Planning a 7-Day Jordan Family Adventure
Focus your 7-day trip on a loop from Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea to keep travel times under 4 hours per day. Prioritize hiring a private driver for the week to avoid the stress of navigating rural roads with children.
- Purchase the Jordan Pass before arrival. Buy the 'Jordan Explorer' pass online. It covers your visa fee and entry to over 40 sites, including Petra. It saves a family of four roughly $150 USD.
- Book a private driver. Do not rent a car if you want to avoid navigation stress. A private driver will cost $100–$120 USD per day, including fuel, and allows you to pull over whenever the kids need a break.
- Time your Petra visit. Start at the visitor center at 6:00 AM. It keeps the kids out of the midday heat and puts you ahead of the tour buses that arrive at 10:00 AM.
- Select kid-friendly lodging. Choose camps in Wadi Rum that offer 'martian dome' tents with attached private bathrooms; it makes the desert experience much easier with younger kids.
- Is it safe to travel in Jordan with kids?
- Yes. Jordanians are incredibly hospitable and family-oriented. You will find that locals are very welcoming to children.
- Do I need to carry cash?
- Yes. While hotels take cards, carry Jordanian Dinar for small shops, tips, and roadside snacks.