Help with travel to Jordan
 

I'm new to this forum. I'm a solo older female. I have no problem traveling alone in Europe or the US & also did a solo trip in Iceland. But I have to agree with Julies that I'm a little bit leery traveling alone in Egypt.

Since the US State Dept has given Egypt a Level 3 rating, I probably will hold off going there but if and when I do go, I'm undecided what to do. I've already looked at various tour company reviews and they were so-so, very mixed. Intrepid had some bad reviews. Gate 1 had some bad reviews. Abercrombie & Kent is too pricey...

The problem (for me) with tours is a number of things: 1) single supplement is often $1000; 2) their itineraries are too jammed and some of it is not what I care to see or spend my money on; 3) they feature expensive hotels and meals. I'm not a foodie, I would rather grab something in late afternoon and go back to my room and relax and read. I'm not a night person, so I fade rapidly after 6 pm. Most people on tours want to go out and wine/dine in the evening until 9 or 10 pm--I cannot handle that.

Also I don't particularly like boats. I get terribly motion sick and please don't say it's calm water because that doesn't matter, it's the rocking motion that any boat has in water. I've even gotten sick on a floating dock in a boat marina.

At this point, I'm considering a mixed solo/guided tour trip to Jordan only. There is a hotel outside Amman that offers a lot of day trips. I would use this hotel to do some day trips and then take the bus to Petra from there. Petra can be done solo easily enough, I think. I've read that Jordan is pretty safe for solo females. I have no interest in Wadi Rum. I don't want to spend the night there. There are no single accommodations anyway, one would have to share a room, I believe, which I don't want to do.

@ smt11: I'm afraid I can't answer your questions about Jordon, but think you'd be more likely to get useful answers if you start a new thread. JMO. And welcome to Fodor's!

Hi Smt11,

It’s completely understandable to feel cautious when planning travel to a new region — especially solo. You’re not alone in how you feel, and it’s great that you’re taking the time to research and weigh your options carefully.

Jordan could be a great fit for you. It’s generally considered one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the region, especially for solo female travelers. People are hospitable and respectful, and you’ll find that locals are often eager to help. Many solo female travelers report feeling comfortable, particularly when dressing modestly and staying in well-frequented areas.

Your idea of doing a mixed solo/guided trip sounds like a solid plan. There are indeed a few hotels around Amman that offer day trips, and from there you can easily organize visits to places like Jerash, the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo, and Madaba without needing to be part of a large group. JETT buses from Amman to Petra are reliable, and once in Petra, you’ll find it very manageable to explore on your own at your own pace. You can even hire a local guide at the Visitor Center for a few hours if you'd like a more enriching experience.

When you're ready to return to Amman from Petra, the JETT bus departs daily from Petra at around 17:00 (5:00 PM), and the trip takes approximately 3 hours. Similarly, it leaves from Amman to Petra at about 06:30 in the morning — perfect for early risers who want to make the most of their day.

As for Wadi Rum — it’s totally fine to skip it. While many enjoy the overnight camp experience, it's not for everyone, and your reasons are perfectly valid. And just to clarify, most camps do offer private tents for solo travelers, but if you're not interested, there’s no pressure at all to include it in your itinerary.

Jordan can absolutely be enjoyed on your terms, without rushing, without boats, and without late nights or group dinners. It’s all about creating the kind of trip that feels right for you.

Wishing you safe and inspiring travels, wherever your journey takes you!

Welcome to Fodors. We moved your post from another topic and used it to create a stand alone thread and tagged it for Jordan.

Maybe I can help you out since I am the one who originally posted about a combined Egypt and Jordan tour and then instead decided on a tour of Jordan only. I just got home last night from a 10 night group tour that also included hiking activities rather than just the typical bus drop off type tour. For example, I enjoyed our time at the Dana Nature Reserve. This is the group I went with as a solo traveler, and, yes, I paid the single supplement.
https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/...a/JDN#overview

To me Amman had zero appeal, and the very brief tour we had there as a part of our tour was more than enough. Perhaps if all you are interested in is a day trip to area locales and the a retreat to a nice hotel room at 6 in the evening, you could enjoy this manner of handling Amman and area sights. Jerash was a very enjoyable site that could be done as a day visit.

Really, really seeing Petra rather than just the typical surface visit involves lots of walking and being in good physical condition. It's a much larger site than I had realized. Our group tour included Petra by candlelight, and many in our group thought this was a waste.

My tour included 2 nights in Wadi Rum, and I liked this time in the desert as well as I liked visiting historic Petra. And, I am sure you can find a room for a single occupant if you are willing to pay more for the room. Our group stayed at Rum Planet which is owned by an extended Bedouin family; it was definitely a worthwhile experience.

Jordan was a fascinating trip, and one that I am happy I did now rather than waiting because it does demand physical strength and stamina. So, I help these pointers can help you out.