A long weekend in Jordan – is 4 days enough?

Dedicated to the full-time worker who refuses to stop travelling.

You know the drill.

There’s a long weekend coming up from work, and you’re desperate to go and experience a new place.

For me, I had been tracking flight options for a few weeks. A few places piqued my interest, but I saw the flights to Jordan were well-priced.

Even though I’d been there once before, this time my daughter would be with me. A new adventure for her, and a truly magical place that people can only dream about.

So, I took the plunge and booked the flights!

And were four days enough in Jordan? Absolutely! The highlights are incredible.

Why Jordan works for a long weekend

Jordan is well-connected with flights, being in a very central location for people travelling from both Europe and Asia. Airlines include both full-service and budget ones, giving a wide range of choices for travellers of all budgets.

Geographically, Jordan is not super big (although I compare everything to Australia, which really is huge!), so it makes it easier to visit a few sites that aren’t too far from each other.

While Jordan only has a small number of countries that can enter visa-free, it does have a large number (over 130 countries!) that can enter with an e-visa. This is made even easier with the introduction of campaigns, such as the Jordan Pass.

The weather is one of the best reasons why Jordan works as a long weekend destination, because it has reasonable weather all year round!

Why Jordan and why now?

I mean, you’ve seen pictures of Petra, yeah? Wadi Rum? You’ve watched Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, surely?

Then you’ll know why it’s Jordan for the win.

Petra is one of those places that feels ethereal, like somewhere that couldn’t possibly exist. Wadi Rum looks like another planet. And the whole country is surprisingly compact, which matters enormously when you’re working with a tight window.

Tourist numbers are low at the moment due to the instability in the region. Please, don’t let the instability put you off from travelling to Jordan. The country is safe, and more importantly, it feels safe.

And just so you know, the food is amazing, too.

The route: in via Aqaba and out via Amman

Ok, so it wasn’t actually my choice to take this route! But my return flight from Aqaba was cancelled, but I wasn’t prepared to miss out.

Now, I flew Wizz Air. And yes, it is a low, low, budget airline.

However, when I saw they had cancelled my Aqaba flight but on the same day had a flight from Amman, I rang up their service centre to discuss options.

And, incredibly, they booked me on the Amman flight straight away! Wizz for the win!

Aqaba is an excellent choice to fly into, as it is closer to Petra and Wadi Rum than Amman. So, keep that in mind when you’re looking at flights and sites.

Here’s how the four days broke down:

Day 1: Fly into Aqaba, drive to Wadi Rum, then overnight in a desert camp
Day 2: Drive to Petra, spent the entire day inside the most magical place on earth
Day 3: Petra day two, then overnight in Madaba
Day 4: Sadly, fly home from Amman

Day 1: Landing in Aqaba then drive to Wadi Rum

I was on a super early flight, which isn’t so difficult to wake up at 2 am for when you know you’re going somewhere like Jordan! I flew into Aqaba, as that is the closest airport to Wadi Rum and Petra.

Aqaba airport, while international, is quite small and doesn’t have many stores. The first time I visited, there was a SIM card kiosk, but this time around, with low tourist numbers, the kiosk sadly wasn’t operating anymore.

I hired a car, which is an excellent way to travel around Jordan because there are few public transport options. The roads are decent, and the main highways aren’t too busy once you leave the cities.

Hiring a car in Jordan can be a bit on the expensive side, but you don’t really have much of a choice to get around easily.

But let’s get to the good part. First stop: Wadi Rum.

The drive there is quite simple. Once you’re on the road out of the city, you keep on it until the Wadi Rum turnoff. It takes just over an hour to get to the visitor centre.

It took me a little longer because, being a transportation nerd, I stopped to see the trains that were stabled along the way. The trains are for an exhibition train ride you can take while here.

PRO TIP: Book your free Train Ride Adventure (Journey Through 1916) on the official Jordan Pass website when you purchase your Jordan Pass.

The dates didn’t work for me this time, but the last time I visited, I went on the train ride. It was a bit of fun and I’d definitely recommend it if you are here on a day that it is operating.

After hanging out near the trains for a few moments, I continued on to the visitor centre in Wadi Rum. You do need to stop at the visitor centre because you need to register your details here.

Once you’re registered, you’ll be allowed to go through to Wadi Rum Village.

This is where most guides will organise to collect you for your Wadi Rum tour.

And now for my 4-hour 4×4 desert tour with a Bedouin guide!

