Jordan · Month comparison
November vs October
October ranks #1 overall vs November at #5. The finest month in Jordan — perfect temperature, clear skies, autumn colour in the highlands, and the most diverse visitor calendar.
November
#5 of 12 months
Best match
Excellent and quieter — October peak crowds thin, temperatures are comfortable, and the first autumn rains green the highlands.
- ↑November is the sweet spot for combining Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea in a single week without the extreme crowd pressure of October — tours thin, prices drop 15–20%, and the 19°C days make full-day Petra hiking comfortable; the Monastery trail in November afternoon light is a very good experience
- ↑The first winter rains in November bring the highland vegetation back to life — the hillsides above Petra and around the Dana valley begin greening, the waterfalls in the Wadi Dana canyon resume flow, and the Feynan Ecolodge (off-grid, candlelit, Bedouin-run at the edge of the valley) is at its most atmospheric in autumn rain
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The finest month in Jordan — perfect temperature, clear skies, autumn colour in the highlands, and the most diverse visitor calendar.
- ↑October is the month Jordan performs at its absolute best: 26°C days, 15°C nights in Wadi Rum (comfortable sleeping without extreme cold), virtually no rainfall, and the autumn light quality that makes rose-red sandstone photograph at maximum intensity — this is the month Petra's Treasury and the Wadi Rum landscape match their most circulated images
- ↑The Jordan Rally and cultural festivals concentrated in October and early November create an unusual atmosphere in Amman and the desert — the Wadi Rum Desert Marathon (held in October) and the Petra Night Marathon bring an athletic tourism community that combines with the standard heritage visitor in a way that gives the sites unusual energy
| Factor | November | October |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 10 |
| Value score | 6 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 6 | 4 |
| Events score | 5 | 8 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 19°C | 26°C |
| Monthly rain | 25mm | 8mm |
| Daily sunshine | 8hrs | 9.5hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Rain becomes more significant in November — occasional heavy showers can temporarily close the Siq and the Petra canyon; while this is rarely more than a 2–3 hour disruption, it requires flexibility in day planning
- ↓Wadi Rum nights in November drop to 5–8°C — comfortable with sleeping bags but requiring genuine warm layers; the luxury bubble tents are heated and worth the price premium in November for stargazing without cold exposure
- ↓Aqaba water temperature drops below the ideal summer range to 24°C — still comfortable for diving, but the contrast with the June–September warmth is noticeable for swimmers; a 3mm wetsuit is advisable for extended dive time
October trade-offs
- ↓October is the busiest month in Jordan and prices reflect it — Wadi Rum bubble tents and luxury camps at their annual peak (US$250–400 per night), Petra gateway hotels book out months in advance, and the American and European tour group season is at full pace
- ↓The Petra main thoroughfare in October peak is at its most crowded — the combination of tour groups, independent travellers, and the Jordan Pass popularity means the Treasury at 9–10am can have 800+ people in the frame; an early gate entry (before 7am) and an anti-clockwise route starting at the back of the site are essential tactics
- ↓Occasional early rains can cause temporary flash flood closures of the Siq in October — the risk is low but real; carry accommodation flexibility if visiting around rainfall events
Scores compare months within Jordan. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →