Backpacking in Jordan is something I won’t forget. I had so many great experiences—from exploring ancient ruins, wandering through the streets of Amman to floating in the Dead Sea and watching the sun set over the desert. With a bit of planning and some local tips, I also found it surprisingly easy to travel around on a budget.
In this two-part guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for a budget backpacking trip in Jordan, starting with Amman and the surrounding areas. I’ll cover:
How to get into Jordan affordably (and why I skipped the land border)
Budget-friendly places to stay in Amman
Cheap and tasty local food
Day trips from Amman (like Jerash, Ajloun, and the Dead Sea)
And whether the Jordan Pass is worth it
In Part 2, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Petra and Wadi Rum on a budget—including how I got an extra free day in Petra.
Getting Into Jordan (Without Breaking the Bank)
Most travelers enter Jordan from Israel via land border, but because I planned to visit several Muslim-majority countries afterward, I wanted to avoid any border stamps that might hint at an Israel visit. While some travelers report getting the Jordanian visa on a separate slip, I didn’t want to risk being denied entry elsewhere—so I chose to fly.
A direct flight from Tel Aviv to Amman cost nearly €300. Instead, I booked a budget flight to Cyprus for €30, spent a few days there (it was a new country for me!), and then flew to Amman for under €150.
Budget tip: You can often find cheaper flights to Amman via Cyprus or Greece than flying direct from Israel.
Once you arrive at Queen Alia International Airport, take the JETT airport bus to downtown Amman (I paid just 2.65 JOD for the ticket). From there, a short taxi ride to your hotel should cost 2–3 JOD.
Where to Stay in Amman on a Backpacker Budget
Amman’s old town is the best base for budget travelers—most cheap hostels and budget hotels are located in this area. I recommend using Booking.com instead of Hostelworld, which doesn’t have a great selection for Jordan.
Here are some budget accommodation options I stayed at or visited during my time in Amman:
Jordan River Hotel.
I stayed here when I first arrived in Amman, mainly because they had a great deal on a private room. They also offer dorm beds, but I wouldn’t recommend them during winter — the rooms get freezing cold, and there’s no proper heating. It wasn’t the most comfortable place I’ve ever stayed, but it’s definitely a solid budget option if you’re not too picky. Check out the photos online and decide for yourself. One big plus: the man working at the reception was really helpful and organized a cheap private tour for guests (I’ll tell you more about that later).
You can book Jordan River Hotel here on booking.com.
Nobel Hostel.
This hostel is located in the same building as Jordan River Hotel, just one floor below. I had a friend staying here, so I got a chance to see the rooms as well. The setup looked pretty similar to Jordan River — basic but fine for a budget traveler. If you’re comparing the two, it’s worth checking both out, especially since Nobel Hostel often has good deals on Booking.com.
You can book Nobel Hostel here on booking.com.
Cliff Hotel.
Another friend of mine stayed here, and it’s a bit closer to the restaurants and shops in the old town, which is super convenient. The hotel offers both dormitory beds and private rooms, all at very affordable prices. If location is a priority for you, this might be a better pick than some of the other options.
You can book Cliff Hotel here on booking.com.
I stayed at Riviera Hotel when I returned to Amman after visiting Petra. It was a little more expensive than the other places I tried, but I managed to find a good deal online. The overall vibe was definitely cozier and more comfortable, so if you’re willing to spend just a bit more, it might be worth the upgrade.
You can book Riviera Hotel here on booking.com.
Cheap Places to Eat in Amman
One of the challenges of eating in Jordan on a budget is that many restaurants tend to charge higher prices if you’re a foreigner. It’s not uncommon to be quoted more than the locals for the exact same dish—especially in touristy areas. However, there’s one restaurant in Amman’s Old Town that I highly recommend: Abu Zagleh. It’s one of the few places I found that has a proper printed menu with fixed prices that are the same for locals and tourists. They serve traditional Middle Eastern food, and the portions are generous and tasty. It’s a great spot for a reliable, budget-friendly meal without the stress of haggling.
To help you find it and nearby cheap eats, I’ve included a map below. Unfortunately, Google Maps doesn’t always show the smaller alleyways clearly, but I’ll try to describe the route the best I can. If you walk around the block from Abu Zagleh, skip the first alley and turn into the second alley—there, you’ll find a tiny local bakery selling affordable pastries and breads. In the third alley, there’s a small falafel shop that became my go-to place during my time in Amman. The falafel wraps are super filling and cost less than 0.50 dinar—a real bargain for budget travelers in Jordan. This place honestly saved my food budget!
