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Latest update: 13 September 2025
Well, I could make this a really short blog post. Yes, the Jordan Pass is a good deal. But you probably want to know why I think that, so I’m happy to explain why you should get one for your trip to Jordan.
What exactly is the Jordan Pass?
The Jordan Pass is basically an all-in-one ticket for Jordan. You get access to more than 40 attractions in the country, and here’s the convenient part: your visa is also included. It saved me about € 50 in visa costs coming from the Netherlands.
What’s also great is that you can walk right into attractions everywhere. There’s no hassle with buying tickets and waiting in lines. You just show your pass on your phone, and boom, you’re in. Sometimes, you can walk right past a long line. Love it!
Why is the Jordan Pass such a good deal?
Okay, here’s the math (done in 2025). Buying a visa at the airport costs 40 JOD (about $55-60), and a one-day ticket to Petra costs 50 JOD (about $70). That’s already 90 JOD together. The cheapest Jordan Pass costs 70 JOD (about $100). So you’re already saving about $25-35, and that’s before you visit other places!
Are you also going to Jerash (10 JOD/$14) and Wadi Rum (7 JOD/$10 entrance)? Then the savings get even better. More than 40 attractions and sights are included in the Jordan Pass. Even if you only visit Petra and one other place, you’ve already earned your money’s worth.
What are the three packages?
The Jordan Pass comes in three versions. The only differences are the number of days you can visit Petra and the price, of course.
Jordan Wanderer – 70 JOD (about $100)
- 1 day Petra
- Access to all 40+ attractions
- Visa included
Jordan Explorer – 75 JOD (about $105)
- 2 days Petra
- Access to all 40+ attractions
- Visa included
Jordan Expert – 80 JOD (about $115)
- 3 days Petra
- Access to all 40+ attractions
- Visa included
Note: when paying online, about 2 JOD in administrative fees are added per person.
I really recommend planning two days for Petra, by the way. Petra is huge and there’s so much to see. You can see a lot in one day, but then it becomes a long, exhausting day.
What attractions can you visit for free with the Jordan Pass?
Strangely enough, the Jordan Pass website doesn’t give a complete overview of all participating attractions. I just try it at every attraction I visit and see if it’s accepted. Usually it is. The main highlights you can definitely visit with it are:
The big draws:
- Petra (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Wadi Rum (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Jerash (Roman ruins)
- Citadel of Amman
- Roman Theater in Amman
Castles and fortresses:
- Ajloun Castle
- Karak Castle
- Shobak Castle
- Qasr Amra (desert castle, UNESCO)
Other well-known places:
What’s NOT included in the pass?
Many churches are also excluded, but most religious buildings offer free admission or ask for a small donation. The mosaic church in Madaba, for example, costs 1 JOD ($1.40), and Mount Nebo costs 3 JOD ($4.20).
Petra by Night (17 JOD/$24) is also always a separate ticket, even if you buy a regular day ticket for Petra.
Hot air balloon tours, jeep tours, and other activities aren’t included either. Those are commercial add-ons, not admission to the sights themselves.
Extras with the Jordan Pass
Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Jesus’s baptism site): this isn’t included in the Jordan Pass by default, but as a Jordan Pass holder you do get a discount. It normally costs 12 JOD ($17), but with the Jordan Pass you pay only 8 JOD ($11).
Journey to 1916 in Wadi Rum: this IS included for free! It’s a train journey of about an hour that recreates the 1916 Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, complete with a show. You do need to reserve in advance and it’s not available every day. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do it.
When you buy your Jordan Pass, you can reserve these two extras immediately.
How does it work with your visa?
This might be the most important point: you need to stay at least 3 nights (4 days) in Jordan to get the “free” visa. Stay shorter? Then you still have to pay 40 JOD ($55-60) in visa costs on top of your Jordan Pass.
Pay attention when arriving at the airport: don’t go straight to the regular passport control. You need to go to the special Jordan Pass counter first. I didn’t realize this and got sent back after standing in line for a long time. Luckily, the line at the Jordan Pass counter was gone by then. You show your Jordan Pass on your phone (that’s sufficient), get a stamp, and can go through.
Where do you order the Jordan Pass?
You can order the Jordan Pass online on the official Jordan Pass website. You need a Visa or MasterCard credit card to make the payment.
The website doesn’t always work perfectly in every browser, so if it doesn’t, try a different browser or credit card.
The pass is emailed to you immediately as a digital ticket. You can print it out or save it on your phone—both work.
What are the conditions?
There are, of course, some rules you need to keep in mind:
- The Jordan Pass is valid for 12 months after purchase
- Once you use it for the first time, you have 2 weeks to visit all the attractions
- You officially always need to show your passport alongside your Jordan Pass (I was only asked for this at Petra)
- You can only visit each attraction once (except Petra if you have the 2- or 3-day pass)
- Multiple days to Petra? These must be consecutive days.
FAQ about the Jordan Pass
Yes, you can. But then you miss the free visa because you must have already arranged it upon arrival.
Children under 12 can join all attractions for free if they are with an adult, so a Jordan Pass is not necessary for them.
No, the Jordan Pass is not refundable. So make sure you are sure of your plans before you order.
Not for most places, but Petra can be busy in the high season. Check if there are any special rules for your travel date.
We did not do that and had no problems with it. But just to be sure, it is smart to bring a print.
More Jordan inspiration
Useful links for your Jordan trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always useful, but be sure to compare prices. For example, through Trivago and Trip. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. “Free” walking tours book with Freetour or GuruWalk.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Amazon.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could check out Expedia or CheapOair.
- Flights. Compare all your options! At least check Expedia, Kiwi and Trip.
- Yoga retreat. Or: go for a yoga retreat in Jordan.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
