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Visiting Petra in Jordan is EPIC but not straight forward. Before we visited Petra, we had loads of questions. And we struggled to find a concise guide with all the answers we needed. So we thought we would fill the gap and write the ULTIMATE in depth visitors Guide for Petra in 2025. We are a full time travel family. We have many year of experience visiting intrepid, beautiful and complicated places. And Petra definitely has it’s complications!
There are some important things that you need to know before you visit Petra, so please read this guide carefully. Visiting Petra is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people. And yet many people make mistakes and don’t get the most from their time in Petra. This article draws on our own experience and knowledge – including the highs and lows.
We spent a lot of time in Petra, really getting to grips with the lay of the land and how things work. We’re very excited to share our own knowledge and experience. We really hope this guide saves you time, money and stress. AND better still, that we can help you have an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience at Petra.
If you’re planning your Jordan trip you may also be interested in this 7 day Jordan itinerary
Why Visit Petra in Jordan?
Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of The World. Petra, often referred to as the “Rose City,” is a remarkable archaeological treasure nestled in the heart of southern Jordan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place of profound historical and cultural significance.
Petra has a rich history that dates back to the 4th century BC when it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. This ancient civilization left behind a city carved into the rose-red cliffs of southern Jordan. Petra’s intricate architecture and engineering marvels, such as the famous Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) and the Monastery, are a testament to the advanced skills of the Nabateans. The city’s strategic location along the trade routes of the ancient world contributed to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, blending various cultural influences. The rock-cut facades and monuments in Petra tell the story of a thriving and innovative civilization that mastered the art of carving entire structures into solid rock.
Visiting Petra really is like stepping back in time and discovering the marvels of an ancient civilization. Check out our adventures in Petra to see what it is really like there…
Main Things to See in Petra
1 The Siq
The entrance to Petra, this narrow gorge, winding through towering sandstone cliffs, provides a dramatic and suspenseful introduction to the ancient city. You need to walk through the Siq to get to the Treasury. The walk is around 2 km.
2 The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
This iconic facade, with its intricate carvings and mysterious legends, welcomes visitors to Petra. It’s a breathtaking sight when you emerge from the Siq, a narrow gorge, and catch your first glimpse of this grand structure.
3 The Treasury Viewpoints
Several cliff-top viewpoints allow a great view of the treasury. This can be intense as local guides may ask for a lot of money to let you through. They are also a little risky (more on this soon).
4 The place of High Sacrifice
Located at the summit of a towering mountain, this site offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Petra and its surrounding landscapes. It is believed to have been a sacred area where the Nabateans performed religious ceremonies, including animal sacrifices.
5 The Royal Tombs
Admire the intricately carved facades of the Royal Tombs, which reflect the artistic prowess of the Nabateans.
6 The Roman Theater
A well-preserved Roman-style amphitheater, offering insights into the cultural shifts that Petra experienced over the centuries.
7 The Street of Facades
Lined with countless tombs and caves, this street showcases the variety of structures carved into the rock.
8 The Monastery (Ad Deir)
An intrepid (and fairly challenging) 5km hike leads to the Monastery, a massive rock-cut monument with stunning panoramic views of Petra. It’s a testament to the grandeur of Nabatean architecture.
Map of the Petra Archeological Site
You can get FREE site maps at the entrance
How Do You Get to Petra in Jordan?
Don’t miss our detailed in depth guide – How to Travel from Amman to Petra AND our full guide on The BEST transport options in Jordan
There are three main ways to travel to Petra in Jordan, and the best way depends on your budget and your desire for flexibility and convenience. Here is a summary of the three main ways to travel from Amman to Petra:
1 Travel by Bus
The most budget-friendly choice is taking the Jett bus. Jett is the only company on this route. A one-way ticket costs 10 JOD (£10 or $12) for both adults and children (2-10 years old). If you’re booking from outside Jordan you will need to book your tickets as a tour 18 JOD each way (£18 or $20). You can buy tickets on the Jett website. Note that children aged 6-12 travel for free. Keep in mind that tour bookings with Jett include only the bus ride with no additional services. The Jett bus drops passengers off at the Petra Archaeological Site car park.
Jett has two pickup points in Amman: Abdali station: Convenient if you’re staying in the Amman Old City area. A taxi from there to Abdali station costs about 2 JOD. 7th Circle office: Located in a shopping district, with pickups occurring a bit later. The bus departs from Amman at 6:30 am and returns from Petra at 5 pm, with a journey time of approximately 4-5 hours each way.
To learn more don’t miss our full guide on travelling around Jordan by bus
2 Take a Taxi
While less budget-friendly, a convenient option is arranging a day trip with a local taxi driver. Negotiate the schedule and price in advance, ensuring your driver understands all of the details, including waiting times in Petra. Expect to pay around 100 JOD for a full day trip from Amman to Petra (around £100 or $120). Ask drivers around the Old City and speak to multiple drivers to negotiate a fair price. It’s super important to communicate clearly about the number of passengers, ensure your driver speaks sufficient English, and check the vehicle’s safety standards, such as seat belts.
Find out everything you need to know about taxis in Jordan
3 Book a Tour
Booking a tour to Petra is another way to explore the site. Make sure to confirm what’s included in the tour, as options vary. Look for tours with early start times to maximize your time in Petra. Tour prices can range from £100 – £350 (or $120 – $400) per person, depending on group size and itinerary.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Petra in Jordan?
The prices for a Jordan Pass are as follows:
- 70 JOD (1-day entry to Petra)
- 75 JOD (2-day entry to Petra)
- 80 JOD (3-day entry to Petra)
This includes a Visa Waiver (no visa needed) as long as you stay in Jordan for at least 3 nights.
However, if you do not get a Jordan Pass, you will need to pay for a Visa and then also pay for an entry ticket to Petra. The prices are as follows:
- Jordan Visas cost 40 JOD for a single entry visa.
- Entry to Petra costs 50 JOD (1 day), 55 JOD (2 days), and 60 JOD (3 days).
If you are planning to visit Petra for one day, it will cost you 70 JOD in total with a Jordan Pass. However, if you buy a Visa and then pay for entry, it will cost you 90 JOD.
How Does the Jordan Pass Work?
Don’t miss our guide – Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
If you purchase a Jordan Pass, it allows you to enter Jordan without a Visa as long as you stay for at least three nights. The Jordan Pass includes access to a wide range of attractions, including Petra. You can choose whether to get a pass that has one, two, or three days’ access to Petra. When you buy the Jordan Pass, you can also opt to pay a little extra to include access to the Bethany beyond the Jordan baptism site (cheaper than buying a ticket on arrival).
It is very easy to buy a Jordan pass directly from the website. Once you have completed your purchase, you will be emailed a PDF copy of your pass, which includes a QR code. All you need to do is present your pass at immigration when you arrive in Jordan and then present your pass at any of the included attractions, and you’ll be given free entry.
If you’re traveling with kids under 12 years old, the Jordan Pass is not good value for money, as kids under 12 years old get free access to attractions, including Petra. However, if you do not buy a Jordan Pass for your kids, you will need to purchase a visa.
What Are the Best Places to Stay in Petra?
You really can get a lot for your money in Petra. Don’t miss these Amazing luxury hotels in Petra
Here are the BEST places to stay in Petra (Wadi Musa) in order of roughly increasing price:
- Petra Rest Home: Great value for money, budget, yet very comfortable. Lovely views and only a 15-minute walk from the Petra entrance. They also have a family triple room. Book your room on Agoda or on booking.com.
- Petra Elite Hotel: Clean, luxurious, and simple. Great facilities and great value for money. Reserve Petra Elite on Agoda or on booking.com.
- The Old Village Hotel: Charming luxury hotel with authentic traditional features and an outdoor pool. Free shuttle to Petra. Book a room on Agoda or on booking.com.
- Petra Marriott Hotel: Pictured above. Amazing luxury 5-star hotel south of Petra. Outstanding facilities and service. Reserve the Marriott on Agoda or on booking.com.
- Mövenpick Resort Petra: Superlative Middle Eastern style super luxury hotel situated right outside the Petra archaeological park. Book the Mövenpick on Agoda or on booking.com.
How Long Do You Need to Spend in Petra?
It is possible to see Petra in a single day. Many people take day trips to Petra from Amman and even from Israel. There are a few disadvantages to taking a day trip to Petra like this. Firstly, you will need to spend many hours traveling; this can be very tiring. Secondly, you will only have a few hours in Petra; you will be able to see the treasury, but there is not the time to explore the whole archaeological site. Thirdly, if you take a day trip to Petra, you end up visiting during the busiest and most intense hours of the day, and during the summer, these are also the hottest hours.
If possible, we strongly recommend that you spend at least one night in Petra and visit nice and early on your second day. It doesn’t cost a lot more to get a two-day pass. We really enjoyed visiting Petra in the early hours of the morning before it got too hot and crowded.
How Much Walking Do You Need to Do in Petra?
When you have visited the treasury, there is a minimum walking distance of 4 km (2 km each way). The walk is fascinating, leading down Al Siq (a narrow rocky canyon). The route from the entrance to the treasury is straightforward, and you don’t need to worry about navigation. The first 500m of the walk is relatively exposed. This section of the walk is quite challenging during the summer, especially in the hottest hours of the day. The next section of the walk through the Al Siq canyon is very well shaded and it is very impressive.
We recommend wearing good walking shoes and comfortable loose-fitting clothing. It is possible to get a mobility Club Car from the entrance of Petra to the treasury. This costs 15 JOD one way (around £15 or $18) and 25 JOD two ways (around £25 or $30). If you plan to go as far as the Monastery, then the walk is over 10 km each way. This is a very challenging trek, and we recommend leaving plenty of time. Many people use donkeys, horses, or camels to visit the Monastery (we will discuss whether this is ethical later in this article).
How to Get the Best Photos at Petra?
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to getting the best photos at the treasury
If you don’t have a superlative selfie, have you really visited Petra? Seriously it’s hard to visit Petra and not want to capture it. We absolutely loved visiting Petra, and we also love taking fun family photos.
1 Consider clothing
We just wanted to share a few photo tips for Petra to help you get the perfect pictures. Firstly, it’s important to consider clothing. You may want to buy a Jordanian headscarf to fit in. We recommend bold, vibrant clothing to get pictures that pop. If all of this sounds a little too serious, and you prefer landscape photography, it’s important to consider the time of day, the lighting, and the best location for shots.
Alternatively – you could just make sure you have the world’s cutest model for the best shots…
2 Arrive early
If you are looking for quiet and empty shots of the Treasury, then you’ll need to arrive nice and early before the crowds of tourists start photobombing. The front section of the Treasury is the best spot. If possible, aim to get to the entrance at 6:00 a.m. (which is the opening time).
The walk to the Treasury is around 15 or 20 minutes. If you are purposeful at this time, the area in front of the Treasury should be very quiet and peaceful, and you should be able to get plenty of empty shots. If you visit the Treasury early in the morning, the whole cliff face will be completely in shadow.
The area in front of the Treasury remains relatively quiet until around 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. By this time, larger groups begin to arrive, and the area starts to fill up and get a little more intense. If you are hoping to get a picture with a camel, these normally arrive between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. You will need to pay a little money to pose next to a camel (2 – 3 JOD or £2 – £3 or $2.50 – $4).
3 Find the best viewpoints
There are also a couple of viewpoints situated on the cliffs opposite the Treasury. These are the best spots for your classic Treasury photos. However, the locals in the area are very intense and often will not allow people to walk up to the viewpoint without paying. We heard a range of prices from 5 JOD – 20 JOD to go to the viewpoints (£5 – £20 or $6 – $25).
Officially, locals shouldn’t charge for this, but they do. And they can be very intense too. If you are very calm, strong, and firm and insist you don’t need to pay, the locals may let you through. A friendly guide let us through without paying. This was just based on having a rapport with him. We also saw one woman very firmly saying that she didn’t need to pay, and she was allowed through with some resistance from the locals.
Can You Get a Guide in Petra?
Don’t miss our article on How to Avoid Scams in Petra
It is also possible to hire a tour guide at Petra. There are signs at the main entrance indicating that you should only go with official guides who are wearing an official badge. To get an official tour guide for Petra at the entrance, it costs 50 JOD for a few hours (roughly £50 or $60).
Is It Ethical to Ride Animals in Petra?
And now for the big question: what about animals at Petra? There are plenty of animals around Petra. Locals offer donkey rides, horse rides, and camel rides. You can also pay to pose next to camels in front of the Treasury. In our experience, the donkeys and horses are not particularly well looked after around Petra. We chose not to take any animal rides in this area. The donkeys were particularly poorly looked after, and some of them even had wounds on their bodies.
In contrast, the camels seemed to be reasonably well looked after. Camels are a more expensive commodity in Jordan, and owners tend to take pride in their camels. All the camels that we saw were in good condition, and many of them spent most of the day posing for photos in front of the Treasury with tourists.
What Facilities Can You Find at Petra?
The facilities at Petra are reasonably good. At the main entrance and ticket office area, there are toilets, shops, cafes, restaurants, and even hotels. In the area, once you have gone through the ticket inspection point, there is a toilet block just before you enter the Al Siq canyon. After this, there are no toilets until you have walked past the Treasury.
The next toilet block is near the Theatre area. Inside Petra, there is a small cafe opposite the Treasury. This cafe sells hot and cold drinks, and prices are relatively reasonable. You can get a small bottle of water for 1JOD (around £1 or $1.20) in Petra and 2JOD for a large bottle (around £2 or $2.50). It’s always worth bartering – especially in a tourist spot like Petra!
There are also lots of small market stalls selling gifts around Petra. Prices very much depend on your willingness and ability to barter.
Packing List for Exploring Petra
Here is a packing list if you are planning to explore Petra. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. This is just a few ideas to help you get started:
- Hats and umbrellas for shade
- Sunglasses
- Light, loose-fitting clothing
- SPF 50 sun cream
- A water bottle with plenty of water
- Snacks
- A purse or wallet with plenty of cash
- Jordan Pass (where relevant)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Phone & camera
Can You Exit Petra and Then Re-Enter Later in the Day?
Is it possible to exit and then re-enter Petra in the same day? The answer is yes; this is possible. When you arrive, you will either need to buy tickets or present your Jordan Pass at the ticket office. The staff will then issue your tickets. There is a short walk to a ticket checkpoint. At this point, your ticket will be scanned, and you can enter the Petra archaeological Park. If you wish to leave the Petra archaeological park at some point in the day, you can just return to the ticket checkpoint and speak to the staff before you exit. Let them know that you plan to return in the same day.
If you have a reasonable amount of time at Petra, we actually recommend doing this. Arrive nice and early to enjoy the Treasury at the coolest and quietest time of the day. When things start to get busy and intense, you can exit Petra and find somewhere to cool off and rest. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes very close to the main entrance to the Petra archaeological Park. You could then return later in the afternoon when things are quieter again.
Opening Hours at Petra
- Open 6 am – 6 pm
- Site and ticket office open at 6 am
- Petra is open every day of the year, including public holidays.
What Is the Best Time of Day to Visit Petra?
Petra is open at 6:00 a.m. every day of the week. The best time to see Petra is between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. At this time, it is relatively cool, calm, and quiet. You will be able to get undisturbed photos of the Treasury. Locals may also be willing to offer you lower prices when it is quieter and less intense.
- 6 am – 7 am: Quiet, calm, and cool, plenty of empty shots, a few locals and guides around.
- 7 am – 8 am: More guides & animals, slightly busier. The light starts to move along the front of the Treasury.
- 8 am – 9 am: Area becomes hotter, busier, and more crowded. Plenty of guides and animals. The Treasury is often half in shadow (not great for photography).
- 10 am – 11 am: Intense, busy, and crowded. In summer, it is very hot. The Treasury is normally fully in sunlight by late morning. The area in front of the Treasury is also exposed.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Petra?
The best time to visit Petra in Jordan is during the spring and autumn months, specifically from March to May and from September to November. There are several reasons why these seasons are considered ideal for a Petra visit:
- Mild Weather: Spring and autumn offer pleasant, mild temperatures, making it much more comfortable for exploring the archaeological site. Summers in Jordan can be scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C), while winters can be quite cold. Spring and autumn typically have daytime temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F (21°C to 29°C), making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
- Avoiding Extreme Weather: Visiting during the summer months means dealing with intense heat, which can be exhausting and potentially dangerous. In winter, there’s a chance of rain, and while Petra can look beautiful in the rain, it might not be the best time for extensive exploration.
- Optimal Photography: The soft, warm lighting of spring and autumn enhances the beauty of Petra’s rose-red sandstone cliffs, creating perfect conditions for photography. The site’s colors come to life, and the lack of extreme heat or cold helps with equipment performance.
- Favorable Hiking Conditions: Many visitors explore Petra on foot, and the moderate temperatures during spring and autumn make hiking more enjoyable. Hiking to the Monastery or High Place of Sacrifice, for instance, is less demanding in these seasons.
However, it is also important to recognize that these months are the most busy and crowded, and prices may be a little higher during the peak season.
What Is Accessibility Like in Petra?
We already mentioned that there is quite a lot of walking to see the Treasury. The minimum walking distance is around 4 km if you plan to walk from the entrance to the Treasury and back. However, the accessibility is reasonably good. The route is suitable for prams and wheelchairs, and the path is well-paved all the way. If you are interested in seeing the cliff ledge viewpoints at Petra, then the accessibility is very limited. We do not recommend this with children, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. At the main entrance, you can arrange a mobility Club Car to the Treasury. This costs 15 JOD one way (around £15 or $18) and 25 JOD two ways (around £25 or $30).
Is Petra a Religious Site?
Before you visit you may want to know whether Petra is a religious site. Petra is not considered to be a religious site in Jordan; however, it is a very significant site and very important to local Jordanians, so it is important to be respectful when you are visiting Petra. There are no religious ceremonies, acts of prayer, or worship at Petra. If you are visiting Petra, we recommend following similar cultural practices to other parts of Jordan. In Jordan, women should generally dress conservatively, although it is not a hard and fast rule. We do recommend keeping your knees and shoulders covered. There is no official dress code for visiting Petra; we recommend dressing appropriately for the weather conditions. It is also important to recognize that you are not allowed to enter the Treasury itself. This rule is in place to protect and preserve the Treasury.
Staying Safe at Petra
Don’t miss our full guide on Safe Travel in Jordan
Although Petra is one of the most important and significant attractions in Jordan, there are a few safety considerations that you need to be aware of. Firstly, the area immediately in front of the Treasury can get quite crowded, and there are lots of animals in this area. From time to time, the animals may gallop through this area, and this can pose a risk, especially if you are visiting with young children. There are also some semi-wild dogs in this area. These dogs can be quite aggressive and occasionally fight each other. Again, it is important to stay away from animals and supervise kids carefully in this area. Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Petra with kids AND also Things you need to know before you visit Petra with a baby
If you’re planning to visit one of the cliff ledge viewpoints, it is important to recognize that there are no safety rails either on the route to the ledge or at the ledge itself. Remember, your life is more important than your photograph, so always take care if you’re planning to visit these viewpoints.
