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Petra Travel Cost Guide 2026

From budget $79/day to luxury $445/day — full daily expense breakdown

Petra can be done on a wide range of budgets. Hostels, local restaurants, and public transport keep daily costs around $79 / ¥11,850. A 3-star hotel with sit-down meals averages $175 / ¥26,250. Luxury travelers in 4-5 star hotels with fine dining should expect $445 / ¥66,750+ per day. Below: detailed breakdown by category, total budgets for 3/5/7-day trips, and local saving tips.

Daily Budget at a Glance

Per person, per day for Petra in three travel styles.

Budget
$79
¥11,850 · per day
  • Accommodation$35
  • Food$18
  • Transport$10
  • Activities$16
Hostels, dorm rooms, local eateries, public transit
Most Popular
Mid-Range
$175
¥26,250 · per day
  • Accommodation$75
  • Food$35
  • Transport$15
  • Activities$50
3-star hotels, sit-down restaurants, mix of transit and taxis
Luxury
$445
¥66,750 · per day
  • Accommodation$250
  • Food$60
  • Transport$30
  • Activities$105
4-5 star hotels, fine dining, private transport and tours

Petra is mid-tier Middle East — pricier than Cairo by 67% but cheaper than Abu Dhabi by 30%. Stay at Mövenpick Petra (closest to entrance) OR Petra Marriott (Wadi Musa). Jordan Pass JD 70 ($99) covers visa + Petra + 40 sites. Tip 10% at restaurants + JD 5-10 to Bedouin guides. Sales tax 16% included.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Per person, per day in USD (Japanese yen equivalent in parentheses).

Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation $35 $75 $250
Food $18 $35 $60
Transport $10 $15 $30
Activities & Attractions $16 $50 $105
Daily Total $79 $175 $445

Total Trip Cost by Duration

Including round-trip flight estimate · per person · estimated flights: $600-1,200 from US/EU; $700-1,500 from Asia (AMM via DOH or DXB)

3-Day Trip 3 nights
Budget
$340
Mid-Range
$760
Luxury
$1,900
5-Day Trip 5 nights
Budget
$540
Mid-Range
$1,230
Luxury
$3,060
7-Day Trip 7 nights
Budget
$720
Mid-Range
$1,660
Luxury
$4,140

* Flight prices vary widely by origin and booking timing. Numbers above are average return economy fares.

How Does It Compare?

Mid-range daily cost compared to other popular destinations.

City
Daily (mid-range)
vs Petra
Amman
$70
Petra is ~13% pricier
Wadi Rum camp
$100
Petra is ~21% cheaper
Tel Aviv
$220
Petra is ~64% cheaper
Cairo
$47
Petra is ~68% pricier
Jerusalem
$200
Petra is ~60% cheaper
Beirut
$130
Petra is ~39% cheaper

* Exchange rates as of April 2026. Mid-range daily cost per traveler.

Payment & Money

How to pay and what to know about money in Petra.

Currency

JOD + USD widely accepted.

Card Acceptance

Hotels + restaurants; cash for Bedouin tea + souvenirs.

Tipping

10% at sit-down + JD 5-10 to Bedouin guides.

ATM

Arab Bank + Cairo Amman Bank widely available.

Recommended Tours & Activities

Booking tours in advance is typically 15-30% cheaper than walk-up rates.

Petra Hotel Search

Find rooms in your style — budget $35 to luxury $250+ per night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a day in Petra cost?
It depends heavily on travel style. Budget travelers using hostels, local restaurants, and public transport spend around $79 / ¥11,850 per day. Mid-range travelers in 3-star hotels with sit-down meals run $175 / ¥26,250. Luxury travelers in 4-5 star hotels with fine dining should expect $445 / ¥66,750+ per day. Accommodation (budget $35 / mid $75 / luxury $250) is the largest single cost.

What's the budget for a one-week trip to Petra?
Including round-trip flights, 7 days runs: budget $720, mid-range $1,660, luxury $4,140. Average return flights: $600-1,200 from US/EU; $700-1,500 from Asia (AMM via DOH or DXB) (varies by origin and booking timing). Excluding flights, the on-the-ground total (lodging + food + transport + activities) for 7 days: budget $553, mid-range $1,225.

What's the biggest expense in Petra?
For mid-range travel, accommodation is the biggest cost at $75 / ¥11,250/day. Order: accommodation $75, food $35, transport $15, activities $50.

Where should I exchange money for Petra?
JOD only. USD widely accepted at hotels at slight markup.

Do I need to tip in Petra?
Tipping practices vary widely by country. Check the cultural tips section for Petra specifics. Generally: 10-15% in restaurants where it's expected, round up taxi fares, small tip per bag for hotel porters.

How can I save money on transport in Petra?
Use public transit (subway/bus) to keep transport at $10 / ¥1,500/day. Day passes and IC cards offer discounts vs single tickets. Use ride apps (Uber, local equivalents) instead of street taxis to avoid overcharging.

Where can I eat cheaply in Petra?
Local markets, family-run restaurants, and convenience stores can keep food costs at $18 / ¥2,700/day. Tourist-zone restaurants often run 2-3x what you'd pay 10 minutes away. Look for places where locals eat.

Is Petra expensive overall?
Costs are similar to or slightly above major Western European cities. Budget travelers can do it on $79 / ¥11,850 per day. The big variables are accommodation ($35–$250), food ($18–$60), and transport ($10–$15) — your style choices matter more than the destination.

Why you can trust cost guide

Jimmy Kong TripPick founder · Travel content creator

Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.

8+ years analyzing travel data 30+ countries visited Live exchange rate verified
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