Comparison · Jerusalem vs Petra · Israel / Jordan
Jerusalem vs Petra
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: askii, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Jerusalem for Old City, Western Wall, nightlife and free sights; choose Petra for The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), The Siq, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Petra is generally less expensive, and the two are about 162 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 162 km
- Less expensive
- Petra
- Best time for Jerusalem
- April–June and September–November
- Best time for Petra
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Jerusalem | Petra | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Israel | Jordan |
| Known for | Old City, Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre | The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), The Siq and The Monastery (Ad Deir) |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–November | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 2 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $130–$250 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 12°C (54°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 1 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | TLV | AMM, AQJ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Jerusalem for…
Old City, Western Wall, nightlife and free sights. Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and its walled Old City — under one square kilometre, divided into the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters — holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount /…
Choose Petra for…
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), The Siq, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, a trading people who carved temples and tombs into the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan from around the 1st century BC. Visitors enter through the Siq, a 1.2 km gorge that ends at the facade of the Treasury…
Top sights compared
| # | Jerusalem | Petra |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Wall | The Siq |
| 2 | Western Wall Tunnels | The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) |
| 3 | Church of the Holy Sepulchre | Street of Facades and the Theatre |
| 4 | Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock | Royal Tombs |
| 5 | Old City walls and Ramparts Walk | Colonnaded Street, Great Temple and Qasr al-Bint |
Food compared
| Jerusalem | Petra |
|---|---|
| Hummus | Mansaf |
| Jerusalem mixed grill | Maqluba |
| Ka'ak al-Quds | Zarb |
| Knafeh | Galayet bandora |
Which is cheaper?
Petra is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $130–$250 per person there, against $180–$320 in Jerusalem (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Petra on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Jerusalem and Petra are about 162 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Jerusalem and 2 in Petra.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jerusalem or Petra cheaper?
Petra is usually less expensive: about $130–$250 a day mid-range against $180–$320 (estimates).
+Is Jerusalem or Petra better for a first trip?
Pick Jerusalem for Old City, Western Wall, nightlife and free sights, or Petra for The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), The Siq, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is Jerusalem from Petra?
About 162 km in a straight line.