Tipping in Jordan
Tip 10% in Jordanian restaurants if service isn't included; taxi drivers don't expect tips but rounding up the fare is appreciated, and hotel porters expect 1–2 JOD per bag.
Jordan price guide
Prices in Jordan in 2026: fair price vs tourist trap
Short answer: on the pricey side, even at local prices. Fair prices sit 16% above the 60-country median, and tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price.
29 prices checked Apr – Aug 2026 16 verified and 13 estimates How I check
Fair prices at a glance
- Street food meal JOD 1.00–2.50 ≈ $1.40 – $3.50
- City taxi 1 km JOD 0.40–1.00 ≈ $0.56 – $1.40
- Local beer JOD 3–5 ≈ $4.20 – $7.10
- Massage (1 hour) JOD 25–50 ≈ $35 – $71
All 29 prices are also in the free app for iPhone and Android, and they work offline. Get it
One day in Jordan: JOD 18 or JOD 49
About $25 or $69 a day.
The first number is what locals pay, the second what tourist spots charge for exactly the same day.
Same day, same things: the tourist version costs 2.7× as much.
Restaurant meal alone: JOD 20, or 41% of the tourist-trap day.
+JOD 31 (about $44) for the same day
| Item | Fair (JOD) | Trap (JOD) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 1.75 | 8.50 |
| Restaurant meal | 8.50 | 20 |
| Coffee (espresso) | 1.75 | 4.50 |
| Water 1.5 L | 0.50 | 1.75 |
| Local beer | 4 | 7.50 |
| Public transit ticket 2 rides | 1 | 3 |
| Short taxi ride about 1 km | 0.70 | 3.50 |
| Total | 18 | 49 |
- Sightseeing comes on top: a ticket to a top museum or attraction is JOD 5–20 (about $7 – $28).
- Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week for one honest number.
Where tourists overpay most in Jordan
Tourist-trap price compared with the fair price, using the middle of each range.
Check a price you were quoted
Pick what you are buying, type the price, and see where it lands.
about $7.10
Tourist-trap price
Fair JOD 0.40–1.00 Trap JOD 2–5
JOD 5 is 7.1× the middle of the fair range (JOD 0.40–1.00).
Tourists often get charged JOD 2–5. From JOD 2 you are paying the tourist-trap price.
In the app, every expense you log on a trip gets the same check, offline.
Fair vs tourist prices in Jordan, item by item
What 29 everyday things should cost, and what tourists often pay instead. Typical for Petra, Amman, and Wadi Rum.
Show prices in
- Fair price
- Tourist-trap price
- Verified
- Estimate
Bars run from zero to each item's top tourist-trap price.
Food & drinks
Restaurant meal: fair is JOD 5–12. From JOD 15 you are on the tourist menu.
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Water 0.5 L
Bottled, convenience store
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.9× the fair priceFair JOD 0.30–0.60 ≈ $0.42 – $0.85Trap JOD 1.00–2.50 ≈ $1.40 – $3.50 -
Coffee (espresso)
Cafe or street vendor
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.6× the fair priceFair JOD 1.00–2.50 ≈ $1.40 – $3.50Trap JOD 3–6 ≈ $4.20 – $8.50 -
Local beer
Draft, at bar or restaurant
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 1.9× the fair priceFair JOD 3–5 ≈ $4.20 – $7.10Trap JOD 6–9 ≈ $9 – $13 -
Restaurant meal
Tourist area, main course
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair priceFair JOD 5–12 ≈ $7 – $17Trap JOD 15–25 ≈ $21 – $35 -
Street food meal
Local market or stand
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 4.9× the fair priceFair JOD 1.00–2.50 ≈ $1.40 – $3.50Trap JOD 5–12 ≈ $7 – $17 -
Cocktail at bar
Mixed drink, bar
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 1.5× the fair priceFair JOD 6–9 ≈ $9 – $13Trap JOD 10–13 ≈ $14 – $18 -
Bottle of wine (restaurant)
House wine, restaurant
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 1.7× the fair priceFair JOD 25–35 ≈ $35 – $49Trap JOD 40–60 ≈ $56 – $85 -
Fresh juice
Cafe or street stall
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair JOD 0.70–2.15 ≈ $0.99 – $3Trap JOD 2.85–5.70 ≈ $4 – $8
Transport
Airport taxi to the center: fair is JOD 20–25. At JOD 30 or more, walk away.
