On my first run to Jordan, I walked off the plane at Queen Alia International Airport, queued up at the immigration counter, and paid cash for a single-entry tourist visa. Two days later, standing at the ticket office in Petra, I paid the steep standalone admission fee. I only realized later, while talking to another traveler at a tea stall in Wadi Musa, that I had done this entirely wrong. By not purchasing a Jordan Pass online before departing Denver, I had paid for both my visa and my Petra entry separately, costing me significantly more. It was a classic rookie mistake in travel planning.
To get the most out of a cheap flight to Jordan, you must handle your logistics before you pack. The country is relatively small, but the distance between the primary gateway in the north and the major sights in the south requires a clear transit plan.
The Jordan Pass Trick
The single most useful thing to arrange before your flight is the Jordan Pass. This is an official digital pass created by the Ministry of Tourism.
If you purchase the pass online before you arrive in Jordan, and you plan to stay in the country for at least three consecutive nights, the government waives your tourist visa fee. Additionally, the pass includes entry to Petra, the ruins of Jerash, and dozens of other attractions. If you wait until you land to buy it, the financial benefit is lost since you will have already paid the visa fee at the border. Ensure you check the current terms and minimum-nights rules online before buying.
Amman vs. Aqaba: The Two Airports
When booking your flights, you will choose between two international gateways:
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM): Located about thirty kilometers south of the capital city, Amman. This is the busier of the two airports and the main hub for Royal Jordanian. It handles the vast majority of long-haul traffic from the US and Europe, meaning you will have more routing options and connections through hubs like Doha, Dubai, or Frankfurt.
- King Hussein International Airport (AQJ): Located in the southern city of Aqaba. This is the smaller of the two airports, but it sits much closer to Petra and the Wadi Rum desert. Aqaba operates under a special economic zone status, which features its own visa-fee exemptions.
If your itinerary is focused entirely on the southern desert and Petra, compare the cost of flying into AQJ against the convenience of AMM. A flight into Aqaba can save you a four-hour drive, but flights are less frequent and often seasonal.
Getting to Petra from Amman
If you fly into Amman, getting south to Petra requires a three-hour drive. You have two main transit options: the public JETT bus or hiring a private driver. If you choose to drive yourself, you will navigate two primary routes:
- The Desert Highway: The faster route. It is a straight, flat, and uninspiring multi-lane road that cuts through the arid interior. It is the route the buses take to save time.
- The King’s Highway: The slower, more scenic route. It winds through steep valleys and historic towns like Madaba and Kerak. Choose this route only if you have a full day to spare for the drive and want to see the Dana Biosphere Reserve along the way.
The JETT bus is the cheaper option for solo travelers, departing Amman early in the morning. A private driver is more expensive but offers the flexibility to stop along the way.
Giving Petra the Time It Demands
Do not try to visit Petra on a single-day trip from Amman. The site is massive, and simply walking from the visitor center through the narrow sandstone canyon known as the Siq to the Treasury building is only the start of the trek.
The Jordan Pass allows you to choose between one, two, or three consecutive days of entry to Petra. Spend at least two days in Wadi Musa (the town next to the site) so you can hike up to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice without rushing.
Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea
From Petra, the red sand valleys of Wadi Rum sit about ninety minutes further south. You will need to coordinate with a local camp for a jeep tour and lodging, as independent driving inside the protected desert area is restricted.
The Dead Sea resorts are located closer to the capital, making them a simple day trip from Amman or a convenient stop on your way to the airport before your return flight.
Weather and Fare Seasons
Jordan is a year-round destination, but the climate varies dramatically by season:
- Spring and Autumn (March through May, September through November): The better seasons for travel, featuring pleasant daytime temperatures. However, this is also the peak travel window, meaning flight fares and accommodation rates are higher.
- Summer (June through August): The low season. Flights are cheaper, but temperatures at Petra and Wadi Rum routinely exceed a hundred degrees Fahrenheit, making midday hiking exhausting.
- Winter (December through February): Amman can be cold, windy, and wet, occasionally seeing snow, while Aqaba remains relatively mild.
Entry Requirements
Visitors holding passports from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at the airport, or have the visa fee waived by presenting a pre-purchased Jordan Pass at the border. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. Visa rules can change; verify current requirements before booking.
FAQ
What is the Jordan Pass and is it worth it?
It is a digital ticket issued by the government that bundles your tourist visa fee waiver with admission to Petra and other attractions. It is worth buying if you stay at least three nights, as it costs less than buying a visa and a Petra ticket separately.
Should I fly into Amman or Aqaba?
Fly into Amman (AMM) for more flight options, connections, and lower fares. Fly into Aqaba (AQJ) if your trip is focused strictly on Petra and Wadi Rum, as it is much closer to those sights and saves a long drive.
How do I get from Amman to Petra?
You can take the daily JETT public coach bus, which is the cheaper option, hire a taxi or private driver, or rent a car. The drive takes about three hours via the Desert Highway.
When are flights to Jordan cheapest?
Flights are typically cheapest during the winter months of December through February, when temperatures are colder, and during the hot summer months of June through August.
Images: Vyacheslav Argenberg / CC BY 4.0; David Bjorgen / CC BY 2.5. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
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