Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
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Is the Jordan Pass worth it? I’ve rounded up all the must-need information you need before visiting Jordan and buying the Jordan Pass, so you can make up your own mind on whether or not it’s worth purchasing!
From world wonders ancient cities such as Petra, and deserts that look similar to Mars in Wadi Rum, Jordan should be on any keen traveller’s bucket list. But it’s not the most budget-friendly destination, so having a Jordan Pass is one of the best ways to keep costs down.
But, what is actually involved in the Jordan Pass? What should you expect from a Jordan Pass? Will it save me money? What are the benefits? In this blog post, I explain everything you need to know about the Jordan Pass, so your visit is as successful as possible!
Other Jordan posts:
- Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
- Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
- Is Petra Worth Visiting? A Must-Read Before You Go!
- What to Wear in Jordan (That Isn’t Ugly)
- Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
Is the Jordan Pass Worth It? A Summary
If you want to save money whilst visiting Jordan, the Jordan Pass is worth it. As it covers both your visa entry fees and gives you access to most of the main attractions, the Jordan Pass is worth buying.
The Jordan Pass also includes queue jumps at the airport and at some locations. As Jordan is becoming increasingly popular, this can save you a lot of time. If we were to break whether having a Jordan Pass is worth it down or not, we would see that:
💰 A tourist visa on arrival is £45 ($50) and a day trip to Petra (without a Jordan Pass) is £100 ($110). This totals £145 ($150) already.
🪪 The total price for a Jordan Pass is £80 ($100) if you are only visiting Petra for one day. This alone makes the Jordan Pass worth it.
So, in summary, yes – the Jordan Pass is worth it!
Important Facts about the Jordan Pass
🇯🇴 The Jordan Pass includes your visa entry to the country; but you must buy the pass before arriving in Jordan.
🐪 It includes entrance fees to all of the major sites in Jordan; including Petra, Wadi Rum and Jerash.
🌌 The Jordan Pass does not include Petra by Night. This will need to be bought separately.
📱 The Jordan Pass is accessible on your phone with a QR code, however, you should try to print it before arriving as the code can be tricky to scan.
💰 You can choose between three different Jordan Passes, depending on how long you would like to be in Petra.
🇯🇴 The Jordan Pass can only be used up to 12 months after purchase. Free access to the attractions automatically expires after two weeks.
🆔 You need to carry ID with you to show whenever you use the Jordan Pass. This is scanned at each destination.
⛔️ If you purchase a Jordan Pass and leave the country within three days, you’ll be charged £60 upon departure. Only buy a Jordan Pass if you are staying for longer than three days.
Where to stay if you’re visiting Jordan for the first time
If you’re travelling around Jordan for the first time, these are some of the best hotels and hostels.
Amman
- Hotel: W Amman: for a 5* hotel in Shmeisani, within walking distance of all of the best attractions ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
- Hostel: Nomads Hostel (Jabal Amman) For backpackers and solo travellers in Amman ➡ BOOK AND READ THE REVIEWS NOW
Wadi Rum
- Bubble dome: UFO Luxotel has classic bubble dome rooms, with views overlooking the desert. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
- Traditional Bedouin tent: Wadi Rum Desert Adventures is one of the most popular authentic desert camps in Wadi Rum. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
Petra:
- Hotel: Petra Sky Hotel: A hotel close to Petra’s entrance that’s cheap, includes breakfast and has a decent-sized room.
- Hostel: Petra Boxtel Hostel: for backpackers and solo travellers. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
How does the Jordan Pass work?
Once you’ve applied for your Jordan Pass online, you will receive a confirmation email. This can take up to three days to arrive, but if there are no problems, you will receive it relatively quickly. Ours came within 12 hours of ordering.
The Jordan Pass then comes attached to the email in a Zip folder. This can be downloaded, and you can print it off to show at each new attraction. The email also includes a Jordan travel guide and map, which is helpful to have on your phone when you are travelling around.
Wifi isn’t always widely available in Jordan, although it is improving. I recommend either buying a local SIM card or buying an eSIM to show your Jordan Pass when requested. ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchase. You can check out Jordan eSIMs here!
When you arrive at a new location that’s included in your pass (Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash), you will simply need to show your Jordan Pass to be allowed entry.
Where can I use the Jordan Pass?
