Brenda and Ellen take a break after hiking through Petra.
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The planning stage of your trip is instrumental in its success and can be an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options...and plenty to consider. Once you're on the ground in Jordan, the real fun will begin…but it pays to be prepared. These pointers will help you get oriented to your surroundings, dress wisely, deal with cultural issues, and make the most of your trip. Check in often for updates and additions to this section. |
Travel Advice
The following tips are based on previous tour experiences:
For Connecting Flights: Give yourself buffer time for any connecting flight. International flights usually recommend a 3 hour prior to departure check in. Give yourself at least 4+ hours. Connecting flights to O’Hare can be delayed, putting you at risk for missing your international flight and some airlines will NOT refund missed flights and you will have to purchase all new tickets.
Global Entry Pass: If you fly internationally at least once a year, this is worth it! Cost is $100 and it is good for 5 years.
Passport: If you do not yet have a passport, do it now! Most post offices will process passports. If you DO have a passport, check the expiration date. If your passport is set to expire 6 months or less that the dates of the tour, they will not be accepted as you go through airport security. Renew your passport now if that is the case.
Money Exchange: We advise you to order Jordanian Dinars or JD ahead of time. Upon arrival to Jordan, there will be no time to exchange money for the next day's excursions. The company we work with is through Travelex Currency Exchange (travelex.com). You can also order some Egyptian Pounds (EP) as well, but nearly all vendors in Egypt take US dollars (they actually prefer it).
What NOT to Bring: Please do not bring flashlights or binoculars as they look suspicious to security and you risk having them confiscated. Also, if you are bringing hot rollers or a curling iron, do not pack it in your carry-on luggage as these things also look suspicious to security and can risk delays as we move through airports in Amman and Cairo.
The following tips are based on previous tour experiences:
For Connecting Flights: Give yourself buffer time for any connecting flight. International flights usually recommend a 3 hour prior to departure check in. Give yourself at least 4+ hours. Connecting flights to O’Hare can be delayed, putting you at risk for missing your international flight and some airlines will NOT refund missed flights and you will have to purchase all new tickets.
- Most Royal Jordanian flights leave at 9:30 pm Chicago time. Book your connecting flight so that you arrive no later than 4pm, giving you adequate wiggle room if your flight is delayed. If you can arrive even earlier, then that is preferable.
Global Entry Pass: If you fly internationally at least once a year, this is worth it! Cost is $100 and it is good for 5 years.
Passport: If you do not yet have a passport, do it now! Most post offices will process passports. If you DO have a passport, check the expiration date. If your passport is set to expire 6 months or less that the dates of the tour, they will not be accepted as you go through airport security. Renew your passport now if that is the case.
Money Exchange: We advise you to order Jordanian Dinars or JD ahead of time. Upon arrival to Jordan, there will be no time to exchange money for the next day's excursions. The company we work with is through Travelex Currency Exchange (travelex.com). You can also order some Egyptian Pounds (EP) as well, but nearly all vendors in Egypt take US dollars (they actually prefer it).
What NOT to Bring: Please do not bring flashlights or binoculars as they look suspicious to security and you risk having them confiscated. Also, if you are bringing hot rollers or a curling iron, do not pack it in your carry-on luggage as these things also look suspicious to security and can risk delays as we move through airports in Amman and Cairo.