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Jordan

Western Asia · Asia
14/25
Reconsider Travel

Is It Safe?

Safety blends official travel advisories and international datasets — combined and normalised onto a 0–25 scale, so destinations with fewer available sources are graded fairly.

3/5
3/5
1/5
2/5
1/5
3/5
4/5

Official travel advisories warn against non-essential travel here. Civil liberties are tightly restricted and political expression can carry risk.

Regional breakdown

The main visitor route in Jordan runs through Amman, Madaba, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. The official advisory guidance places Jordan at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, for the whole country. The official advisory guidance warns against all travel within 3 km of the Syria border. It warns against all but essential travel to the rest of Jordan, including the main visitor route. Within these positions, the two governments split the country into several bands. The Syria border belt gets the strongest wording in both advisories. The official advisory guidance warns against all travel within 3 km of the border. The official advisory guidance bars its staff from going within 3.5 km. The Iraq border and the remote eastern desert sit under similar strong language. The official advisory guidance marks Mansheyat al Ghayyath and Ruwayshid as Do Not Travel. Another band covers Rusayfah City, the Baqa'a neighbourhood of Ayn Basha, and the Syrian refugee camps at Azraq, Za'atari, and King Abdullah Park. The official advisory guidance marks all of these as Do Not Travel. Zarqa City and Ma'an City sit above the main visitor route in caution but below the border zones. They are flagged at Reconsider Travel under the country-wide Level 3.

Recent advisory changes

The biggest recent shift links to the wider region. A new phase of the Iran conflict began on 28 February 2026. On 2 March 2026, official advisory guidance ordered non-emergency US staff and their families to leave Jordan. It reissued the Jordan advisory the same day at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. The ordered departure applies to US government staff and families. It is separate from any guidance for other foreign visitors. The official advisory guidance updated its Jordan page on 1 April 2026. It warns against all travel within 3 km of the Syria border. It warns against all but essential travel to the rest of Jordan. The official advisory guidance points to the wider regional conflict and the chance of short-notice airspace closures over Jordan. The official advisory guidance page says Iran has stated it intends to target sites linked to the United States and Israel. It also notes that Iranian strikes have hit civilian infrastructure across the region. Both governments are reviewing their advice as the situation changes.

What travellers should know

Preparation for Jordan right now takes a bit more care than a normal trip. Sign up for official advisory guidance email alerts and the their home government's traveller alert programme. This puts you on an embassy contact list if a wider incident happens. Keep your passport and entry papers in both paper and digital form. Keep airline, embassy, and insurer contact details offline too. These are normal steps for countries next to active conflict zones. Look for travel insurance that clearly covers political evacuation, conflict-related cancellation, and airspace closures. A standard policy often does not. Day-of-travel checks matter more than usual. Airspace over Jordan has been affected by the regional conflict. The official advisory guidance has said closures can be announced at short notice. Check flight status, land-crossing conditions, and the live official advisories pages on the morning you travel. Protests and security incidents in Amman and other cities can flare up quickly during tense periods. Keeping a clear distance from both is a normal step in this kind of setting.

Official Advisory Override

Official government travel advisory
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel
Caps final category at Reconsider Travel
View sourceUpdated: 2026-04-06

The model score is based on development, freedom, homicide rate, and travel advisories. However, official travel advisories can cap the final category when the risk level is severe.

What Do Travellers Say?

Does this destination live up to the hype? Based on analysis of credible travel writing, adjusted for bias and uncertainty.

17/25
Traveller Expectation
Strong
culturehistorysceneryfriendlinessexpensive

"Jordan is a destination that generally meets traveler expectations. Travelers highlight history, culture, scenery and friendliness. Common concerns include expensive."

Overall Travel Readiness

Mixed

Blends safety data (70%) with traveller experience quality (30%). A high score means both safe and rewarding.

