Packing for Jordan throws up a few questions that most holiday destinations don’t. How modest do you need to dress? What do you wear in the desert at night? Is there anything specific you need for the Dead Sea or Petra? And what on earth do you wear to float in extremely salty water?
Having done the trip with five of us – adults and teens – here’s the practical packing list that actually worked for us.
Planning your Jordan trip? Read the full itinerary:
👉 Jordan Itinerary & Travel Guide: 6 Day Adventure on a Budget
Contents
How Much Luggage Do You Need?
Less than you think. Jordan is a warm country and the trip involves a lot of moving between locations, so travelling light makes life significantly easier.
We packed for five people (for 1 week) using one large suitcase and one small backpack each. We used packing cubes to keep everyone’s things separate inside the case, which worked really well.
Unless you’re planning a very long trip or travelling in winter, one case between two adults is very manageable.
Clothing for Jordan
Jordan is a conservative Muslim country, and while it is very welcoming to tourists, dressing modestly is a sign of respect – particularly around religious sites.
In practice this means:
- Tops that cover your shoulders – avoid vest tops or strappy tops in public areas
- Trousers or skirts that cover your knees – especially at mosques, the Citadel and Petra
- A scarf – useful for covering your head if visiting mosques, and doubles as protection from sun and desert dust
You don’t need to overthink this. Lightweight linen or cotton trousers and loose tops are comfortable in the heat and perfectly appropriate everywhere you’ll go.
For evenings and the desert, bring a fleece or warm pullover. Temperatures drop significantly after dark, especially in Wadi Rum – it can feel surprisingly cold even in April or May.
Footwear
This is the one area where it really matters what you bring.
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers – essential. You’ll clock up significant mileage in Petra and Amman, often on uneven, worn stone. The steps at the Roman Theatre and parts of Petra are slippery. Good grip matters.
- Sandals – useful for the Dead Sea, hotel pools and relaxing evenings
- Flipflops – fine for poolside but not suitable for sightseeing
If you’re planning the 8-mile hike through Petra (which I’d strongly recommend), wear your most comfortable, well-fitted walking shoes. It’s a long day on your feet.
Dead Sea Essentials
The Dead Sea has its own specific packing requirements:
- Old swimwear – the black mineral mud is nearly impossible to wash out of fabric. Don’t wear anything you’d be upset to ruin.
- Vaseline – apply to any cuts or abrasions before going in the water. The salt is extremely high (34%) and will sting intensely on broken skin.
- Aftersun or moisturiser – the salt and minerals can dry out and irritate skin. My daughter’s skin reacted badly; the mud mask helped but having aftersun to hand is wise.
Full Dead Sea guide: 👉 Dead Sea Jordan: What to Expect & Where to Stay
Desert Essentials
Wadi Rum is a very different environment from the rest of Jordan and needs a little extra thought:
- A warm layer for the evenings – temperatures drop considerably after sunset, even in summer. A fleece or lightweight jacket is essential for star gazing.
- Insect repellent – there are earwigs and sandflies in the desert. One bit my son during our star gazing session and my daughter found two in her hair. Wear repellent and wrap up well at night.
- Cash – there are few card payment facilities in Wadi Rum. Make sure you have Jordanian Dinars (JOD) before you arrive.
- Camera with manual settings – the night sky is extraordinary and worth photographing. There are great YouTube tutorials on how to photograph stars. My son took some brilliant shots.
Full Wadi Rum guide:👉 Wadi Rum Desert & Aqaba
Petra Hiking Essentials
If you’re doing the long hike through Petra (entering from Little Petra, walking past the Monastery to the Treasury and exiting at the Visitor Centre), you’ll want:
- Plenty of water – it’s hot, it’s long, and there are limited places to refill. Bring more than you think you need.
- A small daypack – to carry water, snacks, a layer and your camera
- Good walking shoes – already mentioned, but worth repeating. The hike is around 8 miles and much of it is on uneven rocky terrain.
- A packed lunch or cash for food – the restaurant near the Monastery is good value (around 6 JOD for a chicken baguette) so you don’t need to carry everything
Full Petra guide:👉 Petra Jordan: A Complete Visitor’s Guide
Sun, Skin & Health
- High-SPF suncream – Jordan is very sunny. Apply it every morning and top up during the day.
- Sunglasses – essential, especially in the desert where the light reflects off the sand
- Sun hat – for Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum in particular
- Insect repellent – especially for Wadi Rum (sandflies, earwigs) but useful throughout
- Travel insurance documents – Jordan is generally very safe but always travel insured
Money & Documents
- Jordan Pass – buy this before you travel. It covers your tourist visa and entry to over 40 attractions including Petra, Wadi Rum and the Citadel. Costs 70-80 JOD.
- 👉 Get Your Jordan Pass
- Cash (JOD) – many places outside hotels and restaurants only take cash. ATMs are widely available, including at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre.
- SIM card – buy one at the airport. ZainJo gives the best coverage across Jordan.
- Passport and driving licence – police checkpoints are common on highways and you’ll need to show documents. It’s routine and nothing to worry about.
Full Jordan Packing List (coming soon)
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