The Jordan Pass is a pre-purchase tourist package that combines your Jordanian visa with entry to over 40 attractions. It exists because the Jordanian tourism authority wants tourists to come, see more of the country, and not waste their first hour at the airport immigration window paying for a visa they could have sorted in advance.
The honest review: for almost every tourist visiting Jordan for more than 3 nights, the Jordan Pass saves money and time. There are a small number of situations where it does not — this guide tells you which.
The three Jordan Pass tiers
| Pass | Price | Petra days included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanderer | 70 JOD | 1 day | First-timers who want one full day at Petra |
| Explorer | 75 JOD | 2 days | The standard recommendation — 2 Petra days is the right amount |
| Expert | 80 JOD | 3 days | Hardcore Petra enthusiasts or photographers who want three full days |
The price difference between tiers is small (5 JOD per extra Petra day). Unless you are genuinely certain that one day is all you want in Petra, the Explorer (75 JOD) is the default recommendation. Petra at two days means you can cover the main valley and the Monastery on separate mornings without rushing either.
The maths: when does the Pass save money?
Without Jordan Pass:
- Visa on arrival: 40 JOD
- 1-day Petra entry: 50 JOD
- Total: 90 JOD
With Jordan Pass (Wanderer): 70 JOD
Saving: 20 JOD for a visit with exactly 1 Petra day and 3+ nights in Jordan.
Without Jordan Pass:
- Visa on arrival: 40 JOD
- 2-day Petra entry: 55 JOD
- Total: 95 JOD
With Jordan Pass (Explorer): 75 JOD
Saving: 20 JOD — and every additional site (Jerash, Karak, Madaba, the Citadel) is also included.
The savings grow if you are visiting multiple sites. Jerash entry alone is 10 JOD. Karak Castle is 3 JOD. Wadi Rum entry fee is included. Ajloun Castle, the Jordan Museum, multiple biblical sites — all included. The more of Jordan you see, the better the value.
What the Jordan Pass includes
The pass covers entry to over 40 sites, including:
Major sites:
- Petra (1, 2, or 3 days depending on tier)
- Jerash archaeological site
- Ajloun Castle
- Karak Castle
- Wadi Rum visitor entry fee (note: Jeep tours are separate)
- Um Qais (Gadara)
- Citadel Amman (archaeological site)
- Jordan Museum (Amman)
Biblical/religious sites:
- Bethany Beyond the Jordan (baptism site)
- Mount Nebo
- Mukawir (Machaerus)
- Madaba Archaeological Park
Natural and scenic sites:
- Wadi Mujib visitor entry
- Dana Biosphere Reserve visitor entry
- Hammamat Ma’in hot springs (basic access)
Note on exclusions:
- The Wadi Rum entry fee is included but Jeep tours (booked separately with camps/operators) are NOT
- Petra by Night is NOT included — it costs approximately 17 JOD separately
- Hotel accommodation, transport, meals, and guide fees are not included
- The Dead Sea resort day-use fees are not included
The full current list of included sites is on jordanpass.jo and updated periodically.
The 3-night minimum requirement
The Jordan Pass visa waiver is conditional on staying a minimum of 3 consecutive nights in Jordan.
- 3 nights or more: visa fee waived (the 40 JOD is covered by the Pass)
- Fewer than 3 nights: you still pay the 40 JOD visa fee on arrival, even with the Pass in hand. The site entries (Petra etc.) are still covered by the Pass regardless of nights.
This condition exists to incentivise longer Jordan stays. For 99% of tourists visiting Jordan, a minimum of 3 nights is trivially easy to satisfy — even the most rushed Jordan trip covers more than 3 nights.
Corner case: If you are on a Petra day trip from Israel (crossing at Wadi Araba, visiting Petra, returning the same day), the Jordan Pass is not useful for the visa waiver. Aqaba entry is free anyway (Aqaba SEZ), so for short Israel-side day trips, a Jordan Pass still covers the Petra entry fee — check whether that’s worthwhile given the ticket price.
How to buy and activate
Where to buy: jordanpass.jo — the only official purchase point. Do not buy from third-party resellers.
When to buy: Before you arrive in Jordan. The Pass is issued immediately upon online purchase and can be shown on your phone. Purchase at least 1–2 days before departure.
Payment: Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard). Jordan currency is not required for the online purchase.
Activation: The Pass activates when you present it at your first Jordan entry point (airport immigration or land border). The QR code on the pass is scanned. After that, it is registered to your passport.
Note: There is a waiting period of up to 2 weeks between purchase and when the Pass becomes eligible for use. Purchase at least 14 days before travel to ensure it is active when you arrive.
Expiry: The Jordan Pass is valid for 2 weeks (14 days) from the date of first use. You must use your Petra days within this window. For normal tourist visits this is never a constraint — even a 14-day Jordan trip is a long trip.
Using the Pass at sites
At each included site, present the QR code (on your phone screen or printed) and your passport at the entry gate. Staff scan the code and stamp your passport for that site. Your Petra days are tracked via the QR code — day 1 use in Petra records as used, and the next day it shows “day 2 remaining” and so on.
Keep your phone charged. A printed backup copy is sensible in case your phone battery dies in the Petra heat.
