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How much does it cost to ride a donkey in Petra?

All I can say is that if you decide to visit Petra and ride a donkey to the Monastery, you better know what you're getting into! It should cost you about 5 Jordanian dinars ($7.50) if you get a good bargain.



Riding a donkey in the ancient city of Petra is a common way for tourists to navigate the steep "Main Trail" or the grueling 800-step climb to the Ad Deir (Monastery). As of early 2026, the cost typically ranges from 15 to 25 Jordanian Dinars (JOD), which is approximately $21 to $35 USD per person for a round trip or a significant leg of the journey. However, pricing in Petra is highly informal and depends heavily on your negotiation skills and the current demand. While the "horse ride" from the main entrance to the Siq is technically "included" in your entry ticket (though a 5 JOD tip is expected), donkey and camel rides are entirely private transactions. It is vital to agree on the price before mounting the animal to avoid disputes later. Travelers are also increasingly encouraged to consider the animal welfare aspect; many international organizations and the local authorities (PDTRA) advocate for the "Care for Petra" initiative, urging tourists to only use animals that appear healthy, well-fed, and are handled by owners who do not use sticks or excessive force to move them.

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You will pay for your tour with a credit card when booking. Payment of visa fees, border fees, and tips must be in cash. You may bring cash and/or credit cards with you for personal needs on your trip.

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Distance and Difficulty: The Petra Monastery Trail is 2.5km / 1.6 miles return from the end of the Petra Main Trail (4km in). Medium walk, steep with lots of stairs, but not too long (in my opinion, the Petra map says hard).

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Wadi Musa – translated to the Valley of Moses – is a town that is set within a valley that surrounds the ancient city of Petra. With a large number of hotels and plenty of local restaurants to match, in recent years Wadi Musa has seen a tourism boom with visitors choosing to use the town as a base to explore Petra.

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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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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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Past travelers have spent, on average, JOD27 ($38) on meals for one day and JOD16 ($23) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Petra for a couple is JOD84 ($118). So, a trip to Petra for two people for one week costs on average JOD1,242 ($1,750).

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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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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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If you forget it, don't worry - just reuse a plastic bottle you've purchased on arrival. The other good thing is that many of the hotels in Petra and Wadi Rum have installed water purification systems for their guests, which means you can drink water from the tap that isn't just safe but tastes pleasant.

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While you are not allowed to stay overnight unaccompanied in Petra, you can book a traditional Bedouin cave stay. Most hosts offer the full traditional experience, including dinner cooked over an open fire, the option of sleeping under the stars, as well as transportation back to the park entrance in the morning.

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One page required for entry stamp. TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Yes. Jordan issues single entry visas to U.S. citizens upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most international land border crossings.

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First of all, on arrival at the Visitor's Center you will need to purchase a ticket to enter the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Adult tickets are 5JD and children under 12 enter for free. Visitors entering in 4WD rental cars will be asked to pay an additional 25JD, however non-4WD vehicles enter for free.

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Replacing horse carts by electric buggies has been agreed with the horse owners' association. Some have been trained to become drivers for the new buggies. Prices for a return trip are fixed at 25 dinars (US$35) for foreign visitors and JOD15 (US$21) for Jordanians.

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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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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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Petra, Jordan on a Budget: 5 Money-Saving Tips [2023 UPDATE]
  1. Get the Jordan Pass. ...
  2. Buy Food at Street Markets to eat on the go. ...
  3. Don't skip Public Transport. ...
  4. Take a Day Trip to the Dead Sea rather than Staying Overnight. ...
  5. Book a tour to Petra and Wadi Rum.


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Many people know of Petra's famous Treasury from the Hollywood film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” with Harrison Ford. It's inside that Ford finds the Holy Grail.

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