L'Heure du Voyage
🇯🇴 Itinerary · Jordan · 7 days

1-week Jordan itinerary 2026: Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea

7 well-paced days: Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra and the Wadi Rum desert. The essential format, with detailed budget, Jordan Pass and transport.

🔄 Updated June 1, 2026

📅 See the program 🔄 See variants

In brief

Duration

7 days

Stops

6 places

Average budget

€1,300-2,200

Total distance

~700 km

Profile

First time

Season

Mar-May, Sep-Nov

Amman 1d · Jerash 1d · Dead Sea 1d · Petra 2d · Wadi Rum 1d · Aqaba 1d

Itinerary map

The route at a glance

1-week Jordan itinerary map: Amman, Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Detailed program

7 days, day by day

1

~€70/pers

Amman · Arrival and the city of hills

  • Morning Arrival at Queen Alia airport (AMM). Jordan Pass already bought online before departure.
  • Afternoon Amman Citadel (Temple of Hercules, Umayyad palace) and the Roman theatre below.
  • Evening Dinner downtown, mansaf or mezze, a first glass of mint tea.
🛌 🛌 Downtown · e.g. Toledo Amman (1 night)·🚗 Rental car or driver·Amman guide →
2

~€80

Amman → Jerash → Dead Sea · Rome and the lowest point on Earth

  • 9am Jerash (1h north), one of the best-preserved Roman cities, oval forum and colonnades.
  • 2pm Drive to the Dead Sea (2h), 430 m below sea level.
  • 5pm Float and mud bath, sunset over Israel across the water.
🛌 🛌 Dead Sea · e.g. Dead Sea Spa Hotel (1 night)·🚗 Car
3

~€75

Dead Sea → Petra · The King's Highway

  • Morning Madaba and its Byzantine mosaic map, Mount Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land.
  • 1pm King's Highway south, a stop at the Wadi Mujib canyon if the season allows.
  • 5pm Check-in at Wadi Musa, at the gates of Petra. Petra by Night some evenings (candles).
🛌 🛌 Wadi Musa · e.g. Petra Moon Hotel (2 nights)·🚗 Car
4

~€50

Petra · The rose-red Nabataean city

  • 6:30am Enter at opening through the Siq, a 1.2 km gorge opening onto the Treasury (Al-Khazneh).
  • Day Royal tombs, theatre, then the climb to the Monastery (Ad-Deir, 850 steps, vast view).
  • Evening Back to Wadi Musa, rest your legs after 15 km of walking.
5

~€85

Petra → Wadi Rum · Desert and Bedouin camp

  • Morning Petra's Little Petra side (Al-Beidha) or back to the Treasury in a different light.
  • 2pm Drive to Wadi Rum (1h30). 4×4 tour: rock arches, red dunes, canyons.
  • Evening Sunset over the desert, zarb dinner (cooked under the sand), a night in camp.
🛌 🛌 Wadi Rum · e.g. Bedouin bubble camp (1 night)·🚙 Camp 4×4
6

~€70

Wadi Rum → Aqaba · Desert and Red Sea

  • Morning Sunrise over the dunes, a last tour or a horse/camel ride.
  • 1pm Drive to Aqaba (1h), the country's only window on the Red Sea.
  • Afternoon Snorkeling or diving on coral reefs, among the most accessible in the world.
🛌 🛌 Aqaba (1 night)·🚗 Car
7

Flight

Aqaba → Return

  • Morning A last swim or some Red Sea downtime.
  • Afternoon Flight from Aqaba (AQJ) to Amman then Europe, or drive back to Amman (4h).
  • Evening Return flight to Paris from Amman, often via Istanbul or a Gulf hub.

