How to Beat the Crowds at Petra
Petra costs 50 JD for one day if you stay a night in Jordan (90 JD for same-day visitors), or it's included in the Jordan Pass. It opens at 6 am, so be at the gate then and walk the Siq to the Treasury before the day-trippers from Amman and Aqaba arrive at about 9-10 am. Petra by Night runs Sunday to Thursday and costs extra.
- 1 day
- 50 JD (90 JD without an overnight stay)
- 2 days
- 55 JD
- 3 days
- 60 JD
- Jordan Pass
- Includes Petra and can waive the visa fee
- Hours
- 6 am to 4 pm in winter, 6 pm in summer
- Petra by Night
- Sunday to Thursday, 8:30-10:30 pm, extra ticket
- Best time
- 6 am opening
- Time to allow
- A full day, or 2 days
How busy is Petra?
Petra is huge, but everyone funnels through the 1.2 km Siq to the Treasury, which is packed from mid-morning when coach groups arrive. Beyond it, the Royal Tombs and the climb to the Monastery are much quieter. The heat from late morning in summer also makes the climbs hard.
Before you go, check how busy Petra is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for local holidays, cruise and coach arrivals, and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Petra →Best (and worst) times to go
- 6 am: an empty Treasury in soft light.
- Late afternoon: the Monastery and Royal Tombs glow and the crowds thin.
- Spring and autumn: the most comfortable weather.
- Worst: 10 am to 1 pm at the Treasury, and summer middays.
Our hourly forecast for Petra shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Petra →