How to Visit Petra from Amman: day trips, tickets and more

The Rose City is a fascinating archaeological area, considered a historical enclave near the capital of Jordan. Without a doubt, an excursion to this location is one of the best things to do in Amman. It is protected by UNESCO, as here you can find monuments dating back centuries. You can take advantage of local tours and excursions to get to know different perspectives of Jordan in a few days. Note that to access the city, you need to pay an entrance fee and have a visa.

Petra is a city that seems difficult to visit, however with a good organization, you will have a wonderful trip. For example, to pay the standard entrance fee, you must stay at least one night in Jordan. If you only enter Petra, the price rises and you are offered a refund in case you decide to spend the night. To clear these doubts, here is everything you need to know to visit!

The most complete option

Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea 3-Day Trip from Amman

Get tickets for the city of Petra and don't miss this three-day tour!

Visit Amman's most beautiful natural landscapes. Perfect if you want to see a city more than 2,000 years old, camp under the stars in Wadi Rum and enjoy a healing swim in the Dead Sea.

From $452 at Hellotickets

This type of experience takes advantage of the privileged location of Amman and Petra, to explore different locations in Jordan. You will have the opportunity to hike in Wadi Rum and spend the night under the stars. There are usually two and three day options. In at least two days you will have enough time to enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea, known for its depth and healing powers. These tours are customizable, so if you decide to extend the trip it is possible to visit Mount Nebo, Madaba and Shobak Castle.

If you are encouraged by this plan, you can find tours from 250 euros. The main advantage is that they will usually help you to arrange transportation, accommodation and some meals. In addition, you can experience a jeep ride in the desert. Entrance fees to attractions are not usually included, so to save money I suggest you buy the Jordan Pass, which you can find from 90 euros.

Recommended if... you want to live a complete experience exploring the trails of Wadi Rum, the sandstone city of Petra with its night shows and monuments, as well as a swim in the Dead Sea.

The city of Petra can only be accessed with ticket in hand, as it is a tourist center in Jordan. The only place you can tour for free is Little Petra or Little Petra, the backside of this reddish sandstone. Note that you can find tickets to Petra from 65 euros, as the cost depends on the number of days you are going to stay exploring this historic site.

Of course, you must have previously processed your visa to Jordan. Do not leave it forgotten in your suitcase, as it is required to enter Petra. To get it you must go to the embassy of your country, or to the migration points of airports and borders. In addition, it is necessary to pay 52 euros and to have a passport with at least six months of validity.

On the other hand, you should know that if Petra is your first destination, you will be charged the most expensive entrance fee. In this case, your whole family will have to pay an entrance fee of 120 euros per person. This is a fee that is refunded when you leave the city, so it is better not to be taken by surprise.

There are three types of tickets to access the city of Petra, but they offer the same benefits. What varies is the number of days you can stay in the city. Specifically, you can purchase a one, two or three-day access. Additionally, the Petra by Night show is separate from the entrance fee, and costs approximately €20.

It cannot be booked in advance, you need to approach a specific box office. In addition, only cash payments are accepted. The Petra by Night experience is one of the best things to do at night, as it is a spectacle of lights and music. I recommend you find a good spot, as it is a very special attraction, especially if you are going for the first time.

On the other hand, you don't have to worry about queues for the Petra tour, as you will go through a checkpoint at the entrance and you will automatically be inside. For the night show, there is usually a queue, so arrive before 20:00 hrs. In any case, avoid the high season from March to May, and opt for the mid-season from September to February. Additionally, to enter the city you have to walk a stretch, but it is quite short and for convenience you can rent an electric car from 20 euros.

The only tourist pass available in Jordan is the Jordan Pass, but it is quite comprehensive. It offers access to around 40 tourist attractions, spread throughout the country. This card can even save you a visa at the immigration borders. It also includes access to Wadi Rum, the Archaeological Museum of Madaba, the Citadel of Amman, Shobak Castle, the Roman Theater of Amman or Ajlun Castle.

The price ranges from 90 euros and has several modalities with the same benefits, what changes is the number of days. Specifically, this card can facilitate your trip for up to 3 days. Adding what it costs to enter Jordan and Petra (approximately 125 euros), this pass is already one of the best options.

Another important fact is that the card remains valid for up to two weeks, after its first use to spend the rest of the days. Also, in order to get the visa, you must stay at least 3 days in Jordan. You can buy it on the website, but to pass it at the checkpoints, you need to have the digital or printed voucher.

Generally, the ticket does not include the guided tour of Petra. However, a tour with a professional is worth it. The best tours and excursions in Amman, usually offer this type of experience. They are the best option to take the hassle out of organizing the itinerary, while saving time and money. They range from 250 euros, offering options of up to three days.

The main advantage is that you will learn about the history of Petra. Generally, they include transportation, as well as some meals and accommodations. This type of tour not only takes you to the red sandstone, but also allows you to enjoy a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum and a healing bath in the Dead Sea. You may even get to pass by Mount Nebo, Madaba and Shobak Castle. Note that these experiences do not usually include the cost of the guide, nor entrance fees to attractions such as Petra.

There are no discounts for the elderly, or people with mobility or health problems. However, there are facilities if you go on your own and need to secure transportation between the entrance and the city. I recommend you to go to the Visitor Center, where they usually issue a special permit for you to access with your car. This has an additional cost.

