5 Days in Jordan: Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum

Get ready for one of the most rewarding short trips in the Middle East. In five days you will wander a Roman theatre in the middle of a buzzing capital, walk through the Siq to Petra’s Treasury, climb to the Monastery and fall asleep under the stars in Wadi Rum. This plan suits first-timers, couples, friends and families with older kids who are happy to walk.

The pace is steady rather than frantic: two relaxed days around Amman, two full days in Petra (because one is never enough) and a desert finale. Long road transfers happen in daylight, with time left for tea and sunsets. Plan less, see more.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Amman	Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, downtown souks, Rainbow Street sunset
2	Jerash and Amman	Roman city of Jerash, The Jordan Museum, early night
3	Amman to Petra	JETT bus south, the Siq, the Treasury, optional Petra by Night
4	Petra	Early start, the Monastery, Royal Tombs, viewpoints
5	Wadi Rum	Transfer to the desert, 4x4 tour, sunset, stargazing, camp night

Before you go: if your nationality is eligible, buy a Jordan Explorer pass (JOD 75) on the official Jordan Pass site before you fly. It covers two consecutive days in Petra plus entry to over 40 sites, including Jerash and Wadi Rum. It also waives the JOD 40 single-entry visa fee if you buy it before arrival and stay at least two nights. Print it out: the Jordan Pass team advises showing a paper copy, because phone QR codes may not scan.

Day 1: Amman’s hills, ruins and souks

Morning

Welcome to Amman! Start high and work your way down. Take a taxi or ride-hailing app to the Amman Citadel (JOD 3 for foreign visitors), perched on one of the city’s hills with sweeping views over the old town. Wander among the Roman columns and Umayyad remains, and look straight down at the Roman Theatre where you are heading next.

Check the current opening hours before you go, as they can change around public holidays. Also check the Jordan Pass list of included attractions for the Amman sites.

Afternoon

Head downhill to the Roman Theatre complex (JOD 2 for foreign visitors). It is a short but steep descent into downtown, easiest on foot if you have comfy shoes. The ticket also includes the small museums at the theatre. Climb to the top rows for the classic photo.

Then lose yourself in downtown Amman (Al Balad): spice stalls, gold shops, juice bars and bakeries. This is the place for a long, lazy lunch.

Evening

Taxi or walk uphill to Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman for sunset, people-watching and dinner. With plenty of cafés and restaurants, it makes a lovely first evening.

Day 2: Roman Jerash and the Jordan Museum

Morning

This is the day for Roman grandeur: set off early for Jerash, a beautifully preserved Roman city north of Amman. Entry is JOD 10 for foreign visitors (included in the Jordan Pass) and covers the site museum. The simplest options from Amman are a taxi or ride-hailing car for the round trip, or a guided day tour. Agree the price in advance if you take a street taxi.

Give yourself the whole morning: Hadrian’s Arch, the oval forum and the colonnaded street are spread across a big site.

Afternoon

Back in Amman, cool off at The Jordan Museum (JOD 5 for foreign visitors). Check the museum’s opening days before you go.

Evening

Keep it easy and get an early night: tomorrow’s bus leaves at dawn.

Day 3: South to Petra and the Treasury

Morning

Today is Petra day, and it’s a big one! Catch the JETT bus to Petra. The Jordan Tourism Board says one bus runs daily. It leaves Abdali station at 6:30 am, picks up again at the 7th Circle station at 7:00 am and arrives in Petra around 10:00 to 10:30 am. Times shift on weekends, public holidays and during Ramadan, so confirm on the JETT website and book a day or two ahead in high season. Check the current fare on the JETT site. JETT’s FAQ says regular-service tickets cannot be changed or cancelled, and extra luggage costs JOD 2 per piece.

If you prefer to drive or hire a car and driver, the Desert Highway takes around 3 hours. The scenic King’s Highway via Madaba, Karak and Dana takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.

Afternoon

Drop your bags in Wadi Musa, the town next to the site, and head to the Petra Visitor Center. This is the only place your Jordan Pass can be scanned, and you must show your passport at the ticket office.

Winter hours (2 October 2026 to 1 March 2027) are 06:30 to 17:00, and summer hours (from 2 March) are 06:00 to 18:00. Arriving late morning in winter still leaves you around five hours on site.

From the Visitor Center it is about 4 km to the Treasury along the main trail. The walk through the narrow, rose-coloured Siq builds slowly to that famous first glimpse of Al-Khazneh (the Treasury). Continue past the Street of Facades to the Theatre, then turn back in good time: Petra’s own rules ask visitors to leave the park before sunset.

Tired legs? Golf carts run from the Visitor Center to the Treasury for JOD 15 one way or JOD 25 return, daily from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. You don’t need to book ahead.

