The Petra question everyone asks before booking: do I really need 2 days, or is 1 day enough? The honest answer depends on what you mean by “enough.” One day is enough to feel you have been to Petra. Two days is what it takes to understand it.
This guide maps exactly what you see in each option — not in general terms, but site by site, hour by hour — so you can make an informed decision rather than guessing.
What “1 day” and “2 days” actually mean in terms of access
Petra’s single-day ticket currently costs 55 JOD. The 2-day ticket costs 110 JOD. The Jordan Pass Wanderer (70 JOD total) includes 1 Petra day; the Explorer (75 JOD) includes 2 days. The price difference between 1 and 2 Petra days within the Jordan Pass is only 5 JOD — one of the most compelling arguments for the 2-day option.
The site opens at 6 AM (summer: 5:30 AM) and the last entry is at 5 PM (gates close at 6 PM). So a full day gives you roughly 11 hours of access in theory; in practice, midday heat in summer limits useful outdoor time to about 7 hours.
What you can realistically do in 1 day
The honest 1-day itinerary (standard pace)
6:00 AM — Enter the main gate. The Visitor Centre, ticket office, and horse-drawn carriages (avoid unless mobility-limited; the walk is short and the horses are a spectacle, not transport). Walk through the Bab al-Siq area: the Djinn blocks (tower tombs), the Obelisk Tomb, and the initial canyon.
6:30 AM — The Siq begins. The 1.2km slot canyon walk takes 20–30 minutes at a leisurely pace. The walls rise to 80 metres, the carved water channels are visible at the base, and small Nabataean carvings appear periodically. The first narrow glimpse of the Treasury appears at the end.
7:00 AM — The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) reveal. Spend 30–45 minutes here: photograph from the standard viewpoint, explore the restricted viewpoints at the sides, and if you want the elevated Treasury view (highly recommended, requires a 10-minute scramble to the right of the facade), do it now before crowds arrive.
8:00 AM — Street of Facades: 40 carved tomb facades in the canyon wall above the path. Tomb of 17 Graves. Continue to the Theatre (a Nabataean theatre later expanded by Romans, seating 8,000).
9:00 AM — The Colonnaded Street (Cardo): the main Petra processional way, with columns, the Temenos Gate and the Nymphaeum. The Great Temple complex to the south. The Qasr al-Bint (the Temple of the Winged Lions, the only major free-standing Nabataean temple — arrive here by 9:30 AM).
10:00 AM — Upper section: Royal Tombs. Walk up the stairs to the Urn Tomb (the largest, used as a Byzantine church), Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb and Palace Tomb. This viewpoint looks out over the main basin and is one of Petra’s best photography spots.
12:00 PM — Back to the basin. Lunch at Basin Restaurant or one of the vendor stalls (overpriced but the only option inside). Rest in shade.
2:00 PM — If energy allows: the Byzantine Church with mosaic floors (15 minutes north of the Colonnaded Street). Or rest until late afternoon.
4:00 PM — Return through the Siq in late afternoon light (the Treasury faces west and is beautifully illuminated between 4–5:30 PM in afternoon light — this is often better than morning for photography).
6:00 PM — Exit.
Total distance walked: approximately 10–12 kilometres. Total elevation gain: 200–300 metres (more if you do the Royal Tombs climb).
What 1 day does not include
The Monastery (Ad-Deir) — 8 kilometres from the main gate round trip + 900 steps of ascent. It takes 45 minutes to reach from the basin, assuming you have already walked 5 km. Most 1-day visitors either miss the Monastery or attempt it exhausted at 2 PM and have a poor experience.
The High Place of Sacrifice — a ridge overlooking the main basin, accessible via a 1-hour climb from the Street of Facades. It provides the most comprehensive aerial view of Petra’s main archaeological zone and is one of the most rewarding elevated vantage points. Rarely reached by 1-day visitors who are managing time.
The Back Door route (Little Petra entrance to the Monastery) — requires overnight logistics. See /guides/petra-back-door/.
