Jordan, a gem in the Middle East, has stormed onto bucket lists all around the world, but with political tensions mounting in the Middle East, it is worth asking: Is it safe to travel to Jordan from the United States?
In this article, we will explore, if Jordan is currently safe to travel to and whether Jordanians are still welcoming to Americans. Having spend the better part of 2023 and 2024 in Jordan and Egypt, we will also share some firsthand insight in Jordanian culture and their approach to visitors.
Key Takeaways
- Jordan is considered one of the safest countries in the Middle East, with low levels of public unrest and minimal impact from regional conflicts.
- The U.S. government rates Jordan as a Level 2 travel advisory, meaning travelers should exercise increased caution but travel is generally safe.
- Tourist areas like Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum are very safe, with only occasional petty crimes like purse snatching.
- Jordanians are welcoming to Americans, and visitors are expected to respect local laws, customs, and traditions for a positive experience.
- Key Takeaways
- Is Jordan a Safe Country to Travel to?
- Are Americans Still Welcome in Jordan?
- How to Travel to Jordan from USA
- 5 Things You Need to Bring to Enter Jordan
- Single Entry Visa vs. Multiple Entry Visa: Which One Do You Need?
- Where to Stay in Jordan
- The Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jordan a Safe Country to Travel to?
Located right in the heart of the Middle East bordering other countries such as Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, is it no surprise that people are hesitant to travel to Jordan. The Israeli war on Gaza has halted under a cease fire and tensions in Syria are relatively low compared to Civil War times. But still, it seems that Jordan is right in the center of one of the world’s most unstable regions.
Yet, Jordan is completely safe to travel to. In fact, Jordan ranks as the safest country of all the Middle East according to the World Population Review. For comparison, it ranks similarly to Costa Rica and Thailand in terms of safety. And you wouldn’t thin twice about taking a flight to Costa Rica or Thailand, would you?
The truth is that Jordan has not only maintained low levels of public unrest of the past decade, but also done its utmost to stay out of the several conflicts its neighbour Israel has been involved in with Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, just to name a few. Even during the latest Israeli invasion of Gaza, Jordan got away unscathed with only one ‘unidentified flying object’ hitting Jordanian soil without causing any casualties, in 2024.
Still sceptical about Jordan’s security situation? Fortunately, our assessment is not an overly optimistic exaggeration. Similarly to us, the US Jordan Travel Advisory ranks Jordan at stage 2, recommending travelers to exercise increased caution, but not urging to reconsider travel. Areas with increased risk of crime and terrorism are some cities, towns and refugee camps close to the Syrian and Iraqi border.
The capital city, Amman, and all other tourist sites in the country such as Petra and Wadi Rum are 100 % safe to travel to, with the occasional case of purse snatchers and petty theft.
Are Americans Still Welcome in Jordan?
While Jordan remains completely safe to travel to, the story might be different when it comes to Americans, right? After all, American politics have caused quite a bit of havoc in the Middle East in the last decades. Well, luckily for you, the average Jordanian knows to distinguish between politics and individuals very well.
Generally, tourists from every country are welcome in Jordan, including US Americans. The Jordanian people are accustomed to the ebbs and flows of tourists, especially around tourist hubs such as Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum.
Before the covid pandemic, the tourism sector made of a whopping 15.2 % of the Jordanian economy, reflecting just how used locals are to visitors. Many of those visitors are Europeans and US Americans with starkly different cultural backgrounds and habits. This, however, rarely causes problems as long as both parties remember one thing: respect.
Jordanian culture thrives on respect. As a visitor, you are not expected to act like a local and to know every little custom and traditional. You are, however, expected to expect local laws, customs and traditions. This includes getting familiar with Jordanian culture before travelling, treating locals in a polite, respectful manner, and dressing modestly in and around religious sites such as mosques and churches.
To get a better idea of how to fit in while travelling in Jordan, check out our 10 Jordan travel tips you need to know before taking your plane.
How to Travel to Jordan from USA
You don’t need further convincing? Then, let’s dive right into the nitty-gritty details of travelling to Jordan as an American. This is how to travel to Jordan from the USA:
- Entering by Air: The easiest way to enter Jordan is through one of its international airports such as Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). Several large international carries frequent the Jordanian capital city of Amman daily. Another international airport is King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba (AQJ).
