The ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan is also known as “The Lost City” and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s a great destination for travelers who have an interest in history, architecture, and archeology. Petra’s famous ruins offer visitors the chance to walk through over 20 historical sites. The city’s monastery, the Roman theater, the Royal tombs, and the sacrificial altar are popular destinations, as well. Petra is very accessible and, with proper preparation and planning, you are sure to have a visit to remember.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 3:Planning for Your Visit
1Visit Petra between March and May or September and November. Depending on the season, Petra could be very busy with many tourists or less busy and easier to make reservations.XGo during the spring (March, April, May) or fall (September, October, November) if you wish to avoid big crowds. These seasons are less busy than summer months and will also provide more pleasant weather (between 50 °F (10 °C) – 70 °F (21 °C)XIf you don’t mind crowds and warmer weather (between 85 °F (29 °C) – 100 °F (38 °C) and above), you may choose to go during the summer (June, July, and August).
2Plan to stay at least 2 to 3 nights. Petra has many sites to see and, while some choose to pack them all into one day, it is recommended to split the visit into several days.XThink about other sites in Jordan or the surrounding area you may also wish to see and determine how long you wish to stay.
3Choose which airport you want to fly to in Jordan. You can choose either the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman or the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba. Both options have public transport and car rentals available to get to Petra.The Amman airport is about a 3 hour bus ride to Petra and the Aqaba airport is about 2 hours and 30 minutes away by bus.
4Choose a hotel in the town that surrounds Petra, Wadi Musa. Search online to view the many options and price differences. Pick a hotel close to the visitor center so you can walk. If you have your own car or don’t mind paying a little extra for a shuttle, hotels further away from the visitor center are also an option.Make sure to look at the hotel’s reviews for any complaints about payment, cleanliness, and customer service.The hotel closest to the Petra entrance is called the Petra Guest House and is within walking distance to the visitor center. Other nearby hotel choices are Candles Hotel, Al Rashid Hotel, and Petra Moon Hotel.X
5Get a passport 6 – 8 weeks in advance if you’re visiting from another country. If you do not already have a passport, you will need to go through your country’s process for applying. This document is required for international travel.Look up your country’s requirements for applying for a passport and follow the steps. Usually, instructions can be found on the government’s website. For example, in the United States, you would go through the United States Department of State.Make sure you allow ample time between when you apply for the passport and when you plan to leave on your trip as it can take months to receive your passport in the mail.
6Pack what you will need for your visit. Bring clothes that are appropriate for the weather during the time you will be visiting. Choose clothes that will cover your legs, arms, and chest especially for women. This will ensure you are being respectful of the local culture.XMake sure to bring good walking shoes as touring Petra requires quite a bit of walking and, if you choose, riding a camel or donkey.Method 2Method 2 of 3:Getting to Petra
1Get some of the local currency, Jordanian dinar (JD). Find a currency exchange counter or ATM to pull out money in Jordan’s currency, the Jordanian dinar. The exchange counter may charge as small fee to process the currency exchange. The ATM may also require a small fee.To avoid fees, exchange your country’s currency for JD before you leave for Petra. Many banks offer free currency change if you are their customer.Having the local currency allows for easier and faster payment for transportation like buses, taxis, and shuttles.If you want to buy souvenirs and goods from local vendors, having the local currency will allow you to haggle for a price more easily.
2Buy a visa at the airport’s immigration desk using Jordanian dinar. Once you arrive at the airport, and before going through customs, you will most likely need to obtain a travel visa in order to enter the country. You will need to show the immigration officer your passport and plane tickets to prove your stay is for a visit and not business.If you cannot find the immigration desk, go to the customer service desk and ask for someone to direct you.Citizens from Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, Japan,Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Vatican and Yemen do not require a visa for entry. Citizens from other countries need a visa.X
3Go through customs before exiting the airport. You will need to fill out a declaration form prior to going through the customs desk. These will be available near the immigration desk. Provide the customs agent with your declaration form, passport, visa, and plane ticket.XDo not bring anything that is prohibited through customs.There are regulations for what you can bring in to the country related to alcohol, gift dollar amounts, tobacco products, and more. Make sure to look up the regulations.
4Drive from the airport to Wadi Musa using a rental car for a great road trip. Depending on the airport you are coming from, the distance and cost for transportation will vary. Make sure to purchase physical maps to guide your way as you may not have phone service.Take King’s Highway to see a couple sites along the way. The drive will take longer than if you stay on the highway, but the views are worth it.XJordanians drive on the right-hand side of the road. Road signs are in Arabic and English.
