Are you considering travelling to Jordan this year or have you booked your flights already, but are now discouraged by the scary news coming out of the Middle East? 

In this article we will break down how the current regional tensions affect the country of Jordan, answer the question “Jordan, is it safe?” and tell what you need to know before travelling to Jordan in 2026. 

Key Takeaways

• Jordan remains one of the safest countries in the Middle East in 2026, with major cities and tourist sites like Amman, Petra, and the Dead Sea unaffected by recent regional conflicts.
• There is a risk of missile and drone attacks from Iran, but most have been intercepted, causing minimal injuries and no deaths; vigilance is still advised.
• Avoid travel to areas near the borders with Syria and Iraq, designated refugee camps, and certain cities like Ma’an and Zarqa due to higher risks of crime and terrorism.
• Travelers should monitor local media, follow advice from local authorities, have valid travel documents, travel insurance, and dress modestly; using licensed taxis is recommended for safety.

Jordan is One of the Safest Countries in the Middle East: Here’s Why

For several years now, Jordan has been referred to as one the safest countries of the Middle East. This title is not just a made-up tourism label, but the result of an extensive study by the World Population Review. 

In the World Population Review’s 2025 Global Peace Index, Jordan came 5rd in the Middle East in terms of safety, just after Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. With a Global Peace Index of 1.957, Jordan was safer than Sri Lanka (2.075), Thailand (2.017), and even France (1.967). This makes Jordan significantly safer than its neighbours Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. 

The safety of Jordan is thanks to its close alignment with the United Stated and Western nations, following their political lead and allowing them to operate military bases in the country. At the same time, it acts as a mediator in the Israel-Palestine conflict, remaining impartial whenever local tensions rise. In the past, Jordan has only become militarily active when missile or drones entered its airspace. 

One issue the 2025 Global Peace Index does not reflect, is the Israeli-Iranian war that flared up once again in early March. While Jordan maintains its position as a neutral entity and mediator, it runs the risk of falling victim to spillover from the war, such as missile and drone attacks on military bases in the country. 

And indeed, since the start of the war, more than 200 Iranian drones and missiles have been launched towards Jordan. While well over 90 per cent of them have been intercepted and not a single death has been recorded because of them, these attacks have changed the security outlook on the country. 

How Travel Advisories Are Rating the Safety in Jordan 

In the wake of the newest escalations of tensions in the Middle East, several countries have amended their travel advisory for Jordan. The US Department of State, for instance, changed its travel advisory from Level 2 ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ to Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’. 

Let’s break down what this actually means for your Jordan trip: 

General Security Situation in Jordan 

Since the latest outbreak of fighting between Israel and Iran, with heavy support of the United States, the US Travel Advisory of Jordan, has gone forward and warned of armed conflict and terrorism in Jordan. According to the travel advisory, there is an ‘ongoing threat of drone and missile strikes from Iran’ and a ‘risk of terrorist attacks’ at tourist attractions, transportation hubs and markets. 

Since the start of the war, Jordanian air defences have intercepted more than 200 missiles and drones from Iran, a relatively small number of projectiles as compared to the 1,000+ missiles and drones headed to Israel and the United Arab Emirates over the course of the last two weeks. Crucially, only a few dozens of them hit ground, causing 28 injuries and no casualties. 

Safe Regions to Travel to in Jordan: Major Cities and Tourist Sites 

The only city in Jordan affected by missile and drone strikes to date is the northern Jordanian city of Azraq, where a drone crashed earlier this month, causing one injury and damage to a building. 

All major tourist sites such as Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, Aqaba and Wadi Rum, remain completely untouched by the most recent flare-up in regional tensions. In the US Travel Advisory of Jordan, there is no specific mention of any increased risk around tourist sites since the start of the war, apart from common petty crime such as pickpocketing. 

Generally, the US Department of State recommends travellers to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid large masses around tourist sites and monitor local media for changes in the security situation. 

Exercise a High Degree of Caution in these Regions: Ma’an and Zarqa

Within Jordan, the US Department of State has issued Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ for the following two regions: Ma’an City and Zarqa City. In Ma’an City and Zarqa City, the travel advisory claims that there is an increased risk of terrorism and crime. 

Zarqa City, one of the largest cities in Jordan, just north of the capital city Amman, has suffered from poverty, unemployment and insufficient infrastructure, problems that are increased by the large number of refugees from Palestine, Syria and Iraq. 

Ma’an City in Central Jordan similarly suffers from poverty and high unemployment. Additionally, it is claimed to be a hot spot for religious extremism. It is worth noting though, that no terrorist attacks have been recored in either Zarqa City or Ma’an City over the course of the last decades. 

More importantly, neither Zarqa City nor Ma’an City are located close to or directly on the way to any major tourist sites. On a regular Jordan trip, you will not visit either of the two cities. If you decide to visit anyways, we recommend you to follow the aforementioned safety advice. 

Regions to Avoid Travelling to in Jordan: Land Borders and Refugee Camps 

While the safety of Ma’an City and Zarqa City is somewhat up to debate, you should avoid travelling to the following regions in Jordan altogether: the Jordan-Syria border, designated Syrian refugee camps, as well as the cities and neighbourhoods of Mansheyat al Ghayyath, Ruwayshid, Rusayfah City and Ayn Basha. 

Ever since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and the terrorist insurgency led by ISIS, the Jordan-Syria border has been a repeated target of attacks and infiltration attempts. Most of these incidents happened between 2012 and 2018. In recent years, the situation has improved considerably. In late 2025, the reopening of the Jordan-Syria border was announced for March 2026.

