Jordan · Packing
What to Pack for Jordan
Most of what you need for Jordan is ordinary travel gear — but a few items make a disproportionate difference to how comfortable your trip is. Here is the list we give every traveler, built from what actually gets used.
The essentials
What makes the difference
Sturdy closed shoes with grip. The single most important item. Petra’s ground is uneven, rocky and hot; sandals fail, fashion trainers slip. A hat and sunglasses — much of Jordan is fully exposed. Sunscreen — high factor, applied often. A refillable water bottle or hydration pack — you will drink more than you think.
Layers. Desert nights and winter mornings are genuinely cold; middays are hot. A fleece or light jacket earns its place even in summer. Cash in small notes — for tips, cafes and Petra stalls. A scarf — sun shade, dust cover, mosque headscarf, and a great souvenir.
The full list
- Clothing
- Loose trousers/skirts, tops covering shoulders, layers, warm layer
- Footwear
- Sturdy closed shoes, light shoes for evenings
- Sun
- Hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, lip balm
- Day bag
- Water, snacks, cash, scarf, phone, hand sanitiser, tissues
- Desert
- Warm layer for night, closed shoes, headlamp/torch
- Electronics
- Universal adapter (Type C/J), power bank, charger
For Petra specifically
Your day bag
For a Petra day, carry at least two litres of water per person (more if you are climbing to the Monastery), high-energy snacks, cash in small notes, sunscreen, a hat, a scarf for dust and sun, tissues and hand sanitiser (toilet paper is not always provided), and a phone or camera. A small backpack is better than a shoulder bag for the climbs.
Wear your sturdiest shoes and bring layers — a Petra dawn in winter is near freezing, and by midday you will be in a T-shirt. See Petra practical information for tickets and timing.
Leave behind
What not to bring
Drones are restricted and require permits — leave them at home. Hard-shell suitcases are awkward on desert tracks and in 4x4s; a soft bag or backpack is far better for Wadi Rum. Expensive jewellery serves no purpose. A modest, practical wardrobe beats a fashionable one here every time.
Turn this knowledge into a journey
Tell us your dates, your pace and who is travelling, and we will shape a private Jordan journey around it — through local eyes.