- Entering by Land or Sea: Additionally, there are some international land border crossings and a maritime border crossing with Egypt. We recommend checking the status of land border crossings shortly before traveling. For crossing the Egypt-Jordan border via ferry, check out our in-depth guide on the state of the border.
- Visa Requirements: Most travelers enter Jordan by acquiring a Visa on Arrival upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport. This Visa on Arrival is a 30-day single entry visa that will do the trick for most. For other visa types, you can apply eletronically through the website of the Ministry of the Interior.
- Visa Fees: The Visa on Arrival issued at Queen Alia International Airport and most land border crossings, comes at a cost of 40 Jordanian Dinars (or $56). Visa fees are to be paid upon arrival or exit. Alternatively, they can be waived by presenting the Jordan Pass. More on that later. Note: If your enter and exit Jordan through the Aqaba border, your visa fees will be waived.
- Travel Documents: When travelling to Jordan as an American, you are required to carry the following travel documents: a valid American passport. Depending on your travel plans, you might be required to present an International Driving Permit (IDP) and/ or report cash amounts greater thank 10,000 JOD (or $14,100). More on travel documents in the following section.
5 Things You Need to Bring to Enter Jordan
When preparing your bags for your Jordan flights, do not forget to pack the following travel documents. These is all documentation U.S. citizens either have to bring to enter Jordan or we recommend taking with you to enhance your travel experience:
A Valid American Passport
To enter Jordan, American passport holders need to present a valid American passport with at least six months of validity. Also, make sure to have at least one blank page in your passport for your entry and exit stamps to be placed. If you do not receive an entry stamp at your entry point, make sure to report to a Jordanian police station as soon as possible to get your entry stamp. Travelers without a valid visa can be subjected to hefty fines.
A Printed Copy of Your Jordan Pass
If you are planning to stay longer than two nights, we highly rehoming purchasing the so-called Jordan Pass online. The Jordan Pass is a tourist pass that waives your entry fees and grants free entry to many of Jordan’s best tourist sitessuch as Petra and Wadi Rum. Overall, you can enter Jordan and visit more than 40 tourist site without any additional cost for a payment of a measly 70 JOD (or $99 ).
Not convinced? Check out our Jordan Pass cost breakdown to see just how much you will save with it.
An International Driving Permit
When planning to rent car in Jordan, we recommend bringing along your International Driving Permit (IDP). This is an international driving license that is issued by the AAA. Typically, applying for an IDP costs around $20 with additional costs for photos and shipping. If you are already traveling, do not worry about getting an IDP shipped to you from the states. More recent information indicates that most rental car companies accept US drivers licences.
An International Travel Insurance
When travelling, you should always have an international travel insurance along with a digital or printed proof of insurance. This not only goes for travelling in Jordan, but any country in the world. Travelling with an international travel insurance means that you will be financially protected in case of medical treatment. Most travel insurances also help with missed or cancelled flights and lost luggage.
Up to 10,000 JOD in Cash
If, for whatever reason, you are planning to bring more than 10,000 JOD (or $14,100) in cash to Jordan, make sure to report it to the Jordanian authorities. To do so, you must fill out a so-called Cross Border Declaration form and present it to the Jordanian authorities at border crossings. Entering Jordan with undeclared cash amounts larger than 10,000 JOD is subject to fines.
Single Entry Visa vs. Multiple Entry Visa: Which One Do You Need?
The most common visa for foreign nationals visiting Jordan is the Single Entry Visa on Arrival. The single entry visa costs 40 JOD, which can be waived by presenting a printed copy of the Jordan Pass. This tourist visa is valid for stays in the Hashemite Kingdom of up to 30 days. After 30 days, tourist may extend their visa for up to two months before the 30-day mark at any Jordan police station at a cost of 40 JOD. As soon as you exit the country, your visa on arrival loses its validity.
Alternatively, you can apply for an e-visa before travelling to Jordan. Some e-visa US passport holders can obtain before travelling to Jordan are: 3-month single entry visas (40 JOD), 3-month double entry visas (60 JOD), 6-months multiple entry visas (120 JOD), 1-year multi entry visas (200 JOD) and 5-year multi entry visa (110 JOD).Applications for all visa types mentioned above are handled through the Ministry of the Interior.
