Jordan: A journey rich in emotion and discovery

Documents and visa

To stay in Jordan, you need a passport valid for at least six months after leaving the country and a tourist visa, which can be obtained directly on arrival in Jordan, at the airport or at a road border post. The visa is valid for one month and costs JOD 40(around €50).

The Jordan Pass

Rather than entering Jordan on a tourist visa, we advise you to buy the Jordan Pass, which includes an entry visa and free access to over 40 sites in Jordan, including Petra, the Citadel of Amman, Wadi Rum and numerous desert castles. From 70 JOD, it's a very attractive alternative!

Money

The Jordanian unit of currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD), divided into piasters or fils. 1 euro = approximately 0.75 JOD. Bank cards are accepted in major hotels and some shops. You can withdraw cash with your bank card from most banks in Amman and Aqaba, and there are cash dispensers in Amman, Wadi Musa (Petra) and Aqaba. Do not use traveller's cheques as they are not always accepted and the commission is quite high. Banks are open from Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm, although some also open on Saturdays.

Security

Although the Middle East is known to be a fairly turbulent area, Jordan is far removed from the region's conflicts, so it is perfectly safe to visit the country. However, the border areas with Syria and Iraq are not recommended. In this country, flights are very rare and Oriental hospitality and courtesy are undeniable qualities in human relations. On the other hand, single women should keep their distance.

Electricity

Sockets supply 220 V and are of the French type; an adaptor is generally not necessary.

Health

No vaccinations are required to travel to Jordan, but it is advisable to have up-to-date DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) and TBA (typhoid and paratyphoid A and B) vaccinations. Simply avoid drinking tap water outside the major towns and cities and, if you're going into the desert, take tablets to purify the water in your canteen. If you have a weak liver or stomach, avoid raw vegetables (especially in summer) and ice cream.

Language

The official language is Near Eastern Arabic, but English is widely spoken in the cities.

Tipping

Tipping, known as "baksheesh", is an institution in the East, and is an essential part of your salary. Allow 10% of the price for restaurant and hotel staff and 12 JOD per day for your private driver or guide. For taxis, round up to the nearest hundred.

Transport

The car is the ideal means of transport for travelling around the country, so you can stop at any time to enjoy the scenery. You'll find international and Jordanian car hire agencies at airports. Local car hire companies charge around 30 Jordanian dinars per day. You can also hire a car with a driver.

The country's main cities are served by fast and very cheap coaches. From Amman, for example, you should allow 8 JOD return to Aqaba or 11 JOD return to Petra. In town, individual taxis (yellow) are metered and cheap. For longer distances, there are "service taxis" (white) with fixed routes, which leave when they are full. They can drop you off at any point on the journey and pick you up en route.

Best time of year

The best times to visit Jordan are spring and autumn when the temperatures are pleasant. Winter can be a little chilly (but rarely freezing) in the highlands (especially Petra and Amman) and the mercury can quickly soar near the Dead Sea or in the Wadi Rum desert in summer. Whatever the season, rain is rare.

Time difference

Jordan will end its time change in 2023. This means that there is a two-hour time difference when France is on winter time and only one hour when France is on summer time.