The closest many might get to Jordan is via Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, but for travelers seeking peace in the Middle East, a flight to Jordan is usually the first step. This nation has seen its share of turmoil since the War on Iraq began, mainly because of its location in the Middle East, and this has prevented many tourists from visiting. However, on the whole Jordan is a peaceful country and when the fighting subsides it will rely on tourism to revive its economy.
It’s best to put all preconceived notions aside before boarding your flight to Jordan. In some parts of the country there is a lack of certain natural resources, but Jordan is also one of the most welcoming countries in the world. If the arts appeal to you, a trip to Jordan will be worth your while. Since the 1980s, Jordan has emerged as a leader in music, literature and arts and in 2002, Jordan’s city of Amman was chosen by UNESCO as the Arab Cultural Capital.
It’s important to note that travelers booking cheap flights to Jordan and Middle East trips should exercise caution. Jordan may be friendly territory on the whole, but its Israel and Iraq borders are trouble areas for tourists. Stay informed and keep up on security and travel alerts.
Jordan climate
Most of Jordan is desert and has very little rainfall.
Best Time to Fly to Jordan
Peak Season:
Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit with clear, sunny days and moderate temperatures.
Off Season:
July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, especially in Amman, the Jordan Valley, and in the desert areas. However, with temperatures reaching over 97F, it's also a great time to find cheap flights to Jordan.The winter months from November to April can be very cold, particularly in Amman, with snow, rain and wind. But there is little rainfall in the desert regions and in Aqaba, which makes a pleasant wintertime resort.
Getting around Jordan
There is only one route available for domestic Jordan flights, which is between Amman and Aqaba.
Renting a car is probably the easiest way to travel – though make sure you fill up with gas before leaving the big towns as stations are few and far between. Anyone with a valid driving license for their own country – which they must have held for at least a year – is allowed to hire a car. Driving is on the right. All signs are in both Arabic and English. Brown signs mark spots of tourist interest.
Buses are available for routes between the main tourist destinations. It is probably worth paying a bit more to travel in one of the air-conditioned buses, aimed at tourists.
Jordan Travel Information
- The spectacular Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and often one of the first places visitors to Jordan want to see. The myriad stone structures carved from the rock face, dating back to the 3rd century BC, are truly awe-inspiring. Perhaps the most impressive building is Al Khazneh (the Treasury). You have to pay to enter the site and there is a lot to see here, so it is worth arriving early – or making multiple visits. It opens at 6am between May and September and 6.30am for the rest of the year.
- Wadi Rum is the location for much of the film Lawrence of Arabia. The area is a popular tourist draw because of its incredible rock formations, the surrounding desert and, increasingly, a host of outdoor activities to take part in, such as camping, camel trekking, hiking and rock-climbing.
- One of the most interesting sights in the busy capital of Amman is the Roman amphitheater. It’s a tranquil spot to visit, not overrun with tourists, and impressively large.
- Aqaba is the only coastal town in the country from which you can access the Red Sea. It has become a popular beach resort and many travelers book Jordan flights and accommodations for a stay on Aqaba. The nearest adjacent town is the famous resort of Eilat in Israel, but, thanks to the much smaller numbers of tourists visiting Jordan than Israel, Aqaba is a lot less developed. The coral reef is stunning – you can explore it by scuba-diving, snorkeling or on a trip in a glass bottomed boat.
- Discovered in 1896, the Mosaic Map of Madaba in St George’s Church, is made up of more than two million pieces of mosaics and shows the entirety of the Holy Land. The town of Madaba is steeped in history; as well as seeing the map you can visit Mount Nebo, the place where Moses was supposed to have seen the Holy Land and died, and explore a range of other ancient mosaics.