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Airport taxi to center
Standard route
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair priceFair JOD 20–25 ≈ $28 – $35Trap JOD 30–50 ≈ $42 – $71 -
City taxi 1 km
Metered or typical fare
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 5.0× the fair priceFair JOD 0.40–1.00 ≈ $0.56 – $1.40Trap JOD 2–5 ≈ $2.80 – $7.10 -
Public transit ticket
Single ride
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair JOD 0.35–0.65 ≈ $0.49 – $0.92Trap JOD 1–2 ≈ $1.40 – $2.80 -
Private transfer (app)
Grab / Bolt / Uber
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.5× the fair priceFair JOD 3–7 ≈ $4.20 – $9.90Trap JOD 10–25 ≈ $14 – $35
Souvenirs
Fridge magnet: fair is JOD 1–2. Above JOD 2 you are paying the souvenir-stall markup.
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Fridge magnet
Tourist shop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.3× the fair priceFair JOD 1–2 ≈ $1.40 – $2.80Trap JOD 2–5 ≈ $2.80 – $7.10 -
Printed T-shirt
Tourist shop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.5× the fair priceFair JOD 3–7 ≈ $4.20 – $9.90Trap JOD 10–25 ≈ $14 – $35 -
Local handcraft
Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 4.4× the fair priceFair JOD 5–20 ≈ $7 – $28Trap JOD 30–80 ≈ $42 – $115
Daily essentials
Tourist SIM: fair is JOD 6–15. Above JOD 15 it is the tourist-kiosk price.
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Tourist SIM card
Data package
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair priceFair JOD 6–15 ≈ $9 – $21Trap JOD 15–25 ≈ $21 – $35 -
Sunscreen SPF50
Pharmacy or shop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair priceFair JOD 10–25 ≈ $14 – $35Trap JOD 25–40 ≈ $35 – $56 -
Water 1.5 L
Supermarket
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.5× the fair priceFair JOD 0.30–0.70 ≈ $0.42 – $0.99Trap JOD 1.00–2.50 ≈ $1.40 – $3.50 -
Cigarettes
Pack of 20
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.6× the fair priceFair JOD 2–3 ≈ $2.80 – $4.20Trap JOD 3.50–4.50 ≈ $4.90 – $6.30 -
Painkillers (paracetamol)
Pack of 20 tablets
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.7× the fair priceFair JOD 0.70–2.15 ≈ $0.99 – $3Trap JOD 3.55–7.10 ≈ $5 – $10 -
Mosquito repellent
Spray or lotion
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair priceFair JOD 2.50–5.50 ≈ $3.50 – $7.80Trap JOD 5.50–8.50 ≈ $8 – $12
Services
One-hour massage: fair is JOD 25–50. From JOD 60 you are paying for the address.
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Men's haircut
Local barbershop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair JOD 3–12 ≈ $4 – $17Trap JOD 15–30 ≈ $21 – $42 -
Laundry (per kg)
Laundry service
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair JOD 2–4 ≈ $2.80 – $5.60Trap JOD 5–12 ≈ $7 – $17 -
Massage (1 hour)
Standard full-body massage
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair JOD 25–50 ≈ $35 – $71Trap JOD 60–150 ≈ $85 – $210 -
Women's haircut
Basic cut, salon
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.1× the fair priceFair JOD 10–25 ≈ $14 – $35Trap JOD 25–50 ≈ $35 – $71
Attractions
Top museum or attraction: fair is JOD 5–20. From JOD 30, check that you are not buying through a reseller.