Evening

If today is a Sunday to Thursday, return for Petra by Night (JOD 30, free for children under 10). The candlelit Siq walk and Treasury show runs from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Tickets are sold only on-site at the Visitor Center, and you need a valid daytime ticket to attend. It is not included in the Jordan Pass. Bring a warm layer and a small torch for safety.

Day 4: The Monastery and Petra’s big viewpoints

Morning

Get ready for Petra’s most spectacular climb. Be at the gate when it opens (06:30 in winter). The early light is gorgeous and the trails are quieter. Walk through the Siq again, past the Treasury and the Theatre, and along the colonnaded street to Qasr al-Bint (about 1 km from the Theatre). From here, the long stepped climb leads to Ad Deir (the Monastery), one of Petra’s most spectacular facades. Take it slowly, carry plenty of water and enjoy the views at the top.

Licensed guides can be booked at the Visitor Center: JOD 50 for the Main Trail, JOD 100 with the Monastery.

Afternoon

Head back down and visit the Royal Tombs, carved high into the cliff face. For a bird’s-eye photo of the Treasury, PDTRA lists official viewpoints opposite the Treasury at JOD 15. Head back towards the exit in good time before the 17:00 winter closing.

Shortcut option: PDTRA runs one-way 4x4 transfers from the Cultural Village to the Monastery Trail daily from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm for JOD 5 per person. Jordan Pass holders who want this back trail must show their pass at the ticket office first. Petra advises sticking to the main trails unless you are with a guide.

Evening

Missed Petra by Night? Tonight is your chance if it is Sunday to Thursday. Otherwise, rest your legs over a slow dinner in Wadi Musa.

Day 5: Wadi Rum desert finale

Morning

Save your energy for a desert finale! Leave Petra after breakfast for Wadi Rum, about 107 km away and roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road. The Jordan Tourism Board recommends arranging private transfers between Wadi Rum and Petra through your camp or hotel. Entry to the protected area is JOD 5 for foreign visitors (included in the Jordan Pass).

Afternoon

Wadi Rum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “Valley of the Moon”, is all towering rock, red sand and silence. Book a 4x4 tour through your camp or at the visitor centre to see sand dunes, rock formations and ancient inscriptions. The tourism board also lists camel racing, horse riding, hot air balloon and microlight flights, and a heritage train ride. Check prices directly with the operator.

Evening

Watch the sun drop behind the cliffs, then settle into your desert camp for a Bedouin-style dinner and stargazing. The tourism board highlights guided astronomy experiences here. Tomorrow you can continue to Aqaba, which has King Hussein International Airport and JETT VIP buses to Amman (four trips a day). Or ask your camp to arrange a transfer back north.

Getting there and getting around

Visa and entry: entry rules depend on your nationality and change from time to time. Check the official Ministry of Interior e-visa portal (https://moi.gov.jo/EN/Pages/Visa_E_Applications) before you book, and make sure your passport meets the validity rules for your nationality.

From Queen Alia International Airport (AMM):

• Airport Express bus (Sariyah): JOD 3.4 per passenger, and you can pay by Visa card. Buses stop at the North Station (Tabarbour) and 7th Circle in Amman. They leave the airport arrivals station around the clock, roughly every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the time of day, and hourly on Fridays. Check the timetable on the Sariyah site; journey time depends on traffic.
• Taxi or ride-hailing: Uber and Careem operate in Jordan. Licensed on-call taxis carry a government-issued sticker on the windscreen. Confirm the fare before you set off.

Between cities: JETT runs coaches across Jordan. Its Amman terminals at Abdali and 7th Circle are both open daily 06:00 to 21:00, and it also has terminals at Tabarbour, Wehdat and Aqaba. A rental car or private driver gives you more flexibility, especially for Wadi Rum.

Around Amman: the city is built on steep hills, so taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to get between areas. You won’t need a transport card for this plan: the Jordan Pass covers entry to sights, not ground transport.

Where to stay

• Downtown and Jabal Amman (Rainbow Street area): best for first-timers who want to walk to the Citadel, Roman Theatre, souks and cafés. Lively, atmospheric and great for evenings out.
• Abdali: a modern district right by the JETT Abdali terminal, handy for the 6:30 am Petra bus.
• Around 7th Circle: close to both the Airport Express stop and the JETT 7th Circle terminal, and quieter than downtown.
• Wadi Musa (Petra): stay close to the Visitor Center so you can be at the gate for the 06:30 winter opening and stroll back for Petra by Night.
• Wadi Rum: a desert camp is the whole point. Pick one that can also arrange your Petra transfer and 4x4 tour.

Budget

These are official entry fees and fares for foreign visitors, checked on 24 October 2026. USD figures use roughly JOD 1 = USD 1.41, so check a live rate.

