· MIDDLE EAST · JORDAN ·
A Two Week Jordan Itinerary – a Flexible Road Trip
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 25 Aug 2024
Below is a detailed two-week Jordan road trip itinerary, stopping via all the biggest sights, including Petra and Wadi Rum, including activities, sites, lodging suggestions, driving information, and more, to help you plan your perfect trip!
We recently spent nearly three weeks on a self-driving road trip in Jordan. Although this compact country is around three times smaller than England, it is packed with exhilarating activities, distinctive historic sites and unique natural features; all so close together that you can see a lot in a short time without rushing through your road trip.
We did not actually plan our road trip through Jordan in advance (typical lack of preparation by us). Rather, we booked as we went along, staying as long as we felt we needed in each destination. It was a comfortable, casual-feeling trip that did not seem stressful or hurried, despite the number of places we visited.
This Jordan road trip itinerary comprises our favourite locations and outlines the number of days needed, based on our personal journey (and some mistakes we made). We’ve used our experience to shape this two week itinerary to ensure you do not feel too rushed (we’re honest about how long things take). There are also some optional add-ons in case you have extra days.
IN THIS GUIDE //
Two Week Jordan Road Trip Itinerary
WHY VISIT JORDAN?
ITINERARY INFORMATION
ITINERARY MAP
AMMAN
JERASH TO THE DEAD SEA
AQABA
WADI RUM
PETRA
MADABA
FINAL THOUGHTS
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Why Visit Jordan
Safety | despite its geographic location in a somewhat turbulent area (especially in 2025), Jordan is a very safe country to visit.
World Wonders | Jordan is home to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, plus the UNESCO sites of Jerash and Wadi Rum.
Romans | the northern part of the country is dotted with ancient Roman ruins, some as impressive as ones found in Italy.
Size | Jordan is pretty small and you can see quite a lot in a little time.
Diving | Aqaba is a diving dream on the Red Sea.
Crowds | outside of Petra, you’ll be hard-pressed to find hoards of tourists.
Driving | Jordan is super easy to self-drive around.
Hospitality | as with many other Middle Eastern countries, the hospitality in Jordan is off the scale.
Variety | from lush green hills on the northern borders with Syria, to stark sandy deserts on the border with Saudi Arabia, Jordan has a bit of everything.
THIS JORDAN ITINERARY
This Jordan itinerary follows the map below, with flexibility to remove or add days as needed. The trip is designed to be self driven, however every place on this list is reachable with public transport or hitchhiking.
The itinerary assumes you arrive into Amman, however the route is just as easily done from Aqaba, if that is where your flight arrives (both airports have decent rental car options).
Distances between the stops are listed (as you can see, nothing is very far apart!).
The solid red journeys on the map are better for shorter trips. Include the dotted red options for a more extended itinerary.
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RELATED POST // TOP TIPS FOR DRIVING IN JORDAN
Two Week Jordan Itinerary Map
AMMAN TO JERASH: 51 KM
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JERASH – UMM QAIS: 71 KM
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UMM QAIS – DEAD SEA: 119 KM
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DEAD SEA – AQABA: 272 KM
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AQABA – WADI RUM: 64 KM
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WADI RUM – PETRA: 110 KM
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PETRA – MADABA: 215 KM
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR JORDAN TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
Amman (1-3 Nights)
Amman, the capital city of Jordan, is a fabulous destination to begin a road trip and this Jordan itinerary.
With a population of more than four million, it’s a bustling metropolis with a quintessential Middle Eastern vibe. The city is very much an urban sprawl, with pale buildings, most no more than four stories tall, carpeting the landscape. Originally built on seven hills, Amman shows off sweeping city views that seem to extend forever in every direction.
Most tourists’ first introduction to the stunning country of Jordan is Amman, having arrived by international flight. Despite this, some people avoid the area entirely if they have time constraints and consequently miss out on one of the most exciting cities in the Middle East.
