💰 Quick Context: The Jordanian Dinar
Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar (JOD / JD), one of the world's higher-value currencies. The dinar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 0.709 JOD per dollar. Quick math: multiply by 1.4, so a 10 JD bill is about $14 USD. A coffee costs 1–3 JD, a restaurant meal 5–15 JD, and a hotel night 40–150 JD. Jordan is fairly cash-dependent overall. Amman's modern areas accept cards, and Petra, Aqaba, and Dead Sea resorts take cards at hotels and larger restaurants. Smaller towns and local spots are cash-heavy.
🎧 Order Jordanian Dinar Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order JOD → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Jordan
Jordan runs on a mix of cash and cards, but cash is still king in most situations outside of Amman's modern districts and large hotels. Be prepared with dinars for everyday purchases.
Cards work at hotels, upscale restaurants on Amman's Rainbow Street, City Mall and Abdali Mall, and resorts at the Dead Sea and Aqaba. Cash is needed for yellow taxis, local restaurants near the Roman Theatre in Amman, the souk in downtown Amman, Petra site vendors and horse/donkey rides, Dead Sea roadside stalls, and tips.
Amman's Abdali area and Rainbow Street are the most card-friendly zones. Outside Amman, expect to pay cash for most things. Budget 30–50 JD per day for meals, transport, and small purchases. Bring extra for Petra and Dead Sea days.
How to Get Dinars for Your Jordan Trip
Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar, one of the higher-value currencies in the world (one JOD is roughly $1.41 USD). The dinar is pegged to the dollar at 0.709 JOD = $1. Cards work in Amman's modern districts: Rainbow Street, the Abdali development, City Mall, Abdali Mall, the Dead Sea Marriott and Movenpick resorts, and Aqaba's Tala Bay strip. Cash is essential for yellow taxis, downtown Amman souk vendors, the Roman Theatre area cafes, Petra site vendors and Bedouin horse/donkey rides, Wadi Rum camp tips, Dead Sea roadside stalls, and tipping. The peg makes cost-comparison math unusually clean: anything significantly worse than 0.69 JOD per dollar after fees is overcharging. Two cheap routes for getting dinars: pre-order before takeoff or pull from an Arab Bank or Cairo Amman Bank ATM after landing.
Order dinars before you fly
For pre-arrival JOD, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Jordanian dinars to a US address with insured 2–5 day delivery, at a small spread over the bank rate (a small envelope of 50–100 JOD covers a lot since JOD is high-value). Your home bank can also order JOD (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi may stock it depending on the branch); allow 5–10 business days. Jordan does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. Because JOD is pegged at 0.709 to the dollar, the cost-comparison math is unusually clean: anything that gives you significantly less than ~0.69 JOD per dollar after fees is overcharging. The cleanest setup for most Jordan trips: a Wise card for Amman card payments, plus a small starter envelope of dinars for taxi cash, Petra-area tips, and Wadi Rum camp gratuities. Many travelers also bring USD as a backup for tour-deposit purposes.
Withdraw from a Jordanian bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of dinars is a major Jordanian bank ATM. Arab Bank, Cairo Amman Bank, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance, and HSBC Jordan all give the actual interbank rate (effectively the 0.709 JOD-USD peg) with no markup. Most don't add their own operator fee for foreign cards (a few specific machines charge a small JD 1–3 fee, posted on the screen before you confirm). Withdrawal limits run roughly JD 300–500 per transaction. Bank ATMs cluster around Amman (Abdali, Rainbow Street, Abdoun Circle, City Mall), in Aqaba's main shopping streets, at AMM (Queen Alia International) airport arrivals, and at the major Dead Sea resort properties. Coverage thins in Wadi Rum, Wadi Musa (the town near Petra), and along the King's Highway, so withdraw enough cash in Amman before heading south. Decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what an Arab Bank withdrawal will actually cost on your card? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & "0% commission" booths
Three traps to walk past in Jordan. The Travelex and Jordan-based exchange counters in arrivals at AMM (Queen Alia) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the JOD-USD peg, plus per-transaction fees. The exchange windows along Amman's King Hussein Street, around the Citadel, and inside hotel lobbies use the "no commission" framing while baking the markup straight into the displayed rate. Honest exception worth knowing: licensed exchange offices around Abdali Mall and along Mecca Street in Amman often offer the country's best USD-to-JOD spreads if you've brought USD, often 1–2% off the peg. Al Jazira Exchange and the various other licensed shops are widely used by locals. The unlicensed touts in downtown Amman near the Roman Theatre use the "sin comisión" framing while burying the markup. Third, the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades layer DCC pitches and operator fees. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Arab Bank, Cairo Amman, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Housing Bank, or HSBC Jordan; decline DCC; and licensed Abdali-area exchange offices are the one acceptable cash-to-cash route. Jordan does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-JOD timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Jordan
Jordan's major banks operate reliable ATM networks across the country. These machines accept international Visa and Mastercard and dispense Jordanian dinars. Your home bank may charge a foreign transaction fee, but the exchange rate will be far better than currency exchange counters.
Arab Bank
Jordan's largest and most prestigious bank with ATMs everywhere. You will find Arab Bank machines at the airport, throughout Amman, near Petra, and in most towns across the country. The most reliable option for foreign card withdrawals.
Recommended
Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
Jordan's second-largest bank with wide ATM coverage across the country. Housing Bank ATMs are found in major cities, shopping areas, and near tourist destinations. A solid alternative to Arab Bank.
Recommended
Jordan Ahli Bank
Good ATM coverage in Amman and other major cities. Jordan Ahli Bank machines are reliable and straightforward, with English-language interfaces available.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some ATMs near Petra's visitor centre and at Dead Sea resorts may offer to charge you in USD instead of JOD. Always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. This can happen at hotel card terminals as well. Always select "JOD" or "local currency" at every prompt.
