Petra Tours and Tickets

You need at least two days for Petra, but three or more days is even better. The site is huge, and with only a day, you may feel rushed—and you may not have time to visit the Treasury—even if you’re a fast walker.

It depends. Tickets for one, two, or three days are available, and the per-day rate decreases depending on how many days you visit. Overseas visitors pay more than Jordanian nationals, and visitors on day tours from Israel pay more than those staying at least one night in Jordan.

No, you do not need a tour of Petra, but it’s strongly encouraged. If you try to come independently, local guides will probably bother you, nonstop. Expect even more unasked-for attention if you’re a woman traveling alone.

The best time of year to visit Petra is in the late fall or early spring when the weather is usually pleasantly warm in the daytime. The May–September season gets too hot for some people’s comfort, while winters can be a tad chilly (but rarely unbearably cold).

Walking from the parking area to the Monastery of Petra via what’s known as the Siq takes 20 minutes to half an hour. Some people enter by donkey or even camel. Once you’re at the site, expect to spend a lot of time walking from point to point. For example, if you want to see the impressive views from the High Place of Sacrifice, you’ll have to walk at least 40 more minutes.

The best day of the week to visit Petra is either Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. After the sun sets on these three days, the pathway leading to the site known as the Siq—and the famous monastery at the site entrance—are beautifully illuminated by candlelight.