My colleague and I are traveling from Cairo to Jordan in November and have some questions. We have 5 days to get from Cairo into Jordan and possibly Jerusalem, and then have to be back in Cairo to fly out on the 5th night. We're on a budget and want to see Amman, Wadi Rum (with possible camping in the desert with Bedouins that we're setting up on our own), and Jerusalem and the Dead Sea if possible. Is this realistic? We realize it will be a race, but we want to hit as much as we can. I need recommendations on whether we should fly from Cairo to Amman and drive south, or whether we should ferry or bus from Cairo to southern Jordan. If there are any recommendations on where to stay (cheap) that is safe for two women (who travel frequently in sub-Saharan Africa and are used to roughing it), that would be great too. Our dates are Nov 20 (leaving Cairo) through November 25 (flying home from Cairo). Thanks!

First of all : forget about spending time in Amman. There is very little for a tourist anyway, and for a tourist in a hurry there is nothing worth spending even an hour there.

Second : you don't need to worry about "safe", everywhere in Jordan is safe for two women or for one alone. You just need to behave sensibly and dress correctly, and you won't be seriously hassled in Jordan, it's not like Egypt.

Third : that is REALLY a rush! Take the flying option if you can to Jerusalem and go on from there. See the Dead Sea on the Israeli side, the transport is probably better. Don't go into Jordan from Jerusalem, that's the King Hussein Bridge crossing which can take several hours. Go south from Jerusalem to Eilat and cross there, you are less than an hour from Wadi Rum; are you not aiming at Petra as well???? It is perhaps just as well actually, you cannot visit Petra properly in a few hours.

Unless you are getting a very good deal on a return flight ticket you will probably be better off returning by bus from Sinai afterwards - go through Israel again (the ferry takes quite a while and puts you an hour further south) and find a service taxi or bus at Taba.

Have a great time - Lulu

My recomendation is to fly Cairo Amman Amman Cairo to save time.
Make Amman your base, Wadi rum is Three hours drive from Amman, Petra is Two hours 30 minutes in the same direction, I am sure you can arrange a combined visit to petra Wadi rum and Even the coastal town of Aqaba if you are into diving that will take two days. As for the Dead Sea its an hour drive from Amman, You can go in the morning back in the afternoon.
In general Jordan is safe for women. I doubt you can make it to Jerusalem, but its still possible.

Thanks all- can anyone tell me what the approximate transit time is by bus or hired car from Cairo to Petra? Flights are quicker, yes, but our budget might entail that we do ground transport.

Thanks!

Ground transport Cairo to Petra :

Cairo to Taba on Israeli border = approx 6 hours (there is an overnight bus, leaving the Midan Abasiya at 11pm)

Crossing Israel = say an hour and a half, you should be able to do it in less, but it is a good idea to ask for a re-entry stamp when you leave Egypt, which means you don't have to worry about acquiring a visa on your way back - normal visas are not issued at this crossing point.

Jordan entry : 15/20 minutes

Israel border to Petra = an hour and a half, taxis are usually available there.

IN other words about 12 hours, Cairo to Petra, same for the return.

Wadi Rum is more like 4 hours from Amman, and two and a half hours to Peta is a good time for a car, a bus would easily mean 3 hours and probably more.

Lulu