There are a few different choices for desert tours, but knowing I was on a short timeframe, I opted for the highlight reel.

The standard 4-hour tour will take you to the most popular locations around the site.
– Lawrence’s Spring
– The Red Dune
– Khazali Canyon
– Little Bridge
– Um Frouth Rock Bridge
– Sunset viewing (if you are doing the afternoon tour)

Every single one of these locations is absolutely amazing. Climbing the Red Dune is probably the hardest of all of them, and Um Frouth Rock Bridge is probably the most dangerous (but still awesome fun).

Honestly, Wadi Rum is completely out of this world, which is probably why it’s been used as a backdrop to so many movies. You really have to see it for yourself.

Overnight: I stayed in a camp outside Wadi Rum, but close by. This was because I’m a budget traveller at heart, and it was cheaper than staying inside the site.

I really, really, really wanted to stay in a dome tent. I stayed at Jabal Rum camp and the hosts were incredibly hospitable. I’d definitely recommend staying there.

Day 2: Wadi Musa and Petra

From the Wadi Rum area, Petra is about a 1 hr and 45 minutes drive.

Again, the drive is pleasant enough (I don’t actually enjoy driving), and it isn’t long before we are turning off the main highway and taking the road to Wadi Musa.

As you get closer to Wadi Musa, there are a couple of souvenir shops to stop at. I am a sucker for a souvenir shop browse, and these ones really do have amazing views (you’ll know what I mean if you see them).

The entrance to Petra is at the bottom of Wadi Musa. The streets here are narrow, windy, and busy! There is a parking nearby, but just watch out for the touts.

Pro tip: There are official guides inside the park, and you can engage their services for a fee. Both times I’ve been there and both times I’ve done this. It is not necessarily cheap, and it’s a fixed rate, but you will get excellent and professional service from very knowledgeable people.

I hope you’ve worn sturdy walking shoes because you will need them. Petra is gigantic. It is not simply the Treasure or the Monastery. It is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.

A lot of the tombs and sites still aren’t uncovered, so there is so much more here than you even get to see and experience.

FYI: your ticket includes a free horse ride (I still think that’s the case). And while it is free, the person taking you on the horse will want a tip. I didn’t ride the horses because that’s not something I am interested in (but you do you!)

Now, when you book your Jordan Pass, you can choose how many days in Petra you would like. I chose two days. For me, this is the absolute highlight of visiting Jordan and I don’t think it’s a site you should rush through.

The distances are huge, the steps are steep, but the sites are worth it.

Walking through the Siq is one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

It is so stunning and the way the rocks have been moulded by the environment is simply beautiful.

When you get towards the end of the Siq and you see the Treasury coming into view, there aren’t many things you’ll see in your life that will compare.

Not going to lie, it was an emotional sight for me (both times I shed a tear), because I never in a million years thought I’d ever be able to travel to a place like Jordan.

So, on this day, the guide took us to all the highlights of Petra. You’ll see:
– The Treasury
– The Nabatean Theatre
– The Royal Tombs
– The Byzantine Church
– Collonade Street
– Temple of Dushara

Once the guide finished for the day, we then took the Al-Khubtha Trail to see the Treasury from above. It is a difficult hike and takes about 45 minutes to reach the vantage point. But it’s totally worth it.

By the time we left on the first day, it was pitch black, and we were exhausted.

Overnight: choose one of the many hotels in close proximity to the entrance of Petra, so you don’t have far to go!

Day 3: Little Petra and hiking to the Monastery

As I had engaged in the guide’s services for a second day, we met him at the normal Petra entrance.

From here, we caught a bus to Little Petra. Little Petra used to be free, but it is now also managed along with the main Petra site. So you need your ticket and passport to validate your ticket.

From here, our guide showed us through Little Petra. It’s actually older than the main site. And for those of us who are wine lovers, this is one of the oldest areas in the world where wine was made.

Little Petra is a more compact site, but no less beautiful. There are many caves here and the guide explains how you can tell if one was used for worship or for gatherings. It’s really interesting learning about the cave’s functions.

Once there are enough people at the entrance, a ute is organised to transport people to the beginning of the back hike to the Monastery.

The walk takes a little over an hour. There are some stairs on the route, as well as meandering paths. The views across the border are incredible.

Fewer tourists are hiking this route, so it felt like I had it all to myself at times.

The Monastery is amazing, so if you have the time, definitely prioritise seeing it over some of the other places in Petra.

And of course, what goes up, must come down. From the Monastery, it is a hike straight down a rocky stairway, back to the main site of Petra.