I personally found Amman incredibly photogenic, atmospheric, and hectic (in a great way). Hanging out in the city for a few days was a terrific decision (we spent a total of three nights in Amman). Our stay in the capital is full of memorable moments, but nothing can top listening to the evening call to prayer from atop Jabal al Qal’a, the Amman Citadel.
AMMAN ITINERARY OPTIONS
There is the possibility of cutting your stay in Amman down to one day if you really dislike cities or are on a very tight schedule. If your flight lands early in the morning and you can make the most of the time on your first day, you could also cut a day off here.
As-Salt, one of UNESCO’s newest heritage sites, is a small town only 40 minutes northwest of Amman. Worth staying an extra night for, it is deemed a ‘place of tolerance and urban hospitality’, by UNESCO. This small city is a unique mix of Christianity and Islamic culture, all mixed together seamlessly within the unique limestone architecture of the historic centre.
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Things to See and Do in Amman
There are loads of things to do in Amman, just as in any major capital city! Whether you want millennia old historic sites, eclectic museums, modern shopping centres, or bustling markets; Amman delivers. Personally, I thought it was one of the most photogenic cities I have visited too. Consider a walking tour if you want to get your bearings! Here is a list of a few things you might want to see:
Souk Jara | a weekly outdoor craft market, open during the summer adjacent to Rainbow Street.
Rainbow Street | expect quirky decor, bohemian vibes, Ottoman architecture, street art, restaurants, bars and decent nightlife. Best visit on a Friday to coincide with Souq Jara.
The Amman Citadel | this ancient site is set atop the highest hill in Amman with impressive views across the city. Thousands of years of history are present here, through Roman, Greek, and Nabataean occupation. Our personal highlight of hearing the evening call to prayer during sunset will remain one of our most prominent memories of Jordan.
The King Abdullah Mosque (the Blue Mosque) | with a capacity of 10,000, this is a rare opportunity for non-Muslims to see inside a mosque in Amman. Dress appropriately.
Roman Amphitheatre | built around 2 CE, this structure holds around 6000 spectators and is still used for occasional events to this day. Best viewed from the Citadel!
The Jordan Archaeological Museum | we’re not museum people, but this one is definitely worth your time. Another noteworthy stop is the Jordan Museum, which covers Jordanian history and culture.
The Abdali Mall | super-modern, sleek shopping centre with everything you would expect from a high-end mall, including designer outlets, restaurants, and a cinema.
WHERE TO STAY IN AMMAN
The best location to stay in Amman is the old town area near the Citadel, Jebel Amman. The below are our recommendations around this area:
Luxury | W Amman. (I know this is an international, branded hotel, but we had a free night there through points). It was amazing, especially the crazy included breakfast and 28th floor views.
Mid-range | New MerryLand Hotel. Functional, very friendly and clean, with a decent location within walking distance of most sights. This is the one I’d choose if I went back today – it’s smashing value for money.
Budget | for the true budget travellers out there, Cliff Hostel is the place to go. For a classier but still cheap option, consider Nomads Hotel or the Cabin Hostel.
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Jerash to the Dead Sea (2-3 Nights)
The first day in this section of the Jordan itinerary is split into two.
Get an early start from Amman and drive the straightforward one-hour route north to visit the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash. Then head south to your overnight stop along the north end of the Dead Sea.
JERASH
Jerash is a ‘can’t miss’ destination in our eyes, however it seems that many people leave it off their Jordan itinerary. As a 2000-year-old site with some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, set in the middle of a traditional Middle Eastern city, it’s utterly unique! All this, less than an hour from central Amman.
The historical and geographical significance of the ancient city of Jerash is fascinating, plus it is relatively quiet if you visit early. It is a very photogenic site, with Italy meets the Middle East in every direction. Visit during spring for the greatest number of wildflowers I have ever had the joy of witnessing. Check out our full guide to Jerash if you are considering visiting.
Jerash takes a few hours to half a day to see everything, so when you’ve seen all the ruins, drive the 1.5 hours south to the Dead Sea to your chosen lodging.
