When asking "how many days to spend in Petra," the answer depends as much on your walking pace as it does on the sheer scale of the site. Located in the Ma'an region of southern Jordan, this ancient city is not a compact museum you can breeze through in a few hours; it is a sprawling landscape of rock-cut facades and challenging hiking trails. The fact that entrance tickets are sold for one, two, or three days is a testament to its size. This guide compares three different itinerary lengths, covering official ticket durations, opening hours, and the primary routes from Al-Siq to the Colonnaded Street, Aldayr, and the Al-Khubtha Trail.
Quick Facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Jordan, Ma'an region (Wadi Musa) |
| Ticket Options | 1, 2, or 3 days |
| Entry Fee (Overnight stay in Jordan) | 50 / 55 / 60 JOD |
| Day Trip Entry (No overnight stay) | 90 JOD |
| Visiting Hours | 06:00 - 16:00 (Winter), 06:00 - 18:00 (Summer) |
| Ticket Sales | End 45 minutes before closing |
| Petra by Night | Sun - Thu, 20:30 - 22:30, 30 JOD |
| Recommended Duration | 2 days |
| Best Months for Hiking | March - May and September - November |
How Many Days to Spend in Petra? Key Factors
Distances in Petra aren't just horizontal; they are vertical. The walk from the visitor center to the Treasury takes about 40 minutes, and that is merely the beginning. The main factors determining your stay include:
- Total walking distance and the elevation gain from steep stair climbs.
- Your ticket type and the "consecutive day" rule.
- The season; scorching summer heat can significantly slow your pace.
- Your overall Jordan itinerary and how many nights you've allocated to the area.
What Does a One-Day Visit Cover?
A single day allows you to experience the walk through Al-Siq, spend quality time at the Treasury, explore the Street of Facades, visit the ancient theater, and reach the city center via the Colonnaded Street. If you enter at 06:00, you can beat the crowds to the Treasury. For those arriving from Amman or Aqaba, Petra ancient city day trip cultural tours provide a perfectly structured framework for this scenario.
What Changes with Two Days?
A second day allows you to venture off the beaten path. The climb to Aldayr (The Monastery) and the Al-Khubtha Trail can easily fill half a day; in fact, the Al-Khubtha route often takes four to five hours. Since a two-day ticket is only 5 JOD more than a one-day ticket, the added value is immense.
Who Should Choose Three Days?
Three days are ideal for hiking enthusiasts and history buffs interested in the High Place of Sacrifice and the back-trail routes. A three-day ticket costs 60 JOD, just 10 JOD more than a single day. However, keep in mind that adding a third day to Petra may mean spending less time at the Dead Sea or Wadi Rum.
Ticket Durations, Fees, and the Consecutive Day Rule
Petra tickets are personalized, and the duration determines your access. It is critical to note that two- and three-day tickets must be used on consecutive days; you cannot split the ticket by taking a break in between.
| Ticket Type | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Day (Overnight stay in Jordan) | 50 JOD | Daytime visit |
| 2 Days | 55 JOD | Two consecutive days |
| 3 Days | 60 JOD | Three consecutive days |
| 1 Day (No overnight stay) | 90 JOD | Day trip entry |
| Arab National Citizens | 30 JOD | Daytime visit |
| Jordan Residents | 10 JOD | Minimum 1-year residency card |
| Petra by Night | 30 JOD | Separate ticket; day ticket also required |
Important visiting conditions:
- A valid passport must be presented at the ticket office.
- Children under 12 enter for free during daytime hours.
- E-tickets are valid for eight months from the date of issue; they are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- For 50 JOD and 30 JOD tickets, the duration can be extended at the visitor center for an additional 5 JOD.
- Jordan Pass holders must show their pass at the ticket office to access back-trail routes.
Petra Tickets via Jordan Pass
The Jordan Pass comes in three tiers: Wanderer (70 JOD) for one day, Explorer (75 JOD) for two consecutive days, and Expert (80 JOD) for three consecutive days. If purchased before arriving in Jordan and provided you stay at least two nights in the country, the tourist visa fee is included. Note that Petra by Night is not included in the pass.
The Overnight Stay Requirement and the 90 JOD Fee
Visitors staying at least one night in Jordan benefit from discounted rates. Those arriving and departing on the same day are charged 90 JOD. Staying a single night in Wadi Musa eliminates this price jump.
Visiting Hours and Timing Your Day
The site is open every day of the year. Closing times vary by season, ticket sales end 45 minutes before closing, and the site begins clearing visitors at sunset (60 minutes after official closing).
| Area or Service | Summer Season | Winter Season |
|---|---|---|
| Petra Archaeological Site | 06:00 - 18:00 | 06:00 - 16:00 |
| Club Car Service | 07:00 - 18:00 | 07:00 - 18:00 |
| Monastery 4x4 Transfer | 07:30 - 15:00 | 07:30 - 15:00 |
| Petra Museum | 08:30 - 22:00 | 08:30 - 20:30 |
| Petra by Night | Sun - Thu, 20:30 - 22:30 | Sun - Thu, 20:30 - 22:30 |
The Advantage of Early Entry
Entering at 06:00 allows you to walk through Al-Siq in relative peace and reach the Treasury in the soft morning light. In winter, since the site closes at 16:00, the climb to Aldayr should be prioritized for the morning.
Petra by Night Program
For the candle-lit walk through Al-Siq and the show in front of the Treasury:
- It runs Sunday through Thursday, from 20:30 to 22:30, lasting approximately two hours.
- The cost is 30 JOD per person; children under 10 enter for free.
- You must hold a valid daytime ticket for the same day to attend.
- The experience is designed for walking; club cars are limited and prioritized for the elderly and disabled.
