Jordan travel guide: best time to visit & where to go

Why visit Jordan

Jordan suits travellers who want ancient sites like Petra and Jerash, desert landscapes, and a dip in the Red Sea at Aqaba, all without long distances between stops. March, April, October and November bring the mildest weather for walking through Petra's canyons or Amman's streets. The honest catch: summers get very hot, so this narrow spring and autumn window shapes most itineraries.

Comfortable weather in spring and autumn

The best months to visit Jordan are March, April, October and November. These spring and autumn months suit long days of walking at outdoor sites, and you can travel between cities without the hottest part of the year.
Amman as a big-city base

The capital, Amman, is home to 4007526 people, about a third of the country's 11937000 residents. It is the natural starting point for most trips, with an easy link to smaller towns such as Madaba.
Petra, Jerash and Madaba in one trip

Jordan covers 89342 km², so Petra, Jerash and Madaba fit into a single itinerary. Jerash is a small town of 50745 people. You can combine these historic places without very long journeys, and driving is on the right.
A coastline at Aqaba

Aqaba is the country's coastal city, with a population of 140000. It adds a seaside stop to a trip that is otherwise mostly inland, and it is a relaxed contrast to Amman and the desert sites.
Simple practical details

Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar and Arabic is the official language. The country runs on UTC+03:00 all year, and the emergency number is 911. Sockets use 230 V, with plug types B, C, F, G and J.

Is Jordan right for you?

Great for

Shoulder-season visits in March, April, October or November, with Amman highs of 18-27°C
History and ruins trips to Petra, Jerash and Madaba, best seen outside the summer heat
Dry-weather travellers, since Amman gets under 1mm of rain from June to September
Coastal add-ons to Aqaba, with best months running November to April
Sun-seekers, since Amman sun hours climb to 12-13 a day from May to September

Less ideal for

Travellers who dislike heat, as Amman highs hit 33.7°C in July and August
Those planning a beach-only trip, since Aqaba is the only coastal city listed
Winter visitors wanting mild nights, as Amman lows drop to 4.4°C in January
People wanting lush, green scenery, given rain mm falls to near zero from June to September

Jordan right now: October

9.1/10

Avg high: 27°C
Avg low: 16°C
Rain days: 1

Averages for Amman.

Weather by month

This data is for Amman: March, April, May, October, November and December bring mild highs of 15-28°C and easier sun levels of 9-13 hours a day, making them the best months to visit. July and August are the toughest, with highs around 34°C and virtually no rain, while January and February bring the most rain, up to 8 days and 43mm a month.

Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Amman · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Jordan: month-by-month weather →

Jordan's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

Amman Highlands

Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Petra

This upland region, home to Amman, Jerash, Madaba and Petra, has cool winters and hot summers. January highs average 13°C and July reaches 33.6°C, with 38.7 rain days a year. April, October, November and March are the best months.

Best: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Red Sea Coast

Aqaba

Aqaba is dry and warm almost year-round, with only 7.7 rain days a year. January highs reach 20.4°C and July climbs to 40°C, so November, December, March and April are the most comfortable months to visit.

Best: Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec

Where to go in Jordan

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Classic Jordan: Amman to the Red Sea

Day 1–2

Amman

Settle in and explore the Amman Citadel, which takes about 1-2 hours to see. Use the capital as your base to arrange onward buses.
Day 3

Jerash

Take the 45-minute bus ride north to see the Jerash Archaeological Site, a half-day visit, then return to Amman the same day.
Day 4

Madaba

A short 45-minute bus trip brings you to Madaba. Visit Mount Nebo nearby, a 1-2 hour stop with views toward the Dead Sea.
Day 5–6

Petra

Bus to Petra (about 3 h 30 min from Amman) and spend 1-2 days walking through the ancient city carved into the rock.
Day 7

Aqaba

Finish with a 2 h 30 min bus ride to Aqaba for a day by the Red Sea before your trip ends.

10 days

Jordan in Depth: Deserts, Ruins and Coast

Day 1–3

Amman

Spend three days in the capital. Visit the Amman Citadel and use the city as a base for day trips to nearby sites.
Day 4

Jerash

Take the short 45-minute bus ride to Jerash for a half-day among the Roman-era ruins, then head back to Amman.
Day 5

Madaba

Bus 45 minutes to Madaba and visit Mount Nebo, a 1-2 hour stop overlooking the Dead Sea region.
Day 6–8

Petra

Travel to Petra (around 3 h 30 min by bus) and take 1-2 days to explore the site fully, including the Dana Biosphere Reserve area nearby for hiking.
Day 9–10

Aqaba

End with a 2 h 30 min bus ride to Aqaba. Spend your last two days at the Red Sea and visiting the Wadi Rum Protected Area, a 1-2 day desert excursion.

