Practical A–Z

Visa

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss require a visa to enter Jordan. There are two options:

Option 1: Jordan Pass (recommended!)

The Jordan Pass includes the visa + entry to 40+ attractions. Purchase online before the trip at jordanpass.jo. 70–80 JOD (depending on Petra option). Condition: At least 3 nights in Jordan.

Option 2: Visa on Arrival

Available at Amman Airport (Queen Alia) or Aqaba. 40 JOD (approx. 52€), payable in cash (JOD or USD) or by credit card. Valid for 30 days, extendable at the police.

Entry via Aqaba (ASEZA)

When entering via the Aqaba Airport or the Wadi Araba land border crossing (from Israel/Eilat), the visa is free — the ASEZA special economic zone grants visa exemption. This only applies if you enter via Aqaba!

Required Documents

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip
• Return ticket: May be required
• ID card is NOT sufficient

Border Crossings to Israel/Palestine

Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

The Jordanian Dinar is a strong currency — 1 JOD is pegged to the US dollar (1 JOD = 1.41 USD) and is approximately 1.30€.

1 Dinar = 100 Piaster (Qirsh) = 1,000 Fils. In everyday life, calculations are usually in Dinar and Piaster.

Coins: ½, 1 Piaster, 2½, 5, 10 Piaster, ¼, ½, 1 Dinar. Notes: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 Dinar.

Exchanging Money

• ATMs: Available everywhere in cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Limit usually 200–500 JOD per withdrawal. Fees: 2–5 JOD + your home bank's fees.
• Currency exchange offices: In Amman Downtown, at the airport, and in tourist areas. Compare rates — exchange offices in Downtown often better than at the airport.
• Credit cards: Accepted in hotels, upscale restaurants, and larger stores. In souks, local restaurants, taxis, and rural areas: cash only!

Savings Tips

• Buy the Jordan Pass (saves 40+ JOD)
• Use a free DKB or N26 credit card for fee-free withdrawals
• Always bargain/negotiate in the souk and with taxis
• Eat in Downtown Amman instead of West Amman (price difference: 50–70%)
• Take JETT buses instead of private transfers

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany. Recommended are:

• Standard vaccinations: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio (refresh)
• Hepatitis A: Recommended (transmission through food/water)
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for longer stays
• Rabies: Only for close animal contact (desert dogs in Petra)

Heat & Sun

The greatest health risk — especially in Petra, Wadi Rum, and at the Dead Sea:

• Sun protection: SPF 50+ is mandatory! UV radiation is extreme, especially at the Dead Sea (lowest point on Earth = thicker atmosphere, but strong reflection from the water and bright rocks)
• Drinking: At least 3 liters per day, in the desert 4–5 liters
• Head covering: Wear a hat or cloth
• Midday heat (12–4 PM): In Petra and Wadi Rum in summer, potentially life-threatening. Seek shade or visit in the early morning.

Medical Care

Medical care in Amman is excellent — the city is a medical tourism hub of the region. Private clinics (e.g., King Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan Hospital) have international standards. Outside Amman, care is more limited.

Pharmacies are well-stocked and frequent — many medications are available without a prescription.

Travel health insurance with repatriation is highly recommended!

Tap Water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is cheaply available everywhere (0.25–0.50 JOD for 1.5 liters). Generally unproblematic for brushing teeth in hotels.

General Security Situation

Jordan is one of the safest countries in the Middle East and generally very safe for tourists. Despite its location in a turbulent region (Syria, Iraq, Israel/Palestine), King Abdullah II has managed to maintain Jordan as an island of stability. Terrorist attacks against tourists are extremely rare, the crime rate is low, and the security forces are professional and present.

Security Zones

Crime

Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. What occasionally occurs:

• Pickpocketing: In Amman's Downtown and at tourist hotspots. Do not carry valuables openly.
• Taxi fraud: Drivers who do not turn on the meter or take detours. Insist on the meter or use Uber/Careem.
• Overpricing: In Petra and Wadi Rum: donkey/camel rides and souvenirs at inflated prices. Agree on the price beforehand.
• Pushy vendors: In Petra, Bedouins offer donkey rides, jewelry, and tours. Politely but firmly decline.

Women Traveling Alone

Jordan is relatively safe for women traveling alone. Hospitality explicitly extends to women. Tips:

• Dress conservatively (shoulders and knees covered), especially outside Amman
• Respond firmly to harassment — Jordanian passersby often intervene to help
• Take a taxi at night instead of walking (Uber is ideal)
• In Wadi Rum and Petra: organized tours offer additional security

SIM Card & Mobile Data

A local SIM card is inexpensive and the best way to stay online in Jordan:

• Providers: Zain (best network), Orange Jordan, Umniah
• Price: 5–15 JOD for a SIM with 5–20 GB of data, valid for 30 days
• Purchase: At the airport (Zain and Orange have counters in the arrival hall) or in any mobile store. Passport required!
• Network coverage: 4G/LTE in all cities and tourist areas. In Wadi Rum, sometimes no reception (which adds to its charm). Patchy at the Dead Sea.

Wi-Fi

Most hotels and many cafes/restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. The speed is good in Amman, sometimes limited in rural hotels.

Language

• Arabic: Official language (Jordanian dialect). The script is challenging for travelers, but road signs are bilingual (Arabic/English).
• English: Widely spoken — Jordan has one of the best education systems in the region, and many Jordanians speak good to excellent English. Almost no problem in tourist areas. Significantly better than in Egypt or Morocco.
• German: Some tour guides and hotel staff in Petra and Amman speak German.

Clothing

Jordan is tolerant but conservative. Proper clothing shows respect and makes the journey more pleasant:

• Women: Shoulders and knees covered (outside hotels/resorts). Loose, airy clothing is ideal. A light scarf to throw over for mosques and religious sites. At the Dead Sea and in Aqaba: Swimsuit/bikini at the beach/pool is normal.
• Men: Long pants or Bermuda shorts. No bare chest in public (except at the beach).
• Mosques: Women: Headscarf, long sleeves, long skirt. Men: long pants, covered shoulders. Remove shoes.
• Petra & Wadi Rum: Comfortable, airy hiking clothes. Sturdy shoes! Hat against the sun.

Ramadan

During the Islamic fasting month (date varies — 2026: approx. February 18 – March 19), daily life changes:

• Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset — do not eat, drink, or smoke in public
• As a tourist, you are not required to fast, but public eating/drinking/smoking is considered disrespectful. In hotels and restaurants for tourists, normal service is provided.
• Many local restaurants close during the day and open for Iftar (breaking the fast at sunset)
• Iftar is a special experience: The streets fill up, families celebrate, special Ramadan dishes are served. If invited, join in!
• The sights remain open but may have shorter opening hours
• Alcohol is available in hotels, but many bars and restaurants do not serve it during Ramadan

Tipping is customary and important in Jordan

Many service providers rely on tips. Here are the guidelines: