How Much Does Petra Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Visiting Petra involves navigating a significant contrast between affordable local living in Wadi Musa and the high entry fees of the archaeological park. Daily budgets for a solo traveler typically range from $49 / JOD 35 to $366 / JOD 259, depending heavily on accommodation choices and tour participation. While the site itself is an expensive nature and heritage destination, the surrounding town offers low-cost street food and budget lodging. Effective planning around the Jordan Pass is the primary way to manage these costs. Travelers should expect higher prices for items purchased within the park boundaries, where convenience carries a premium.
Is Petra expensive to visit?
Petra is a moderately expensive destination due to high park entry fees, with typical daily costs ranging from $49 / JOD 35 to $366 / JOD 259 depending on your travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Petra
$49
per person /day
$120
per person /day
$366
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 | $147 | $359 | $1,097 |
| 5-Day Trip | $246 | $598 | $1,828 |
| 7-Day Trip | $345 | $837 | $2,559 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to cover the strictly expected $7.06 / JOD 5.01 tips for animal handlers and the 17% combined tax and service charges at mid-range restaurants. This also ensures coverage for the $56 / JOD 40 private transfer costs if public bus schedules do not align with your itinerary.
How Does It Compare?
See how Petra stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Petra
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range 3-Course Dinner Per-person cost for a full sit-down meal in Wadi Musa (~$35 / JOD 25). | $35 JOD 25 |
| Budget Shawarma Meal Common street food lunch in the town center (~$7.03 / JOD 4.98). | $7.03 JOD 4.98 |
| Large Bottled Water (Inside Site) Water is much cheaper (~$0.71 / JOD 0.5) if bought in Wadi Musa town before entering. | $2.11 JOD 1.49 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| JETT Bus Amman to Petra Standard tourist coach fare from the capital (~$14 / JOD 9.98). | $14 JOD 9.98 |
| Taxi Transfer Petra to Wadi Rum Standard benchmark rate for a private car transfer (~$56 / JOD 40). | $56 JOD 40 |
| Local Taxi within Wadi Musa Short trips between the town center and Petra gate usually cost ~$4.21 / JOD 2.99. | $4.21 JOD 2.99 |
| Donkey Ride to The Monastery (Return) Expect to pay ~$28 / JOD 20; standard negotiation starts higher. It saves 800+ stairs. | $28 JOD 20 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Rafiki Hostel - Dorm Bed Lowest price for a budget stay in Wadi Musa, approximately ~$7.03 / JOD 4.98. | $7.03 JOD 4.98 |
| Indiana Jones Home Stay - Double Room Mid-range home stay option near the main gate. Price is for 2 people (~$30 / JOD 21). | $30 JOD 21 |
| Mövenpick Resort Petra - Nightly Rate Benchmark 5-star luxury located directly at the entrance to Petra (~$184 / JOD 131). | $184 JOD 131 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Jordan Pass - Jordan Wanderer Includes 1-day Petra entry and waives visa fees if staying 3+ nights (~$98 / JOD 70). | $98 JOD 70 |
| Petra by Night Ticket Requires a valid daylight entry ticket. Runs Mon/Wed/Thu nights (~$24 / JOD 17). | $24 JOD 17 |
| The Petra Kitchen Cooking Class Includes multi-course dinner preparation and communal dining (~$49 / JOD 35). | $49 JOD 35 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Zain Visitor SIM (20GB) Standard tourist package available at the airport or in Wadi Musa (~$21 / JOD 15). | $21 JOD 15 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Wadi Musa provides options for every budget, from a quick shawarma meal for $7.03 / JOD 4.98 in the town center to a mid-range 3-course dinner for $35 / JOD 25. Many restaurants like My Mom's Recipe or Sandstone add a 10% service charge and 7% sales tax to the final bill. Visitors can save significantly by purchasing large bottles of water in town for $0.71 / JOD 0.5 rather than paying $2.11 / JOD 1.49 inside the archaeological site.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Al-Arabi Restaurant
$4.21–$9.84 / JOD 2.99–JOD 6.98Wadi Musa Center · Local chain
The chicken shawarma plate is a filling meal for under ~$7.06 / JOD 5.01.
Beit Al-Barakah
$2.11–$5.63 / JOD 1.49–JOD 3.99Wadi Musa Center · Bakery
Great for grabbing a ~$2.35 / JOD 1.67 breakfast before heading into the Siq.
Sandstone Restaurant
$8.44–$17 / JOD 5.99–JOD 12Near Petra Gate · Street food area
Famous for its rooftop view and decent prices despite its proximity to the gate.
Reem Beladi
$5.63–$13 / JOD 3.99–JOD 8.98Main Street · Local chain
One of the most affordable places to try the national dish, Mansaf, for ~$11 / JOD 7.93.
My Mom's Recipe
$11–$21 / JOD 7.98–JOD 15Main Street · Food court
Good value evening buffet for ~$17 / JOD 12 if you're very hungry after hiking.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Most travelers arrive from Amman via the JETT bus for $14 / JOD 9.98, while a private taxi transfer to Wadi Rum costs approximately $56 / JOD 40. Within Wadi Musa, short taxi trips between the town center and the Petra gate cost around $4.21 / JOD 2.99. Inside the site, the primary mode of transport is walking, though a donkey ride to the Monastery saves climbing 800+ stairs for about $28 / JOD 20.
