Walk through the Siq to the rose-red city
Petra — the Nabataean capital carved into the rose-red cliffs of southern Jordan. Compare guided tours and day-trips and book in English, in a couple of taps.
See ticket options- UNESCO 1985 World Heritage, criteria i, iii, iv
- 7 Wonders New 7 Wonders of the World, 2007
- 264 km² Archaeological park area
- 4th c. BC Nabataean capital, founded
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- Free cancellation
- Reserve now, pay later
- Instant mobile ticket
- Secure checkout with GetYourGuide
Free 5-minute audio guide
Your 5-minute Petra pre-visit briefing
A short, calm narrative — what this Nabataean city actually is, why the Treasury isn't a treasury, why you should climb the Monastery, and the pressure tactics every first-timer should know about. Listen on the bus from Amman.
- Who the Nabataeans were — and how they got rich enough to carve a city
- The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): not a treasury — King Aretas IV's mausoleum
- Why the 800-step climb to the Monastery is worth it (and what's five minutes past it)
- Petra's history after Rome, the 363 AD earthquake, and Burckhardt's 1812 rediscovery
- Best timing: 06:00 opening; March-May or September-November
- Pressure tactics at the gate, the Siq exit, and the Royal Tombs — what to know in advance
Free to stream or download — no app, no sign-up. Save it offline before you go, in case there’s no phone signal on-site.
About Petra
Petra is the rose-red Nabataean city carved into the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. Settled in the 4th century BC by an Arab trading people who controlled the caravan routes between Arabia, Damascus, and the Mediterranean, it became the capital of their kingdom in the 2nd century BC and reached its peak under King Aretas IV (9 BC – 40 AD). The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) — the iconic 37-metre Hellenistic façade revealed at the end of the Siq — was likely his mausoleum.
Annexed by Rome in 106 AD, devastated by the earthquake of 363 AD, and progressively abandoned over the following centuries, Petra was lost to the Western world until the Swiss traveller Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. UNESCO inscribed the entire archaeological park in 1985 (criteria i, iii, iv); a global popular vote named it one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.
What you walk through is enormous — 264 square kilometres of carved tombs, temples, processional ways, royal palaces, a Roman theatre cut into the rock, and the colossal Monastery (Ad Deir) at the top of an 800-step climb. Plan on a full day minimum, two if you have the time, three if you intend to walk the quiet trails away from the main route.
Practical information
- Opening hours
- Daily 06:00–18:00 (summer); 06:00–16:00 (winter, October–March). Last entry 1 hour before closing. Confirm seasonal hours on the day of your visit.
- Address
- Petra Visitor Centre, Wadi Musa, Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
- Getting there from Amman
- JETT bus from Amman 7th Circle to Wadi Musa: ~3.5 hours, 11 JOD one-way (book 1+ day ahead). Private taxi: ~3 hours, 75–100 JOD. Self-drive on Desert Highway: ~3 hours.
- Getting there from Aqaba
- Mini-bus from Aqaba to Wadi Musa: ~2 hours, 7 JOD. Private taxi: 1.5–2 hours, 50–60 JOD.
- Time needed
- 1 day for the highlights (Siq + Treasury + Royal Tombs + a partial Monastery climb). 2 days to do the Monastery without rushing. 3+ days to add Wadi Muthlim, the High Place of Sacrifice trail, and Little Petra (Siq al-Barid).
- Accessibility
- The main route from the visitor centre to the Treasury is a 2-km flat-gradient walk on cobble and gravel. Beyond the Treasury, terrain becomes rougher and steeper. Wheelchair access is limited to the Siq and the Treasury area; the Monastery, High Place, and most upper trails require fitness and surefooted walking.
- Bag policy
- Small daypacks allowed. No specific size restriction at the gate but security check at peak hours.
- Photography
- Permitted everywhere except inside the Indiana Jones-era 'Treasury vault' (which is off-limits to all visitors regardless of camera). Drones require a permit from the PDTRA in advance.
- Scams to know about
- (1) Camel/donkey/horse 'free ride to the gate' that becomes 50 JOD at the destination — agree the price before you mount. (2) The 'Treasury view from above' guides at the Siq exit — the genuine view exists but the negotiation can pressure tourists. (3) Bedouin tea hospitality near the Royal Tombs — beautiful gesture but a gentle expectation of payment follows.
About our service
Petra Tickets is an independent booking guide for international visitors to the Petra Archaeological Park. We are not the park operator and we do not sell or issue tickets ourselves. Bookings made on this site are completed and fulfilled by GetYourGuide, our booking partner, who processes your payment and issues your confirmation. We may earn a commission on bookings made through our partner links, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your visit
Practical guides written by our travel team
The Best Time to Visit Petra
A month-by-month guide to weather, crowds, light and the desert conditions that shape every visit to the Nabataean rock-cut city.
How to Get to Petra from Amman
Every realistic transport option from Amman to the gates of the Petra Visitor Centre, with timings, costs in JOD and the day-trip vs overnight decision.
Petra vs Wadi Rum: How to Choose, How to Combine
Honest side-by-side comparison of Jordan's two icons — the rock-cut Nabataean city and the cinematic desert valley — with timing, terrain and itinerary recommendations.
Frequently asked
What's included in the Petra ticket?
