Jordan with kids
Jordan With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to Jordan
Jordan is the kind of trip where your kids walk through a narrow canyon and come face to face with a building carved into a cliff 2,000 years ago. Petra alone is worth the flight. But then you add floating in the Dead Sea, sleeping under the stars in Wadi Rum, exploring Roman ruins at Jerash, and snorkeling the Red Sea in Aqaba, and you have one of the most complete family trips in the Middle East. The country is compact, the people are incredibly welcoming, and the Jordan Pass makes the whole thing surprisingly affordable.
Eight years of teaching ancient civilizations, and the Nabataeans were the part that made kids sit up straight every time. A civilization that carved an entire city into sandstone cliffs. That built a trade network across the desert. That engineered water systems in one of the driest places on Earth. Petra is the textbook come to life, except the textbook never does it justice because you cannot explain the scale of the Treasury until you are standing in front of it with your nine year old’s jaw on the ground.
What makes Jordan work for families is how compact it is. Amman to Petra is three hours. Petra to Wadi Rum is an hour. Wadi Rum to Aqaba is another hour. You can cover the whole country without a single internal flight, and the King’s Highway between Amman and Petra is one of the most scenic drives in the Middle East, with Crusader castles, Roman mosaics in Madaba, and the Dana Nature Reserve along the way. A private driver makes the logistics simple, or you can rent a car and do it yourself.
The Dead Sea is something kids remember forever. Floating without trying, covering yourself in mineral mud, looking across the water to Israel and the West Bank. Wadi Rum is like landing on Mars, red sand and massive rock formations stretching in every direction. A night in a Bedouin camp under more stars than your kids have ever seen is the kind of experience that does not come from a resort. This is an adventurous trip, and it is exactly the kind of thing families tell me about for years afterward.
When to go
Jordan on a US school calendar
- 1March through May
Spring
The best weather window for families. Temperatures are warm but comfortable for walking Petra and hiking Wadi Rum. Wildflowers bloom across the north. The Dead Sea is pleasant without the summer heat. March and April are the sweet spot. This is when I send most of my families.
- 2September through November
Fall
Another strong window. Temperatures cool down after summer and the crowds thin out compared to spring. October is excellent. September can still be warm, especially in Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Fall break or a long Thanksgiving trip lines up well with a 7 to 10 day itinerary.
- 3June through August
Summer break
Hot, especially in Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba where temperatures regularly pass 100 degrees. Petra is manageable if you start early in the morning and rest midday. Amman is slightly cooler at elevation. If summer is your only option, plan around the heat. Early mornings and late afternoons for sightseeing, pools and the Red Sea in between.
Where to go
Petra, the desert, and the Dead Sea
Most first time families do Amman (one to two days), the King’s Highway to Petra (two days), Wadi Rum (one night), and either the Dead Sea or Aqaba for the finish. That covers the ancient history, the desert, and the water. Ten days lets you do all of it at a comfortable pace. Seven days is doable if you keep it tight.
Petra
The walk through the Siq is about 20 minutes with kids, mostly shaded and paved, and then the Treasury appears and nobody says anything for a few seconds. Two days lets you see the Treasury, the Monastery (800 steps, worth every one with older kids), the Royal Tombs, and the High Place of Sacrifice. The Monastery is less crowded and the views from the top are incredible.
Wadi Rum
A jeep tour through the desert followed by a night in a Bedouin camp. The camps range from basic tents to glamping bubble domes where you fall asleep watching the stars through the ceiling. The landscape looks like another planet. Kids who have seen The Martian or Star Wars will recognize it because both were filmed here. Dinner around a fire, Bedouin tea, and more stars than you thought existed.
Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth, and floating in it is one of those things kids cannot believe until they try it. Access is through a resort with day passes that include pools, showers, and mud spa areas. The water stings badly in cuts and eyes, so supervise younger kids closely. Bring SPF 50, plenty of water, and a dry change of clothes. Best for kids 6 and up who can follow the no splashing rule.
Amman
The Citadel and the Roman amphitheater are a good half day. Downtown Amman is where you eat knafeh from the famous dessert shops, wander the souks, and get a feel for modern Jordan. Jerash is a 45 minute drive north and has some of the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. Madaba’s mosaic map is a quick stop on the King’s Highway south toward Petra.
Where to sleep
Rooms for a family of 4 or 5
Jordan’s hotel scene leans toward boutique and mid range. The Dead Sea resorts are the exception with full resort amenities. In Petra, stay in Wadi Musa, the town right at the entrance. Wadi Rum camps book up in spring and fall, so plan ahead.