ATMs to Avoid in Jordan
Standalone unbranded ATMs near tourist sites can charge extra fees and offer poor exchange rates. Stick to the major bank ATMs listed above for the best rates and lowest fees.
Standalone Unbranded ATMs
Unmarked machines near Petra's visitor center, at tourist rest stops, and outside popular hotels. These often charge 3–5 JD per withdrawal and may push DCC with unfavorable exchange rates. Walk to a nearby Arab Bank or Housing Bank ATM instead.
AvoidPaying by Card in Jordan
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, restaurants on Rainbow Street and Abdali, City Mall and Abdali Mall, and tourist businesses. American Express has limited acceptance. Discover has very limited acceptance.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Tap-to-pay is growing in Amman at Abdali Mall, modern restaurants, and upscale spots. Less common outside the capital. Apple Pay and Google Pay have limited acceptance. USD is sometimes accepted at hotels and tourist sites, but the exchange rate is worse than paying in dinars. Always pay in JOD.
Where Cards May Not Work
Taxis (including airport taxis from Queen Alia) are cash-only. Have small bills ready. Local restaurants outside hotel districts are cash-only. Downtown Amman's souks, Madaba mosaic shops, and roadside vendors require cash. Inside Petra: souvenir sellers, horse and donkey rides, and snack stalls are all cash. Dead Sea roadside stalls selling mud products and snacks are cash-only.
Tipping in Jordan
Tipping Guide
Tipping is expected and appreciated in Jordan. At restaurants, 10% if service charge is not included. Many add 10% automatically, so check first. Tour guides at Petra, Wadi Rum, or Jerash: 3–5 JD per person per day for group tours, more for private. Drivers: 1–2 JD for taxi rides. Hotel porters: 0.5–1 JD per bag. Cafés: rounding up is appreciated.
Amman, Petra & the Dead Sea: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
For city-specific tips, see our Amman and Petra money guides. Each covers neighborhood-level card acceptance, ATM locations, transport payments, and local spending tips.
Jordan Pass (jordanpass.jo): buy online before arrival. Includes Petra entrance and tourist visa fee, saving significant money. Costs 70–80 JD depending on Petra days. Without it, Petra entrance alone is 50 JD (one of the world's most expensive site fees). Cash or card accepted at the gate.
Aqaba is a duty-free zone with lower prices on goods. Amman's Abdali and Rainbow Street are the most card-friendly zones. Queen Alia Airport (AMM) has Arab Bank ATMs in arrivals. Use these instead of exchange counters. Bargaining is expected at souks and with taxi drivers, but not at restaurants with displayed prices.
Money Safety in Jordan
Staying Safe
Jordan is very safe for travellers. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Use ATMs inside Arab Bank or Housing Bank branches rather than standalone machines near Petra's entrance or Dead Sea resorts. Keep cash secure in a money belt at busy souks.
Jordan may trigger fraud alerts on some card issuers. Mention "Jordan" specifically when calling your bank before travel. Jordanians are famously hospitable, and the country is one of the safest in the Middle East for tourism.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Jordanian dinars like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jordan Pass and is it worth it?
The Jordan Pass (70–80 JD) includes Petra entrance and your tourist visa fee. Without it, the visa is 40 JD and Petra is 50 JD. If visiting Petra, the pass saves money. Buy online at jordanpass.jo before arrival.
Do I need cash for Petra?
The main gate accepts cards for entry tickets. Inside Petra, souvenir vendors, horse and donkey rides, and snack stalls are all cash-only. Bring 20–30 JD in small notes for a day at Petra.
Is Jordan cash-dependent?
Moderately. Hotels and Amman's modern areas accept cards. Taxis, souks, local restaurants, Petra vendors, and Dead Sea roadside stalls require cash. Keep 30–50 JD daily.
Is tipping expected in Jordan?
Yes. 10% at restaurants (check if service charge is included). Tour guides at Petra and Wadi Rum: 3–5 JD per person per day. Taxi drivers: 1–2 JD.
Can I use USD in Jordan?
Some hotels and tourist sites accept USD, but the exchange rate is unfavorable. Withdraw dinars (JOD) from Arab Bank or Housing Bank ATMs for the best value.
Is Jordan expensive?
Moderate. A local meal costs 3–8 JD ($4–11), a mansaf (national dish) 8–12 JD ($11–17), and a hotel night 30–100 JD ($42–141). Petra and Wadi Rum tours add to the budget.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card (contactless) | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★★☆ | Hotels, upscale restaurants, malls in Amman |
| Jordanian bank ATMs (Arab Bank, etc.) | Low (no operator fee, fair rate) | ★★★★★ | Cash for taxis, souks, Petra vendors, tips |
| Standalone unbranded ATMs | High (fees + poor rates + DCC) | ★★★☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Jordan Quick Facts
| Currency | Jordanian Dinar (JOD / JD). Pegged to USD at 0.709 JOD per dollar |
| Cash vs. Card | Cash-heavy country. Cards accepted at hotels and modern Amman. 30–50 JD daily cash recommended |
| Best ATMs | Arab Bank, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance, Jordan Ahli Bank |
| Contactless | Growing in Amman malls and modern restaurants. Limited elsewhere |
| Card Acceptance | Good in Amman, Aqaba resorts, and large hotels. Limited in smaller towns |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants. 3–5 JD per day for tour guides |
| DCC Risk | Possible at tourist-area ATMs. Always choose JOD |
| Best Strategy | Bank ATM cash for daily spending. No-FX-fee card for hotels and upscale dining |
Jordan City Guides
Neighborhood-level money guides for Jordan's top destinations. Where to find ATMs, which areas need cash, how to pay for transport, and more.