Right across from the falafel shop is a fresh pomegranate juice stand. A small juice costs 1 dinar, and the large one is 2 dinars. The juice is made fresh on the spot, and it’s both delicious and full of antioxidants—perfect for cooling down after a hot day of sightseeing. If you’re walking along King Hussein Street or King Faysal Square, you’ll find a few other juice stalls as well with a larger selection of fruit juices.
Another great spot for cheap food in Amman is Al Quds Falafel, located on Rainbow Street. This place is actually one of the most famous falafel restaurants in the world! They serve falafel sandwiches that are slightly more expensive than the basic wraps you’ll find in smaller stalls—but still very affordable at just 0.75 dinars. The sandwiches are freshly made, packed with flavor, and perfect for a quick, budget-friendly meal in one of Amman’s most popular neighborhoods. And most importantly—they’re absolutely delicious!
The Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass is an absolute must for anyone traveling to Jordan—especially backpackers or anyone trying to stick to a budget. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was worth buying, but then I realized that the Jordan visa fee is included in the price—which already makes it a great deal. When purchasing the pass, you’ll need to choose between a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day entry to Petra. I personally recommend going with the 2-day Petra option, and here’s a bonus: you actually get a third day free if you want to use it (I’ll explain how in Part 2 of this guide).
Besides covering your visa and Petra entry, the Jordan Pass also includes access to over 40 tourist sites across the country—like the Citadel and Roman Amphitheater in Amman, Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and many more. Just make sure to buy the pass before you enter Jordan, otherwise you won’t be eligible for the free visa. The pass becomes valid from the moment you use it for the first time at a site (not when you enter the country), and it stays valid for two weeks. Interestingly, my pass wasn’t even scanned until I reached Petra
You can buy the Jordan pass here.
Things to Do in Amman
With your Jordan Pass, you can visit these must-see sites for free:
The Citadel
Perched on a hilltop with sweeping views over the city. From the Citadel you can get a beautiful view of the city.
The Roman Amphitheater
One of Amman’s most famous landmarks, located near downtown. Worth exploring and perfect for quick sightseeing.
Read more about Amman: Carpediem Our Way: Amazing Amman: Exploring Jordan’s Capital City
Day Trips from Amman on a budget:
Jerash and Ajloun Castle
One of the best day trips from Amman is a visit to Jerash and Ajloun Castle—both of which are easily accessible and incredibly rewarding for history lovers and budget travelers alike. To start your day, take a taxi from central Amman to the North Bus Station (Tabarbour). The taxi fare should be around 2 Jordanian dinars. From there, hop on a local bus to Jerash, which costs about 1–2 dinars. Be sure to ask the bus driver to drop you off near the Jerash archaeological site, as the main city is located quite a distance away from the actual ruins.
After exploring the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash—one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Middle East—you can negotiate a taxi to visit Ajloun Castle and return. I was traveling with two other girls, and we arranged for a driver to take us to the castle, wait for us during our visit, and bring us back to Jerash. We paid a total of 15 dinars for the round trip, which came to just 5 dinars per person—a great deal for a half-day private excursion. After returning to Jerash, we simply caught a local bus back to Amman to finish off the day.
The Dead Sea, Madaba, and Mount Nebo
As I mentioned earlier, my hotel (Jordan River Hotel) arranged a private day tour for me two other travelers. The man working there (maybe the owner) drove us to three different sights: the Dead Sea, Madaba, and Mount Nebo. We each paid 15 dinars, which I found to be a very reasonable price for a full-day trip covering all three sights.
If you’re only interested in visiting only the Dead Sea from Amman, I’ve heard that you can also negotiate a round-trip taxi for around 10 dinars. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely need to haggle the price down, as many taxi drivers in tourist areas will initially try to overcharge.
For more Jordan travel tips, check out part 2, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Petra and Wadi Rum on a budget—including how I got an extra free day in Petra.
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2 comments
Hi Gabbie,
Very concise guide! I love especially the details on where find good+cheap food and pro+cons on the hotels.
Just one little addition: you don’t have to get a stamp crossing from Israel to Jordan via Jordan Valley in the North. You can ask to get your Jordanian visa on a slip of paper so that there is no trace of having been in Israel in your passport 🙂
Happy travels!
Carola
Thanks for adding! But what do they do at the airport when you are leaving? Do you still get an exit stamp? Then it would look suspicious that you only had an exit stamp and not entry stamp. It just sounded so confusing that I didn’t want to take any risks, so just I flew in.