| Option | Sleeps | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Amman hotel | 4 to 5 | The Four Seasons, the St. Regis, and the W are the top picks for families. The Fairmont is newer and well located. Stay in the Abdoun or Sweifieh neighborhoods for restaurants and easy access. Many smaller guesthouses only have double rooms, so confirm family rooms in advance |
| Petra hotel | 4 to 5 | The Mövenpick is right at the Petra entrance, which matters after a long day of walking. The Marriott is a short drive away and has a pool. The Old Village Resort has more character. Wadi Musa has plenty of options but most are basic. Confirm air conditioning, it gets hot |
| Wadi Rum camp | 2 to 6 | Camps range from basic Bedouin tents to luxury bubble domes. The bubble tents at Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp let kids fall asleep watching the stars. Family tents are available at most camps but book early for spring and fall. Some camps have shared bathrooms. Ask before booking if that matters to your family |
| Dead Sea resort | 4 to 6 | The Kempinski Hotel Ishtar is the standout for families with multiple pools, a private beach, and excellent service. The Hilton Dead Sea Resort and the Mövenpick are solid alternatives. Day passes are available if you are not staying overnight. Most resorts are all inclusive or have meal packages |
Getting around
Drivers, roads, and the Jordan Pass
- No nonstop flights from the US to Jordan. Royal Jordanian flies from New York, Chicago, and Detroit to Amman with one stop. Emirates through Dubai and Turkish Airlines through Istanbul are both comfortable options with better business class products. Flight time is roughly 12 to 14 hours total
- A private driver is the easiest way to cover Jordan with kids. The country is compact and the main circuit, Amman to the Dead Sea to Petra to Wadi Rum to Aqaba, follows well maintained highways. Drivers cannot also act as guides at most sites, so budget for both if you want narrated tours
- Renting a car is manageable for confident drivers. Get an International Driving Permit before you go. Roads are generally good. Avoid driving at night. The King’s Highway between Amman and Petra is the scenic route with better views but slower going than the Desert Highway
- The Jordan Pass is one of the best travel deals anywhere. For 70 JOD (about 99 US dollars) per adult, it covers your visa fee and entry to 40 plus sites including Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum, and the museums. You must stay at least three consecutive nights for the visa waiver to apply. Children under 12 get free entry to Petra and most sites. Buy it at jordanpass.jo before you fly
- US citizens need a visa. The Jordan Pass waives the fee if you stay three or more nights. Without the Pass, visas on arrival cost about 40 JOD (56 dollars) at Queen Alia Airport. Your passport needs at least six months validity. The King Hussein Bridge crossing from the West Bank does not issue visas on arrival, so get one in advance if entering from that direction
- Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). One dinar is about 1.41 US dollars. ATMs are available in cities. Credit cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants. Carry cash for markets, tips, taxis, and smaller shops. Tipping is expected at about 10 percent at restaurants and for guides and drivers
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere. Get an eSIM before departure for data coverage. Coverage can be spotty in Wadi Rum and parts of the King’s Highway. Download offline Google Maps before you go
Before you go
The boring stuff, sorted
“Jordan is one of those trips that packs more into a week than most countries can fit into two. Your kids walk through the Siq and see the Treasury and they understand why people have been coming here for centuries. They float in the Dead Sea and cannot stop laughing. They sleep in the desert and see the Milky Way for the first time. And then they eat the best falafel of their lives in downtown Amman. The whole country is smaller than Indiana, the people are warm and welcoming, and the Jordan Pass makes it affordable. I recommend Jordan to every family that wants an adventurous trip without the long flights of Asia or the logistics of Africa.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Plan your trip with meThinking about Jordan?
Tell me who is coming and roughly when, and I will match you with the right Petra hotels, the right desert camp in Wadi Rum, and a pace that works for your family.
Start planningQuick answers
Is Jordan safe for families?
The main tourist circuit, Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea, is safe and well traveled by international families. Jordan has a visible tourist police presence at major sites. The country is politically stable relative to the region. Avoid the border zones near Syria and Iraq. Check your government’s current travel advisory before booking and register with your embassy.
How many days do you need in Jordan with kids?
Seven to ten days covers the main circuit comfortably. One to two days in Amman with a day trip to Jerash. Two days in Petra. One night in Wadi Rum. One to two days at the Dead Sea or Aqaba. Ten days lets you add the King’s Highway stops, Madaba, and extra beach time in Aqaba. Seven days is tight but doable if you keep moving.
What is the best age to take kids to Jordan?
Six and up is the sweet spot. Petra involves a lot of walking, and the Monastery climb is 800 steps. The Dead Sea is better for older kids who can follow the rules about not splashing and keeping water out of their eyes. Wadi Rum works at any age because the jeep tour does the work and the camp experience is fun for everyone. Teenagers who are studying ancient history get the most out of Petra and Jerash.
What is the Jordan Pass and is it worth it?
Absolutely. The Jordan Pass costs 70 JOD (about 99 dollars) for the one day Petra option, or 75 to 80 JOD for multi day Petra access. It covers your visa fee (40 JOD) plus entry to Petra (50 JOD alone) and 40 other sites including Jerash and Wadi Rum. You save money even on the basic version. Children under 12 do not need one because Petra and most sites are free for them. Buy it at jordanpass.jo before you fly. You must stay at least three nights for the visa waiver.
What food will kids eat in Jordan?
Jordanian food is easy for kids. Falafel, hummus, fresh pita bread, grilled chicken, kebabs, rice dishes, and french fries are everywhere. The bread alone is worth the trip. Fresh fruit, fruit shakes, and dates are easy snacks. Knafeh, the hot cheese and shredded pastry dessert, is something kids go crazy for. Hotels serve international buffets. The food is flavorful but not spicy, and most families eat well without issues.
What is Wadi Rum like with kids?
A jeep tour through red sand desert with massive rock formations, followed by a night in a Bedouin camp. The camps range from basic tents to luxury bubble domes with private bathrooms. Dinner is cooked underground in a zarb, the traditional Bedouin way. Kids love the jeep rides, the sand dunes, and especially the stars at night. The desert gets cold after sunset even in warm months, so bring layers. One night is enough but two lets you explore more.
Do you need a guide in Jordan?
A guide at Petra makes a big difference because the site is massive and the stories behind the carvings and tombs are what make it come alive. A guide at Jerash is worth it for the same reason. For the rest of the trip, a private driver who knows the roads and the logistics is more useful than a formal guide. Many families hire a driver for the full circuit and add local guides at Petra and Jerash. I arrange all of this for my families.
Keep planning: Petra guide, Amman guide, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices, fees and rules last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
Where are you taking the kids?
