💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money at Petra and in Wadi Musa: entry fees, what costs cash inside the site, where to find ATMs, camel ride prices, and how to budget for your visit. For Jordan-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order JOD → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Petra?
Yes. Cash is essential once you are inside the Petra archaeological site. The visitor center accepts cards for entry tickets, but everything beyond the gate requires Jordanian dinars. Bedouin souvenir stalls, camel and donkey rides, the Basin Restaurant, and water vendors are all cash-only. Carry JD 20–30 inside the site on top of your entry fee.
Where You Will Need Cash
Inside Petra: Bedouin souvenir stalls (jewelry, scarves, sandstone carvings). Camel, donkey, and horse-carriage rides. The Basin Restaurant (the only sit-down option inside, cash only). Water and snack vendors along the trail. Wadi Musa town: smaller restaurants and shops. Local taxis in Wadi Musa. Tips for guides and ride handlers.
Where Cards Work Fine
Petra Visitor Center (entry tickets, card accepted). Hotels in Wadi Musa (Mövenpick, Marriott, budget guesthouses). Petra by Night tickets (at visitor center, card accepted). JETT bus tickets (booked online by card). Larger restaurants in Wadi Musa town center. Supermarkets in Wadi Musa. The visitor center area is the only card-friendly zone near the site.
Paying by Card at Petra
Card acceptance is binary at Petra: the visitor center and Wadi Musa hotels take cards, everything inside the archaeological site is cash. Visa and Mastercard work at hotels and the visitor center. Amex is accepted at international hotels only. There is no card infrastructure inside the ancient city. Plan your cash needs before entering.
Petra Visitor Center
The modern visitor center has a ticket office (card accepted, JD 50/55/60 for 1/2/3 days), a gift shop (cards), and a cafe (cards). The Petra Museum next door is free. This is the last card-friendly stop before you enter the Siq. Buy water and snacks here with your card to save cash for inside.
Inside Petra (The Siq to the Treasury)
The 1.2 km walk through the Siq (narrow canyon) to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) passes Bedouin stalls selling jewelry (JD 1–10), postcards, and scarves. Horse-drawn carriages through the Siq cost JD 20–30 for two (negotiate, tip JD 2). Water vendors sell bottles for JD 1–2. Everything is cash.
Street of Facades to the Monastery
The deeper you go, the more cash you need. Camel rides from the Treasury area cost JD 5–10. Donkey rides up to the Monastery (Ad-Deir, 800 steps) cost JD 10–15. The Basin Restaurant near the end of the main trail serves buffet lunch for JD 12–15 (cash only). Small Bedouin tea stalls offer tea for JD 1.
Wadi Musa Town
The town adjacent to Petra has a growing tourist infrastructure. Hotels (Mövenpick, Petra Moon, Cleopetra) accept cards. Restaurants on the main street are mixed: larger ones take cards, smaller ones prefer cash. Al Arabi and My Mom's Recipe are popular tourist restaurants (cards accepted). Minimarkets prefer cash. Budget JD 10–15 for town dining.
Petra Entry Fees & the Jordan Pass
Petra entry is one of the most expensive archaeological sites in the world, but the scale justifies it. The Jordan Pass is almost always the best value if you are also visiting other sites.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day Petra entry | JD 50 ($70) | Card at visitor center or online |
| 2-day Petra entry | JD 55 ($78) | Strongly recommended |
| 3-day Petra entry | JD 60 ($85) | For thorough exploration |
| Petra by Night | JD 17 ($24) | Mon/Wed/Thu evenings, card accepted |
| Jordan Pass (1-day Petra) | JD 70 ($99) | Includes visa waiver + 40 sites |
| Jordan Pass (2-day Petra) | JD 75 ($106) | Best value for most visitors |
| Jordan Pass (3-day Petra) | JD 80 ($113) | Maximum Petra time |
The Jordan Pass waives the JD 40 visa fee, making it cheaper than buying Petra entry separately if you need a visa. Buy online at jordanpass.jo (card payment).
ATMs Near Petra
For Jordan-wide ATM advice, see the Jordan guide.
Look for these logos. Withdraw dinars in Wadi Musa before entering Petra.
Arab Bank
Housing Bank
Jordan Ahli BankATM Locations in Wadi Musa
Main Street: Arab Bank and Housing Bank ATMs near the town center (5 minutes from the visitor center). Near the Mövenpick Hotel: ATM available. Visitor Center area: No ATMs at the entrance itself. Withdraw cash before heading to the site. There are no ATMs inside Petra. If coming from Amman, withdraw there for more ATM options.
⚠ Withdraw Cash Before Entering Petra
There are no ATMs, card machines, or banking facilities inside the Petra archaeological site. The entire site is cash-only beyond the visitor center gate. Withdraw JD 30–50 for a day inside (water, snacks, souvenirs, rides) on top of your entry fee. Small bills (JD 1 and JD 5) are essential for vendors and ride negotiations.
Getting to Petra & Local Transport
From Amman (3 hours)
JETT bus: JD 11 one way, daily departure 6:30 AM from Abdali station (book online by card or cash at the office, 3 hours). Minibus: JD 5–7 from South Bus Station (less comfortable). Rental car: 3 hours via Desert Highway or 4 hours via the scenic King's Highway (stops at Madaba, Dana). Taxi: JD 60–80 one way (negotiate).
