Self-Launched Solo Jordan: Amman to Dead Sea

Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM). An Airport Express bus runs to central Amman for around £1.50, or a pre-arranged airport taxi costs roughly £20. Check into your hostel in the lively Rainbow Street or downtown area. In the evening, head independently to the Roman Amphitheatre (free from outside, £1 to enter), then walk through Souq Al Bukhari and the Fruit Market — the same markets on G Adventures' itinerary. Grab fresh bread, falafel, hummus, and regional snacks from street vendors for a few pounds, then find a rooftop bar or café overlooking the city to cap the night.

🚌Airport Express bus to central Amman (~£1.50) or taxi (~£20)

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or Jordan Tower Hotel, Amman — dorm from ~£12/night or private room from ~£25

• →Arrive at Queen Alia International Airport and take the Airport Express bus to central Amman (~£1.50)
• →Check in to a downtown or Rainbow Street hostel
• →Walk to the Roman Amphitheatre — free from outside or ~£1 entry
• →Explore Souq Al Bukhari and the Fruit Market independently
• →Street food dinner: falafel, hummus, fresh bread, regional snacks (~£5–8)
• →Evening drinks at a rooftop bar or café overlooking Amman

Take a public JETT or local bus from Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) to Jerash — roughly 45 minutes and ~£1.50 each way. Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world; entry is around £8 for international visitors. After exploring the colonnaded streets, temples, and theatres, hop on a local minibus or shared taxi toward Ajloun (~£2), where the 12th-century Ajloun Castle (£3 entry) sits dramatically on a hilltop with sweeping views. Return to Amman by shared taxi or minibus in the afternoon.

🚌Public bus Amman–Jerash (~£1.50), shared taxi Jerash–Ajloun (~£2), shared taxi back to Amman (~£2)

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or Jordan Tower Hotel, Amman — dorm from ~£12/night

• →Bus from Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) to Jerash (~£1.50, ~45 mins)
• →Explore Jerash Roman ruins — entry ~£8
• →See the Oval Plaza, Hadrian's Arch, and the South Theatre
• →Shared minibus or taxi from Jerash to Ajloun (~£2)
• →Visit Ajloun Castle — entry ~£3, panoramic hilltop views
• →Shared taxi or minibus back to Amman (~£2)

Spend a free day exploring Amman at your own pace — the equivalent of G Adventures' 'G surprise' day. Visit the Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) for panoramic city views and the excellent Jordan Museum (entry ~£3 combined). Wander through the downtown (Al-Balad) district, browse local shops, and try knafeh at a famous local bakery. In the afternoon, consider a self-booked cooking class through platforms like Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide (~£18–25) — the same Beit Al Ward Saayadia class listed as an optional on the G Adventures trip is bookable independently. End the evening at a local restaurant for mansaf, Jordan's national dish.

🚌Walking and local taxis within Amman (~£3–5)

🛏Nomads Hotel & Hostel or Jordan Tower Hotel, Amman — dorm from ~£12/night

• →Visit the Amman Citadel and the Jordan Archaeological Museum — entry ~£3
• →Explore the Jordan Museum in central Amman — entry ~£3
• →Wander downtown Al-Balad: souqs, street art, and local bakeries
• →Try knafeh and traditional sweets at a local bakery
• →Optional: self-book a Jordanian cooking class via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£18–25)
• →Dinner: mansaf or grilled meats at a local downtown restaurant (~£6–10)

Take a public minibus or shared taxi from Amman's Raghadan Bus Station to Madaba (~45 mins, ~£1.50). In Madaba, join a self-booked guided mosaic tour through GetYourGuide or book locally on arrival — these tours typically cost £8–12 and cover St George's Church, home to the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, and surrounding Byzantine sites. Afterwards, take a shared taxi to Mount Nebo (~£3 one way), where Moses is said to have viewed the Promised Land — entry is around £3 and the views over the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea are spectacular. Head back to Madaba for lunch, then onward bus or shared taxi toward Petra in the afternoon.

🚌Minibus Amman–Madaba (~£1.50), shared taxi to Mount Nebo (~£3), bus/service taxi Madaba–Wadi Musa (~£6)

🛏Rocky Mountain Hotel or Valentine Inn, Wadi Musa (Petra) — dorm from ~£10/night or private from ~£22

• →Minibus from Amman (Raghadan station) to Madaba (~£1.50, ~45 mins)
• →Self-book or join a local guided Madaba Mosaics tour (~£8–12) via GetYourGuide
• →Visit St George's Church and the famous 6th-century mosaic map
• →Shared taxi to Mount Nebo (~£3) — entry ~£3
• →Panoramic views over the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea from Mount Nebo
• →Lunch in Madaba at a local restaurant (~£5–8)
• →Afternoon bus or shared taxi south toward Petra (~£5–8, ~3–4 hrs)

An early start is essential to beat the crowds and the heat. Entry to Petra is ~£50 for a one-day pass (the main cost of this day, but worth every penny). Walk the full Siq — the 1.2km narrow gorge — to emerge at the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh). From there, explore the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, and — if legs allow — hike up to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) for the best panoramic views. A self-booked guided walking tour via GetYourGuide or Viator (~£15–20) can add historical depth, or hire a local guide at the gate (~£20). Return to Wadi Musa for dinner at a local restaurant.