How much

Itinerary budget (per person, flight included)

Backpacker

€1,300

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €450
  • 🏨 Hostel or 2★: €35/night
  • 🍜 Canteens and falafel: €18/day
  • 🎟️ Jordan Pass (visa + sites): €100
  • 🚗 JETT bus + transfers: €120
Recommended

Comfort

€1,800

per person

  • ✈️ Return flight: €550
  • 🏨 3-4★ and camp: €75/night
  • 🍽️ Mixed restos: €30/day
  • 🎟️ Jordan Pass: €100
  • 🚗 Rental car 6 d: €250

Premium

€3,400

per person

  • ✈️ Upper-cabin flight: €1,400
  • 🏨 5★ and luxury camp: €200/night
  • 🍽️ Fine dining: €60/day
  • 🚖 Private driver-guide
  • 🎫 Petra by Night + diving: €250

Shorter, longer

Other possible durations

You're here

1 week

1 week

Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. The essential format.

2 weeks

2 weeks

The whole country, from the desert castles to the Dana reserve.

1 month

1 month

Jordan in depth: hikes, deserts and the Red Sea.

How to get around

Itinerary logistics

A week is best done by rental car from Amman: the country is compact and the roads good. Without a licence, the JETT bus links Amman, Petra and Aqaba, topped up with local taxis.

🎟️

Jordan Pass

~€100 · covers the visa and 40+ sites including Petra and Wadi Rum · buy before departure

🚗

Rental car

€35-55/day · French licence accepted · ideal for the King's Highway

🚌

JETT bus

Amman-Petra ~€12 · air-conditioned · online booking advised

🚙

Camp 4×4 (Wadi Rum)

included in the camp night · the only way into the protected desert

Adapt by season

Spring and autumn, never high summer or a winter night

Jordan is best in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November): 20 to 28°C, perfect for Petra and Wadi Rum. Summer (June-August) bakes at Petra and the Dead Sea nears 40°C; plan early-morning visits. Winter is mild by day but the Wadi Rum desert drops to 4°C at night: a good sleeping bag is essential if you sleep in a Bedouin camp.

Author tips

What I would redo (and change)

✅ Would redo

  • • In October 2024 I entered Petra at 6:30am: I had the Treasury almost to myself for twenty minutes before the groups arrived around 8:30. The morning light on the rose rock was worth the early start.
  • • Buying the Jordan Pass online before departure: it waives the visa fee (40 JOD) provided you stay at least 3 nights.
  • • Sleeping a night in a Wadi Rum camp rather than a day trip: the desert's starry sky is unforgettable.

⚠️ Would change

  • • Keep 3 days at Petra instead of 2 if you like hiking: the site is huge.
  • • Skip Aqaba if you don't dive and add a half-day at Petra.
  • • In summer, do Petra and Wadi Rum early and rest through the hot hours.

FAQ

Itinerary FAQ

Is one week in Jordan enough? +
Yes for the great sites: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. Seven days are enough to see the essentials without rushing, the country being compact. For hikes and the Dana reserve, count two weeks.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it? +
Yes, almost always. For around €100 it covers the visa fee (40 JOD) and entry to 40+ sites, including Petra (50 JOD on its own) and Wadi Rum. You must stay at least 3 nights and buy it online before arrival.
Do you need to rent a car? +
It's the most practical: the country is small, roads are good and the King's Highway deserves the freedom. Without a licence, the JETT bus links Amman, Petra and Aqaba, topped up with taxis. Count €35-55/day.
Can you see Petra in one day? +
An intense day covers the Treasury, the tombs and the Monastery, but that's 15 km of walking. Two days are more comfortable and allow the side trails (High Place of Sacrifice, Little Petra).
What's the best period? +
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November): 20 to 28°C, ideal for walking. Summer bakes at Petra and the Dead Sea; winter is mild by day but cold at night in the desert.
How much does one week cost all in? +
Count around €1,300 backpacking, €1,800 in comfort and €3,400 premium, flight from Paris and Jordan Pass included, per person.

Marie Laurent ✓

·

Southeast Asia specialist · itinerary personally tested.

Last updated: June 1, 2026.

Profile →