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Budget Guide

Amman Travel Budget 2025

Plan your Amman trip budget with our comprehensive cost breakdown.

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.

Daily Budget Overview

Average daily costs for travelers in Amman.

Budget Traveler
$40/day (JOD 28)
per day
  • Basic guesthouse or hostel
  • Street food and local eateries
  • Public transportation
  • Free attractions
Mid-Range Traveler
$120/day (JOD 85)
per day
  • 3-star hotel with amenities
  • Mix of local and international restaurants
  • Taxis and some tours
  • Major attractions
Luxury Traveler
$350+/day (JOD 250+)
per day
  • 4-5 star hotels
  • Fine dining experiences
  • Private transport and guides
  • Premium experiences

Cost Breakdown

Detailed breakdown of typical travel expenses.

🏨 Accommodation

Hostel/Dorm $12–20/night (JOD 8–14) — dorm beds in downtown hostels
Budget Hotel $30–50/night (JOD 21–35) — basic hotel room with private bathroom
Mid-Range Hotel $70–130/night (JOD 50–92) — 3–4 star hotel with breakfast
Luxury Hotel $200–500+/night (JOD 140–355) — five-star hotel

🍽️ Food

Street Food $2–4 (JOD 1.50–3) — falafel, shawarma, fuul from street stalls
Local Restaurant $5–10 (JOD 3.50–7) — sit-down local restaurant with mezze
Mid-Range Restaurant $15–30 (JOD 10–21) — upscale Jordanian or international restaurant
Fine Dining $50–100 (JOD 35–71) — fine dining per person including drinks

🚗 Transportation

Local Bus $0.50–1 (JOD 0.35–0.70) — local bus ride in Amman
Taxi (in city) $3–8 (JOD 2–6) — metered taxi for average city trip
Airport Transfer $15–25 (JOD 10–18) — taxi from Queen Alia Airport to city center
Day Trip Transport $25–60 (JOD 18–42) — organized day trip to Jerash or Dead Sea

🎫 Activities

Museum Entry $4–7 (JOD 3–5) — Jordan Museum, Citadel entry
Historical Sites $4 (JOD 3) — Roman Theatre, Citadel
Guided Tour $15–25 (JOD 10–18) — guided city walking tour
Day Excursion $40–80 (JOD 28–57) — day trip to Petra or Wadi Rum
💰

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Sample Trip Budgets

What to expect at different budget levels for a 7-day trip.

Budget Trip (7 days)

$280 for 7 days ($40/day)
  • Hostels/basic guesthouses
  • Street food and local eateries
  • Public transport only
  • Free attractions and walking tours
  • Limited souvenirs

Luxury Trip (7 days)

$2,450+ for 7 days ($350+/day)
  • 4-5 star hotels
  • Fine dining experiences
  • Private drivers and guides
  • Premium tours and access
  • Shopping without limits

Money-Saving Tips

Stretch your budget further with these insider tips.

💡

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 & Cheap Activities

Experience Amman without spending a fortune.

Free

Walking Rainbow Street

Amman's most vibrant social street costs nothing to explore

Free

Jabal Al Luweibdeh Street Art

Wander the neighborhood's murals and gallery exteriors for free

Free

King Hussein Park

Amman's largest public park — free entry and great for picnics

Free

Darat Al Funun

One of the Arab world's best contemporary art spaces is free entry

Free

Al-Husseini Mosque exterior

The historic downtown mosque is a striking architectural sight from outside

Free

Downtown souk browsing

Exploring the traditional markets of Balad is a free cultural experience

Free

Abdali Boulevard

The modern open-air promenade is free to walk and explore

Free

First Circle Viewpoint

Free panoramic view over central Amman from 1st Circle roundabout

Free

Jordan Museum (free days)

Occasional free entry days — check the museum website in advance

Free

Neighborhood staircase walking

The connecting staircases (daraj) between Amman's hills offer free street-level discovery

Currency & Payment Tips

Essential information about money matters.

Currency

Jordanian Dinar (JOD)

1 JOD = approximately $1.41 USD (pegged rate). Exchange at banks or official exchange offices in downtown Amman for the best rates — avoid airport exchanges

ATMs

ATMs are widely available throughout Amman, particularly in West Amman (Abdali, Sweifieh, Shmeisani). Downtown ATMs exist but are less reliable. Visa and Mastercard networks are widely supported.

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard accepted at most mid-range and upscale establishments. Budget restaurants and street stalls in downtown are cash-only. Always carry some JOD cash.

Tipping

10–15% at sit-down restaurants is appreciated; round up for taxi fares; JOD 1–2 for hotel porters; not expected at street food stalls

Hidden Costs to Watch For

  • Jordan Pass visa fee (JOD 40) if not purchased in advance — buy before departure
  • Departure tax at Queen Alia Airport — usually included in airline tickets but worth checking
  • SIM card for mobile data (Zain or Orange Jordan, around JOD 7–10 for a tourist SIM with data)
  • Entrance fees to sites not covered by Jordan Pass (Dead Sea, some private sites)
  • Airport taxi — official metered taxis charge ~JOD 17–20 to city center; negotiate if using private
  • Currency exchange commission — banks charge less than airport or hotel exchanges
  • Hotel service charges — many 4–5 star hotels add 10–16% service and government tax on top of room rate

Plan Your Amman Budget

Get our complete budget guide with detailed cost breakdown, budget calculator, and 50+ money-saving tips.

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