🚌Walking within Petra site; local taxis in Wadi Musa (~£2–3)

🛏Rocky Mountain Hotel or Valentine Inn, Wadi Musa — dorm from ~£10/night or private from ~£22

• →Early entry to Petra — one-day ticket ~£50
• →Walk the full Siq gorge to the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
• →Explore the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and Colonnaded Street
• →Hike up to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) for panoramic views — ~800 steps
• →Optional: self-book a guided walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20)
• →Dinner in Wadi Musa at a local restaurant (~£6–10)

Take a shared taxi or public minibus from Wadi Musa to the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre (~1.5 hrs, ~£5–8). At the visitor centre, book a 4x4 Jeep tour directly with local Bedouin operators — half-day tours cost around £20–30 per person (often cheaper when you join a shared group jeep), while full-day tours run £30–50. These tours visit the same key sites as the G Adventures excursion: Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon, red sand dunes, ancient rock inscriptions, and dramatic sandstone arches. Overnight in a Bedouin desert camp under the stars — a truly unmissable experience.

🚌Shared taxi/minibus Wadi Musa–Wadi Rum (~£6), 4x4 Jeep tour (~£25)

🛏Bedouin desert camp in Wadi Rum — typically £25–40/person including dinner and breakfast

• →Shared taxi or minibus from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum Visitor Centre (~£5–8, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Book a shared-group 4x4 Jeep tour at the visitor centre (~£20–35/person for half or full day)
• →Visit Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon, red sand dunes, and rock arches
• →Scramble up sand dunes for sunset views across the desert
• →Overnight in a Bedouin desert camp with dinner and breakfast included (~£25–40)

After breakfast at the desert camp, take a shared taxi from Wadi Rum to Aqaba (~45 mins, ~£4). Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and sits on the Red Sea — a great spot to decompress. Spend the afternoon at the beach, explore the old Aqaba Fort (entry ~£1.50), or self-book a snorkelling boat trip through a local dive centre or GetYourGuide (~£30–40) — the same activity listed as optional on the G Adventures itinerary. The coral reefs here are outstanding. Enjoy fresh seafood for dinner at the fish market.

🚌Shared taxi Wadi Rum–Aqaba (~£4), local walking/taxis in Aqaba (~£2)

🛏Bedouin Moon Hotel or Darna Village, Aqaba — budget double from ~£20–30/night

• →Breakfast at Wadi Rum desert camp, then shared taxi to Aqaba (~£4, ~45 mins)
• →Check into a budget hotel or hostel in Aqaba
• →Visit Aqaba Fort and the Aqaba Museum — entry ~£1.50
• →Relax at Aqaba's public beach on the Red Sea
• →Optional: self-book a snorkelling boat trip via GetYourGuide or local dive centres (~£30–40)
• →Fresh seafood dinner at Aqaba's fish market (~£8–12)

Take a JETT public bus or shared service taxi from Aqaba north to the Dead Sea area — you may need to go via Amman or change at the Dead Sea junction (total ~3–4 hrs, ~£8–12). Alternatively, book a day-trip bus from Amman if you return there first. The cheapest public beach access is at the free public beach near the mouth of Wadi Mujib, though many travellers pay for a resort day pass (£20–35 at places like Amman Beach or O Beach) which includes towels, showers, and mud. Float in the hypersaline waters, slather on the mineral-rich black mud, and take in the surreal landscape across to Israel and the West Bank.

🚌Bus/shared taxi Aqaba–Dead Sea or via Amman (~£8–12)

🛏Budget guesthouse near the Dead Sea or return to Amman — hostel dorm from ~£12

• →Bus or shared taxi from Aqaba toward the Dead Sea (~£8–12, ~3–4 hrs via highway or Amman)
• →Day pass at Amman Beach or O Beach resort (~£20–35, includes showers and mud)
• →Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea's hypersaline waters
• →Apply Dead Sea black mud — famous for its mineral and therapeutic properties
• →Spot salt crystal formations drifting on the water's surface
• →Lunch at resort café or bring your own picnic (~£5–10)

Make your way back to Amman by shared taxi or bus (~45 mins from the Dead Sea, ~£3–5). Use the morning to pick up last-minute souvenirs from the downtown souqs — olive oil soap, Dead Sea products, Bedouin jewellery, and Za'atar spice blends all make excellent gifts. Grab a final breakfast of foul medames, bread, and mint tea at a local café. Head to Queen Alia International Airport in time for your departure — the Airport Express bus runs regularly from central Amman (~£1.50).

🚌Shared taxi Dead Sea–Amman (~£4), Airport Express bus (~£1.50)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Shared taxi or bus from Dead Sea to Amman (~£3–5, ~45 mins)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in downtown Amman souqs
• →Final breakfast: foul medames, fresh bread, and mint tea at a local café (~£3–5)
• →Airport Express bus from central Amman to Queen Alia International Airport (~£1.50)