Are you considering Jordan as your next backpacking destination? Look no further. Not only is Jordan the safest country of the Middle East, but it has also become a paradise for backpackers.
In 2023, we spent a full month backpacking Jordan. This article covers all the best spots we found and the most important lessons we learned, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes we made. This is your ultimate Jordan Backpacking Guide for 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Jordan is the safest country in the Middle East and very safe for travelers, including solo men and women.
- Key travel tips include getting travel insurance, packing for both hot days and cold nights, avoiding internal flights, saving money by using public transport and local food, booking tours in advance, and buying the Jordan Pass for entry fees and visa.
- The best ways to backpack Jordan are by renting a car, using buses (JETT or mini buses), or hiking the Jordan Trail for nature lovers.
- Must-see activities include exploring Amman’s culture, visiting the ancient Roman city Jerash, floating in the Dead Sea, discovering Petra, diving in the Red Sea at Aqaba, and staying overnight in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum.
- Key Takeaways
- The Big Question: Is Jordan Safe to Backpack?
- 6 Essential Jordan Travel Tips
- The 3 Best Methods for Backpacking in Jordan
- 6 Activities You Can’t Miss When Travelling Jordan
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Big Question: Is Jordan Safe to Backpack?
Is Jordan safe to travel? This question is the single most-asked question about Jordan by a mile. And granted, we understand where the concerns come from.
Over the last two decades, news media have made it a point to let us know just how dangerous the Middle East is. After all, Jordan borders Syria which ended its brutal, decade-long civil war only months ago. Further south, there is Israel which has been waging a brutal war against Gaza and been attacking the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria simultaneously. Even Jordan’s southernmost neighbour, Saudi Arabia, hasn’t quite gotten the nicest treatment in the news.
Despite all the bad press though, we can confidently say that Jordan is a very safe country. And not only that. It is, in fact, the safest country of the Middle East. According to the World Population Review, in 2024, Jordan ranks at #66 of the safest countries in the world. This makes it about as safe as Costa Rica and Thailand. Jordan has remained fairly neutral in all regional conflicts and enjoys a relatively high level of security internally.
When backpacking Jordan you do not need to worry about your safety. Jordan is a safe country to travel for men and women alike and its people are known to be very respectful and hospitable.
6 Essential Jordan Travel Tips
Before you start backpacking Jordan, there are a few things you should consider before starting your trip. These are 5 things to do before or during your Jordan trip that will improve your backpacking experience massively:
Get a Travel Insurance
Before you take your flight to Jordan, make sure to book your travel insurance, if you haven’t done so already. When backpacking in any country of the world, you should have a travel insurance booked. Not only does it cover your medical expenses, if worst comes to worst, but it also gives you peace of mind when out in the Red Sea or one of Jordan’s many hiking trails.
Pack the Right Things
While Jordan is generally a warm country, you shouldn’t make the mistake of not packing for the cold. Especially in the Wadi Rum desert, nights can get chilly. Make sure to be prepared for any weather and pack for the heat and the cold equally. Moreover, we recommend packing a shawl or a keffiyeh to protect your face from sand in the desert.
Avoid Taking Internal Flights
While it might make sense in other countries, there is really no need to take internal flights in Jordan. Jordan is a relatively small country and most tourist sites can be reached within a few hours from the capital city of Amman. The only inland flight route is between Amman and Aqaba saving you a couple of hours of travel time to Wadi Rum.
Find Ways to Save Money
The Jordanian Dinar (JOD) might be a strong currency (1 JOD equals 1.22€ or about $1.41), but it can still go a long way. Get a physical SIM card upon arrival, eat at local restaurants, opt for hostels instead of private rooms, travel by public transport rather than taxis and shuttles and do your research to avoid paying for overpriced tours and activities.
Book Tours in Advance
While many activities in Jordan can be done independently, for some you do need tours. The Wadi Rum desert is one of them. With the sites being dotted all around the desert landscape, there is no way around booking a Jeep Tour to discover all of them. Research tour offers in advance that include the Jeep Tour and an overnight stay in a Bedouin Camp with dinner and breakfast to get the best deals.
Buy the Jordan Pass
Last but not least, we urge you to buy the Jordan Pass. The Jordan Pass is a tourist pass that covers your entry visa fee, your entry ticket to Petra as well as dozens of other sites in Jordan such as Jerash, the Amman Citadel and Wadi Rum. Even if you only use the Jordan Pass to get a free visa and free entry to the Petra Archeological Area, you are already making your money back.
Is the Jordan Pass really worth it? Check out our full cost breakdown of the Jordan Pass before purchasing it.
The 3 Best Methods for Backpacking in Jordan
Backpacking in Jordan can be done several ways. While we chose to travel Jordan by bus, we learned that the country can also be travelled by rental car or even by foot. These are the three best methods for backpacking Jordan:
Going on a Road Trip
Going on a road trip might be the single-best method of traveling Jordan. Jordan has some of the cheapest rental cars of the region, clocking in at just about 19€ (or $23) a day. Additionally, gasoline prices in Jordan are similarly cheap at 1€ (or $1.20) per litre. Also, there are no special driving regulations for tourists, important signs are displayed in English and highways are in good condition.
For the ideal road trip you can rent your car upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and travel to Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum from there. Most of these drives follow major highways such as the Kings Highway, the Dead Sea Highway and the Desert Highway, making for easy transfers while still allowing you to stop along the way to visit some lesser-known sites.
Travelling by Bus
If you are travelling solo, travelling by bus will be cheaper than renting a car. When travelling by bus in Jordan, there is two types of buses you need to be familiar with. First, the national bus company JETT Bus (Jordan Express Tourist Transport) covers most popular travel routs in Jordan at affordable fares. For instance, a ticket for a Jordan bus ride from Amman to Petra is current priced at just 10 JOD (12.19€ or $14.10).
