Embarking on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Jordan reveals a land where history and natural beauty intertwine.
If you're dreaming of ancient wonders, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, this 1-week road trip itinerary offers a perfect blend of adventure and discovery.
Whether you're exploring the iconic rose-red city of Petra, lounging by the shores of the Dead Sea, or venturing into the vast desert of Wadi Rum, each stop promises awe-inspiring experiences.
Buckle up as we guide you through the best of Jordan in just seven days, offering insider tips and must-see destinations for an extraordinary road trip in 2025.
What to Know About Jordan Before You Go
Money in Jordan
Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Most businesses accept credit cards, even in the desert. However, it is always a good idea to double-check whether the place you're going to accepts card payments.
ATMs are available in all major cities, and the Jordan Kuwait Bank does not charge fees for withdrawing cash. However, it is recommended that you have some money with you just in case, especially if you're headed to the desert.
Language in Jordan
Although Jordan's official language is Arabic, most people in the tourism industry speak English. We have never had trouble getting ourselves understood.
Safety in Jordan
Is Jordan safe? The short answer is yes, as long as you stick to the "touristy" places and don't get close to the borders. Jordan ranked 72/163 on the Global Peace Index 2025. For comparison, the USA ranked 128/163.
We felt safe overall when we were there. Even on my solo days, I didn't feel like it was a sketchy place. That's not to say there's no crime at all. There are con artists and predators who overcharge for basic or free services to scam tourists.
Getting Around Jordan (Car vs Bus)
First of all, you can follow the itinerary below by taking buses and/or tours.
Sticking to buses means longer journey durations and limited routes. For instance, to reach the Dead Sea after Petra, you would have to take a bus back to Amman and, from there, take another bus to the Dead Sea. The local bus company is called JETT, and you can book tickets at the bus station or via this link.
Renting a car will give you much more flexibility when visiting the country and reduce transfer times between cities. If you're two or more, it will probably be cheaper than taking the bus.
Renting a car in Jordan
Once we were in Jordan, we rented a car through our hotel for 50 JOD per day, with full insurance included. This was a better price than all the offers we saw online. Gas prices were similar to those in Europe.
The Jordanian driving style is peculiar. Cars will change lanes without warning, and some people drive in the middle of two lanes. If you're a seasoned driver, driving cautiously should be fine.
Another thing to consider is that even though speed bumps are not particularly high, they can be hard to see, especially when driving fast, because they are not painted. This is one of the reasons why driving in Jordan at night is not recommended.
Your One-Week Itinerary in Jordan
Day 1: Travel day
Fly into Amman, settle into your hotel, and pick up your rental car.
Explore the citadel during sunset
If you're not too tired from your flight, wandering around Amman's citadel is the perfect way to start getting acquainted with the city and its history.
Day 2: Petra
Drive to Petra
Wake up early and drive for about 3 hours until Wadi Musa, the gateway city to Petra.
I recommend booking accommodation close to Petra's Visitor Center, as it is the most convenient location for visiting the archeological site.
Have lunch before exploring Petra; you will need the extra energy. You can find places selling food inside Petra, but they are scattered around the whole place (remember, it is vast), and I reckon the prices are higher.
Visit the Treasury in the afternoon
Go into Petra and walk for about 40 minutes to get your first glimpse of the Treasury. Here, you can take the famous picture with the stunning facade as a backdrop.
If you have some energy left, you can walk further and explore the Royal Tombs, which are not too far away from the Treasury.
If you visit in the afternoon, you will find cooler temperatures and fewer tourists towards the end of the day.
Read my complete Petra guide if you want more details to prepare your visit.
Day 3: Petra + Wadi Rum
Visit the Monastery
Wake up early to beat the heat and the tourists. We entered Petra at 6 a.m. and were there alone.
If you visited the Treasury the previous day, you have an alternative route to the Monastery. Take the free shuttle from the Visitor Center to Little Petra. From there, pay for a 4x4 to take you halfway to the Monastery and then walk for about an hour. This route will save you from going up the 800 stair steps you would climb with the traditional route.
We decided to go the traditional way since we wanted to take additional pictures at the Treasury that morning. We then walked up to the Monastery and back. It took us 6 hours to do all this, with enough time to take pictures and enjoy.
Make sure you check out this restaurant for lunch. It is delicious, and the price/quality ratio is excellent.
Drive to Wadi Rum
After lunch, drive for about 1.5 hours to Wadi Rum.
Depending on when you arrive in Wadi Rum, you can either go on a camel Ride to explore the area and see the sunset or hire a 4x4 for a more extended desert tour.
If you're taking a desert tour, you should know that booking a tour through your hostel will cost almost as much as hiring one directly at the visitor center.
Finish your day by heading to your accommodation and enjoying dinner there. Note that dinner times are fixed, so make sure to be back at camp in time for dinner.
Stay in one of the area's numerous bubble "martian" tents to better enjoy the experience.
Day 4: Wadi Rum + Dead Sea
Explore Wadi Rum
This morning, you can do the activity you missed the previous day (e.g., a camel ride or 4x4 tour).
Drive to the Dead Sea
After lunch at camp, drive for about 4 hours to the Dead Sea, where I suggest staying for the night.
If you still have daylight when you get to the Dead Sea, take the opportunity to swim while the sun is not at its peak. Alternatively, enjoy the sunset while relaxing on the beach.
Although most accommodations here are luxury resorts, you might consider staying anyway. This is a relaxing place, and it's nice not to feel rushed.
As a guest of the resort, you will have access to its private beach. In my opinion, the private beach is nicer than the public one, because you can see salt crystals by the shore, take a proper shower after swimming, and find sunshades to relax under.
However, if you're not a resort guest, you must pay for a day pass to access the private beach. Some people said online that day passes were as low as 20 JOD, but I personally didn't find any for less than 35 JOD when I was there.
If you choose not to stay in a resort, you can still visit the public beach, where you only pay for a shower (1 JOD). At the pubic beach, you will also find the famous Dead Sea Mud to rub on your body. However, there is no shade at all on that part of the beach, and you will find rubbish everywhere.
Day 5: Dead Sea + Wadi Mujib
Go on an adventure hike in Wadi Mujib
This underrated canyon in Jordan definitely deserves your attention! Go on the Siq trail, where you will walk in the water inside a canyon for about 2 hours round trip.
Relax by the Dead Sea
Spend the afternoon enjoying the sun and effortlessly floating on the Dead Sea.
Day 6: Jerash + Amman
Explore the ancient ruins of Jerash
Leave your hotel early and head towards the city of Jerash. Just outside the modern city, you can visit the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa.
Although at first I wasn't sure whether it was worth going to Jerash, I ended up really enjoying the visit. The many columns there are very aesthetic, and the history of this place is really interesting.
Roam around Amman
Enjoy your last day in Amman by wandering through the city.
If you're looking for recommendations for lunch or dinner in Amman, I recommend trying out Mijana. The food is delicious and the portions are rather generous.
Day 7: Travel day
Say goodbye to Jordan!
