Jordan

Is Jordan safe to visit?

For most visitors, yes. The classic route through Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Aqaba is well policed, and violent crime is rare: 0.99 homicides per 100,000Homicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary people in 2023, lower than in the United States or Turkey. The 2026 Global Peace IndexGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary ranks Jordan 68th of 163, better than most of its neighbours.

The caveats are regional. Jordan sits between Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and since the US-Iran war began on 28 February 2026, Iranian missiles and drones have been aimed at Jordan or crossed its skies. The US State Department rates Jordan Level 3 (reconsider travel) for terrorism and armed conflict. We score Jordan 72, between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, with medium confidence while the conflict continues.

Missiles, debris and the Iran war

Jordan has mostly been on the receiving end of debris rather than direct hits. On 3 April 2026, the Jordanian army said it had shot down two Iranian missiles in 24 hours; police answered 17 reports of falling debris, and two people were injured in Zarqa, with damage to a house there and a car in Karak (Petra news agency).

The UK dropped its advice against non-essential travel to Jordan on 3 June, after the US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Fighting picked up again from 8 July. Missiles were intercepted near Aqaba airport and port on 19 July, and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary briefly advised against all but essential travel there, lifting that on 25 August. Its latest update, on 10 September, reports renewed attacks and interceptions in and around Aqaba in early September.

The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary of 29 August says the threat of drone and missile attacks continues, but family members of US embassy staff may now return. The FCDO's advice for alerts: go indoors, use an interior room or stairwell, and never touch fragments.

Terrorism and border areas

Terrorism is a longer-standing risk. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says Iran-aligned militias have claimed attacks in Jordan and that terrorists are likely to try attacks at hotels, malls, tourist sites and border crossings. In 2025 a knife attack at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge killed two people and the attacker; in 2024, three attacks at border crossings killed three Israeli border personnel.

The no-go areas are away from the tourist trail:

• US do not travel: the Syrian and Iraqi borders including Ruwayshid and Mansheyat al Ghayyath, the Syrian refugee camps, Rusayfah city and the Baqa'a neighbourhood of Ayn Basha.
• US heightened risk: Zarqa city, and Ma'an city and the part of Ma'an governorate east of the Desert Highway. Transit along the highway is allowed.
• UK: against all travel within 3 km of the Syrian border.

Petra lies west of the Desert Highway, outside the US warning zone. Protests happen in Amman, and crowds can be dangerous: one person died and eight were injured at a World Cup screening in downtown Amman on 23 June 2026.

Roads, flash floods and heat

Road deaths are the bigger statistical risk for a visitor. The Public Security Directorate counted 510 deaths in 2025, down 6.1% on 2024, or about 4.4 per 100,000 people. WHO's modelled figure for 2019 was much higher, at 17.0, which suggests national counts miss some deaths. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns of stray animals, broken-down vehicles and unmarked roadworks, and of fatal crashes on the Desert Highway. Avoid night driving.

Wadis are beautiful and can kill. Rain far upstream can send a flash flood through Petra's Siq or a canyon in Wadi Mujib with little warning, so check the forecast, avoid wadis for a day after heavy rain, and climb to high ground if water rises. Summer heat at the Dead Sea passes 40°C. Healthcare is good in Amman and Aqaba, but the FCDO calls facilities elsewhere basic.

How to stay safe in Jordan

• Check the US and UK advice and airline notices the week you travel; Aqaba flights have been the most affected.
• Use Uber or Careem in Amman, agree fares before other taxis, and sit in the back.
• Book Wadi Rum camps and desert trips through licensed operators listed by Visit Jordan.
• In Aqaba, dive with PADI-accredited centres; the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says standards vary.
• Carry your passport for security checkpoints, and call 911 in any emergency.

How we scored it

Violent crime (92) is Jordan's strongest factor. Conflict (52) is the weakest and reflects Iranian strikes, terrorism and the US Level 3 advisory. Road safety (66) sits between the national count and WHO's much higher estimate.