There are many locations all over Jordan where you can use your Jordan Pass. Some of the places are entirely covered by the Jordan Pass, and some offer a discount. Locations include (but are not limited to):
- Petra
- Jerash
- Wadi Rum desert
- Jesus’ Baptism Site
- Amman Citadel
- Aljoun Castle
- Umm Qays
- Pella
- Karak Castle
➡ For a full list of locations included in the Jordan Pass, click here.
What the Jordan Pass doesn’t include
🐪 Petra By Night: Tickets for Petra at Night must be bought separately. You can buy them from your hostel or hotel in Wadi Musa.
🌊 Swimming in the Dead Sea: this is a free activity to do in Jordan.
🇯🇴 4×4 Tours in Wadi Rum Desert: tours for Wadi Rum must be bought separately, and can be done via your Wadi Rum bubble camp.
🌌 Any other additional tours such as stargazing, camel rides and sightseeing tours in Jordan.
How much does the Jordan Pass cost?
The Jordan Pass comes in three different packages. All include the visa fee to enter the country, with free entry to over 40 attractions in Jordan and downloadable brochures. However, the price depends on how many days you would like to spend in Petra.
- The Jordan Wanderer: 1 day in Petra: £80 ($100)
- Jordan Explorer: 2 consecutive days in Petra: £85 ($105)
- Jordan Expert: 3 consecutive days in Petra: £90 ($111)
We opted for the Jordan Wanderer, as we only wanted one full day in Petra. Deciding on which Jordan Pass you need just depends on how many days you would like to visit Petra.
➡ Need more information? Check out the official Jordan Pass website here.
Can I visit the same attraction twice with my Jordan Pass?
No. The Jordan Pass only covers entry to each attraction once, unless you have bought a package for multiple entries to Petra. Your Jordan Pass will be scanned and/or stamped each time you enter a new attraction so you are unable to visit more than once.
Is the Jordan Pass worth it? FAQs
1) How long is the Jordan Pass valid?
Once you have entered Jordan using your Jordan Pass, you can use it on attractions for two weeks. The visa covers entry into Jordan for up to 30 days, but the attractions included in the pass can only be used for 14 days after activating.
2) Who can buy the Jordan Pass?
Anyone who is eligible for a visa on arrival in Jordan can buy a Jordan Pass. As long as you are staying for at least three nights and four days in Jordan, you are able to buy the Jordan Pass.
➡ Need more information? Check out the official Jordan Pass website here.
3) When should I buy the Jordan Pass?
You will need to purchase your Jordan Pass before entering the country. This is because the Jordan Pass is checked at immigration upon arrival. Just make sure you intend to use the Jordan Pass within 12 months of purchasing.
4) What are the benefits of the Jordan Pass?
The Jordan Pass includes your visa entry to the country; as well as all of the entrance fees to major sites in Jordan.
5) How long does it take to get a Jordan Pass?
It should take no longer than three days to receive your Jordan Pass. We bought ours and received it within 12 hours of purchase. Buy your Jordan Pass to avoid any confusion or panic (although you cannot buy it more than 12 months in advance).
6) Is Petra at night included in Jordan Pass?
No, Petra at Night is not included in the Jordan Pass. You will need to buy a ticket for Petra at Night separately. This can be done with your hostel or hotel in Wadi Musa.
➡ Not sure where to stay when visiting Petra? Check out my full Petra accommodation guide here.
7) What tours should I do in Jordan?
Looking to book a tour in Jordan? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
Some of the best tours in Jordan include:
- Scuba diving in the Red Sea ➡ BOOK NOW!
- Private Petra tour with transfers ➡ BOOK NOW!
- Day trip to the Dead Sea from Amman ➡ BOOK NOW!
➡ Check out more tours for your trip here!
8) Do I need a SIM card to travel around Jordan?
Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
9) Do I need a car to travel around Jordan?
Driving in Jordan is safe and straightforward. Some of the main attractions are a distance away from each other, so to maximise your time in the country, you may want to hire a car.
If you’re looking to hire a car in Jordan, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Jordan now!
Is the Jordan Pass Worth it? In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now know whether or not the Jordan Pass is worth it. When you’re planning a trip to Jordan, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Jordan content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Visiting Jordan? Check out my other posts below:
- Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
- Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
- Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
- Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