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RELATED POST | THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO JERASH
The Dead Sea
There are lots of things to do at the Dead Sea in Jordan, depending on your activity levels and interests. Many people spend a few days just hanging out on the shoreline in one of the many spa resorts that dot the coast. Some go looking for the famous salt deposits, while others hike the famous Wadi Al Muhib Siq Trail.
By spending three nights in this area, you could comfortably fit all these activities in to your Jordan itinerary, with a little chill time to spare. While it is achievable with two nights, you might be tight on time.
Optional Itinerary Extras
Aljoun Castle | a 12th century Muslim Stronghold on the top of a hill, is only 30 minutes west of Jerash. This is a great addition if you decide to spend more time in northern Jordan.
Umm Qais | which houses another ancient Roman ruin called Gadara, is further north still near the border with Syria, Palestine, and Israel (you can see them all from the site!).
We really enjoyed these sites and managed to visit Jerash, Aljoun Castle and Umm Qais before heading down towards the Dead Sea. It was a hectic day, though, with a very early start. If this is too rushed, spend an extra night in Jerash and then head to Aljoun and Umm Qais in the morning, then onto the Dead Sea.
The drive | the journey from Umm Qais to the Dead Sea was one of the most interesting of our entire journey, passing through bustling small towns, vegetable vendors and beautiful countryside along the border with Israel and Palestine. For any religious history fans, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Baptismal Site of Jesus, is also along this route.
WHERE TO STAY IN JERASH AND THE DEAD SEA
There is a plethora of lodging options for both these locations, however the Dead Sea is mostly very posh, spa-oriented hotels, and consequently pretty expensive. They are mostly not worth the cash in our opinion, however the Kempinski mentioned below is the best of the bunch (still super-pricey!).
There’s honestly not a lot of affordable accommodation out that way. Staying in Madaba and visiting the Dead Sea from there is a budget alternative on this Jordan itinerary.
Jerash | Full Panorama to Archaeological Site Jerash | very popular, great location directly adjacent to the ruins and super affordable).
Dead Sea | The Kempinski | high-end but actually nice, unlike a lot of the others in the area which have ants and are a bit run down for the extortionate pricing.
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Aqaba (2-3 Nights)
Aqaba, technically an optional stop on this itinerary, is situated a three-hour drive south of the Dead Sea, following the border with Israel and Palestine south along the scenic shore of the Dead Sea.
Now, we’re not hardcore divers, but we know that Aqaba is pretty awesome on the diving front. So, if this is something you are interested in, we would suggest dedicating several days to some watery-fish fun.
Initially, we just hung around Aqaba for a few days because we were wiped out from nearly a year of travelling. Aqaba has a different vibe than other regions of Jordan, which we would recommend you experience on your road trip if you have the time. It has quite a lively, youthful, modern feel. There are lots of things to do, and many places to eat and drink (alcohol is cheaper in Aqaba than the rest of Jordan). We even found some excellent local beer made from Dead Sea salt!
Luckily, there were no cruises operating when we were there, but we’d suggest checking in advance to try and avoid them if you can during your visit.
WHY AQABA IS OPTIONAL ON THIS JORDAN ITINERARY
Aqaba is an optional destination on this Jordan itinerary because if you dedicate extra nights elsewhere, then as a non-diver, missing this stop would be feasible.
It would also be viable to spend just a single night here before Wadi Rum and grab some great food, check out the beaches and have some interesting beers!
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WHERE TO STAY IN AQABA
Aqaba has a great range of affordable accommodation. Lodging choice will depend on whether you want to stay centrally in the city, or further out nearer the beaches. Here are our suggestions for central Aqaba:
Budget | Cedar Hotel. This central hotel is a bargain, with quality rooms only a 10-minute walk from the beach.
Mid-range | Lacosta Hotel. Centrally located right in the centre of town and easy walking distance to the sea, this hotel was our choice when we stayed in Aqaba. We got upgraded to the top floor suite and paid very little for it! The breakfast was also excellent.
