Echoes of Petra and Wadi Rum

Travelling to Jordan via Israel, there are 3 borders to choose from.
1. The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge. Located 57 km from Amman, in the Jordan Valley. Open from Sunday - Thursday from 08.00 - 20.00 (8 PM). On Fridays from 08.00 - 14.00 (2 PM). And on Saturdays from 08.00 - 13.00 (1 PM).  Please note you can NOT buy your visa to Jordan at this border and neither can you cross here with a Jordan Pass.
2. Sheikh Hussein crossing, most northern border. Located 90 km from Amman, in the north close to Tiberias Lake (Sea of Galilea). Open whole year around 24/7. You can buy your visa here at the border (for most nationalities) or cross using the Jordan Pass).
3. Wadi Araba Crossing, southern border. Located 324 km from Amman, between the two cities Eilat and Aqaba. This border is open from Sunday until Thursday 06.30 - 22.00 (10 PM) and on Friday & Saturday from 08.00 - 20.00 (8 PM).You can buy your visa here at the border (for most nationalities) or cross using the Jordan Pass). Note the Wadi Araba border closes on Islamic New Year and on Yom Kippur.

Travelling to Jordan via Iraq:
Access to Jordan via Iraq is via the Al Karamah Border, 331 km from Amman and this border is opened 24/7 all year around.

Travelling to Jordan via Saudi-Arabia:
There are 3 borders with Saudi from the east side. The Umari Border crossing (155 km from Amman, open all year around). The Mudawara crossing (322 km from Amman, open all year around). The Durra Border Crossing (in the south 349 km from Amman and open all year around).

Travelling to Jordan via Syria:
You are able to travel to Jordan via the Jaber and Ramtha borders. But as Syria is still not completely safe we do not recommend this.

Travelling to Jordan via the sea:
From Egypt there are ferries going from Nuweiba and Taba to Aqaba. Please note that some nationalities need a visa to Jordan in advance!

Travelling to Jordan via the air:
Royal Jordanian, is our national airline company. It is one of the many companies who on regular basis fly to Amman Queen Alia International Airport. The airport is located 35 km south of Amman. The average flight time from European cities is around 4 hours. The easiest to travel from Amman Airport to the city center of Amman is using a taxi, around 30-45 minutes driving. There are also buses going who leave the airport each half hour.
You can also choose to fly to Aqaba airport where you are able to get a free visa to Jordan.

It is perfectly safe to travel alone through Jordan as a woman. But do expect people to stare at you. Staring isn't considered as rude in the Jordanian culture and people will do it without trying to hide it. As a woman alone it is recommended to cover up and dress modest. If you do get harassed a clear no is often enough to stop it. It also helps to wear a ring on your finger and act like you are married, an easy way not to draw a lot of attention. Be careful when travelling alone and don't go out with strangers who you have just met. Just like you wouldn't do in your own country. Use your mind and you will surely enjoy your stay!

To drink a cup of tea or coffee together with locals is a great way to get to know more about the local culture. Hospitality to Jordanians is very important. If you are invited but you are not able to come it is ok to refuse the invitation. Put your right hand on your heart and politely apologize. A lot of families, especially in the country side, are very traditional. It is very likely if you get to visit them that men are women are separated from each other. For foreign women often an exception is made and they can join in with the men.

Local women in Jordan enjoy a lot of freedom compared to other countries in the region. All women have the right to get a full education, are allowed to vote, drive cars and often play an important role in businesses and politics.

Arranged wedding are still very common.

Jordan is a muslim country, but freedom of all religions is protected. Muslim women often cover their legs, arms and hair with clothes. Western women do not need to do this but very revealing clothes are not appreciated nor accepted. A conservative clothing style is recommended for men and women especially in the old part of Amman and outside of the cities. Very short shorts are seldom worn by men and women and would be really misplaced in the center of Amman. Topless sunbathing on the beach is forbidden and bathing suits are preferred over bikini's. But bikini's are accepted in hotel swimming pools.

Thin fabrics are recommended between May and September. Warm winter clothing is essential for the winter and a vest or thin jacket is good to bring along in case the temperature cools off during the summer evenings. Rain clothing is always handy to bring along between November and April.

The first thing you will notice when arriving to Jordan is how kind and hospitable people are to tourists. You will be pleasantly surprised by the feeling of safety in Jordan. It is one of the safest destinations to travel to in the whole world. Jordan also holds up good relationships with its neighbors and is an oasis of peace in the region.