When the summer heat breaks, all of Jordan opens up. Petra becomes a pleasant walk instead of a race against the sun, Wadi Rum gives you mild days and star-filled nights, and the Dead Sea and Aqaba are at their best. Even better, Jordan is close: a short flight from Riyadh or Jeddah, or a road trip for those who love the drive.
Why autumn?
In summer, walking Petra and Wadi Rum is a test of endurance. In October and November the days soften and long tours become possible from morning to evening, while the sea at Aqaba stays warm enough for swimming and snorkeling. Just watch the desert nights, which are genuinely cold this time of year, so pack a warm layer.
Amman and Jerash: the starting point
Most trips begin in Amman. Climb the Citadel for a view over the city, head down to the Roman Theatre and downtown for falafel and knafeh, and finish the evening on Rainbow Street. About an hour north lies Jerash, with its colonnaded streets and Roman theatres, a half-day trip that deserves a place on any route.
In Amman, ride-hailing and map apps run smoothly on the 4G networks that cover the cities, so save your hotel location and use them to get around instead of haggling over fares.
The Dead Sea: the lowest point on Earth
About an hour from Amman you drop down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on land, where you float without any effort. The resorts on the eastern shore are ideal for a relaxing night of floating, mud, and sunset. A small tip: keep your phone in a waterproof pouch, because salt water is merciless on devices.
Petra: at least two days
The rose city is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and one day is not enough. Start early to walk the Siq before the crowds and reach the Treasury in the morning light, then give the second day to the climb up to the Monastery, hundreds of steps that are worth every one. Petra by Night runs on set days of the week for those who want to see it by candlelight.
Coverage is good at the site entrance but drops inside the rock passages, as it does for every network there. Download your tickets and the site map before you go in, and agree on a clear meeting point with your group, such as the Treasury or the entrance.
Wadi Rum: a night under the stars
Red mountains, golden dunes, and landscapes that international films have used to stand in for other planets. The best way to explore Wadi Rum is a four-wheel-drive tour with a local guide, then sunset over the dunes and a night in a desert camp under a clear sky.
This stop needs more planning than the others. The signal fades deep in the desert, so save the camp location and phone number, agree on a pickup point in Rum village, and charge a power bank, as electricity is limited at some camps.
Aqaba: finishing on the Red Sea
About an hour from Wadi Rum you reach Aqaba, with coral reefs close to shore and clear water. A day of diving or snorkeling and an evening on the waterfront make a calm ending to a trip that started among ruins and finished by the sea.
A suggested one-week route
- Amman and Jerash: two nights between the Citadel and downtown, with a half day in Jerash.
- The Dead Sea: one night to float and unwind.
- Petra: two nights, one day for the Siq and the Treasury and one for the Monastery.
- Wadi Rum: one night in a desert camp.
- Aqaba: one or two nights by the sea.
If you are driving from Saudi Arabia, pick your entry and exit crossings to suit your route, since the northern crossings are closer to Amman and the southern ones closer to Aqaba, and check their opening hours before you set off.
Staying connected the whole way
- Before you travel: install the eSIM from the Simply app at home on stable Wi-Fi, and make sure your phone is on the compatible devices list.
- On arrival: switch on the travel line after landing or after crossing the border, and enable data roaming on it alone, keeping roaming off on your main SIM. Full steps are in the eSIM installation guide.
- Coverage: 4G networks cover the cities and main roads, and the signal drops inside the Petra passages and deep in Wadi Rum, so download your maps before heading into either.
- Your Saudi number: stays in place and keeps receiving calls and bank verification texts as usual. Details are in the keep your number while traveling guide.
- If the connection does not appear: do not delete the eSIM. Work through the eSIM troubleshooting guide step by step.
- Combining Jordan and Egypt? The Middle East bundle covers both on one eSIM, while for Jordan alone the single-country plan is all you need.
- How much data: for maps and messaging, 1 to 2 GB a day is usually enough, more if you share a lot of video from Petra and the desert.
If you want to extend the trip west, our guide to Egypt in October, from Luxor and Aswan to the Red Sea picks up where this route ends.
Everything about connectivity there is on the Jordan page, while plans and durations live in the Simply app. Have a great trip between the rose-red rock and the sands of Wadi Rum.
Written by
Simply Team
