sure to unlock your phone beforehand). You will also be able to access the internet in most hotels in the country and, if necessary, you can visit a cyber café.

 

The traditions to be respected

Avoid the hair-streaked torso and outfits that are too short! It should be noted that Jordan has long been a country with very different characteristics from the West. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, you must be careful to avoid outfits that are too short, as they would emphasize your sexy side or femininity (men should also be careful to wear decent outfits). Similarly, during your road trip in Jordan, avoid showing too much affection in public, such as hugging each other for long periods. Keep your impulses for more intimate places. Ladies, bring a scarf in your suitcase; it could always come in handy during some visits.

• Tips

In Jordan, tipping is still a matter of personal taste, so if you enjoy the service, remember to leave a tip (also called bakchich) that is more or less generous depending on your satisfaction.

• Separate yourself from your left hand

No more jokes, you’re not going to cut off your left hand, but know that in the Islamic religion the left hand is considered impure; it’s a bit of the evil incarnate. So you’ll avoid giving or receiving anything with your left hand; when eating you’ll exclusively use your right hand. Good luck, left-handed friends!

• Respect the population; don't be intrusive

If you are going on a road trip in Jordan during Ramadan, it is best to avoid drinking and eating in front of those who practice the religion and who will not be able to eat and drink before sunset. Similarly, respecting the local population invites you to avoid being too intrusive. This naturally means avoiding taking photos of people without first asking permission. The locals are very pleasant, very friendly, and you will have no trouble getting permission. If you take the photo without asking, the lack of respect would be much less appreciated.

• The greeting

Although some customs are gradually disappearing, they are very much appreciated by the local population. For example, the traditional greeting of saying «Salam aleikoum» to say hello and «Aleikoum salam» when you are greeted is a tradition that will bring you great honor.