A standard Petra ticket admits you to the entire archaeological park: the Siq, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Royal Tombs, the Roman Theatre, the colonnaded street, the Great Temple, the Monastery (Ad Deir), the High Place of Sacrifice, and all marked trails. Guided tours and day-trips booked above add transport, a guide, and logistics — each option states whether the Petra entry fee is included or paid separately on the day.
When should I arrive at Petra?
First entry at 06:00 is the right call in any season. The Siq is empty, the Treasury reveal happens without crowds, and you finish the Monastery climb before the heat of the day. The visitor centre also queues 30–60 minutes by 09:00 in peak season — arriving at opening means you're already inside.
How long does a visit take?
Plan on a full day minimum (8 hours including the Monastery climb). Many visitors find 2 days more comfortable: day 1 for the Siq + Treasury + Royal Tombs, day 2 for the Monastery and the quieter trails. Visit duration is the most common visitor underestimate.
Should I buy a Jordan Pass instead?
If you're staying in Jordan for 3+ nights and visiting multiple sites (Jerash, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Dead Sea), the Ministry of Tourism's Jordan Pass is worth considering — it bundles the tourist-visa waiver with admission to 40+ attractions including Petra, and is bought before arrival at jordanpass.jo. If you're focused on Petra — or day-tripping from Aqaba, Wadi Rum, or across the border from Israel — a guided Petra tour or day-trip is the simpler choice; the options above show live availability and prices from our partner GetYourGuide. Note that some tours include the Petra entry fee and some don't — each option lists exactly what's included before you book.
Can I change my date?
For most options, yes — you can change or cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time, directly from your GetYourGuide booking confirmation. Always check the cancellation terms shown on your chosen option before booking.
Is Petra suitable for children?
Yes — children under 15 enter free with a paying adult, and most kids love the Siq + Treasury reveal and the carved tombs. The Monastery climb (800+ steps) is too much for under-10s; they can do the main route and skip the climb.
What's the weather like?
Petra is a high-desert site (about 950 metres elevation). Summers (June–August) reach 35°C+ and the rocks radiate heat; March–May and September–November are the best months. Winters (December–February) can be cold, occasionally with snow, and the Monastery trail can be slick. Layers are essential year-round.
Is Petra wheelchair accessible?
Partially. The main path from the visitor centre to the Treasury is approximately 2 km on cobble and gravel with a gentle gradient — wheelchairs can manage with some effort, and electric carts are sometimes available at the visitor centre. Beyond the Treasury, the terrain becomes rougher and steeper; the Monastery, High Place of Sacrifice, and most upper trails are not accessible.
What's your refund policy?
Most experiences booked through our partner GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund — the exact policy is shown on each option before you book. Any cancellation or change is handled directly from your GetYourGuide confirmation.
Should I do the Monastery climb?
Yes — if you have the day and basic fitness. The Monastery (Ad Deir) is Petra's largest monument at 45m wide × 50m tall, and the 800-step climb takes 45–60 minutes. Donkeys are offered all the way up; we recommend walking down regardless of how you go up. The view from the Monastery viewpoint over the Wadi Araba valley is the photograph everyone misses by leaving too early.
What is Petra?
Petra is an ancient Nabataean city carved into the rose-coloured sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan, in Wadi Musa within the Ma'an Governorate. The Nabataeans, an Arab trading people, settled the site in the fourth century BC and made it the capital of their kingdom in the second century BC, controlling the caravan routes that carried incense and spices across the region. Visitors enter through the Siq, a narrow gorge that opens dramatically onto Al-Khazneh, the Treasury — a 37-metre Hellenistic façade carved straight into the cliff, thought to be the mausoleum of King Aretas IV. Beyond it lies a vast park of tombs, temples and the towering Monastery, Ad Deir. Rome annexed the kingdom in 106 AD, and the Swiss traveller Johann Ludwig Burckhardt brought the ruins to Western attention in 1812. UNESCO inscribed Petra in 1985, and a global vote named it one of the New7Wonders of the World in 2007.
What are Petra's opening hours?
Petra is open daily — roughly 06:00–18:00 in summer and 06:30–17:00 in winter. Arriving early beats both the midday heat and the crowds at the Treasury.
How do Petra tickets work?
Petra admission is sold by duration at the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa, and you can extend your visit by paying for additional days. Multi-day options cost less per day than separate single-day tickets.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it for Petra?
The Jordan Pass includes Petra admission and waives Jordan's tourist visa fee for eligible visitors who stay the required minimum number of nights — often cheaper than buying the visa and a Petra ticket separately.
How far is the Treasury, and what is Petra by Night?
From the Visitor Centre it is about a 2 km walk through the Siq gorge to the Treasury. Petra by Night — a candlelit walk to the Treasury on selected evenings — is a separate ticketed event and is not included in the standard day ticket.
How do I get to Petra?
Petra lies in Wadi Musa, a town in southern Jordan's Ma'an Governorate, roughly 235 kilometres south of the capital, Amman. Most visitors arrive by road from Amman, a drive of about three hours along the Desert Highway, or a longer, more scenic route on the older King's Highway through Madaba and Karak. Coach and minibus services also connect the two cities. From the south, the Red Sea city of Aqaba is about 125 kilometres away, roughly two hours by car, and its King Hussein International Airport is the nearest airport to Petra, a convenient gateway for travellers combining the site with Wadi Rum. Queen Alia International Airport near Amman handles most long-haul arrivals. Whichever route you take, the Petra Visitor Centre at the edge of Wadi Musa is the single entrance to the archaeological park, where the walk through the Siq begins.