Amman is Jordan's dynamic capital city, a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern urban life set across a dramatic hillside landscape. The city is home to Roman ruins, vibrant souks, world-class restaurants, and a thriving arts scene, making it one of the Middle East's most compelling destinations.
Local currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Amman.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12–20/night (JOD 8–14) — dorm beds in downtown hostels
- Budget
- $30–50/night (JOD 21–35) — basic hotel room with private bathroom
- Midrange
- $70–130/night (JOD 50–92) — 3–4 star hotel with breakfast
- Luxury
- $200–500+/night (JOD 140–355) — five-star hotel
Food
- Street
- $2–4 (JOD 1.50–3) — falafel, shawarma, fuul from street stalls
- Local
- $5–10 (JOD 3.50–7) — sit-down local restaurant with mezze
- Midrange
- $15–30 (JOD 10–21) — upscale Jordanian or international restaurant
- Fine
- $50–100 (JOD 35–71) — fine dining per person including drinks
Transport
- Bus
- $0.50–1 (JOD 0.35–0.70) — local bus ride in Amman
- Taxi
- $3–8 (JOD 2–6) — metered taxi for average city trip
- Airport
- $15–25 (JOD 10–18) — taxi from Queen Alia Airport to city center
- Daytrip
- $25–60 (JOD 18–42) — organized day trip to Jerash or Dead Sea
Activities
- Museum
- $4–7 (JOD 3–5) — Jordan Museum, Citadel entry
- Sites
- $4 (JOD 3) — Roman Theatre, Citadel
- Tour
- $15–25 (JOD 10–18) — guided city walking tour
- Excursion
- $40–80 (JOD 28–57) — day trip to Petra or Wadi Rum
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Amman costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280 for 7 days ($40/day)
Midrange traveller
$840 for 7 days ($120/day)
Luxury traveller
$2,450+ for 7 days ($350+/day)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival — it combines visa fees (JOD 40 value) and entry to 40+ sites including Petra, saving significantly on popular routes
Eat breakfast at Hashem Restaurant in downtown — falafel, hummus, and fuul for under JOD 3
Take licensed yellow taxis or use Uber/Careem — request the meter to avoid overcharging
Stay in downtown Amman for budget accommodation within walking distance of major attractions
Visit the Citadel and Roman Theatre together in one morning — nearby and combined with one Jordan Pass visit
Shop at the vegetable souk in downtown for picnic supplies at local prices
Book organized day trips from guesthouses rather than private taxis — Jerash tours start at JOD 15
Drink fresh juice from street stalls rather than bottled water — cheaper and tastier
Avoid taxis from the airport without confirming the price or using the official taxi service
Most high-quality Jordanian restaurants offer better value at lunch than dinner — same food, lower prices
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Walking Rainbow Street
Amman's most vibrant social street costs nothing to explore
Jabal Al Luweibdeh Street Art
Wander the neighborhood's murals and gallery exteriors for free
King Hussein Park
Amman's largest public park — free entry and great for picnics
Darat Al Funun
One of the Arab world's best contemporary art spaces is free entry
Al-Husseini Mosque exterior
The historic downtown mosque is a striking architectural sight from outside
Downtown souk browsing
Exploring the traditional markets of Balad is a free cultural experience
Abdali Boulevard
The modern open-air promenade is free to walk and explore
First Circle Viewpoint
Free panoramic view over central Amman from 1st Circle roundabout
Jordan Museum (free days)
Occasional free entry days — check the museum website in advance
Neighborhood staircase walking
The connecting staircases (daraj) between Amman's hills offer free street-level discovery