Safety
14/25
Expect.
17/25
Combined
15/25

These scores combine official travel advisory data and international datasets. How we score · About AI use

Quick facts about Jordan

Capital
Amman
Population
10.2M
Language
Arabic
Currency
JOD
Local Time
13:35

What You Need to Know

🌍

Overview

Jordan is a Middle Eastern gem with ancient wonders and warm hospitality. Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders, Wadi Rum's desert landscapes, the Dead Sea, and the Roman ruins of Jerash make Jordan a must-visit destination.

🛡️

Safety Summary

Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for tourists. Crime against visitors is rare. Avoid the border areas with Syria and Iraq. The country is stable and welcoming, with a strong tourism police presence.

🛂

Visa & Entry

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for 40 JOD (single entry, 30 days). The Jordan Pass (from 70 JOD) includes the visa fee and entry to 40+ attractions including Petra — excellent value. Passports must be valid for at least six months.

🏥

Health & Vaccines

Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled water. No special vaccinations are required. The Dead Sea's salinity can irritate skin and eyes — don't shave before swimming. Sun protection is essential. Heat exhaustion is a risk in summer, especially at Petra and Wadi Rum.

⚖️

Local Laws & Customs

Jordan is a conservative Muslim country. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Ramadan is widely observed — eat, drink, and smoke discreetly during daylight hours. Drug offences carry severe penalties. Photography at military sites is prohibited.

🚌

Transport

JETT buses connect Amman with major tourist sites (Petra, Aqaba). Taxis are available in cities — agree on the fare or insist on the meter. Car rental is a good option for exploring independently. Ride-hailing (Careem, Uber) operates in Amman. There is no railway for passengers.

💳

Money & Payments

The currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. Cash is needed for taxis, small shops, and markets. Tipping 10% at restaurants is expected. Bargaining is customary in souks.

📅

Best Time to Visit

March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer (June-August) is extremely hot, especially in Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Winter is mild but can be rainy. Petra is best visited early morning or late afternoon.

🫱

Cultural Etiquette

Jordanians are famously hospitable — accept offers of tea or coffee as a sign of respect. Dress modestly, especially outside Amman's upscale areas. Use the right hand for greetings and eating. Remove shoes when entering a home. Complimenting a host's home is appreciated.

Do You Need a Visa?

Select your passport to get personalised entry requirements.

Check your entry requirements

Weather Right Now

Live conditions from MET Norway. Updated hourly.

Aqaba
23°C
Fair
Wind 6 m/sHumidity 36.2%
Irbid
15°C
Partly cloudy
Wind 5.2 m/sHumidity 61.5%
Zarqa
18°C
Fair
Wind 4 m/sHumidity 40.6%

Are There Regional Risks?

Some regions within this country have specific travel advisories from government sources. These do not apply to the whole country.

within 3km of Syrian borderAAABET

FCDO: AAABET for within 3km of Syrian border

How Does It Compare?

Score History

2026-04-05 — 2026-04-08
05101520252026-04-052026-04-062026-04-072026-04-08

Busiest Airports

Major international gateways

✈️
Queen Alia International
Amman·OJAI
40flights per day
RegionalBusyMajor hub

Source: ACI World Airport Traffic Report. Approximate daily average.

Our Sources

Every score is traceable. Here's exactly where our data comes from.

Human Development
A United Nations measure of education, health, and income levels.
3/5
0.754
2023
Current
Official Travel Advisory
An official government travel advisory for this destination.
3/5
Elevated caution / regional warnings
2026
Current
Official Travel Advisory
An official government travel advisory, from Level 1 (safe) to Level 4 (do not travel).
1/5
Level 3
2026
Current
Official Travel Advisory
An official government travel advisory for this destination.
2/5
Avoid non-essential travel
2026
Current
Democracy & Freedom
An independent rating of political rights and civil liberties.
1/5
PF
2026
Current
Corruption Index
Transparency International's measure of public sector corruption.
3/5
46
2023
Current
Health Coverage
WHO Universal Health Coverage Index — access to essential health services.
4/5
74
2023
Current

Reviewed by Haakon Skramstad · Last reviewed

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