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Top museum / attraction
Entrance ticket
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair priceFair JOD 5–20 ≈ $7 – $28Trap JOD 30–60 ≈ $42 – $85 -
Half-day group tour
Organized excursion
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.2× the fair priceFair JOD 40–70 ≈ $56 – $99Trap JOD 100–250 ≈ $140 – $355 -
Full-day group tour
Organized excursion 6-8h
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair priceFair JOD 21.30–42.60 ≈ $30 – $60Trap JOD 56.80–106.50 ≈ $80 – $150 -
Cooking class
Local cuisine cooking class
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.3× the fair priceFair JOD 30–50 ≈ $42 – $71Trap JOD 60–120 ≈ $85 – $170
Converted at 1 USD = 0.709 JOD, the rate on October 3, 2026. Approximate.
Money and tipping in Jordan
Currency
Jordanian dinar (JOD)
- 1 USD = 0.709 JOD
Quick converter, JOD to USD
When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose JOD. The rate it offers is almost always worse.
Bargaining in Jordan
Bargaining is expected in Amman's souks and at souvenir stalls near Petra; start at 50% of the asking price and work toward a mutually agreed figure, being friendly goes a long way.
Fuel prices per liter
- Gasoline JOD 1.31 / liter ≈ $1.80
- Diesel JOD 0.85 / liter ≈ $1.20
Scams and safety in Jordan
What tourists actually run into, from overcharging tricks to local laws. Open any item for the details.
Scam or crime Petra camel and unlicensed guide shakedown
At Petra the entry ticket already includes a short horse ride from the Visitor Centre to just before the Siq, and the handlers sell it as free, then demand 15 to 40 JOD once you dismount. The customary tip is about 5 JOD and the ride is entirely optional. Camels near the Treasury and mules up the steps to the Monastery are separate paid rides, roughly 15 JOD per person, so fix the price and the direction of travel before you mount. Use only guides carrying a badge from the Petra Visitor Centre, agree every fee out loud before you set off, and pay in Jordanian dinars.
Scam or crime Amman airport taxi and ATM skimming
At Queen Alia AMM airport, unregistered yellow cabs charge 50–80 JOD for the 35-minute city run, the regulated Airport Taxi fare is 25 JOD by voucher. Standalone ATMs in Terminal Arrivals skim cards (2024 CBJ advisory flagged 40+ cases). Use the Airport Taxi desk or Careem app, and withdraw dinara only inside Jordan Kuwait Bank, Arab Bank or HSBC branches in Amman.
Health Contaminated water and leptospirosis
Tap water is unsafe to drink and may carry leptospirosis from animal urine. Avoid swimming in fresh water or floodwater and use only sealed bottled water.
Nature Wadi rum dehydration and flash floods
Wadi Rum summer temperatures hit 45 °C with 0% humidity, tourists die from dehydration within 3 hours without shade. Winter flash floods killed 21 schoolchildren at the Dead Sea in 2018; similar risk persists in wadis near Petra and Madaba. Hire a Bedouin 4×4 guide registered with ASEZA, carry 4 L of water per person per day in dinara budget, and never camp in a dry wadi bed from November to March.
Emergency numbers in Jordan
Not sure who you need? Call this one. 911 Emergency number Covers police, ambulance, and fire brigade
Jordan uses a single emergency number. Call 911 for police, for an ambulance and for the fire brigade (Civil Defence).
Medical costs
- Doctor visit Private clinic, general consultation without insurance $25 – $70 ≈ JOD 18–50
- Hospital night One night in a general ward without insurance $250 – $500 ≈ JOD 175–355
- Ambulance Emergency transport to hospital $50 – $320 ≈ JOD 35–225
- Dentist Check-up or basic treatment at a private practice $30 – $150 ≈ JOD 21–105
Good to know before you go
Gestures and etiquette
Feet, hands & coffee rules
Showing the soles of your feet is considered very disrespectful in Jordan, keep feet flat on the floor when seated. Don't use your left hand for greetings or passing items, as it's seen as unclean. Never refuse coffee or tea, accept at least one cup to show respect to your host.
