9-Day Jordan Itinerary With Kids: A Practical Family Road Trip Guide

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Why visit Jordan with Children

If you are considering Jordan and wondering whether it works with children, this itinerary demonstrates that it absolutely can — provided it is structured well. Jordan offers an unusual concentration of experiences in a relatively compact geography: a New Wonder of the World (Petra), Roman cities, Crusader castles, biblical landmarks, desert landscapes, the Dead Sea and the Red Sea — all within manageable driving distances. What surprised us most was not just the scale of the sights, but how straightforward and affordable the trip felt as a self-drive family road trip.

This guide provides a high-level overview of how we structured a nine day road trip in Jordan during the Easter school holidays with a school-age child. It explains how the route flowed, where we stayed, and why the sequencing worked. Throughout the article, you’ll find links to more detailed planning guides covering:

• Jordan Pass vs visa process

• Visiting Petra with kids (including Petra by Night)

• Dead Sea hotel strategy

• Our Wadi Rum experience

• Costs, logistics and what we would change

If you are looking for a realistic Jordan itinerary that balances sightseeing with downtime, this is exactly how we approached it.

If your wondering if Jordon is a good option for school aged children, you can start with reading 👉Is Jordan Good for School-Age Children? A Parent’s Planning Guide to Comfort, Adventure & Realistic Expectations

Practical Planning Essentials for Families Visiting Jordan

Jordan is not complicated to travel — but it rewards preparation. A few key decisions made before departure significantly reduce stress once you’re on the ground, particularly when travelling with children.

Start With the Jordan Pass

If you are staying at least three nights and visiting Petra, purchasing the Jordan Pass before arrival is one of the most efficient planning steps you can take.

The pass (70–80 JOD depending on Petra duration) includes:

• Your tourist visa fee (if staying 3+ nights)

• Entry to Petra

• Entry to over 40 additional sites including Jerash, Wadi Rum and Shobak

It removes the need to purchase separate site tickets and simplifies budgeting across the trip.

For families, note:

• Children are not included in the Jordan Pass.

• If your child requires a visa, it must be paid separately on arrival (approximately 40 JOD). This was straightforward.

• Children under 12 enter most sites free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Having the pass ready meant we moved through major attractions without queuing — something that makes a noticeable difference with children.

Self-Drive for Flexibility

Jordan works exceptionally well as a self-drive road trip. Distances between key destinations are manageable, roads are straightforward and signage is clear.

Having your own vehicle allows you to:

• Start early at major sites like Petra

• Build in rest afternoons

• Stop when needed

• Avoid rigid tour schedules

We booked our rental car in advance through Holiday Autos, which allowed us to compare multiple providers easily. The inclusion of free cancellation adds flexibility — particularly useful if flights change or plans need adjusting.

For a country where you’ll move between Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba, having control over timing makes the itinerary significantly smoother.

Install an eSIM Before You Travel

Reliable mobile data is essential when self-driving.

We installed an Airalo eSIM before departure, which connected automatically to a local network upon arrival. This meant we had immediate access to Google Maps without relying on airport WiFi or incurring expensive roaming charges.

For late-night arrivals and desert driving routes, dependable navigation reduces stress considerably.

Do Not Skip Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Jordan is generally safe and easy to navigate. However, this itinerary includes:

• Long walking days (Petra can exceed 10–13 miles)

• Desert terrain in Wadi Rum

• Self-driving

• Heat exposure

• International medical care

Appropriate travel insurance is part of responsible planning.

We use Just Travel Cover because they compare multiple insurers, allowing us to review policy detail carefully — particularly around medical cover, trip disruption and family inclusion. Insurance is not an afterthought on a trip like this. It’s a core part of risk management when travelling with children.

Why These Decisions Matter

With the Jordan Pass sorted, a flexible rental car secured, reliable mobile data installed and comprehensive insurance in place, the trip becomes far more manageable.

