Jordan in ten days, public transport - help!
 

Try as I might (and I've tried a lot, and posted several times in the past), I can't work out how to put together a decent itinerary that minimises the number of taxis needed to make this a budget, public transport trip to see the highlights of Jordan in ten days.

What is certain is that we are flying into and out of Amman Airport, and want to visit the following places:

Amman - brief stop (overnight when we first arrive?)
Jerash - day trip
Madaba - brief stop (overnight when we leave? Mosaic museum?)
Dead Sea - day trip or one night?
Wadi Mujib - stop en route to south? This might be where taking a taxi would be beneficial
Dana Reserve - worth it given time frame?
Petra - two full days?
Wadi Rum - one full day or two?
Aqaba - one full day or two?

We are a couple who are interested in photography (http://www.stevenjamesmartin.com/)

Any itinerary suggestions really appreciated!

I am hesitant to post this as I don't think it addresses your budget constraint. We did a very similar trip minus Amman and Aqaba. We stayed in Madaba and from there visited the Dead Sea and Jerash. Then we rented a car and drove south to Petra and Wadi Rum. We didn't want to rent a car but the logistics of getting from Madaba to Petra to Wadi Rum were a bit complex.

If you look under Tours in the following you can get an idea of what the trip to Jerash and the Dead Sea might cost. Probably too expensive but a good use of time.

http://blackirishotel.com/tours-and-trips/

I also wrote a trip report, available behind my name.

I finally gave up on doing Jordan by public transport and took a tour. Hope you do better.

I would say that Aqaba is eminently skippable, unless perhaps you are thinking of getting in the water. Amman is pretty skippable too, except as a base for Jerash (I couldn't turn up any accommodation in north Jordan).

Petra requires a minimum of three nights/two days.

Madaba is definitely worth an overnight, plenty of mosaics besides the famous map.

Click on my name for my ME TR, or start here:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...ics-in-madaba/

Thanks both for your replies, will read your trip reports with interest.

Yes, I think Aqaba is on the list mostly for a day of beach time! Plus snorkelling off the beach sounds very tempting.

Dead Sea is there more as a think to 'have seen', although I've noticed some interesting salt formation photos online that would be interesting to photograph.

I'd be very tempted to skip Jerash, having seen plenty of Roman ruins already, but have been told that it is definitely worth the effort.

Urgh! Will keep on planning and, if the odd expensive taxi fare is necessary, I guess we'll just have to go for it!

no advice or thoughts, but just wanted to say how impressed with your photos I am!

I especially love your use of light - well done!


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(off to go shoot a swim meet... indoor pool with cr@ppy overhead fluorescent lighting. need every bit of the 2.8!)

Thanks! Very kind of you.

How about this for a tentative itinerary?

1 - Flight to Amman, arrive late
2 - Day trip to Jerash, stay in Amman
3 - Amman to Dead Sea to Madaba
4 - Madaba -> Wadi Mujib -> Karak Castle -> Petra
5 - Petra
6 - Petra
7 - Petra to Wadi Rum
8 - Wadi Rum
9 - Wadi Rum to Aqaba
10 - Aqaba
11 - Aqaba to Amman
12 - Amman to London, leave early

This means skipping Dana Reserve, and paying for a couple of days of potentially exorbitant taxis (days 3 and 4) ...

Looks good. I didn't get to the Dana Reserve either. Depending on how keen you are on Aqaba I would be inclined to do the reserve instead.

And while you're near Jerash drop in at the Aljoun castle. Just another few JDs:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajloun_Castle

ok, just been digging through your photos. just wow.

What lens? what camera? The detail is stunning - like the eyebrows of one of the lions....

Not sure I have a picture of a lion - do I?!

But thank you for the kind words - very generous of you.

I use a Nikon D5500, mostly with the kit lens but occasionally with a 50mm 1.8.