Accommodation Overview
The lodging landscape ranges from budget-friendly dorms at Rafiki Hostel for $7.03 / JOD 4.98 to 5-star luxury at the Mövenpick Resort Petra for $184 / JOD 131. Mid-range travelers often find the best value in home stays like Indiana Jones Home Stay, which offers double rooms for $30 / JOD 21 near the main gate. Staying in the Taybeh or Upper Town areas typically provides more affordable rates than hotels located directly at the park entrance.
Accommodation Budget in Petra
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 Wanderer Pass for $98 / JOD 70 before arrival to cover the 1-day Petra entry fee and waive the $56 / JOD 40 visa fee.
- 2 Stock up on snacks and water in Wadi Musa town center to avoid paying the $2.11 / JOD 1.49 park price for a single bottle.
- 3 Eat at local spots in the Wadi Musa center like Al-Arabi Restaurant or Beit Al-Barakah instead of the tourist-focused cafes near the park gate.
- 4 Walk the 'Back Door' route to the Monastery to avoid the $28 / JOD 20 cost of a donkey ride while seeing more of the rugged landscape.
- 5 Skip the $24 / JOD 17 Petra by Night ticket if you are on a tight budget, as many find the daytime experience more visually impressive.
- 6 Take the public JETT bus from Amman for $14 / JOD 9.98 rather than hiring a private driver which can cost triple the price.
- 7 Stay at Rafiki Hostel or other budget dorms for $7.03 / JOD 4.98 to keep nightly costs at a minimum.
- 8 Share the $56 / JOD 40 taxi fare to Wadi Rum with other travelers met at your hostel or the visitor center.
- 9 Use a Zain Visitor SIM for $21 / JOD 15 to avoid expensive roaming charges while navigating the desert trails.
- 10 Confirm if your restaurant bill already includes the 10% service charge before adding an extra tip.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug
-25-40%
Feb, Jun
Peak season offers perfect 20–25°C (68–77°F) weather but hotel prices spike. Winter can be surprisingly cold and even snowy in the desert.
Events to Watch
- ● Easter Week: +50% hotel rates
- ● Eid al-Fitr: Significant local crowds
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), which is currently free to enter and offers a smaller, less crowded Nabatean experience.
- 2 Hike to the top of the hills overlooking Wadi Musa for a sunset view of the entire valley at no cost.
- 3 Visit the Mosque of the Great Arab Revolt in the center of Wadi Musa to observe local architecture.
- 4 Walk through the local vegetable market (souq) in Wadi Musa to experience daily Jordanian life.
- 5 Hike the trail to the Prophet Aaron's Tomb (Jabal Haroun) for panoramic views of the Arava Valley.
- 6 Visit the Wadi Musa Silver Jewelry Cooperative to watch local craftswomen work without an obligation to buy.
- 7 Stroll the main street of Wadi Musa in the evening to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and window-shop for traditional crafts.
- 8 Photography at the many scenic overlooks along the King's Highway just outside the town limits.
- 9 Explore the 'Upper Town' of Taybeh for a look at traditional village life and stone architecture.
- 10 Hike the rugged terrain of the Shobak area (outside the castle entrance) for spectacular desert vistas.
- 11 Visit the Moses Spring (Ain Musa), where local tradition says Moses struck a rock and water gushed out.
- 12 Walk the 'Cold Canyon' trail near Little Petra for unique geological formations and ancient cisterns.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Wadi Rum 4x4 Private Sunset Tour
The desert landscapes at sunset are world-class and best seen via private 4x4 (~$70 / JOD 50).
Overnight in a Martian Dome
Sleeping in a luxury bubble under the stars is a bucket-list desert experience (~$211 / JOD 150).
Private Guided Tour of High Place of Sacrifice
A guide provides historical context and takes you via the less-crowded back route (~$70 / JOD 50).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Petra
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
1 JOD ≈ 1.41 $
Yes
Cards are accepted at major hotels and the official visitor center, but cash is essential for taxis, local restaurants, and small shops in Wadi Musa.
10% at restaurants if not included. For guides, $8.24–$14 / JOD 5.85–JOD 10 is standard. Small services like luggage portage usually get ~$1.41 / JOD 1.
ATMs are available in the Wadi Musa town center (Bank of Jordan, Arab Bank). Avoid airport exchange booths for better rates.
Essential for souvenirs and animal rides. Never accept the first price for a donkey or camel ride inside the archaeological park.
Connectivity
eSIM: $9.42–$14 for 5GB (7 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $21–$26 / JOD 15–JOD 18 for 20GB at airport
WiFi: Available in most hotels and higher-end cafés in Wadi Musa, but non-existent inside the Petra archaeological site.
Buy a local Zain or Orange SIM at the airport for the best coverage throughout the desert.
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 Petra.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Petra?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petra expensive to visit?
How much does Petra cost per day?
How much does a trip to Petra cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Petra?
What are the hidden costs in Petra?
How can I save money in Petra?
More Petra Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown