Quick answer: If you are staying at least one night in Jordan, Petra costs JD 50 for one day, JD 55 for two and JD 60 for three — and since the second day costs JD 5, everyone with the time should buy two days. Same-day visitors to Jordan (typically cruise passengers and Israel/Egypt day-trippers) pay JD 90. Better still, the Jordan Pass (JD 70/75/80 for 1/2/3 Petra days) includes Petra, 40 other sites and waives the JD 40 visa fee for stays of three nights or more — so for almost every independent traveller it is cheaper than Petra alone. Petra by Night (about JD 17, Monday/Wednesday/Thursday) is a candlelit walk to the Treasury and a separate ticket. Guided tours from Amman or Aqaba ($80–200) make sense for a day-trip without a car; inside Petra a local guide (JD 50–100 per group) is optional but rewarding.
Related: Petra Tours: Standard Day Entry or Petra by Night Tour?
Petra Options Compared
| Option | Price | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-day ticket (overnight in Jordan) | JD 50 | Petra Archaeological Park, one day | Short visits |
| 2-day ticket | JD 55 | Two consecutive days | Almost everyone with two nights |
| 3-day ticket | JD 60 | Three consecutive days | Hikers, photographers |
| Same-day visitor to Jordan | JD 90 | One day; applies if you don’t stay overnight in Jordan | Cruise / cross-border day trips |
| Jordan Pass — Wanderer / Explorer / Expert | JD 70 / 75 / 80 | Petra 1/2/3 days + 40 sites + visa fee waived (3+ nights) | Independent travellers staying 3+ nights |
| Children under 12 | Free | — | Families |
| Petra by Night | ~JD 17 | Candlelit Siq and Treasury, Mon/Wed/Thu 20:30 | Atmosphere (separate from day ticket) |
| Local guide inside Petra | JD 50–100 per group | Licensed guide, 2–4h | Context |
| Day trip from Amman (guided) | ~$80–200 | Transport (3h each way), guide; ticket sometimes extra | No car, one day |
| Day trip from Aqaba / Eilat | ~$100–250 | Transport (2h from Aqaba), guide | Red Sea stays |
| Petra + Wadi Rum 2-day tour | ~$250–450 | Petra, desert camp, jeep tour | The classic combination |
Fees from the Jordan Tourism Board and Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (checked September 2026). Petra is open roughly 6:00–18:00 in summer and 6:00–16:00 in winter; tickets are purchased at the visitor centre or online via the PDTRA pass site. Hold on to your passport — it is checked against the overnight rule.
Top-Rated Petra Tours & Tickets
Why Two Days
Day one: the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Façades, the theatre, the Royal Tombs and the colonnaded street — already 6–8 km. Day two: the 850-step climb to the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice, and the viewpoint trail above the Treasury. For JD 5 more, the second day halves the pace and doubles what you see. Three days suits serious hikers (Little Petra and the back-door trail to the Monastery).
The Jordan Pass Maths
Visa on arrival costs JD 40 for most nationalities. Jordan Pass Explorer (2 Petra days) is JD 75: subtract the waived visa and Petra effectively costs JD 35 — less than the JD 55 two-day ticket — and Jerash, Wadi Rum entry, Amman Citadel and dozens more are included. The only condition is a stay of at least three nights. Buy it online before arrival; it must be purchased before you land to waive the visa.
Petra by Night
1,500 candles line the Siq to the Treasury for a short Bedouin music performance. It is crowded and brief, and photographs poorly, but many find it magical; go with realistic expectations. It requires a valid day ticket for that day or the next as well.
Tours vs Independent
Petra is easy independently — stay in Wadi Musa at the gate, walk in at 6:00 — and the ticket is the same price either way. Tours (above) earn their fee on transport: Amman is three hours each way, Aqaba two. Multi-day Petra + Wadi Rum tours are the efficient way to see both. Inside the site, a licensed guide for the first morning adds a great deal; hire at the visitor centre or book ahead.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea from Amman | $249 | ★ 5.0 (1,345 reviews) |
| From Amman: Petra and Wadi rum Private/Group Full day Tour | $95 | ★ 5.0 (688 reviews) |
| Amman Petra Full-Day Trip | $88 | ★ 4.9 (317 reviews) |
| From Amman :Private or Group Full day tour to Petra | $90 | ★ 5.0 (286 reviews) |
| Full Day Private Trip To Petra, Wadi Rum | $94 | ★ 4.9 (276 reviews) |
| A Full Day Trip To Petra From Amman | $88 | ★ 5.0 (178 reviews) |
Practical Tips
Enter at 6:00 for the Treasury in soft light and near-solitude. Carry 2 litres of water; buy more inside. Decline “shortcut” donkey rides through the Siq. Wadi Musa hotels are the base; Little Petra is a quiet half-day add-on. Related: guided vs self-guided, and our Jordan-region picks via the Middle East hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Petra ticket in 2026?
JD 50 for one day, JD 55 for two and JD 60 for three days for visitors staying overnight in Jordan; JD 90 for same-day visitors. Children under 12 are free.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it for Petra?
For stays of three nights or more, yes: from JD 70 it includes Petra and 40 other sites and waives the JD 40 visa fee, so Petra effectively costs less than the standalone ticket.
Is Petra by Night worth it?
It is atmospheric but short and crowded, at about JD 17 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Go for the mood, not the photos.
Do I need a guide at Petra?
Not required, but a licensed guide (JD 50–100 per group) for the first morning adds context to the Siq, the Treasury and the tombs.
Can I do Petra as a day trip from Amman?
Yes — three hours each way by car or tour, arriving mid-morning. An overnight in Wadi Musa gives you the 6:00 entry and a second day.
How many days do you need at Petra?
Two, ideally: the main valley on day one and the Monastery and high places on day two. One long day covers the essentials.
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