What you get on day 2
The Monastery
Ad-Deir is larger than the Treasury — 47 metres wide versus 40 — but largely missed because reaching it requires 45 minutes of uphill walking after you have already walked through the main site. The Monastery’s interior chamber is uncarved (no one knows its original function with certainty), but the exterior facade is extraordinarily imposing, and the viewpoint above it looks out over Wadi Araba toward Saudi Arabia.
The climb to the Monastery passes through a narrow canyon with carved niches, past a local woman who serves tea from a rock-face cave (genuinely excellent tea, 2 JOD), and up stone steps cut by Nabataean quarrymen 2,000 years ago. It is one of the best half-days in Jordan.
Monastery morning on Day 2: Enter at 6 AM, walk directly to the Monastery trail head without stopping. Reach the Monastery by 7:30 AM. You will likely have it to yourself for 30–60 minutes before tour groups from Aqaba arrive. Photograph, explore, sit. Return to the main basin by 10 AM and use the afternoon for the High Place of Sacrifice.
High Place of Sacrifice (Al-Madhbah)
A ridge at 1,035 metres, accessible via steep stairs from the Street of Facades (45 minutes up). The summit has ancient Nabataean altars — a flat rock platform with drainage channels for ritual sacrifice — and views across the entire main basin, the Siq entry, and the Royal Tombs. On Day 2, use the High Place in the late afternoon (4–5:30 PM) for the best light. See /guides/high-place-of-sacrifice/.
Petra by Night
Petra by Night runs Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings starting at 8:30 PM. The Siq is lit by 1,500 candles; Bedouin musicians perform at the Treasury. The experience lasts roughly 90 minutes. Tickets cost approximately 17 JOD and are separate from your day ticket.
If your second day falls on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, you can do a full day in the site and then return in the evening for Petra by Night. This double-header is one of Petra’s best options.
Petra by Night: show tickets and hotel pick-upWhat a relaxed 2-day Petra looks like
Day 1 (as above): Treasury, Street of Facades, Theatre, Colonnaded Street, Qasr al-Bint, Royal Tombs. Total ~10–12 km.
Day 2: Enter at 6 AM. Monastery trail — reach by 7:30 AM. Return to basin by 10 AM. Rest 1 hour. High Place of Sacrifice trail — 45 minutes up, 1 hour on summit, 30 minutes down. Back to basin by 2 PM. Late afternoon back through the Siq in golden light. Optional: Petra by Night if scheduled.
The cost argument for 2 days
The Jordan Pass Explorer costs 75 JOD and includes 2 Petra days. The Wanderer costs 70 JOD and includes 1 day. The price difference is 5 JOD — less than a coffee and a snack.
If you have the Jordan Pass Explorer, you have already paid for 2 days. There is no incremental cost argument to stay for only 1 day.
If you are buying individual tickets: 1 day is 55 JOD, 2 days is 110 JOD. The question becomes whether the Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice are worth 55 JOD extra. For most people who travel specifically to see Petra, yes.
The “day trip from Amman” problem
Petra from Amman is 3 hours each way by car. A day trip — leaving Amman at 5 AM, arriving Petra at 8 AM, leaving Petra at 4 PM, arriving Amman at 7 PM — gives you 8 hours in the site. That is technically 1-day access, but with 4+ hours of travel fatigue at either end and zero time to enter the Siq at first light.
If you are committed to a day trip, consider staying in Wadi Musa the night before for 5 AM entry, then driving back to Amman the following morning rather than the same evening. This turns a bad 1-day experience into a good 1-day experience without requiring a second ticket.
From Amman: private day trip to Petra with pickupWho should choose 1 day
- Travellers with a very tight itinerary (3–4 total days in Jordan) where more time at Petra means sacrificing Wadi Rum or the Dead Sea
- Visitors with physical limitations that make the Monastery trail impractical regardless of time
- Travellers who have specifically low interest in archaeology and culture and are doing Jordan primarily for Wadi Rum and the Red Sea
- Travellers who are planning to return to Jordan and can save the Monastery for a future trip
Who should choose 2 days
- Anyone whose primary Jordan motivation is Petra specifically
- Photographers (the Monastery at dawn on Day 2 is a different photograph from anything available on Day 1)
- Archaeology and ancient history enthusiasts
- Anyone using the Jordan Pass Explorer (2 days already included — no reason not to use both)
- Anyone for whom Jordan is a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Practical logistics for 2 days at Petra
Where to stay: Wadi Musa town, adjacent to the Petra main gate. Hotels range from the Petra Guest House (historic, literally on the site boundary) to the Mövenpick Petra (5-star, directly opposite the visitor centre) to budget options like Rocky Mountain Hotel. Staying in Wadi Musa rather than day-tripping is essential for 2-day access — you need the dawn entry.
