Overview
Jordan packs a lot into a compact, welcoming country: Petra, the dunes of Wadi Rum, the effortless float of the Dead Sea and the coral reefs off Aqaba. It is an easy first taste of the Middle East for UK travellers, with warm hospitality, short internal drives and English widely spoken in tourist areas. Direct flights from London take around five hours, so you can leave home in the morning and watch the sun set over the desert the same day. For live fares, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Jordan
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm days for exploring Petra and cooler desert nights. Summer is intensely hot around the Dead Sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum, though hotel rates often dip. Amman winters are chilly and can even see snow, while Aqaba stays mild and is popular for winter sun and diving. Fares climb over Easter, the summer holidays and Christmas — the When to book chart above shows the yearly pattern.
Main gateway cities & airports
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), about 35 km south of Amman, is the country's main gateway and the best choice for Petra, Jerash, the Dead Sea and the capital. King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) at Aqaba serves the Red Sea coast and the southern desert, handy if Wadi Rum and diving are your priority. Most UK travellers fly into Amman and head south by hire car or private transfer.
Airlines and routes
Royal Jordanian and British Airways both fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Amman, taking roughly five hours. easyJet operates London Gatwick to Amman on seasonal schedules that vary year to year. From Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK airports you will usually connect through a hub — Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, Air France via Paris or KLM via Amsterdam. A one-stop trip from Manchester typically takes eight to eleven hours depending on the layover.
Popular places to visit in Jordan
- Petra: the UNESCO-listed Nabataean city, reached through a narrow gorge that opens onto the Treasury.
- Wadi Rum: red sand and towering sandstone, best seen on a 4x4 tour with a night in a Bedouin camp.
- Dead Sea: the lowest point on Earth, where mineral-rich water lets you float without trying.
- Jerash: one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities anywhere, an easy day trip from Amman.
- Aqaba: Jordan's relaxed Red Sea resort, with warm winter seas and accessible coral reefs.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Jordan
- Travel in the shoulder months of late spring or autumn and avoid Easter and the school holidays.
- Compare direct Heathrow flights against one-stop routes through Istanbul or a European hub, which are often cheaper from regional airports.
- Shift your dates by a day or two and use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest departures.
- Consider flying into Amman and out of Aqaba to avoid backtracking on a touring trip.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Jordan, but it is straightforward. You can buy one on arrival at Queen Alia, apply for an eVisa online, or buy the Jordan Pass before travelling, which waives the visa fee for stays of three nights or more and includes entry to Petra. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. The currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD); cards are accepted in cities, but carry cash for rural areas and tipping. For peak dates, book two to four months ahead and check the When to book chart above.
