Jordan Trip Budget

If you’ve already read my ideal 2-week itinerary as an adventurous mid-range traveler, it won’t surprise you when I say: Jordan is a bucket-list destination. Wandering through the ancient city of Petra and dreaming away on the sand dunes of Wadi Rum easily makes it one of the most amazing trips you can take. Even though I spent two weeks exploring the country, I want to give you a clear idea of how much a Jordan trip really costs — whether you’re planning for 1 week or 2. This way, you can pick what suits your travel style and your Jordan Trip Budget.

My personal tip? If you want to fully experience the country’s rich mix of landscapes, history, and adventure, go for the 2-week itinerary if you can. I promise — you won’t regret it!

When I first started planning my trip to Jordan, I’ll admit — I was a bit nervous. I kept asking myself: Is Jordan expensive to visit? Most articles didn’t really give a clear answer on whether Jordan is cheap or pricey, which made budgeting tough. Here’s the honest truth: it depends on how you travel and what prices you’re used to. From my experience, you can absolutely stick to a budget or go for a comfortable mid-range Jordan Trip Budget without breaking the bank. If you’re used to European or American prices, you’ll probably find Jordan surprisingly affordable — if you know where to look.

The trick? Avoid international hotel chains and dive into the local culture instead. You’ll not only save money, but your experience will feel much more authentic. My best stay in Jordan? Hands down, two nights in a small, family-owned hotel on the edge of Dana, with a spectacular view over the valley. When I left, I truly felt like part of the family — after sharing stories over Bedouin tea. And if your budget allows — like mine did as a mid-range traveler — there’s still plenty of room to splurge on those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

When planning your Jordan Trip Budget, you’ll notice that accommodation is one of the most variable costs, and it can make or break your overall expenses. For us as mid-range travelers, accommodation was the most expensive category: we spent 816.19 JOD for 14 nights, averaging 58.30 JOD per night for two people. That included mostly mid-range hotels — and a splurge on two nights at a Dead Sea resort, which alone cost us 327 JOD.

You can probably see why I’m warning you about those well-known hotel chains. They’re often in top locations (think: right opposite Petra or directly on the Dead Sea strip), but they come with a hefty price tag. While a luxury chain hotel might cost around 150 JOD/night or more, a local hotel with all the comfort you need will likely set you back just 41 JOD/night — less than a third of the price!

And no, that doesn’t mean relocating to the middle of nowhere. I always value comfort and convenience. That average even includes a bubble tent in Wadi Rum — with a bathroom that looked nicer than most people’s homes! Can you go cheaper? Definitely. But you might have to compromise on either location, comfort, or aesthetics.

Food & Drinks in Jordan

Food and drinks are always a highlight of any trip for me — it’s one of the best ways to taste a country’s culture. Surprisingly though, this wasn’t our second-biggest expense (which it often is). There are two main reasons:

1. Food in Jordan is generally affordable.
2. Alcohol isn’t widely available — and when it is, it’s expensive.

We kept things simple some days by asking our hotel for a lunch box (great when hiking in Dana or exploring Petra all day). On average, dinners in a Jordanian restaurant cost 25–40 JOD, and our more indulgent meals — where we had drinks or went to a finer restaurant — cost around 60 JOD for two. Lunch was typically 10–15 JOD for two, or even less for something quick like falafel or hummus. Just keep in mind that taxes and service charges are often added on top, especially in more upscale places

Tours & Attractions

You might be wondering: What cost more than food on this trip? That would be tours and attractions — especially because we went for some bucket-list experiences and traveled during the Israel conflict, which meant many tours (like in Wadi Rum) were only available as private tours.

Here are a few examples:

• Private Petra guide: 70 JOD (worth every dinar!)
• Guided day hike with transport: 175 JOD

If you’re trying to keep your Jordan Trip Budget tight, know that it can be done much cheaper — but we chose to splurge, and we don’t regret it for a second.

If you’re looking to cut costs without missing out, consider getting the Jordan Pass. I wrote a separate article about whether the Jordan Pass is worth it (spoiler: it is!). It costs 70–80 JOD depending on how many days you want to visit Petra and includes many top sites. In the end, we spent about €845 in-country for two weeks (for 2 people), including all the private tours and unforgettable moments. Not too bad for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Transportation in Jordan

Transportation works a bit differently in Jordan compared to Western countries. Yes, there is public transport, but I wouldn’t recommend it for 1- or 2-week trips unless you have a lot of time and patience. You also have JETT buses that connect major tourist areas, but if you want flexibility and freedom, I highly recommend renting a car.

We paid about €490 for a small rental car for two weeks, including petrol and insurance. It gave us the freedom to go at our own pace and see more remote places that would’ve been harder (or more expensive) to reach otherwise. If you go for a bigger car or a name-brand rental agency like Hertz, it will cost more — but it still likely won’t send your Jordan travel costs skyrocketing.

Miscellaneous Costs

For full transparency, here are some small additional costs:

• eSIM at the airport: 15 JOD per person
• ATM fees: Around 6 JOD per withdrawal (we needed a fair amount of cash for guides and non-prepaid hotels)

If by now you’re totally conviced about doing the 2 week itinerary mentioned on my website, the table below will give you an idea about the cost per person – based on 2 persons traveling together, excluding flights.

If sadly there is not enough time or budget to squeeze in 2 weeks of Jordan adventures, you’ll find a compressed version in a 1 week itinerary below. It includes 2 days in Petra, a night in Wadi Rum, and some time at the dead sea.

How much you should budget for a trip to Jordan really depends on your travel style — how much comfort you want, how often you like to splurge on unique experiences, and how long you plan to stay in this amazing country. But here’s the good news: a trip to Jordan doesn’t have to break the bank if you make smart choices.

Accommodation and transportation are the biggest variables that will affect your Jordan travel costs. Steering clear of expensive hotel chains and opting for charming local stays can drastically lower your expenses without compromising on comfort. Similarly, renting a small car gives you flexibility and keeps your transportation budget in check, especially if you’re traveling for one or two weeks.

As a mid-range traveler like us, you can expect to spend around 776 JOD for a 1-week trip or 1.296 JOD for 2 weeks per person, based on two people sharing and excluding flights. That includes great local meals, memorable tours (even private ones!), and authentic stays — all without overspending. One of the smartest travel hacks for Jordan? Buying the Jordan Pass. It will save you money regardless of whether you travel on a budget or in luxury, especially if you’re planning to visit Petra (which you definitely should!).

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Jordan adventure — it’s worth every dinar!

• The perfect 14 day Jordan itinerary
• Jordan Travel Tips: Essential Things to Know Before Your Trip
• Driving in Jordan: everything you need to knwo for a smooth journey
• Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
• Visit Petra: A Comprehensive Guide to Jordan’s Rose City
• What to wear in Jordan?