From Aqaba (2 hours)
JETT bus: JD 7 one way. Minibus: JD 5. Taxi: JD 30–40 (negotiate). Aqaba is a popular entry point for visitors arriving from Egypt (Sinai) or by cruise ship. The drive through Wadi Araba is scenic.
Local Transport in Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is a small town and most hotels are within walking distance of the Petra visitor center. The Mövenpick is literally at the gate. Other hotels are 5–15 minutes uphill. Most hotels offer free shuttle service to the gate. Local taxis cost JD 1–3 within town (cash only). There is no public bus within Wadi Musa.
Tipping at Petra
Tipping is expected for services inside the site. Camel/donkey handlers: JD 1–2 per ride. Horse-carriage drivers: JD 2–3. Hired guides: JD 5–10 for a half-day. Bedouin tea hosts: JD 0.50–1 if they offer you tea. At restaurants in Wadi Musa, 10% is appreciated. The Jordan guide covers general norms.
Prices at Petra
Petra itself is expensive (entry fees), but Wadi Musa is affordable. Food inside the site is overpriced compared to town. Bring snacks from Wadi Musa to save money.
| Item | Price (JOD) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Petra 1-day entry | JD 50 | $70 |
| Petra 2-day entry | JD 55 | $78 |
| Petra by Night | JD 17 | $24 |
| Water bottle (inside Petra) | JD 1–2 | $1.40–2.80 |
| Camel ride (Treasury area) | JD 5–10 | $7–14 |
| Donkey ride to Monastery | JD 10–15 | $14–21 |
| Horse carriage (Siq) | JD 20–30 | $28–42 |
| Basin Restaurant lunch | JD 12–15 | $17–21 |
| Bedouin tea | JD 1 | $1.40 |
| Souvenir (jewelry, carving) | JD 2–15 | $2.80–21 |
| Dinner in Wadi Musa | JD 5–12 | $7–17 |
| JETT bus from Amman | JD 11 | $15.50 |
| Budget hotel (per night) | JD 20–40 | $28–56 |
USD estimates based on approximately JD 1 = $1.41 (fixed peg). Prices inside Petra are negotiable (except entry fees).
Day Trips from Petra
Wadi Rum (1.5 hours by car)
The desert landscape made famous by Lawrence of Arabia and "The Martian." Jeep tours cost JD 25–60 per person (organized through camps, card at booking or cash). Overnight camps cost JD 30–80 (book online by card). Wadi Rum village has a visitor center (JD 5 entry, card accepted). Bring JD 10–20 cash for tips and small purchases.
Dana Nature Reserve (1 hour by car)
A stunning canyon reserve between Petra and the Dead Sea. Entry is free (donations welcome). Guided hikes can be arranged at the RSCN Dana Guesthouse (card accepted for accommodation, JD 50–80 per night). The village of Dana is tiny with no ATMs. Bring JD 5–10 in cash for snacks and donations.
Little Petra (15 minutes by car)
A smaller Nabataean site also known as Siq al-Barid. Entry is free. A few Bedouin stalls sell tea and souvenirs (JD 1–5, cash). Much less crowded than Petra. Easily combined with the main site on a two-day visit. No facilities, so bring water. Taxis from Wadi Musa cost JD 5–8 (cash).
Petra Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor center | ✅ Cards accepted | Not needed | Tickets, cafe, gift shop |
| Inside Petra | ❌ Cash only | JD 20–30 | Water, rides, souvenirs |
| Petra by Night | ✅ Cards accepted | JD 2–5 tips | JD 17 ticket at visitor center |
| Hotels (Wadi Musa) | ✅ Cards accepted | Not needed | All levels take cards |
| Restaurants (Wadi Musa) | ✅ Larger ones | JD 10–15 | Smaller spots cash-preferred |
| Wadi Rum day trip | ✅ Camp bookings | JD 10–20 | Tips and on-site purchases |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Petra?
JD 50 for one day, JD 55 for two days, JD 60 for three days. Cards accepted at the visitor center. The Jordan Pass (JD 70–80) includes Petra entry and waives the JD 40 visa fee, making it the best value for most visitors.
Do I need cash inside Petra?
Yes. Everything inside the archaeological site is cash-only. Bedouin stalls, camel and donkey rides, the Basin Restaurant, and water vendors all require dinars. Carry JD 20–30 inside.
How much do camel and donkey rides cost?
Camel rides from the Treasury cost JD 5–10. Donkey rides to the Monastery cost JD 10–15. Horse-drawn carriages through the Siq cost JD 20–30 for two. All cash-only and negotiable. Tip handlers JD 1–2.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
Almost always. It costs JD 70–80 and includes Petra entry plus the JD 40 visa waiver and 40+ other sites. Since Petra alone costs JD 50, the pass is excellent value.
How do I get from Amman to Petra?
JETT bus costs JD 11 one way (3 hours, book online). Minibuses cost JD 5–7. Rental car takes 3–4 hours. Taxi costs JD 60–80 (negotiate).
How much does Petra by Night cost?
JD 17 per person (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings). Book at the visitor center (card accepted). Includes a candlelit walk through the Siq to the Treasury with Bedouin music and tea.
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