Explore Jordan By Bus – The Ultimate 7-Day Travel Itinerary

by happywildamigo   |

May 25, 2023

|

May 25, 2023
Jordan Wadi Rum Desert

From the clear waters of the Red Sea and the stillness of the Dead Sea to the red sand deserts and one of the Wonders of the World, Jordan has so much on offer for its visitors. And with all the tips you’ll find in here, exploring Jordan by bus will be a piece of cake!

Jordan is a country that was on my bucket list for a very long time, and I’m so happy to share my experience and plan out this inclusive and amazing itinerary for your trip to Jordan!

But first, for a better understanding of the public bus system in Jordan, start here – Things to know before visiting Jordan.

Day 1

Amman

Itinerary here will be dependent on your arrival time.

Once you land, take a bus from the airport to the city centre. If you grab an early flight you’ll have more time to explore the city of Amman. I recommend taking a stroll around downtown and the Amman Citadel, see the remains of the temple of Hercules and visit the King Abdullah Mosque.

Day 2

Dead Sea

That’s right, no hanging around – you’re straight on the bus to the Dead Sea to make the most of your time in Jordan. The bus departs from Amman city and takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the Dead Sea (Amman Beach). You have two options here:

⋅ 1 ⋅ Catching a JETT bus (more comfortable, coach-style, with amenities). It will cost you 10 JOD and you’ll need to get it from either Abdali station (3rd circle) at 08:30am or JETT office in 7th circle at 9:00am.
Book your tickets in advance on jett.com.jo.

⋅ 2 ⋅ You can also catch a local minibus at a much cheaper price, but the journey can be cramped and uncomfortable at times. These buses don’t run on timetables, so be prepared to wait for the bus to fill before it leaves the stop. Tickets cost 1 JOD and you’ll need to catch a bus from Mujaharin Station in downtown Amman to a small town called Al Rama. From there, get a taxi to Amman Beach (usually around 4 JOD but be sure to agree on the price with the driver first).

Once you reach Amman Beach, you’ll need to pay 12 JOD entry fee, which gives you access to facilities such as changing rooms, washrooms and showers.

And now the fun begins! Offer yourself a spa experience by grabbing some mud from the Dead Sea (for 3 JOD) and get those iconic magazine-reading-while-floating shots in the water. At 418m below sea level, with water 10 times saltier than in the ocean, you won’t be doing much swimming here! Watch out for any scars and keep your eyes above the water at all times, otherwise, it’ll burn!

Relax and soak in the incredible views before heading back to Amman on the 16:00 JETT bus, or by getting a taxi back to Al Rama to catch the local bus.

Grab some pre-packed breakfast in one of the stores in the city, as there won’t be any time for shopping in the morning.

Overnight stay in Amman – try booking a hotel in the 3rd or 7th circle, so you’re close to the bus stop for your early departure tomorrow.

Day 3

Petra

Early riser gets the worm! You’ll be catching your bus at 06:30am and heading for Wadi Musa, the hometown of the ancient city of Petra. You should arrive around 10am – before you leave the bus station in Wadi Musa, enquire about the morning bus to Wadi Rum (happening on day 4).

If this bus is not running (many routes were suspended due to Covid lockdowns and have not yet been brough back to pre-pandemic schedules), you will need to catch the evening bus to Aqaba on Day 3 and get the morning bus to Wadi Rum from there the following morning.

Now, go drop your bags at your hotel and head straight for Petra. Grab your tickets at the desk (even if you have your Jordan Pass, you will still need to collect paper tickets) and remember to pick up a map of the site. Make sure to keep your tickets safe, as you only get one ticket for the duration of your visit.

Take a walk through the Siq canyon trail and explore the street of Facades and surrounding areas – this will keep you busy for the day. You’ll also find restaurants here to grab something to eat.

Be wary of local people trying to convince you to pay them for accessing the famous photo spots. Supporting the locals is one thing, but being ripped off is another. 

Once back in Wadi Musa, grab some food with a local touch on the rooftop of My Mom’s Recipe Restaurant. Make sure to head to bed early, especially if you want that Instagram famous Treasury photo without the crowds.

Day 4

Petra

Today you’ll continue exploring Petra and get your heart pumping with some trekking and hiking. Bring a head covering and sunscreen and don’t forget to hydrate throughout the day.

You’ll begin with a hike to the Monastery. You’ll first follow the main trail from the entrance, which ends just past the city complex (approx. 8km). From there, it is a 2.5km trail that involves climbing a lot of stairs and can get you exhausted very quickly. You will sweat, so getting it done before the sun is at its strongest is highly recommended.

Going early also means a lot less people at the site – many don’t visit the Monastery at all, but for us, it is well worth the hike. Once you get there, you’ll realise it is very similar to the Treasury, but much bigger and even more impressive. Have a rest and take in the view – it’s a lovely spot to grab a bite.

When you’re done, head back and spend the rest of your time exploring the stone carvings, canyons and the other trails at Petra. If you need to take the bus to Aqaba, it will depart from the station at 5pm, so you’ll need to plan your time accordingly. Otherwise, make the most of your time at Petra.

Day 5

Wadi Rum

You’ll begin the day with a bus journey from Aqaba or Wadi Musa. Both buses drop passengers off at the visitors’ centre in Wadi Rum. From there, your camp guide will collect you in a 4×4 jeep and bring you through the Wadi Rum village and into the desert.

Your camp will have plenty of tours on offer to bring you to the most exciting places in Wadi Rum – book the ones that spark your interests and enjoy the full experience of this magical place. You can choose between places like Lawrence’s Spring, Khazali canyon, Sand Dunes, Rock Arch Bridge and more, or opt for a full-day tour of them all. When back at the camp, make sure to spend some time learning about the local Bedouin culture from your camp guides.

End your day observing the stars and the Milky Way dance around in the clear nights’ sky – a sight straight out of a movie.

Longer Stay Tip: if you want a true, Bedouin cultural immersion and the ultimate desert experience – sign up to do a workaway here (volunteering and helping out in exchange for accommodation and food) – we did this and can easily rate our time in Wadi Rum as one of our best travel experiences.

Bacalar food guide 1
Bacalar food guide 2
Day 6

Aqaba / Amman

In the morning, ask your camp guide to drop you off at the Wadi Rum visitor centre in time to catch the bus to Aqaba.

You can spend an hour or two in Aqaba if you feel like it, but if you’re flying out tomorrow, aim to get to Amman by the end of today, so that you don’t have to stress about making it to the airport on time (Aqaba to Amman bus takes approximately 5 hours, and runs 3-5 daily trips).

If you head for Amman straight away, you should arrive in the late afternoon and still have some time to wander around the city.

Day 7

Amman

Departure day, so the usual business of packing, checking out and heading to the airport. If you don’t depart until late, but perhaps arrived later and couldn’t make the recommendations in Day 1, now is your time to see them.

Got an extra day or two? If you’re feeling beach-vibey, spend a night in Aqaba (before making your way back to Amman). Have a picnic on the coast of the Red Sea or hop on a snorkelling boat tour and swim among the vibrant coral reefs of the bay.

If you prefer more ancient site-seeing, head back to Amman where there’s plenty to see and do. Make sure to choose between the attractions included in your Jordan Pass to save money on entrance fees 😊

Don’t forget to read things to know before visiting Jordan for more information on the Jordan Pass and transportation in Jordan.

If you feel like you want more time freedom on your trip and don’t mind driving, check out Jordan itinerary by car (highly recommended!)

Happy travels amigos!

Vicky

 

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