Note that, according to a communication by the US Embassy in Jordan from November 18, 2025, all foreign nationals that intend to visit Jordan on a visa that is NOT a Jordan Pass, Hajj Visa or Transit Visa, have to report to the Public Security Directorate for residency registration within two weeks of arrival. Failure to report results in a fee of 200 JOD.
If you experience any problems during your visit to Jordan, you can always reach out to the Embassy of the United States in Amman or any Jordanian police station.
Do you have any more legal questions? If we couldn’t answer your questions, we recommend checking on local government sites such as the Jordan Travel Advisory or the Jordan International Travel Information by the US Department of State or a Jordanian embassy in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Chicago or Lathrup Village.
Where to Stay in Jordan
Are you already knees-deep in your Jordan travel plans and figuring out your perfect itinerary? Find out where to stay along your travel route with out recommendation for Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum. These is where to stay in Jordan according to our experiences:
- Where to Stay in Amman: Upon arrival in Amman, we highly recommend allocating a few day to get familiar with the Jordanian capital before heading on to other tourist sites. The best area to stay in Amman is Downtown Amman due to its proximity to major sites such as the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theatre. For an affordable, yet comfortable, stay in Amman, we recommend The Cabin Hostel Amman.
- Where to Stay at the Dead Sea: Without a doubt one of the most unique tourist sites in Jordan, the Dead Sea is a great location for a wellness hotel stay. Along the shores of the Dead Sea, you will find several resort hotels. Our personal favourite hotel at the Dead Sea is the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. To find out which other hotels are worth visiting, check out our in-depth guide to visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan.
- Where to Stay in Petra: The archaeological site of Petra is directly adjacent to the modern day settlement of Wadi Musa. For access to Petra within walking distance, you may stay at the Mövenpick Resort Petra. Alternatively, you can find plenty of affordable options in Wadi Musa. Just make sure to factor in walking distances from your hotel to the Petra Visitor Center before booking or arrange for taxis the evening before visiting Petra.
- Where to Stay in Aqaba: As the country’s only sea access, Aqaba City its not only an important trade hub, but also a Red Sea diving hotspot. You may either spend a few days in a beach resort close to Aqaba or choose to use Aqaba as a pit stop on your way to Wadi Rum. We did the latter and spend our night at the Bratus Hotel of Aqaba. This hotel, a newly-opened hotel just outside of Downtown Amman is not only strategically located for driving on to Wadi Rum, but also an absolute treat to the eyes.
- Where to Stay in Wadi Rum: In Wadi Rum, you can have the unique experience of staying in a Bedouin camp in the desert. When planning your stay in Wadi Rum, we highly recommend booking a travel package including overnight stays, breakfast and dinner and a jeep tour to make the most of your money. Wadi Tribe partners with Desert Guide Camp in Wadi Rum to offer all-inclusive and worry-free desert experiences to its readers.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are American, European or Australian, travelling it Jordan not only continues to be a bucket list item to many Americans, but it also remains safe to most travelers. According to recent data, Jordan is not only the safest country of the Middle East, but about as safe as Costa Rica and Thailand. When traveling to Jordan, make sure to bring all required travel documents and respect local laws, customs and traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to Jordan now from the USA?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Jordan from the USA. Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Jordan remains a safe destination to travel to.
What does a US citizen need to travel to Jordan?
As a U.S. citizen travelling to Jordan, you need to present a US American passport with at least six months of validity. Additional documents you may bring are the Jordan Pass, an IDP, a travel insurance and a Cross Border Declaration Form.
Is it safe to travel to Jordan at the moment?
Yes, it is currently safe to travel to Jordan. Jordan notes low levels of internal tensions and remains largely untouched by local conflicts such as the recent unrest in Syria and the Israeli war on Gaza.
Is Jordan friendly to Americans?
Jordanians are considered friendly to all foreigners visiting Jordan, including American. Jordanian society thrives on mutual respect and politeness, something you are expected to reciprocate when you visit Jordan.
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