Travel tips · Petra · Jordan
Petra travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Azurfrog, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Petra is home to Bedouin tribes, notably the Bdul, who lived in its caves until the 1980s, and the Liyathneh of Wadi Musa. Many families still make a living inside the site selling crafts, offering rides or serving tea. Hospitality is central: being invited to tea is common, and refusing politely is perfectly acceptable. Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country with a Friday–Saturday weekend.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Currency
- JOD
- Plugs
- Mainly Type C, F and G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not recommended for visitors.
- Emergency
- 911
Things to know
- Greet with 'Marhaba' or 'As-salamu alaykum'; with women, wait for them to offer a hand before shaking.
- A friendly 'La, shukran' (no, thank you) is enough to decline rides, souvenirs and offers inside the site.
- Ask before photographing people, especially Bedouin women.
- Use your right hand to eat, pass and receive items.
- Accept tea or coffee if you have time; it is offered as a welcome, not always as a sales pitch.
- Do not climb on carved facades or touch fragile carvings and painted surfaces.
- Book Petra by Night ahead: It runs only on certain evenings and needs a separate ticket; check the schedule locally when you arrive.
- Buy a two- or three-day ticket; the extra days cost little and let you split the walking.
Tipping
About 10% in restaurants is customary if no service charge is added. Guides and drivers are usually tipped at the end, and horse handlers at the gate expect a small tip.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Marhaba | Hello |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| La, shukran | No, thank you |
| Ahlan wa sahlan | Welcome |
| Kam? | How much? |
| Yalla | Let's go |
What to wear
Wear comfortable, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, sturdy walking shoes with grip for sandstone steps, a hat and sunscreen. Bring a warm layer: mornings and evenings are cold from November to March.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Mainly Type C, F and G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not recommended for visitors.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards from Zain, Orange and Umniah work in Wadi Musa; signal is patchy in parts of the site.
- Time zone
- Asia/Amman
The main risks are heat, dehydration and falls on steep, unfenced trails, especially in the heat of the day. Sellers offering donkey, camel and horse rides can be persistent; ride only on animals that look healthy and agree prices first.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Jordan's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Petra?
About 10% in restaurants is customary if no service charge is added. Guides and drivers are usually tipped at the end, and horse handlers at the gate expect a small tip.
+Can you drink the tap water in Petra?
Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water is not recommended for visitors.
+What plugs are used in Petra?
Mainly Type C, F and G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Petra?
Arabic and English.