Family Trip to Jordan: The Complete Cost Breakdown for 10 Days

Your kids will walk through a narrow canyon in the Jordanian desert, the sandstone walls towering 80 metres above them, and then the gap will widen and Petra's Treasury will appear — the scene from Indiana Jones, except they're standing in it. That single moment is worth the entire trip. But Jordan delivers far more than Petra: floating in the Dead Sea (the look on a five-year-old's face when they realise they literally can't sink), sleeping under a billion stars in a Wadi Rum desert camp, snorkelling the Red Sea in Aqaba, and exploring Roman ruins at Jerash that rival anything in Italy. It's also one of the safest countries in the Middle East, with a tourism infrastructure that's been welcoming families for decades.

The short answer: budget AU$15,700 all-in for a family of four on a 10-night Jordan trip with mid-range hotels, a Wadi Rum desert camp, and shoulder-season flights. That's roughly AU$400 per person per night — extraordinary value for a destination this iconic.

The Trip at a Glance

This itinerary takes you from Jordan's capital through its most iconic stops:

• Amman (2 nights): Gateway city, Roman theatres, local hospitality
• Petra (2 nights): The lost city carved into rose-red cliffs—as real as the Indiana Jones movies suggested
• Wadi Rum (2 nights): Desert camps, camel treks, desert jeep safaris under a sky full of stars
• Dead Sea & Aqaba (4 nights): Float in the Dead Sea, explore Aqaba's coral reefs, relax before flying home

The whole loop is tight—each stop flows naturally to the next. You'll hit the must-see attractions without feeling rushed, and the kids will remember this forever.

Flights: AU$4,700 (per family of 4)

From Sydney to Amman and back via one of these routes:

• Direct or one-stop options: Qatar Airways (Doha), Emirates (Dubai), or Turkish Airlines (Istanbul) typically cost AU$1,175 per person from Sydney to Amman return. That's AU$4,700 total for four people.
• Book 8–10 weeks out for the best rates. Peak times (Australian school holidays, June–August) add AU$300–500 per person.
• Amman's Queen Alia International is 30 km south of the city—budget AU$80–100 total for ground transport (shuttle or shared taxi, not private).

Pro tip: Flying into Amman and out from Aqaba costs slightly more (+AU$150) but saves a 4-hour drive back to Amman on day 10. Worth it for families.

Accommodation: AU$3,200

Jordan's mid-range hotels are excellent value. We're talking clean, safe, family-friendly riads and mid-range chains.

• Amman (2 nights, ~AU$125/night): Family-run riads in Jabal Amman or mid-range chains like Landmark Hotel. AU$250 total.
• Petra (2 nights, ~AU$140/night): Most hotels are in the town of Wadi Musa (20 min from the park). The Petra Guest House or comparable mid-range spots. AU$280 total.
• Wadi Rum (2 nights, ~AU$110/night): Desert camps with Bedouin hospitality (Rum Stars, AlNayal, or similar). Includes dinner, breakfast, and usually a jeep safari. AU$220 total.
• Dead Sea (2 nights, ~AU$200/night): Resort-style hotels with pool and Dead Sea beach access (Movenpick, Hilton, or mid-range alternatives). Kids will beg to float again. AU$400 total.
• Aqaba (2 nights, ~AU$140/night): Beachfront mid-range hotels, easy access to coral reefs and diving. AU$280 total.

Total accommodation: AU$1,430 (roughly AU$178 per person per night, down from higher hotel rates). Book direct or via Booking.com; local operators often offer discounts for families.

Activities & Excursions: AU$2,100

• Petra entry fee: AU$80 per person = AU$320 total for a family of 4. Guides (recommended for families) cost AU$80–100 for a small group. Go early (7 am) to beat crowds and heat. Total: AU$420.
• Wadi Rum jeep safari (usually included in camp packages, but if separate): AU$50 per person = AU$200 total.
• Wadi Rum camel trek (1–2 hours): AU$30 per person = AU$120 total.
• Dead Sea float & spa: Most resorts include beach access; add spa treatments or a guided "mud therapy" session for AU$40–60 per person. AU$200 total.
• Aqaba coral reef snorkelling: Day trips with a local operator cost AU$60 per person = AU$240 total.
• Jerash (ancient Roman city, optional day trip from Amman): AU$25 per person + guide AU$80. Worth it if you have extra time. AU$180 total.
• Miscellaneous (small entry fees, local guides, photo ops): AU$300.

Total activities: AU$1,660 (can be lower if you skip optional extras).

Daily Budget (Food, Local Transport, Incidentals): AU$2,600

• Food: Jordanian mezze, kebabs, and hummus are delicious and cheap. Eat like locals and spend AU$15–20 per person per day. Tourist-area restaurants run AU$25–35 per person. Assume AU$25 per person daily = AU$100/day for 4 = AU$1,000 for 10 days.
• Local transport: Taxis between hotels, jeep transfers, occasional guided tours. Budget AU$20–30 per day = AU$250 total. The Dead Sea and Aqaba are driveable; hire a driver for AU$150–200 total for multi-day coverage.
• Entry fees and miscellaneous: Small fees for viewpoints, souvenirs, tips, bottled water in desert regions. AU$350 total.

Total daily budget: AU$1,600 (food + local transport + miscellaneous).

The Bottom Line

Category	Cost
Flights (Sydney to Amman return, 4 people)	AU$4,700
Accommodation (10 nights, mid-range)	AU$1,430
Activities & guided tours	AU$1,660
Daily budget (food, local transport, misc)	AU$1,600
Total for 4 people, 10 nights	AU$9,390

Per person: AU$2,348 | Per night: AU$939 (family)

Why you should go: Jordan packs iconic sights (Petra, Dead Sea, deserts) into a small, safe country. Kids love the desert camps and floating experiences. You get genuine Middle Eastern hospitality without the cost of the UAE, and a 10-day trip feels completely achievable for Australian families. School holidays align perfectly (June–August or December break), and the itinerary avoids overwhelming families with too many stops.

Safety note: Jordan is one of the safest Middle East destinations. Millions of families visit each year. Stick to established routes and you'll be fine.

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Explore the Jordan 10-Day Family Itinerary