Electric cars are another alternative, for around 20 euros. If you are going with older adults and are planning to take advantage of the best tours and excursions in Amman, consider that the maximum age allowed is 69 years. Also, it is not recommended for people with physical problems.

Petra is a multicultural and varied city, ideal if you are looking for activities to do with kids near Amman. The best thing is that tickets for children under 15 are usually free. This only applies if you are spending at least one night in Jordan, for flash trips the children's entrance fee is more expensive than adults and starts at 115 euros.

This tour is recommended for children 12 years and older, especially if you are planning to take a combined tour of at least two days. Young children may become fatigued camping in Wadi Rum, in any case it is a good idea to consider children's activities on the perimeter of Petra.

At the entrance to Petra there is usually not much of a queue, so it doesn't matter if you buy at the last minute. However, it is more practical to buy online. In this case, there are tourist agencies that offer packages at the entrance, which may include a professional guide. The best way to book in advance is to purchase the Jordan Pass.

This tourist pass offers free access to more than 40 attractions. Please note that for the night show, it can only be booked on the day at the box office. There is no way to purchase these tickets online.

Petra is an archaeological site, which is worth spending part of your trip to Amman. It is open every day, although the opening hours vary according to the season. In summer, i.e. from April to October it is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. While, in winter from November to March it is available from 6:00 to 16:00 hrs.

On the other hand, night shows are not available every day. They only take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 20:30 to 23:30 hrs. To have a good seat and avoid queues, it is advisable to arrive early.

The time to spend in Petra will depend on your travel budget, as well as the monuments you want to visit. The truth is that it is advisable to stay at least one night. Doing a round trip is perfect for short trips, but you will miss a lot of things. It is advisable to stay for about two days, exploring the labyrinths of this mythical city.

If you have the opportunity to stay at least 3 days in Petra, take advantage of the tours and excursions from Amman to get to know the surroundings. Remember that there is also Little Petra and the night rituals, so a rushed trip will rob you of many special moments. Additionally, try to have an organized itinerary or hire a guided tour. This way, you will be able to appreciate the Pink City of Jordan and optimize your time.

Petra is a mind-blowing city all year round, however there are factors to consider before traveling. For example, the fact that it is a city in Jordan, a mountainous region that can have extreme temperatures in summer and winter. In summer (July to September), the humidity and heat waves of over 40° can make travel a bit tiring. Meanwhile, in winter it is usually very cold at night and in the early hours of the day, and the days are shorter. Definitely in terms of weather, it is best to opt for spring or autumn.

If what you want is to detail the monuments without crowds, you should avoid the high season that takes place from March to May. The most flattering option is the mid-season from September to February. Specifically, the favorite month is February, as it offers cool weather, but no extreme cold and there are few people around the city.

When visiting a city, one of the most important things is transportation. Petra is almost two hours from Amman. The most recommended options are:

• Excursion to Petra from Amman: this is the best option, as you will not have to worry about transportation at any time. This type of experience usually includes buses, minivans or comfortable cars for large or private groups.
• Rental car: the road between Amman and Petra is easy to master, well signposted and is a dual carriageway. It can take between two to three hours, to fill up gas you need around 40 euros.
• Public transport: There are few public transport options, although the JETT company has bus routes from Abdali station in Amman. Prices range from 10 euros per person. Note that they depart from Amman only once a day, at 6:30 am. Return from Petra is between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

The main purpose of visiting Petra is to enjoy a tour of the city. Embark on a walk through its 264 kilometers, which are extensive and full of scenic landscapes. Keep in mind that only 85% of the archaeological sites have been excavated, so it is a box of surprises. Sites I recommend you visit here include:

• The Treasury or Al Khazna: is an amazing structure, named after the legend of the Egyptian pharaoh who hid a great treasure here.
• Avenue of the Facades: is a pathway that guards Nabataean tombs.
• The Theater: a Roman theater located on the High Place of Sacrifice Trail, where you will get breathtaking views of the city.
• The Church: or at least the mosaics that remain of it, since it was destroyed by an earthquake and its remains were used in other monuments.
• The Petra Monastery or Ad Deir: considered the most impressive of Petra, as it was a breakthrough for the time of its construction.

What to see in Little Petra

Take advantage of free access to explore Little Petra. It is located behind the city, specifically it is carefully accessed by the Siq trail which is 350 meters high. It is an underrated hideaway, but that makes it all the more special as it is not usually as crowded as other monuments.

You can see tombs carved into the ground, as well as paintings of ancient tribes. The region was inhabited by the Nabataean community, which still has a considerably small enclave. You can climb to a sort of lookout point in the canyon, where there is a Bedouin tea station. Overall, this route is an excellent choice for hiking and can be covered in a short time.

• If you plan to stay in Petra or Wadi Rum, book months in advance as they tend to sell out quickly.
• Take advantage of a guided tour of Petra, so you can better understand its history.
• Buy the Jordan Pass, to save on visas and attractions.
• Arrive early, first thing in the morning if possible. This way, you will have the attractions to yourself.
• Wear comfortable sneakers, cool clothes and sunscreen. You will spend several hours walking back and forth, so it is important to be comfortable.
• Petra can be unsafe for women at night, as tribal people loiter around selling accommodation packages that do not exist. It is best to spend the night in a hotel, hostel or group camping in Wadi Rum.
• Avoid climbing heights, it is dangerous as some are in unstable ravines.