Ahlan wa sahlan, or ‘welcome’, is likely the most frequent phrase you’ll hear in Jordan, as Jordanians want everyone to feel at home. In fact, solo travel in Jordan is made easier in part by the extraordinary friendliness of the country’s people. Whether you’re travelling the country alone or joining a tour, we’ve highlighted your need-to-knows to help plan the perfect trip to Jordan.
Solo female travel in Jordan
Not only is solo female travel to Jordan possible, but it's one of the best places in the Middle East for female travellers to visit without a companion. While it’s important to dress modestly in this Muslim-majority country (true for all genders), attitudes are far more relaxed than in surrounding states, especially when it comes to women. Head scarves are not required, women do not need to be accompanied by a male escort, and the country has a relatively progressive record for women’s rights, including a highly educated female population.
Solo travel with us on: Solo-ish Jordan
Safety in Jordan
If you’re travelling to Jordan as a woman, maintain the same precautions as elsewhere. Dress modestly to avoid attracting unwanted attention, stay vigilant, and go out with a group at night.
Aside from occasional conflicts along the borders with Syria and Iraq, Jordan is widely considered to be a safe country. Petty theft and crime do exist, as they do everywhere, but stealing from and harming tourists is highly frowned upon in Jordan, so it happens rarely. You might meet more metal detectors and security presences in hotels and prominent tourist sites than you’re used to, in addition to military checkpoints around border zones, but this security helps prevent crime.
Solo travel with us on: Jordan Active Adventure
Getting around Jordan
Travelling throughout Jordan is relatively easy. Joining a small group tour is the best way of squeezing in all of the country’s major sights without worrying about how to get to the next stop.
Buses run between cities. If you don’t speak Arabic, English-speaking passengers often step in to help translate as needed. Uber is a safe and reliable option in Amman, but it’s not available in small cities. Though you will find taxis in small and mid-size cities across the country, drivers usually don’t speak English. Let your driver know that you would like the fare metre turned on at the beginning of your trip so there is no confusion at the end. Bring cash as paying by card might not always be an option.
Shared service taxis, which pile numerous passengers in together, can be a cheap and fun way to get around, but they are also complicated to figure out because there are no maps, timetables, or directions to check.
Solo travel with us on: Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Life of the Bedouin
Eating in Jordan
Though most visitors to Jordan come to visit Petra, the Wadi Rum desert, and the Dead Sea, the country’s cuisine should also top your list. Part of the fun of Jordan solo travel is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things, including food. Some familiar items like falafel and pita will fill your plate, but they won’t taste anything like they do at home. Here, the falafel is made fresh, never frozen, and doesn’t sit out on a buffet table all day.
Other traditional Jordanian dishes to try are mansaf (lamb cooked in yogurt sauce) and maqluba, an upside-down rice dish made with chicken or lamb. Vegetarian travellers can find plenty to eat, including hummus, mutabal (a roasted eggplant dip English speakers often know as baba ganoush), and baba ganoush (which, in Jordan, is actually a chunky roasted eggplant salad, not a dip). Vegans and diners with a dairy allergy should be on the lookout for dairy, as yogurt is often mixed into hummus and eggplant dips.
Solo travel with us on: Journeys: Explore Jordan
Jordan tours for solo travellers
While solo travel in Jordan is possible and adventurous travellers might enjoy planning their own trip, many of the top sites like Jerash, Amman, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba, are pretty spread out. Visiting these sites alone requires quite a bit of planning and considerable comfort with navigating transportation that don’t always have regular schedules or information in English.
Joining an organized small group tour to Jordan is a great way to meet new people and to enjoy all of the sights, sounds, food, and fun the country has to offer without the stress involved in planning the trip.
Solo travel with us on: Uncover Jordan: Deserts, Petra & The Dead Sea
