Petra on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Petra can be done on a budget, but the entry ticket is unavoidable. Allow about JD 70 a day per person for a hostel, simple food, the share of a multi-day ticket and transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | JD20 | JD50 | JD150 |
| Food & drink | JD12 | JD25 | JD50 |
| Sights & tickets | JD28 | JD28 | JD28 |
| Local transport | JD10 | JD30 | JD80 |
| Per person, per day | JD70 | JD133 | JD308 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Petra day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Little Petra (Siq al-Barid), about 15 minutes from Wadi Musa
- Sunset views over Wadi Musa from the hotel area
- Walking Wadi Musa town
- The Petra Museum near the visitor centre (check if entry is included)
- Views from the King's Highway on the way in
- Watching the light change on the Treasury in the early morning (with your ticket)
Cheap eats
- Falafel sandwich: about JD 0.50–1.50
- Shawarma: about JD 1.50–3
- Hummus, foul and bread breakfast: about JD 2–4
- Maqluba or mansaf at a local restaurant: about JD 8–12
- Mint tea: about JD 1
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and simple hotels in Wadi Musa, with dorm beds roughly JD 10–20 and doubles JD 25–45.
Getting around cheaply
The JETT bus from Amman is cheapest. In Wadi Musa, most hotels are within walking distance or a short taxi from the site entrance. Shared minibuses run to Wadi Rum and Aqaba.
A sample budget day
- Morning: enter at 6:00, walk the Siq to the Treasury and the Street of Facades (Jordan Pass or two-day ticket)
- Lunch: packed sandwiches and water from Wadi Musa, about JD 4
- Afternoon: climb to the Monastery (about 800 steps)
- Evening: falafel and mint tea in town, about JD 4
- Total: about JD 70 including a hostel bed and the ticket share
More ways to save
- Buy the Jordan Pass with the two- or three-day Petra option.
- Visit Little Petra for free on the same trip.
- Pack lunch to avoid overpriced cafés inside the site.
- Share taxis to Little Petra with other travellers.
- Skip Petra by Night if your budget is tight; the daytime site is the highlight.
- Travel in shoulder seasons for better hotel deals.
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Common questions
How much do I need per day?
About JD 70 per person: JD 20 for a bed, JD 12 for food, JD 28 for the ticket share and JD 10 for transport.
Is Little Petra free?
Yes, Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) is free and a short drive from Wadi Musa.
How do I get from Amman to Petra cheaply?
The JETT bus is cheapest, about 3–4 hours.