Getting around Jordan

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route	By	Time	Price
Amman → Petra JETT runs one daily bus. It leaves Amman (Abdali or 7th Circle) early in the morning, about 06:30, and returns from Petra (Wadi Musa) at about 17:00. The trip takes about 3.5 hours, including one rest stop halfway. The fare is about JOD 10 at the JETT office (jett.com.jo). Resellers such as 12go charge about JOD 18.44. Book a day or more ahead in high season. I could not open the JETT site, so I used a 2025 guide and a reseller listing.	bus	3 h 30 min	10–18.44 JOD ↗
Amman → Aqaba JETT runs several buses a day from Abdali station in Amman to its Aqaba station. The trip takes about 4 hours, including a 20–30 minute stop at a service station. I could not find a confirmed fare in JOD. Rome2rio lists the cheapest way from about USD 17. Check the price at jett.com.jo.	bus	4 h	– ↗
Amman → Aqaba Royal Jordanian flies from Queen Alia (AMM) to King Hussein International (AQJ). The flight takes about 55 minutes. The 150 minutes is my own door-to-door estimate, with time for check-in and airport transfers. Expedia lists one-way fares of about USD 45–140. Fares in JOD were not available.	flight	2 h 30 min	45–140 USD ↗
Amman → Jerash Public buses and minibuses leave Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) when they are full. They go to Jerash bus station in 45–60 minutes. The fare is about JOD 1–2. Buses back from Jerash get fewer later in the day, so plan your return. JETT also sells day tours.	bus	45 min	1–2 JOD ↗
Amman → Madaba Minibuses leave from Tabarbour station (JOD 1.20, price from 2018). There are also frequent minibuses from 7th Circle (JOD 1). The trip takes 45–60 minutes. Buses also leave from Wahadat station. A taxi costs about JOD 20–25.	bus	45 min	1–1.2 JOD ↗
Petra → Aqaba Direct public minibuses run between Wadi Musa (Petra) and Aqaba, with few departures (around midday in the afternoon from Aqaba, none on Fridays). The fare is about JOD 5. You can also change in Ma'an, which is cheaper. The 150 minutes is a rough figure based on reported 2.5-hour taxi rides; I did not find a published bus time. A taxi costs about JOD 35–55.	bus	2 h 30 min	5 JOD ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Jordan, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Jabal Amman

Amman

Good for first-timers, cafes, walking

This hill west of Downtown holds Rainbow Street, the old circles and many cafes, restaurants and rooftop bars. It is a good base because you can walk down to Downtown and the Roman Theatre, and taxis are easy to find. The streets are steep, and Rainbow Street gets loud and crowded on weekend evenings.

Lower Wadi Musa

Petra

Good for first-timers, short stays, early starts

This is the strip of Wadi Musa closest to the Petra Visitor Centre and the main gate, so you can walk in at opening time and come back for a rest at midday. Restaurants, shops and the Petra by Night start point are all close by. It is the busiest and most tour-group-heavy part of town, so expect traffic and higher demand in peak season.

Food to try in Jordan

Mansaf

This is Jordan's national dish. It is lamb cooked in a fermented dried yogurt sauce called jameed, served over rice and flatbread, often for celebrations and family gatherings.

Falafel

Deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas, served in bread with salad and tahini sauce. It is a common breakfast or lunch snack sold at street stalls across Amman and other cities.

Hummus

A dip made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon and garlic. It is eaten with warm flatbread as a starter or part of a mezze spread at almost any meal.

Maqluba

A layered dish of rice, fried vegetables and meat cooked in one pot, then flipped upside down onto a serving tray. It is a popular family lunch dish.

Knafeh

A sweet dessert made of soft cheese topped with shredded pastry soaked in sugar syrup. It is often eaten warm as a treat after dinner or bought from dedicated sweet shops.

Mint tea

Black tea brewed with fresh mint leaves, usually served sweet in small glasses. It is offered throughout the day as a sign of hospitality in homes and cafes.

Know before you go

Plugs and voltage: Jordan runs on 230 V. Sockets take types B, C, F, G and J, so check your adapter before you pack it, since these differ from many other countries.
Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 60 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on motorways, though limits change often, so watch the signs.
Emergency number: Dial 911 for police, ambulance or fire. If you have any crash, even a minor one, stay at the scene until traffic police arrive.
Currency: The currency is the Jordanian dinar. Carry some cash for smaller towns and markets, where card payments are less common.
Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely used in tourism, hotels and larger cities, especially in Amman.
Driving documents: To drive in Jordan you need your home licence plus an International Driving Permit, which you must get before you leave home. Carry your passport and the car's registration and insurance papers too.
Road conditions: Watch for unmarked speed bumps and livestock on rural roads, which are often poorly lit at night. Phone use while driving is not allowed, and seatbelt cameras check both front seats.

Jordan: frequently asked questions

Is Jordan good to visit in August?

August scores 4.9 out of 10, rated just ok. Amman highs reach 33.7°C with no rain at all, so it's hot and dry. It's fine if you can handle heat and plan museum or indoor time in the middle of the day, but it's not the most comfortable month.

When is the best time to visit Jordan?

April, November, October and March are the top months, all scoring 8.7 or higher. April has highs of 23.7°C and lows of 11.7°C with only 11 mm of rain. November is similar, with highs of 20.1°C and 15 mm of rain. Both months avoid the summer heat and the colder, wetter winter.

How many days do I need in Jordan?

A week is enough to cover the main sites. Amman to Petra takes 3 h 30 min by bus, Amman to Jerash and Madaba each take 45 minutes, and Petra to Aqaba is 2 h 30 min. This lets you see Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Petra and Aqaba without long travel days.

Is Jordan hot in summer?

Yes. July and August both hit average highs of 33.7°C in Amman, with zero rain days in July and almost none in August. Nights stay warm too, around 20.6–20.7°C. If you travel then, plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon.

Does it rain much in Jordan?

Rain is concentrated in winter. January has the most rain, with 43 mm over 8 rain days, and December and February follow with 24 mm and 41 mm respectively. From June through September there's almost no rain, with 0 mm recorded in June, July and August.

What's the weather like in Amman in winter?

Winters are cool and occasionally wet. January highs average 12.3°C with lows of 4.4°C, and the month sees 8 rain days. Sun hours drop to 8.7 a day, the lowest of the year, so pack a jacket if you visit between December and February.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Jordan.

Jordan travel guide