Now, to make our way out and on to Madaba, where we will spend the night before heading to the airport on day 4.

It is about a three-hour drive to Madaba along the good highway network. As you get closer to Amman, the traffic will become thicker, but just take it easy, and you’ll be fine.

Overnight: I stayed in the Mariam Hotel because it was the right price-point for me.

A few practical notes:
– Petra requires a lot of walking on often uneven ground. I am not kidding when I say wear supportive shoes. Forget being fashionable, and think of all those steps you’re about to walk.
– Make sure you stay hydrated. There are a few kiosks in the park, but not as many as there used to be, so take some water with you anyway.
– Anyone who claims you can see Petra in a few hours has very different priorities to me when it comes to travelling and sightseeing. You will need time. If you don’t have two days, that’s fine, you’ll still see a fair bit in one day, but that’s one full day.

Day 4: The sad part where I have to leave

Sadly, my flight was early in the day, so there wasn’t enough time to see any more sites.

In the morning, we headed to Queen Alia International Airport, and said our goodbyes to Jordan

I landed in the early afternoon, which left me plenty of time to unpack and organise myself to go back to work in the morning.

One of my favourite things to do when I get home is transfer all my photos off my phone and devices, and go through them and relive the amazing time I’ve just experienced.

Is 4 Days Actually Enough? My Honest Answer

Absolutely!

While you may not get to see everything in Jordan, there are just a few sites that will live with you for a lifetime. Wadi Rum and Petra are these sites.

Don’t decide against going because you don’t think you’ll see much for the effort of having to catch a plane and all that.

These sites are 1000 times worth it.

The things I weren’t able to see didn’t detract from the trip at all. It’s only when I look back in hindsight that I think I would have liked more time there.

But what better reason is there to organise to go back?

What I’d do differently

I’d try to fly into Aqaba the night before the weekend actually started, so I could be ready to go first thing in the morning and not lose half a day.
I’d trade the second Petra day with a trip to the Dead Sea instead (except I wouldn’t personally because I love Petra so much, but I understand not everyone has the same love of archaeological sites that I do).
Not wear brand new white shoes.

What I’d do the same

To be fair, I liked the route in through Aqaba and out through Amman, and if you visited the Dead Sea, this route makes even more sense.
Get an official guide at Petra, after all, you want to know what you’re looking at because you’ve come such a long way to look at it.
Hire a car instead of going on an organised tour because it keeps the costs down.

Practical Info at a Glance

Getting there: Jordan has great connections with Gulf countries and Europe. It is serviced by both full-service and low-cost airlines, so choose your airline based on your location and budget.

Visa: If you are going to Wadi Rum and spending two days in Petra, the Jordan Pass could be the most cost-effective way to get your visa. Compare the prices based on your sightseeing choices. Although I liked the simplicity of the pass. One and done.

Getting around: A hire car was my preference because then I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. It works for me. Hire cars in Jordan aren’t cheap and the last one I got didn’t have a single panel without a scratch, but it got me around. Both times I organised an International Drivers Permit and both times they were happy with my Australian license and passport combination.

Where to stay: There are so many options for accommodation, all based on your budget preference. I am a lower-budget traveller, but not so low that I’ll stay in a hostel dorm room. But I stayed at these places and thought they were great.
– Wadi Rum: Jabal Rum Camp
– Wadi Musa: Silk Road Hotel or La Maison Hote
– Madaba: Mariam Hotel
And if you plan on staying near the Dead Sea, I stayed in the Holiday Inn last time I visited (blog post to follow), and it was excellent.

Budget: Ok, here’s the truth. I did spend more in Jordan than I thought I would. But it is worth every penny. Besides, it’s less expensive than a whole lot of European countries.

Best time to go: I would actually say year-round. I went in winter, and while the nights were cold and the days coolish, it was still very comfortable. I would avoid the height of summer (June-August), but only for this specific Jordan road trip, because you are visiting the hotter area of the country. The nothern part of the country would be beautiful in summer.

Final thoughts

A road trip from Aqaba to Amman is the perfect way to spend a long weekend trip to Jordan.

Wadi Rum, Petra, and possibly the Dead Sea are the most incredible sights you will see.

The fact that you can experience all of this in just four days, on a long weekend, without using any annual leave, is just amazing.

So, this is your sign to start searching flights and start booking hotels.

Where to next?

Perhaps Rome?
Or another Middle Eastern gem – Muscat?
Or the incredible Samarkand?