Is the Pass worth it if I am only visiting for 2–3 days?
2-day visit: The visa waiver condition (3 nights) is not met, so you pay the 40 JOD visa separately. But a Wanderer Pass (70 JOD) + separate 40 JOD visa = 110 JOD, versus buying a Petra ticket (50 JOD) + visa (40 JOD) = 90 JOD. In this case, the Pass is NOT worth it — just pay the visa on arrival and buy Petra entry at the gate.
3-day visit with at least 3 nights: The Pass works perfectly. Buy the Explorer (75 JOD), save 20 JOD on visa + Petra, and get all the other site entries included.
If entering through Aqaba: You do not pay a visa regardless (Aqaba SEZ). So the Pass value is purely the site entries. Wanderer Pass (70 JOD) includes Petra 1-day entry (50 JOD standalone) — net saving: 20 JOD plus all other site entries. Still worth it for anyone visiting multiple sites.
What happens if I lose my Jordan Pass (phone or printout)
Contact jordanpass.jo support. The Pass is linked to your passport number, so your identity can be verified and access restored. Having your purchase confirmation email as a backup is helpful.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy the Jordan Pass for someone else?
Yes — but the pass must be bought with the passport number of the person who will use it. One Pass per person; group discounts are not offered.
Can I use one Jordan Pass for multiple people?
No. Each Jordan Pass covers one person’s entries. A family of four needs four passes.
Is the Jordan Pass accepted at all times at Petra?
Yes, during normal operating hours. Petra is open daily from approximately sunrise to sunset (winter hours shorter). Petra by Night (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings) is a separate ticket, not included.
What is the latest the Jordan Pass can be activated?
The Pass can be purchased up to the day of use in theory, but the 14-day eligibility period applies from the date of activation — not purchase. The more significant issue is that some purchasers report a processing delay of up to 48 hours. Purchase at least 3 days before your entry date to be safe.
If I visit Jordan multiple times, can I use the Pass for both trips?
No. The Jordan Pass is valid for one Jordan visit (one activation, 14 days). A second trip to Jordan requires a new Pass or standard visa.
Is there a Jordan Pass for children?
Jordan Pass pricing does not have a separate children’s tier — the adult price applies. However, children’s entry fees at individual sites are typically 50% of adult rates — which is a better deal than buying a full adult Pass per child. For children, consider paying site entries separately rather than buying the Pass.
A clarification: children under 12 enter Petra for free regardless of Pass status (with adult passport check at the gate). This means the Petra component of the Jordan Pass provides no benefit for children under 12 — they already enter free.
Jordan Pass at specific sites: what to expect
At Petra: The Jordan Pass QR code is scanned at the visitor centre entry gate. Staff check the code against your passport and mark which Petra day you are using. Day 1 is recorded; day 2 is available the next day. If your Pass shows “Wanderer” (1 Petra day only) and you want a second day, you pay the additional Petra entry fee (around 50 JOD for standalone second-day access).
At Jerash: Present QR code at the ticket booth at the entrance to the site. Staff scan and stamp. The process takes 30 seconds.
At Wadi Rum: The Jordan Pass covers the Wadi Rum visitor centre entry fee (the fee to enter the protected area). The jeep tour itself — booked separately with a Bedouin camp or through the visitor centre — is not included in the Pass.
At smaller sites (Karak Castle, Ajloun Castle, Mount Nebo): Some of these sites have electronic scanner systems; others still use manual stamp books or handwritten logs. Bring a printed backup copy of your Pass QR code for any sites with potentially limited connectivity.
At the Jordan Museum (Amman): Jordan Pass covers entry. The museum is free in any case for most Jordanians, but the Pass ensures free international visitor entry without queuing for a ticket.
Planning your Jordan Pass use efficiently
To get the maximum value from your Jordan Pass:
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Buy the Explorer or Expert tier unless you are genuinely certain about limiting yourself to one Petra day.
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Plan your site visits to include as many Pass-covered sites as possible. A King’s Highway itinerary naturally covers Karak Castle, Shobak Castle, Dana, and possibly Wadi Mujib — all covered by the Pass.
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Use the Pass at Jerash — a 10 JOD standalone ticket. This alone adds significant value to the Pass.
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Use the Pass at Wadi Rum — the entry fee to the visitor area (separate from your jeep tour) is covered. Small saving but worth noting.
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Download the Jordan Pass app or save the QR code screenshot to your camera roll for offline access. Some sites in rural Jordan have no mobile signal.
The Jordan Pass vs group tour comparison
Many organised Jordan tours include entrance fees in their package price. If you are booking a group tour, check whether site entries are included:
- If the tour includes Petra, Jerash, and Jordan Museum entry: the Jordan Pass visa waiver (40 JOD) is still valuable, but the site entry value of the Pass is partially duplicated.
- If the tour does not include entry fees: the Jordan Pass is clearly the right choice.
- If you are doing a short group tour (3 days) without staying 3+ nights in Jordan: the visa waiver condition is not met; evaluate the Pass purely on site entry value.
For independent travellers spending 7+ days in Jordan and visiting multiple sites: the Jordan Pass is almost always the best value approach.