Jordan itself is not difficult — but without these foundations, small logistical gaps can quickly escalate into unnecessary stress.

When structured properly, Jordan becomes one of the most straightforward adventure destinations you can visit with school-age children.

Our 9-Day Jordan Family Road Trip: Day-by-Day Breakdown

Days 1–2: Arrival & Northern Jordan

Day 1: Arrival in Amman

We flew British Airways from Heathrow Terminal 5 (14:55 departure, 23:05 arrival). After landing, we collected our pre-booked rental car — a Nissan Kicks. It was entirely adequate for the trip: economical, comfortable and easy to drive, with enough space for luggage without feeling oversized on Jordan’s roads.

We stayed at Rival Hotel Amman, a practical base offering:

• 1 bedroom + sofa bed

• Indoor pool

• Breakfast included

With a late arrival, this was simply a functional overnight stop.

Day 2: Jerash & Ajloun

We began by heading north from Amman. The full circular route involved approximately three hours of total driving.

Jerash (Included in Jordan Pass)

Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy.

Expect:

• Colonnaded streets

• A vast oval plaza

• Roman theatres

• Temple ruins

It is compact enough to explore without excessive walking, yet large enough to feel significant. Surprisingly, it was quiet — far less crowded than comparable European sites.

Ajloun Castle (Included)

Approximately 30 minutes from Jerash, Ajloun Castle is a 12th-century Islamic fortress built to defend against Crusader invasions.

Children respond well to:

• Narrow corridors

• Tower viewpoints

• Maze-like interior layout

By mid-afternoon, we returned to Amman for pool time — establishing a rhythm of sightseeing followed by recovery.

Jerash

Ajloun Castle

Days 3–4: Madaba, Mount Nebo & The Dead Sea

We drove 1.5 hours south toward the Dead Sea, stopping en route.

Madaba (Partially Included)

Known as the “City of Mosaics,” Madaba’s key highlight is the 6th-century mosaic map inside St. George’s Church. The archaeological park is included in the Jordan Pass; the church requires a small fee.

Mount Nebo (Not Included)

Believed to be the place where Moses viewed the Promised Land, Mount Nebo offers expansive views across the Jordan Valley.

A short, reflective stop before descending to the Dead Sea.

Dead Sea Strategy: Why Hotel Choice Matters

We stayed at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort

Key benefits:

• Private beach access

• Dedicated mud pits

• Direct Dead Sea entry

• Pool facilities

This is one location where hotel choice directly affects experience. Public access is limited; staying at a major resort simplifies logistics.

Floating in the Dead Sea is unique — you genuinely cannot sink. However, this is where expectations require adjustment. Joshua has eczema, and the salt concentration caused immediate stinging. Even adults feel irritation after several minutes. The experience was memorable but short. Beach showers are essential. The pool ultimately proved more enjoyable for longer periods.

Day 5: Salt Lakes, Shobak & Little Petra

Leaving the Dead Sea, we stopped at the roadside salt lakes — vivid blue water against bright white salt formations. A simple roadside pull-off allows you to walk directly down.

Shobak Castle (Included)

A rugged Crusader fortress set dramatically above the desert. Less restored than Ajloun, but atmospheric and quiet.

We then drove onward to Wadi Musa (Petra).

Little Petra (Free Entry)

Smaller, quieter and free, Little Petra is a useful introduction before visiting Petra itself. Easy parking and short walking distances make it suitable as a low-effort afternoon stop.

Salt Lakes & Shobak Castle

Little Petra

Day 6: Petra by Day & Night

We stayed in Petra Aretas, a small local guest house, offering triple family rooms, walking distance from the main Petra entrance. Although we enjoyed our stay, on reflection I would have spent a bit more and stayed in one of the big local chains that had a pool on offer, such as the Crowne Plaza or the Movenpick.

Petra (included)

Breakfast at 5:20am. Gates opened at 6:00am. Arriving early was essential.