Buying souvenirs
Dead Sea products & sand art
Dead Sea mud, salts, and skincare products are Jordan's most popular souvenirs, buy from established brands for quality. Bottled sand art from Petra and Aqaba (hand-layered colored sand in decorative bottles) is uniquely Jordanian. Arabic spice blends (za'atar, sumac), olive oil soap from Salt, and mosaic crafts from Madaba are practical gifts. Turkish-style coffee sets and hand-embroidered textiles complete the list.
Did you know?
- Petra, the "Rose City" carved into red sandstone cliffs, was lost to the Western world for centuries until 1812 and is now one of the New Seven Wonders.
- The Dead Sea, on Jordan's border with Israel, is the lowest point on Earth at 430 m below sea level. Its extreme salinity lets you float effortlessly.
- Jordanian hospitality is legendary. Don't be surprised if locals invite you for tea or a meal, it is genuine and refusing entirely may be seen as impolite.
Cities these prices cover
The prices on this page are typical for these cities and the tourist areas around them.
- Petra البتراء
- Amman عمّان
- Wadi Rum
How Jordan compares
The TruePrice Index for Jordan, next to the countries people weigh it against and its nearest neighbors, all on one scale. 100 is the median of the 60 countries I track.
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Ethiopia 33 Prices about 72% lower than in Jordan -
Egypt 50 Prices about 57% lower than in Jordan -
Tunisia 56 Prices about 52% lower than in Jordan -
Turkey 112 Prices about 3% lower than in Jordan - Jordan 116 This page
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Oman 134 Prices about 16% higher than in Jordan -
UAE 161 Prices about 39% higher than in Jordan
Common questions about prices in Jordan
Is Jordan expensive to visit?
Short answer: on the pricey side, even at local prices. Fair prices sit 16% above the 60-country median, and tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price. On the TruePrice Index, Jordan scores 116, the 23rd most expensive of the 60 countries I track.
How much does a day in Jordan cost, without flights and hotel?
Roughly JOD 18 (about $25) a day at fair prices, or JOD 49 (about $69) at tourist prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, a bottle of water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Sightseeing comes on top (JOD 5–20 for a top museum or attraction), and accommodation is not included.
Do you tip in Jordan, and how much?
Tip 10% in Jordanian restaurants if service isn't included; taxi drivers don't expect tips but rounding up the fare is appreciated, and hotel porters expect 1–2 JOD per bag.
What currency does Jordan use?
The Jordanian dinar (JOD). On October 3, 2026, 1 USD was worth 0.709 JOD. Card terminals and ATMs that offer to charge you in your home currency usually give a worse rate, so pay in JOD.
How much is a meal and a beer in Jordan?
A restaurant main course is JOD 5–12 (about $7 – $17) at fair prices, while tourist menus charge JOD 15–25. A street food meal runs JOD 1.00–2.50. A local beer is JOD 3–5 (about $4.20 – $7.10), or JOD 6–9 in tourist bars.
How much money should I bring to Jordan?
Budget roughly JOD 18 (about $25) a day for food, drinks and getting around at local prices, or about JOD 49 (about $69) at tourist prices. Add JOD 5–20 for each major sight, plus your accommodation.
What is the emergency number in Jordan?
Call 911, the general emergency number. Use it for police, ambulance, and fire brigade.
Sources and method
Where these numbers come from, and how sure I am about each one.
- Prices
- 29 items: 16 verified and 13 estimates
- Checked
- to
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 0.709 JOD,
- Fuel prices
- Cities
- Petra, Amman, and Wadi Rum
- Page updated
What the labels mean
- Verified
- Checked against recent local sources.
- Estimate
- Based on related prices and not yet confirmed.
- Rough estimate
- Thin data. Treat it as a ballpark.
- Fair price
- What locals typically pay.
- Tourist-trap price
- What tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
- Markup
- The middle of the tourist-trap range divided by the middle of the fair range. 3.0× means three times the fair price.
- TruePrice Index
- Fair prices for all 29 items compared with the median of the 60 countries I track. 100 is the median, 50 means half the median price and 200 twice it.
How to cite
TruePrice Index, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/trueprice-index/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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