How Much Does Amman Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Amman is a destination that balances ancient heritage with a modern urban pulse, with prices sitting mid-range for the region. A realistic solo daily budget is about $80 / JOD 57 for budget travel, around $188 / JOD 134 for mid-range comfort, and $400+ / JOD 284+ for luxury. Costs rise fastest with accommodation, imported goods/alcohol, and day trips (Dead Sea, Jerash, Petra).
Is Amman expensive to visit?
Amman is moderately priced—plan on roughly $80 / JOD 57 / $188 / JOD 134 / $400+ / JOD 284+ per day (budget / mid-range / luxury, solo).
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Amman
$80
per person /day
$188
per person /day
$400
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $240 | $565 | $1,201 |
| 5-Day Trip | $400 | $942 | $2,001 |
| 7-Day Trip | $560 | $1,318 | $2,801 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover the mandatory 16% sales tax and the 10% service charge frequently added to restaurant bills. Additional funds should be set aside for specific exclusions from the Jordan Pass, such as the ~$32 / JOD 23 entry fee for the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail.
How Does It Compare?
See how Amman stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Amman
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Typical for local diners and cafeteria-style spots (~$7 / JOD 4.97). | $7.03 JOD 4.98 |
| Three-course Dinner for Two Includes several appetizers, main courses, and dessert (~$56 / JOD 39). | $56 JOD 40 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5L Bottle) Alcohol is highly taxed and mainly served in upscale hotels or bars (~$9.83 / JOD 6.97). | $9.84 JOD 6.98 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Official Airport Taxi (Airport to City) Official white taxis have fixed prices by zone (~$32 / JOD 22). Confirm price with the kiosk before boarding. | $32 JOD 22 |
| Airport Express Bus Ticket The most economical way to reach North Amman/Tabarbour (~$4.65 / JOD 3.3). | $4.64 JOD 3.29 |
| City Ride (Uber/Careem) App-based rides are safer and more transparent than street taxis. Short city hops cost ~$4.94 / JOD 3.51. | $4.92 JOD 3.49 |
| JETT Bus (Amman to Petra) Standard air-conditioned tourist coach. Book in advance for ~$14 / JOD 9.98 one-way. | $14 JOD 9.98 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Carob Hostel - Dorm Bed Highly rated social hostel in downtown. Standard rate is ~$16 / JOD 12 per night. | $16 JOD 12 |
| Nomads Hotel & Hostel - Private Room Central location near Rainbow Street. Private rooms offer hotel-like comfort for ~$25 / JOD 18. | $25 JOD 18 |
| The Ritz-Carlton, Amman - Luxury Double Room Amman's premier luxury stay. Rate converts from ~$293 / JOD 208 to ~$292 / JOD 207 per night. | $292 JOD 207 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Jordan Pass (Standard) Best value for tourists (~$98–$112 / JOD 69–JOD 79 depending on which Petra-day package you pick); includes entry to 40+ attractions. Waives the visa fee (~$56 / JOD 40) only if you buy it before arrival and stay at least 2 whole nights (3 days). | $98 JOD 69 |
| Jerash Roman Ruins Ticket Price for international visitors (~$14 / JOD 9.98). Locals and Arabs pay 0.50 JOD. | $14 JOD 9.98 |
| The Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) Entry Standard non-resident price (~$4.24 / JOD 3.01). Included in the Jordan Pass. | $4.21 JOD 2.99 |
| Roman Theater Entry Non-resident adult ticket (~$2.82 / JOD 2). Includes entry to the small folklore museum inside. | $2.81 JOD 2 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Visitor SIM Package (Orange) Standard tourist package for 30 days (~$19 / JOD 13). Buy at airport arrivals. | $19 JOD 13 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (Single Entry) Payable upon arrival (~$56 / JOD 40) if you do not have a Jordan Pass. | $56 JOD 40 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is divided between traditional street food and upscale international venues, with a basic but delicious meal at an inexpensive spot costing around $7.03 / JOD 4.98. For a more formal experience, a three-course dinner for two averages $56 / JOD 40, though diners should note that alcohol is a significant expense due to high taxes, with a domestic beer priced at $9.84 / JOD 6.98. Local staples like falafel from Al-Quds or hummus at Hashem Restaurant provide world-class flavor at a fraction of the cost of hotel dining.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Hashem Restaurant
$4.21–$7.73 / JOD 2.99–JOD 5.49Downtown (Al-Balad) · Local chain
Legendary spot open 24/7; order the 'full table' of hummus, falafel, and tea for ~$5.89 / JOD 4.18.
Al-Quds Falafel
$1.13–$2.11 / JOD 0.8–JOD 1.49Rainbow Street · Street food area
Famous for sesame seed falafel sandwiches (~$1.18 / JOD 0.84). Eat while walking Rainbow Street.
Habiba Sweets
$0.99–$2.81 / JOD 0.7–JOD 2Downtown · Bakery
Expect a queue for the best Knafeh in the city (~$1 / JOD 0.71 per slice).
Reem Shawarma
$1.68–$3.52 / JOD 1.19–JOD 2.52nd Circle · Local chain
The city's first shawarma stand. Order the beef 'saj' for ~$1.77 / JOD 1.25.
Abu Jbara
$5.63–$11 / JOD 3.99–JOD 7.98Madina Munawara St · Local chain
Top-tier breakfast spot. Try the 'Musaba' (warm chickpea salad) for ~$4.12 / JOD 2.92.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating Amman's steep terrain is most efficient using app-based services like Uber or Careem, where a typical city hop costs approximately $4.92 / JOD 3.49. For those arriving from the airport, the Express Bus is the cheapest link at $4.64 / JOD 3.29, while official fixed-rate taxis cost $32 / JOD 22. For regional travel, the JETT bus system offers reliable connections to Petra for $14 / JOD 9.98, which is far more economical than private drivers.