Additionally, you can also find independent mini buses in Jordan. In Jordan, white mini buses cover all routes in the country at more affordable rates than JETT bus. The budget-friendly fares come at a cost though. Often times, public buses don’t follow a strict schedule, take more time than JETT buses and offer less comfort. If you are willing to be flexible to save 10-20 % of your fares, the white mini buses are your way to go.
Hiking the Jordan Trail
For nature lovers, hiking the Jordan Trail is another great option for backpacking Jordan. The Jordan Trail is the longest of the country’s hiking trails and stretches over 675km from Um Qais to Aqaba. Some sections of the trail include Ajloun, Dana Nature Reserve, Karak, Petra and Wadi Rum. The full distance takes about 40 days to cover, making it a great choice for longer stays in Jordan. If you don’t have enough time to cover the full distance, we recommend picking one section (e. g. Petra – Wadi Rum).
For very experienced long-distance hikers, it is technically possible to do the Jordan Trail independently. Generally though, we recommend finding a guided tour to do the hike with. The Jordan trail not only crosses through arid and mountainous terrain, but also crosses longer stretches of desert without supply stops and proper signage.
Looking for a shorter trail? Learn everything about Jordan’s newest hiking trail in our article about the Wadi Rum Trail.
6 Activities You Can’t Miss When Travelling Jordan
Whether you are backpacking Jordan with a rental car, by bus or by foot following the Jordan Trail, there is some activities along the way you just can miss out on. There are 5 activities you cannot miss when you travel to Jordan:
Get to Know Jordanian Culture in Amman
Amman is the country’s administrative, cultural and culinary capital. Spend at least a few days in the capital city to try traditional dishes and learn about Jordanian culture. We recommend trying traditional dishes at Hashem Restaurant in Downtown Amman for lunch and heading over to Habibah Sweets on the other side of the street to try some of the best Nabulsi Kunafah. For local goods and souvenirs, head over to the local food market in Downtown Amman, Rainbow Street or the Friday Market on Al-Talyani Street.
Looking for more Amman inspo? Read our in-depth guide on how to spend a full day in Amman.
Visit the Ancient Roman City of Jerash
From Amman, take a day trip to Jerash just to the North of the capital city. Jerash is an ancient Roman city in Jordan that is considered one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities. Some of the historical sites of the city are the Arch of Hadrian, the Temple of Artemis and the Southern Theatre. The city is a living testament to the country’s rich history and a great place to start learning more about Jordanian history from the beginning.
Float on the Dead Sea
En route to Petra, we recommend adding a day trip to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is a land-locked lake between Jordan, Israel and Palestine that is known for its high salinity due to evaporation and the lack of water outlets. This makes it great destination for floating on the water and taking advantage of the therapeutic qualities of the soil. At the Dead Sea, you can either visit one of the free public beaches or buy a day pass at one of the beach hotels.
Discover the Lost City of Petra
Next on the list of must visit locations in Jordan is the ancient city of Petra. Once an ancient trade center, the city was lost to the knowledge of Western countries until it was ‘re-discovered’ by a Swiss explorer in the 19th century. Today, Petra is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the country’s most significant historical sites. Some of the ruins you can see in Petra are the treasury, royal tombs, several temples, a Roman theater and a monastery.
Go Scuba Diving in the Red Sea
Instead of heading directly to Wadi Rum from Petra, we recommend making a stop at Aqaba City in Southern Jordan. With just over 170,000 inhabitants, Aqaba is not only the largest city of Southern Jordan but also the only sea port of the country. That being said, Aqaba is not only known for its commercial shipping port, but also for its world-class diving conditions. If your haven’t done so already, take your chance to explore the marine life and colorful coral reefs of the Red Sea on a diving safari from Aqaba.
Stay Overnight in a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum
When you visit Jordan, you cannot leave without spend at least one day in the Wadi Rum desert. Located in the far South of the country, Wadi Rum is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan that has gained international fame. Wadi Rum is adorned for its unique desert landscape featuring red sand dunes and eroded sandstone formations. In Wadi Rum, you can learn more about Jordanian history, Bedouin culture and the art of life under harsh conditions.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, backpacking Jordan is not only very safe, but also budget-friendly and quite possibly the experience of your lifetime. From the bustling capital city of Amman to the ancient ruins of Petra and the mars-like landscape of Wadi Rum, Jordan’s got it all.
Prepare the right way when you visit Jordan by buying your Jordan Pass and pick your ideal travel method to make the most of your experience. From there, nothing can go wrong really. So, get stuck in and enjoy this beautiful country while not breaking your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to backpack in Jordan?
Yes, backpacking in Jordan is absolutely safe. Jordan is considered the safest country of the Middle East by the World Population Review and constantly receives great reviews from male and female solo travelers alike.
Is it safe for Americans to go to Jordan now?
Yes, Americans travelling Jordan are just as safe as tourists visiting Jordan from any other country. The Jordanian people are known for being respectful and hospitable to visitors. It is important, however, to know that Jordan is an Islamic country. Among other things, this means that you need to dress more modestly in public places.
Is 2 weeks in Jordan too much?
No, two weeks in Jordan is not too much time. Actually, we recommend using as much of your 30-day Jordanian visa as possible. When backpacking Jordan, there is several great locations to visit such as Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum.
Are Americans welcome in Jordan?
Yes, Jordan, just like any other country in the Middle East, is known the be a very welcoming country. Moreover, Jordan is considered a very safe country according to multiple sources such as the World Population Review. Local culture emphasises receives guests well and respecting strangers, no matter where they come from.
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