Item	Typical cost
Jordan Pass: Wanderer / Explorer / Expert (1, 2 or 3 Petra days)	JOD 70 / 75 / 80
Single-entry tourist visa without Jordan Pass	JOD 40
Petra, 1 / 2 / 3 days (visitors staying overnight in Jordan)	JOD 50 / 55 / 60
Petra, one-day visitor not staying overnight in Jordan	JOD 90
Petra for Arab nationals	JOD 30
Petra by Night (not in Jordan Pass)	JOD 30
Jerash / Amman Citadel / Roman Theatre	JOD 10 / 3 / 2
The Jordan Museum	JOD 5
Wadi Rum protected area	JOD 5
Petra golf cart, Visitor Center to Treasury	JOD 15 one way, JOD 25 return
Petra licensed guide, Main Trail / plus Monastery	JOD 50 / 100
Airport Express bus	JOD 3.4

Is the Jordan Explorer worth it? For this plan, the visa (JOD 40), two Petra days (JOD 55), Jerash (JOD 10) and Wadi Rum (JOD 5) alone add up to JOD 110 (about USD 155). The pass costs JOD 75 (about USD 105), before you count any Amman sites on the included list. Children under 12 enter the sites free with their parents.

Not included: flights, accommodation, meals, JETT fares, taxis and private transfers, Wadi Rum camps and 4x4 tours, and tips. These prices vary by season and operator, so check them directly when you book.

Practical tips

• Dress code: dress modestly in public, as the US travel advisory recommends. For Petra, PDTRA suggests sturdy hiking shoes, light breathable clothing and a hat.
• Jordan Pass fine print: it gives one entry per site, and repeat entry to Petra only comes with the Explorer and Expert passes. Petra days must be consecutive, and you may be asked to show ID at each site. The pass is not available to people with Arab nationalities.
• Money: Petra accepts cash in Jordanian dinars or Visa card. Carry some small notes for taxis and snacks.
• SIM or eSIM: sort out mobile data before the desert day. Ask your camp what coverage to expect in Wadi Rum.
• Help: the Tourism Police can be reached on 117777, and 911 is the emergency number.

Heads-up

A few sensible precautions keep your trip joyful.

• Regional situation: as of 29 August 2026 the US State Department rates Jordan Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. Hostilities began on 28 February 2026, and the advisory warns of possible drone and missile attacks from Iran and major disruption to commercial flights. Read your own government’s latest advice, get travel insurance and keep plans flexible.
• Areas to avoid: the US advisory says do not travel to the borders with Syria and Iraq, Syrian refugee camps, Rusayfah city or the Baqa’a neighbourhood of Ayn Basha. It also flags higher risk in Zarqa City, Ma’an city and parts of Ma’an Governorate along and east of the Desert Highway. Petra is in Ma’an Governorate, so follow local advice and travel in daylight.
• Flash floods: Petra and the Dead Sea often see heavy rain and flash flooding from October to March, and the authorities may close tourist areas completely. Check the weather and follow official instructions.
• Taxis: book via your hotel or a licensed app where you can, and ask drivers not to pick up extra passengers. The US advisory notes reports of harassment involving taxi drivers and advises women not to sit in the front seat.
• Buses: the US advisory says mass transportation is not recommended and US Embassy staff may not use public buses. If that makes you uneasy, book a private driver for the Amman to Petra leg.
• Night driving: avoid the Dead Sea Highway, the Desert Highway outside Aqaba and the King’s Highway between Petra and Madaba after dark. These roads are narrow, winding and busy with trucks.
• Petra rules: do not buy “antiquities” such as coins or rocks, use only licensed transport inside Petra, keep off the monuments and leave before sunset.
• Demonstrations: avoid protests and large gatherings, which happen more often on Thursday evenings and Fridays.
• Strict laws: Jordan enforces strict drug laws. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging.

FAQ

Is five days enough for Jordan?

Five days is enough for Amman, Jerash, two days in Petra and a night in Wadi Rum. Add the Dead Sea or Aqaba if you have more time.

Which Jordan Pass should I buy for this itinerary?

The Jordan Explorer (JOD 75), because it covers two consecutive Petra days. Buy it before you arrive and stay at least two nights to get the visa fee waived.

Can I visit Petra as a day trip from Amman?

It is possible, about 3 hours each way via the Desert Highway, but you would get only a few hours on site. If you are not staying overnight in Jordan at all, Petra costs JOD 90 instead of JOD 50.

Is Petra by Night worth it, and when does it run?

It is a magical, atmospheric add-on. It runs Sunday to Thursday, 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm, costs JOD 30 and requires a valid daytime Petra ticket. Buy on-site at the Visitor Center.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now?

The US currently advises travellers to reconsider travel because of the regional conflict, though it describes Jordan as relatively stable. Check your own government’s latest advice before booking and again before you fly.