Luxury | The Al Manara. This one is, without a doubt, the best choice in Aqaba. It’s still pretty central, absolutely stunning and made me jealous (we had a wander around because we can’t afford it!).
Wadi Rum (1-3 nights)
Just a one-hour drive from Aqaba, Wadi Rum was the personal highlight of our Jordan itinerary. Rarely is somewhere you see in the media more remarkable than all those photography, film, and lighting experts make it look. However, Wadi Rum is the exception. It actually is more amazing than in The Martian film!
How Many Nights to Stay in Wadi Rum?
So, here’s the thing. Most people recommend one night in the vast Wadi Rum desert. however, we disagree and suggest up to three nights on this Jordan itinerary because there is so much to do. Almost all tourists who visit only skim the surface.
For more information including all the Jeep transport and lodging logistics, check out our dedicated Wadi Rum planning guide. It also details much of what you could do with the full three nights, but here is a little overview for this post:
– the full Jeep tour itineraries
– search for Lawrence’s real spring
– hiking to one of the highest natural bridges in the world
– sandboarding and camel riding (if you are happy with the welfare of your camel)
– watching three sunsets and sunrises, plus stargazing in the desert
– scaling Jordan’s highest peak for expansive views over Saudi Arabia
We reckon that is worth three days! If you do want to cut down the number of nights because magnificent desert landscapes are just not your thing, then this frees up time for diving in Aqaba or hiking in Dana.
WHERE TO STAY IN WADI RUM
We have written in-depth about the various lodging options in Wadi Rum in our essential guide, including multiple recommendations for each budget category and a short review of the one we chose.
We stayed in a cute bubble in the Memories Aicha Luxury Camp and absolutely, completely loved it. The bubbles and rooms all come with private bathroom and are spacious, comfortable with have air conditioning. The location is super pretty and the staff all spoke excellent English.
It’s one of our most unique places to stay, ever.
The dinner and breakfast was absolutely exquisite, too (I’m used to going a bit budget, food-wise, so this was all quite overwhelming). We would definitely recommend them, especially if you want to eat *a lot* of food and need air conditioning during the hotter part of the year.
If you are interested in checking it out, take a look at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp.
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Petra (2-4 Nights)
Petra is Jordan’s superstar. Also known as the Rose City, it is one of the seven new Wonders of the World and a uniquely special experience to explore.
At more than 2000 years old, Petra’s stone-carved facades are world famous; for good reason. There are handfuls of magnificent, quiet hiking routes that cut through the countryside, leading to some of the most fascinating architecture and rock carvings imaginable.
There are also small modern day cliff dwellings, with children and livestock dotting the terrain. Discovering the quiet corners of Petra for yourself is second to none, and to us, the famous Treasury was just a mild introduction to what this site has to offer.
For everything you should know before you go, have a quick read of our Petra tips.
How Many Days Do You Need in Petra?
It goes without saying that you should spend as much time as you can spare in Petra.
However, this Jordan itinerary provides flexibility for the number of nights spent here. We would encourage 3-4 nights to ensure you see more than just the main, vendor-covered street. Although, if you are unable to hike large distances or tolerate stairs, three nights in Petra might be overkill. Many of the secondary hiking trails around Petra are extremely steep and uneven.
If extra nights in Petra is not your thing, then donate those spare nights in any of the optional sites mentioned in the other sections. If you are just not into Petra, but like hiking, consider using two of these nights for hiking in the Dana Biosphere Reserve instead, which can be visited on the way to Madaba (see below).
Optional Extras Near Petra
The Cave Bar | inside the Petra Guest House is a Nabataean cave which has been converted into a bar. Don’t miss getting a meal or a drink here. It’s a popular place, right by the entrance to Petra; you’ll walk right past it every day!
Little Petra | this is a small site further north of Petra that doesn’t require a ticket (so a good choice for the day you leave). It is marked on Google Maps and easy to find by car. You can also walk from here to Petra via the back route to the Monastery, however you will need a Petra ticket for that.