We opted for a one-day ticket, fully aware that it’s often described as ambitious. However, we were realistic about our priorities. With a school-age child, we focused on Petra’s major highlights rather than attempting to see everything.

After the 20 minute walk into Petra, the experience begins with the walk through the Siq — a narrow sandstone canyon that builds anticipation with every turn. Emerging from the rock face to see the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) for the first time remains one of the most impactful travel moments we’ve experienced as a family. No photograph truly prepares you for the scale.

From there, we continued deeper into the site, passing the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and the Roman Theatre, before making the climb up to the Monastery (Ad-Deir) — approximately 800 steps and 45–60 minutes at a steady pace. For families, the Monastery is worth the effort. It is less crowded than the Treasury and equally impressive in scale. We stopped here to enjoy the view with a coffee and toilet break.

Key highlights to prioritise in one day:

• The Siq canyon walk

• The Treasury

• The Royal Tombs

• The Roman Theatre

• The Monastery

Petra is vast. Attempting to “see everything” in one day with children would be unrealistic. Concentrating on the major landmarks allowed us to experience the essence of Petra without pushing beyond reasonable fatigue levels. On the return journey toward the entrance, Joshua opted for a short horse ride from near the Treasury to conserve his energy — a practical option that shaved some walking off tired legs before we headed back to rest.

By mid-afternoon, as temperatures and visitor numbers increased, we returned to the hotel to rest before heading back for Petra by Night.

Petra by Night (Not Included in Jordan Pass)

• Runs Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

• Tickets purchased same day

• 20-minute walk each way through the Siq

• 8:30pm–10:00pm event

The candlelit path to the Treasury creates a completely different atmosphere. Music and soft lighting transform the space.

Total walking that day exceeded 13 miles — ambitious, but manageable with pacing and rest.

For full strategy, see:
👉Visiting Petra With School-Age Kids

Day 7: Wadi Rum (Included)

Two-hour drive from Petra. Entry is included in the Jordan Pass. There are checkpoints at the park entrance. We pre-booked a half-day private jeep tour via Viator, which is essential for seeing key desert sites.

Expect:

• Sand dunes

• Natural rock arches

• Expansive desert views

Camping under the stars was one of the most memorable parts of the trip — quiet, remote and deeply peaceful. There are multiple camp sites on offer in Wadi Rum. Full breakdown of our experience here: 👉Wadi Rum With Kids: What Parents Should Know

Day 8: Aqaba

One hour south lies Aqaba — Jordan’s Red Sea destination. After several active days, this was pure recovery.

We stayed at Grand Tala Bay a family friendly beach front hotel with big pools and waterslides, here we prioritised:

• Beach time

• Pool time

• No fixed schedule

The balance was important.

Days 9–11: Return to Amman

The drive back north took approximately four hours. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Madaba near the airport for convenience. If you want something closer Amman Airport Hotel is also a good option we considered.

On our final day, we visited the Amman Citadel. While historically interesting, it was less impactful than Jerash or Petra.

Our 8:30am flight home was efficient and straightforward.

Why Jordan Works So Well for Families

Jordan delivers variety without excessive distance.

Within just over a week, we experienced:

• Roman ruins

• Crusader castles

• Biblical landmarks

• Desert adventure

• A world wonder

• Beach recovery

The roads were manageable. Sites were quieter than expected. Hotels were welcoming. We never felt unsafe.

Jordan works when you:

• Start early at major sites

• Alternate activity days with downtime

• Choose accommodation strategically

• Keep driving distances realistic

This itinerary provides the structure.

If you want a guide on the cost of this trip, read 👉Realistic Cost of a 9-Day Jordan Family Road Trip (With a School-Age Child)

For detailed planning insight, explore the full guide on our dedicated Jordan hub. Jordan is not a passive holiday. It is active, educational and varied. But when structured correctly, it works exceptionally well with school-age children.