Do you need to book to see Petra?

Entry into the site of Petra is only permitted to visitors holding valid tickets. These are available at the Visitor Center and can be purchased on arrival.



While you technically can buy a ticket at the visitor center upon arrival, it is highly recommended to book your visit to Petra in advance, especially if you want to experience specific events like "Petra by Night." The most important "booking" factor is actually your Jordan Pass. If you purchase the Jordan Pass online before you arrive in the country, it includes the cost of your Petra entrance fee (which is quite expensive at 50-60 JOD) and waives your entry visa fee, saving you significant money and time. If you do not have a Jordan Pass, you will have to wait in the ticket queue at the entrance in Wadi Musa. Furthermore, if you plan to stay in a specific hotel near the entrance or want a guided tour in a specific language, those should be booked weeks in advance as they fill up quickly during the peak seasons of Spring and Autumn. Petra is a massive archaeological site that requires at least one full day (if not two) to explore, so having your logistics pre-arranged allows you to start your hike through the Siq as early as possible (usually 6:00 AM) to beat the heat and the large tour bus crowds.

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You can totally visit Petra by yourself—we did! If you're visiting several areas in Jordan, a tour guide and driver may simplify things, but it's certainly not a requirement.

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Distance and Difficulty: The Petra Main Trail is 8km / 5 miles return from the Visitors Centre. Easy walk, largely flat. Allow 3 – 4 hours return, including time to see the sites along the way.

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A local site tour guide along Petra (for site detailed information) can be requested if desired. Local tour guides can be requested and arranged in Petra Visitor center if not included at your itinerary, and it will cost 50 JD (around 70$) for basic trail coverage - around 2-3 hours.

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While there is certainly enough to occupy yourself for five or more days, two to three days is sufficient to visit all of the highlights in and around the park. One day--or worse yet a morning or afternoon--is likely to bring some disappointment to those who have traveled a great distance.

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The best time to see Petra is in the early morning or late afternoon, so plan for an early start, or arrive the evening before to stay in one of the comfortable hotels in Petra.

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Petra is well-equipped with toilets, with toilet blocks at the visitor's centre, near the Theatre and museum. There are also portaloos at the start of the Siq and at a couple of cafés.

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Camel Ride in Wadi Rum & Petra is optional for 15 JD / $ 21 USD per camel per hour. You don't need to book it in advance and can be arranged upon arrival to Petra or Wadi Rum.

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The easiest way to get to Petra is to join a guided tour. This option is much more expensive, but it's the most convenient one. You let someone else do all the planning and you sit back and enjoy your day. There are tour packages available from Amman and Aqaba in Jordan, or Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat in Israel.

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It is fine to travel in Jordan in jeans most of the time, and you can, of course, wear them in Petra as well, in case this is the piece you never leave your home without, but as the visit of Petra requires quite a lot of walking, we think hiking trousers are a much better choice.

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If you're wondering what should tourists wear in Petra, there's no strict dress code – but it's important to respect the local culture. Although you can, in theory, wear whatever you like as a female tourist, be mindful that women in Jordan, tend not to show much skin.

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Tickets are available by cash or Credit cards . Children under 12 years are free of charge.

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Petra as described earlier is a city, of course you can get inside archaeological lost city (You will pay 70$ for a ticket to get inside ). But if you mean to get inside “Al khazneh” the Treasury of Petra, then; unfortunately, you can't!

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Petra as described earlier is a city, of course you can get inside archaeological lost city (You will pay 70$ for a ticket to get inside ). But if you mean to get inside “Al khazneh” the Treasury of Petra, then; unfortunately, you can't!

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The lowest charter taxi rate from Dead Sea to Petra is provided by Travco Jordan. The maximum rate is $227 if you opt for Daytrip.

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Taxi from Petra to Wadi Rum This should be somewhere between 35-40 JOD (after you've haggled) and since Petra welcomes many independent visitors, it's also possible to split the cost with other solo travellers.

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In more touristy areas (excluding mosques) such as Mount Nebo, Wadi Rum, and Petra, I dressed a bit more liberally (see photos below) and felt entirely comfortable. Our tour guide assured us wearing shorts at these places is totally acceptable and common.

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Whether you are in the city of Amman, exploring Petra, or trekking the desert valley of Wadi Rum, men should refrain from wearing shorts as it is seen as disrespectful.

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Generally, the best time to visit Jordan is during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The weather is more temperate which means you can explore iconic sites like Petra or the Wadi Rum without getting scorched by the sun.

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March and the two first weeks of November are the best months to visit Wadi Rum, as they are not too frequented and the weather is pleasant. But the best time to visit Wadi Rum depends also on your expectations; if you want to escape crowded times, you should come in winter or summer.

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Independent Travel from Tel Aviv to Petra You can do this by taking a bus or flight to Eilat and from there a taxi to the border crossing. Remember to organize your Jordanian visa before traveling. If you are traveling without a tour group you cannot get a visa at the border.

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