WHERE TO STAY IN PETRA
The nearest place to Petra is the small town of Wadi Musa. It’s situated right at the main entrance to the site and many hotels in the town are walkable from the entry point.
Where we stayed | our choice was the Petra Plaza Hotel, in the centre of town, to give us an easy drive and walk to the entrance. This hotel was absolutely lovely and such great value for the price, with cute free gifts(!), a smashing breakfast, clean rooms with lovely views, afternoon snacks and more. It’s also walking distance from many restaurants and 20 minutes from the Petra visitor centre. We’d definitely stay here again – it was the best value hotel on our Jordan road trip.
The other place we considered staying was the Petra Guest House, which is basically at the Petra visitor centre. It looked so classy when we popped in, with easily the best location in Wadi Musa. However, we were on a bit of a budget, so opted for the Petra Plaza (no regrets). The Petra Guest House is also home to the famous Cave Bar. If you have more money, we’d recommend considering this one!
The nicest option in town is the Movenpick Resort, just opposite the visitor centre. We went in here and instantly regretted being poor. It has a beautiful pool, spa, roof top bar, amazing architecture and more – all the things you need after a long day hiking around Petra.
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Madaba (1-2 Nights)
19 miles southwest of Amman is the market town of Madaba, also known as the Mosaic City. This destination is often missed off the typical Jordan itinerary, however we think it deserves more attention. It’s not a small town, with a population of around 82,000, but to us it felt far more compact.
As one of Jordan’s largest Christian populations, Madaba is famous for several historic Christian sites, including a huge mosaic map of the holy land from the Byzantine era. The mosaics cover the floors of churches and other buildings and have been made into an archaeological complex.
Madaba is a fascinating city in its own right, but another advantage is that it’s also easier to stay here than it is to stay in Amman right before a flight (due to traffic and distances). From Madaba, it is an easy 30-minute drive to Queen Alia International Airport to return your rental car and catch your flight home.
Optional Extras Around Madaba
Mukawir | this town houses ancient ruins just off the King’s Highway with spectacular views and a scenic drive. It is said to be the location of the execution of John the Baptist.
Umm ar-Rasas | 30 kilometres southeast of Madaba, this fortress town also has supremely well-preserved mosaics.
Dana Biosphere Reserve | the route from Wadi Musa to Madaba takes you along the King’s Highway, Via Dana and Kerak Castle. This means that if you have spare nights, we would absolutely encourage a few days in the Dana Biosphere Reserve for a few days of hiking. This area is beautiful and well worth your time. It is possible that you’ll have to decide between diving in Aqaba or hiking in Dana. Choose wisely – they’re both world class.
Kerak Castle | this medieval Crusader-era fortification, roughly halfway between Madaba and Dana, is a great place to take a break on the King’s Highway. The stronghold, built in 1142, towers over the city and is the best-preserved castle in Jordan.
Mount Nebo | just 15 minutes from Madaba, this famous site is where Moses supposedly stood and looked out on the promised land. From here, it is possible to see Jericho and Jerusalem on a clear day.
WHERE TO STAY IN MADABA
Our lodging recommendation in Madaba is:
Mount Nebo Hotel | with absolutely fantastic food and beautiful décor, this hotel is worth every penny.
This was our favourite hotel in Jordan, we highly recommend it.
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Final Thoughts – This Jordan Itinerary
Honestly, I find it tricky writing itinerary posts; they always seem far too subjective.
However, for some reason, it was really tricky preplanning anything for our multi-week Jordan (non-existent) itinerary! Just winging our trip with minimal forward planning turned out to be exciting and provided a kind of flexibility which gave us some extra insight to write this post. If you are interested in what this cost us, check out our Jordan budget breakdown.
It was such an epic journey, with a massive variety of experiences and sites. We would wholeheartedly encourage others to take a road trip around Jordan.
We hope you have an amazing road trip!
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