Day One: From Al-Siq to Colonnaded Street
The first day follows the classic route. We recommend this sequence:
- Collect your ticket at the visitor center (have your passport ready).
- Pass the dam section and walk along the Djinn Blocks toward the Al-Siq entrance.
- Take a long break at the Treasury at the end of the gorge.
- Pass through the Street of Facades and the ancient theater toward the city center.
- Reach the area around Qasr Al-Bint via the Colonnaded Street.
- For the return journey, either walk back or use the club car line between the Petra Theater and Qasr Al-Bint.
Al-Siq and Djinn Blocks
Between the visitor center and the entrance to Al-Siq, you will encounter the Djinn Blocks, massive, rock-cut cubic structures. Then comes Al-Siq, a narrow natural gorge formed by tectonic forces. The walls tower above, and the ancient water channels carved into the rock showcase the Nabataeans' mastery of hydraulic engineering. Its shaded nature makes it the most comfortable section to walk in the heat.
Colonnaded Street and the City Center
Beyond the Treasury, the valley opens up into the city center. The Colonnaded Street, with its rows of pillars, served as the city's main artery. After the Nabataeans established the city, it came under Roman rule in 106 AD, becoming the capital of the province of Arabia Petraea; this axis still bears the marks of that era.
Day Two: Aldayr and the Al-Khubtha Trail
The second day is for the climbers. Both routes involve steep steps and exposed, sun-drenched sections. Rather than rushing both, we suggest one in the morning and one in the afternoon. For those who prefer a guided experience, Petra day activity tours are an excellent alternative.
The Climb to Aldayr (The Monastery)
Aldayr is located north of the city center, at the end of a climb of approximately 800 steps. Its facade is even larger than that of the Treasury. For those who wish to avoid the stairs, a 4x4 transfer is available between the Nabatean Culture Village and the Monastery trail for 5 JOD per person (operating 07:30 to 15:00).
Al-Khubtha Trail and the Treasury View
The Al-Khubtha Trail diverges from the main path near the Royal Tombs, climbing upward to a viewpoint that looks directly down upon the Treasury. The entire loop takes four to five hours. Note that a separate 15 JOD fee is charged for access to the panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Treasury.
Byzantine Church Petra and the Petra Museum
Located near the city center, the Byzantine Church Petra reveals the city's later Christian layer. Meanwhile, the Petra Museum near the visitor center houses 280 artifacts across five halls, providing the necessary context for everything you see. It is open from 08:30 to 22:00 in summer and 08:30 to 20:30 in winter.
On-Site Transportation and Guide Services
To shorten walking distances, club cars and official guide services are available. These are lifesavers for visitors on a tight schedule. Those looking for shorter, city-focused programs can explore Petra ancient city city tours.
| Service | Route or Scope | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Club car | Visitor Center $\rightarrow$ Treasury (One way) | 15 JOD |
| Club car | Visitor Center $\rightarrow$ Treasury (Round trip) | 25 JOD |
| Club car | Petra Theater $\rightarrow$ Qasr Al-Bint (One way) | 10 JOD |
| Club car | Petra Theater $\rightarrow$ Qasr Al-Bint (Round trip) | 15 JOD |
| 4x4 transfer | Nabatean Culture Village $\rightarrow$ Monastery trail | 5 JOD |
| Official Guide | Main Route | 50 JOD |
| Official Guide | Main Route + Monastery | 100 JOD |
| Official Guide | Main Route + High Place of Sacrifice | 100 JOD |
| Panoramic View | Viewpoints overlooking the Treasury | 15 JOD |
No advance reservation is needed for club cars; they are stationed at the visitor center. Payments are accepted in Jordanian Dinars or by card.
How Many Days for Petra in a Jordan Itinerary?
Petra is usually part of a broader Jordan tour. The classic route from Amman typically includes the "Golden Triangle": the Dead Sea, Petra, and Wadi Rum. Allocating four to five nights for this trio, with two nights specifically for Petra, creates a balanced pace: one day for the main route and one day for the hiking trails.
Every extra day spent in Petra is a day taken away from a desert camp in Wadi Rum or a resort at the Dead Sea. If your primary interest is archaeology and hiking, three days in Petra make sense; for a general tour of Jordan, two days maintain the perfect balance. Timing also matters: March to May and September to November offer mild weather for hiking, while the summer heat makes the same routes significantly more taxing.
Frequently Asked Questions 6
How many days should I spend in Petra?
One day is sufficient to see the main highlights, including Al-Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, and the Colonnaded Street. However, two days are recommended if you wish to include the climb to Aldayr (The Monastery) and the Al-Khubtha Trail.
How many hours does it take to visit Petra?
The walk from the visitor center to the Treasury takes about 40 minutes. A round-trip route covering the Treasury, the theater, and the city center takes five to seven hours, including breaks. The Al-Khubtha Trail should be planned as a separate four-to-five-hour excursion.
Must two- and three-day tickets be used on consecutive days?
Yes. Two- and three-day tickets must be used on consecutive days. You cannot split the ticket with a gap in between, so plan your stay in Wadi Musa accordingly.
When is the best time to visit Petra?
For the best hiking conditions, the mild weather from March to May and September to November is ideal. Summer temperatures can be extreme, making unshaded climbs difficult, while winter closing times (16:00) shorten the available visiting hours.
Do I need a separate ticket for Petra by Night?
Yes. Petra by Night requires a separate ticket costing 30 JOD per person, and it is not included in the Jordan Pass. You must also hold a valid daytime ticket for the same day to attend. The show runs Sunday through Thursday, 20:30 - 22:30.
How many days should I stay in Jordan?
A classic itinerary covering Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum usually takes four to five nights. In this plan, spending two nights in Petra is sufficient for both the main route and the hiking trails. If you add stops like Aqaba for diving or the ruins of Jerash, the trip can extend to six nights.