Meanwhile, travel to designated Syrian refugee camps is not possible due to restrictions by the Jordanian government. It is also worth noting that, more than any other place, Syrian refugee camps in the north such as Rukban refugee camp fell victim to terrorist bombings during the Syrian Civil War.

As for the cities and neighbourhoods to avoid, most of them are located on the northern edges of Amman. Similarly to Zarqa City, they face economic and social hardships. Others are located close to the Jordan-Iraq border in the Eastern Desert. 

Again, none of these cities are close to or directly on the way to any major tourist sites in the country. When you visit Jordan as a tourist you are unlikely to even come close to any of the cities mentioned above. When passing any of these cities by car, travel during daylight hours and stay on major highways. 

So, Is it Safe to Travel to Jordan in 2026? Generally, Yes.

Generally, Jordan remains a safe country to travel to in 2026. Previously rated one of the safest countries in the Middle East, Jordan continues to be relatively safe thanks to its close political alignment to the United States and Israel and its own internal security forces. 

It is true, however, that Jordan is not as safe as it was in 2025. While Jordan remains impartial in the newest Israeli-Iranian war, it has not been able to completely avoid missile attacks from Iran, which has widely targeted Western military bases and strategic infrastructure in the Middle East. 

During the first week of the war alone, Jordan air defenses intercepted more than 100 missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace from Iran. As of March 16, only a dozen or so missiles and drones have hit Jordanian territory. Most of these projectiles hit either uninhabited land or military installations in Eastern Jordan. 

On March 3, one drone crashed in the northern Jordanian city of Azraq, injuring one girl and damaging a building. In total, news outlet Al Jazeera counts 28 injuries and no casualties in Jordan since the beginning of the war. 

If you have a Jordan trip planned already, we recommend keeping an eye on regional developments. Be prepared for flight cancellations, make flexible bookings for hotels in Jordan, check your own country’s travel advisory on Jordan and monitor local media for an up-to-date impression of the security situation in Jordan. 

If in Jordan already, make sure to follow the advice of local authorities and keep an eye on the news as the security situation could deteriorate with little or no warning. Be aware that neither your own local government nor the Jordanian government can guarantee your personal safety at all times. 

Most importantly though, keep calm and enjoy your Jordan trip. Most probably, you will not notice much of the regional tensions. 

5 Things to Prepare Before You Explore Jordan 

Leaving geopolitics aside for a second, there are a handful of things that you can do to make your Jordan trip not only a safe experience, but also a smooth one. 

These a 5 things you should prepare before you board your flight to Jordan: 

A Valid Passport 

International tourists from over 100 countries, among them most Western and Asian countries, enter Jordan with a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) and most land border crossings. This tourist visa currently costs 40 Jordanian Dinars (JOD), which comes down to 49 € or $ 56.

Everything you need to enter Jordan is a valid passport. You cannot enter the country with other identification documents such as your personal ID or a driver’s license. When planning your trip to Jordan, revise if there is a blank page in your passport and if it is valid for at least another six months. 

Your Jordan Pass 

While not obligatory, we highly recommend you to purchase the Jordan Pass before boarding your flight to Jordan. The Jordan Pass covers your Visa on Arrival fee, your entry fee to Petra and the entry fee to 40+ other attractions, starting from just 70 JOD (86 € or $ 99). 

You can buy the Jordan Pass on the official Jordan Pass website before travelling to waive your visa fee upon entry. It is valid for stays of two nights or more and 30 days in total from the first use. Make sure to bring a printed copy of your Jordan Pass to avoid any problems when passing immigration. 

An International Driving Permit (IDP) 

If you are planning to rent a car in Jordan, we also recommend bringing along an International Driving Permit (IDP). Although you can rent a car at Jordan’s international airports and from local car rental agencies without an IDP, there is still some confusion about whether one is required in Jordan at all.

Therefore, we recommend getting an IPD before your Jordan trip to avoid any problems at a rental car pick-up or police checkpoints. Getting an IDP usually costs around $ 20 or 17 € depending on your country or state. Take it with you on your Jordan trip along with your actual driver’s license.

A Proof of Insurance 

Whether you are travelling in Jordan, the Middle East or any other part of the world, you should always have valid travel insurance. Travel insurance makes sure that you won’t be left alone with ambulance costs, medical treatment, medicine costs and even medical evacuation in case of any emergencies.

Before starting your trip to Jordan, make sure that your travel insurance is still valid and also applies to travel in Jordan. Print a copy of your proof of insurance and download a PDF copy of it on your phone. If you are travelling with a group, share the proof of insurance with an emergency contact. 

The Right Clothing 

Although Jordan is mostly arid, occasional rain occurs in spring and fall and temperatures can drop below freezing in winter. Depending on the time of travel, pack clothing both for the heat and the cold. Pack breathable fabrics for the heat and several layers to adjust to rapid drops of temperature at night.

Besides weather conditions, keep in mind that Jordan is a fairly conservative country. Dressing in modest clothing in public is appreciated and covering your shoulders and knees when visiting churches and mosques is obligatory. Women are also required to cover their hair with a scarf or shawl. 

First time travelling to Jordan? Find out 10 travel tips you need to know before your first Jordan trip. 

The Bottom Line 

Even in times of political unrest Jordan remains a relatively safe travel destination in the Middle East. Major cities and tourist sites are safe as ever, not having been affected by any missile and drone attacks in the last weeks. 

Besides tourism hotspots, avoid non-essential travel to border crossings, refugee camps and some cities in the north. Leading up to your trip, look out for possible flight cancellations, make flexible booking for hotels in Jordan, check your country’s travel advisory and monitor local media for changes in the security situation. 

Frequently Asked Questions