Accommodation Overview
Value seekers can find high-quality social hostels like Carob Hostel for about $16 / JOD 12 per night, or upgrade to a private room at Nomads Hotel for $25 / JOD 18. The luxury sector is well-represented by international brands like The Ritz-Carlton, where rooms average $292 / JOD 207 per night. The 'sweet spot' for most travelers is the Jabal Amman area, which offers central access to historical sites and vibrant nightlife within the mid-range price tier.
Accommodation Budget in Amman
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Jordan Pass before arrival (about $98–$112 / JOD 69–JOD 79 depending on Petra days) to waive the ~$56 / JOD 40 tourist visa fee—provided you stay at least 2 whole nights (3 days)—and get entry to 40+ sites.
- 2 Eat at Hashem Restaurant in Al-Balad; it is legendary for hummus and falafel at prices near the $7.03 / JOD 4.98 inexpensive meal mark.
- 3 Use Uber or Careem for all city travel to avoid 'tourist pricing' from unmetered street taxis, keeping most rides around $4.92 / JOD 3.49.
- 4 Take the Airport Express Bus for $4.64 / JOD 3.29 instead of the $32 / JOD 22 taxi if you are arriving during daylight hours.
- 5 Buy a local SIM card from Orange for $19 / JOD 13 at the airport to avoid expensive international roaming while using maps.
- 6 Book JETT bus tickets to Petra or the Dead Sea for $14 / JOD 9.98 in advance rather than hiring a private taxi which can cost ten times more.
- 7 Stick to tea, coffee, or fresh juices; avoiding alcohol (where a beer is $9.84 / JOD 6.98) will significantly lower your daily food and drink bill.
- 8 Fill up on 'Cheap Eats' like Reem Shawarma at the 2nd Circle for a few euros instead of dining at hotel buffets.
- 9 Walk between the Citadel and the Roman Theater; the sites are close enough that a $4.92 / JOD 3.49 taxi is unnecessary if you are reasonably fit.
- 10 Shop for souvenirs in the downtown souks rather than at historical site entrances where prices are often doubled.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
+20–35%
Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
-15–25%
May, Sep
Spring and Autumn offer 20–25°C (68–77°F) weather, perfect for exploring, while summer heat can exceed 35°C (95°F) and winter brings rain and occasional snow.
Events to Watch
- ● Amman Design Week (varies): +15% boutique hotels
- ● Eid al-Fitr: Significant restaurant closures and peak local travel
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the Darat al Funun art complex, which offers free entry to its contemporary galleries and ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine church.
- 2 Visit the Duke's Diwan, a historic townhouse in Downtown that serves as a free museum of early 20th-century Amman life.
- 3 Wander through the Gold Souk in Al-Balad to see the dazzling displays of jewelry and craftsmanship for free.
- 4 Walk along Rainbow Street in the evening to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the city views from various public viewpoints.
- 5 Visit the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts Park, a beautifully landscaped sculpture park that is free to the public.
- 6 Admire the black-and-white stone architecture of the Abu Darwish Mosque from its exterior plaza.
- 7 Explore the Abdali Boulevard, a modern pedestrian promenade perfect for window shopping and people-watching.
- 8 Hike up to the viewpoints surrounding the Citadel at sunset for a panorama of the city's hills without paying the site entry fee.
- 9 Visit the King Abdullah I Mosque's exterior and its blue-domed plaza for impressive photography opportunities.
- 10 Stroll through the Friday Market (Souq al-Juma'a) in Ras al-Ain to experience a vibrant, local secondhand market atmosphere.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Beit Sitti Cooking Class
A 3-hour immersive culinary experience in a grandmother's house (~$56 / JOD 40).
Dead Sea Day Pass (Mövenpick Resort)
Provides pool, shower, mud, and beach access which is vital after floating in salt (~$70 / JOD 50).
Fine Dining at Sufra
Exquisite traditional Jordanian cuisine in a historic villa on Rainbow Street (~$49 / JOD 35).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Amman
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Amman and what they cost
Jerash Roman Ruins
$2.81 / JOD 2 round-trip by local bus
$14 / JOD 9.98
$17 / JOD 12
Dead Sea & Wadi Mujib
$70 / JOD 50 by taxi
$60 / JOD 43 (Amman Tourist Beach + Mujib Siq Trail)
$130 / JOD 93
Desert Castles (East Jordan Loop)
$84 / JOD 60 by taxi
$4.21 / JOD 2.99
$89 / JOD 63
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
1 JOD ≈ 1.41 $
Yes
High in hotels, malls, and modern cafes; cash is absolute king in souqs and street food stalls.
Rounding up is standard for taxis. In restaurants, ~$1.41–$2.82 / JOD 1–JOD 2 is appreciated even if service is included. Private guides expect ~$7.06–$14 / JOD 5.01–JOD 10 per day.
Arab Bank and Jordan Kuwait Bank ATMs generally accept international cards with fees around ~$4.12–$7.06 / JOD 2.92–JOD 5.01 per withdrawal.
Expected in Souq Al-Sukar and the Gold Market. Aim for 20-30% off initial quotes, but keep it polite.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12–$21 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $19 / JOD 13 for 15GB
WiFi: Excellent in malls and West Amman cafés; spotty in Al-Balad.
Buy a physical Orange or Zain SIM at the airport for the best local rates and coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Amman.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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