5Take a taxi or public bus if you don’t want to drive. It should cost about 40 Jordanian dinar ($56.42) from Amman to Petra and about 25 Jordanian dinar ($35.26) from Aqaba to Wadi Musa where the Petra visitor center is located. If you’re travelling from the Amman airport, you can also take a short taxi ride to the Mujamaaa Janobi bus station where you can catch a bus between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for 5 Jordanian dinar.If you receive a higher quote for the trip from the driver, you can choose to haggle or accept their price.If you are travelling from the Aqaba airport, you can also take a taxi to the Mojamaa albassat bus stop and catch a 2 hour bus ride to Wadi Musa.XMethod 3Method 3 of 3:Seeing the Sights in Petra
1Make a plan with your travel partner/s in case of emergency. Designate a meeting place you will all go to if you lose each other. The visitor center is a good choice or, if you are further into the area, pick a popular site like the Treasury.While your time in Petra will most likely include a professional tour guide, stealing is not uncommon. Wear clothes that can deter this from happening like a cross-body purse or jackets with hidden pockets to hide your important belongings.
2Bring extra food, water, money and sunscreen. While you will be able to buy food and water once you get into Petra, they are more expensive than what you can buy outside.Make sure to bring enough money to purchase any souvenirs or goods. There are many local merchants that sell tea, pastries, and trinkets.
3Book tours in advance if you want to secure your spot. While you should be able to sign up for guided tours once you arrive in Petra at the visitor center, you may choose to book the tours you would like to go on before you leave to make sure you have a reservation. Hire a tour guide at the visitor center. While you are allowed to walk through Petra without a tour guide, it is recommended you use one so you don’t get lost.XTo make sure the tour is reliable, look up reviews online or ask the visitor center staff. If you see reviews where customers feel they were scammed by too high of prices or were not treated well, avoid that tour company.
4Purchase tickets at the visitor center in Wadi Musa. Choose either a one, two, or three day pass. While some visitors like to see all the sites in one day, it is recommended to stretch out your stay to two or three days so you can take your time and soak in everything it has to offer.XIf you are staying at least one night in Jordan, fees for a one, two, and three day pass will be 50, 55, and 60 J.D.XIf you are not staying in Jordan, a one day entrance fee will be 90 J.D.
5Hire a tour guide at the visitor center. Look for guides offering their assistance at the visitor center. A guide typically costs 50 – 100 JD.X. While you are allowed to walk through Petra without a tour guide, it is recommended you use one so you don’t get lost.X
6Decide how you want to get around Petra for sightseeing. You will be offered a horse rental at the time you buy your ticket at the visitor center. It’s common for the owner to charge an expensive tip after your ride so make sure you agree to a price upfront.XThere are horse and carriage rides available that take visitors from the visitor center to the treasury and cost about 20 JD.It is popular for visitors to rent a donkey once they arrive at the Siq to ride throughout the rest of the day.
7Go through the Siq on your way to the Treasury. After leaving the visitor center, pass by the Djinn Blocks and Obelisk Tomb to get to the entrance of the Siq, meaning canyon. Walk or ride through the 1 km (0.62 mi) long canyon, admiring the color of the walls and sand.X The trail ends at the Treasury, a tomb that once held the Nabataean King Aretas III.XThe Treasury gets its name from the legend that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure here.
8Continue on the main path to reach the Theater and High Place of Sacrifice. After passing the Treasury, you will eventually see a sign for the Theater on the left. Just before reaching the Theater, you will see a sign post indicating the steps to get to the High Place of Sacrifice.To reach the top of the High Place of Sacrifice, you can either use a donkey or walk up the steps.
9Walk or ride a donkey on the main path to get to reach the Monastery. Rent a donkey if you are not prepared for a long hike, as the distance between the visitor center and the Monastery is about 10 km (6.2 mi). The site itself sits high in the hills and is the furthest site away from the main entrance.XOn the way down from the Monastery back to the main path, it’s better to walk because the way is steep and it could be dangerous for you and the donkey if you are on its back.
10Visit other museums and tombs on the way back to the entrance from the Monastery. Decide which sites to visit based on how many days you are planning to explore. If you are only there one day, stop by the Royal Tombs and Colonnaded Street.XIf you need a bite to eat or a drink after a long day of exploring, stop by one of the many restaurants inside Petra that serve food that is traditional for the area.If you will be in Petra at night, go to the event called Petra by Night to the see city in a whole new light! It starts at 8:30 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursday.X
