Jordan on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Jordan on a budget is possible at about JD 55 per person per day sharing a room, using buses, street food and the Jordan Pass. It is not the cheapest destination in the region, but the pass makes the big sights affordable.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | JD20 | JD50 | JD120 |
| Food & drink | JD12 | JD25 | JD50 |
| Sights & tickets | JD15 | JD25 | JD40 |
| Local transport | JD8 | JD20 | JD45 |
| Per person, per day | JD55 | JD120 | JD255 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Jordan day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Downtown Amman (Al-Balad) and its souks around the King Hussein Mosque
- Rainbow Street and the views over Amman's hills
- Wadi Mujib viewpoint on the King's Highway
- The Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) site near Wadi Musa
- The Dead Sea at public beaches (small entry fee at some)
- Hiking the Jordan Trail sections on your own
Cheap eats
- Falafel sandwich: about JD 0.50–1
- Hummus, falafel and bread at Hashem: about JD 2–4
- Shawarma: about JD 1.50–3
- Kunafa at Habibah: about JD 1–2
- Maqluba or mansaf in a simple restaurant: about JD 6–10
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in downtown Amman and Wadi Musa, where simple hotels and hostels cost about JD 30–55 for a double (around JD 20 per person sharing) and dorm beds roughly JD 10–15. In Wadi Rum, basic Bedouin camps with dinner start around JD 25–40 per person.
Getting around cheaply
JETT buses (Amman–Petra about JD 10–12) and local minibuses are cheapest. In Amman, use Careem or Uber. From Queen Alia Airport, the airport express bus to Amman is much cheaper than a JD 25–30 taxi.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Amman Citadel (covered by the Jordan Pass)
- Lunch: falafel and hummus at Hashem (about JD 3)
- Afternoon: the Roman Theatre and downtown souks
- Evening: kunafa at Habibah and Rainbow Street
- Total: about JD 55 including a shared budget room and the Jordan Pass share
More ways to save
- Stay at least three nights to get the visa fee waived with the Jordan Pass.
- Do Petra in two days on the pass to see the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice without rushing.
- Share a car or a driver with other travellers for the King's Highway.
- Carry cash for small shops, buses and camps.
- Bring a refillable bottle and buy large water bottles.
- Travel in shoulder season for cheaper rooms and safer hiking temperatures.
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Common questions
Can you visit Jordan on a budget?
Yes, at about JD 55 a day per person sharing a room, with JETT buses, street food and the Jordan Pass.
How do I get from Amman to Petra cheaply?
Take the JETT bus, about 4 hours and roughly JD 10–12.
What is the cheapest food in Jordan?
Falafel sandwiches (about JD 0.50–1), hummus plates and shawarma.