Meals: Basin Restaurant inside the site (lunch only, 15–20 JOD/person). Wadi Musa has a good range of restaurants outside the site for dinner. Al-Aqaba Hostel restaurant and La Maison are consistently recommended at different budget levels.
What to wear: Proper walking shoes — the Siq surface is uneven; the Monastery steps are steep. A hat for sun protection throughout both days.
FAQ
Is the Monastery worth the climb?
Yes, for nearly everyone capable of the ascent. The 900 steps take 40–50 minutes at a moderate pace. The reward — a 47-metre carved facade in a remote canyon with almost no tourists at dawn — is one of the most dramatically isolated archaeological experiences in the Middle East.
Is Petra by Night worth the extra ticket?
Worth it on one condition: realistic expectations. Petra by Night is atmospheric and memorable, but it is not a tour guide explaining what you see — it is a walk through candlelit Siq, followed by sitting at the Treasury and listening to Bedouin music for 20 minutes. If that sounds worthwhile to you (it does to most visitors who do it), buy tickets. If you are expecting guided archaeological explanation, it is not that.
Can I do the Monastery and High Place in the same day?
Yes — that is essentially what Day 2 of the itinerary above recommends. Start early (Monastery first, in the cool morning), rest at midday, then High Place in the late afternoon. It is a full day, but not excessively so for reasonably fit travellers.
What is the latest I can book Petra by Night tickets?
Petra by Night tickets can usually be bought at the Petra Visitor Centre on the day of the show (arrive by 5 PM). In peak season (October especially), they can sell out — book at your Wadi Musa hotel or the visitor centre the morning before.
Is there a discount for children at Petra?
Children under 12 from most countries enter Petra for free. Check current rules at the visitor centre, as policy has varied. Children over 12 pay the adult rate.
The full Petra route: an hour-by-hour reference
The following timing assumes average walking pace, no running, and regular stops for photography.
6:00 AM — Main gate and visitor centre. The horse-drawn carriages here cost 20–25 JOD round trip. They are an option for those who cannot walk the Siq; otherwise, walk.
6:05–6:30 AM — Bab al-Siq (before the canyon): the three Djinn blocks (tower tombs), the Obelisk Tomb above the Bab al-Siq Triclinium.
6:30 AM — Siq entry. The slot canyon narrows from 6–7 metres to less than 2 metres at the tightest point. Water channels along the base, carved Nabataean carvings in the walls.
7:00 AM — Treasury reveal. The view through the final canyon gap of the 40-metre carved facade. Spend 30–45 minutes. The right-hand path leads 100m further for the elevated viewpoint — worth the scramble.
8:00 AM — Street of Facades. Walk past 40 carved tomb fronts. Tomb of 17 Graves. The Theatre (8,000 seats, Roman expansion of Nabataean original).
9:00–10:00 AM — Colonnaded Street. The Nymphaeum, Temenos Gate, Qasr al-Bint. The Great Temple archaeological complex on the left.
10:00 AM — Royal Tombs staircase. The Urn Tomb (the largest) was converted to a Byzantine cathedral in 446 CE — mosaic remnants visible. Silk Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, Palace Tomb.
11:30 AM — Basin Restaurant area. Lunch. Rest.
1:00 PM — Byzantine Church (20 min north of Qasr al-Bint): 6th-century floor mosaics depicting animals and allegorical figures. One of the site’s most undervisited monuments.
3:00 PM — Return through the Siq. If light is from the west (afternoon sun), the Treasury is lit from the front — different from the morning side-lighting. This is often the better photograph.
Day 2 additions:
6:00 AM — Walk directly to the Monastery trailhead (beyond Qasr al-Bint). Do not stop at the Treasury — you have seen it. The Monastery trail begins with a narrow canyon approach, passes tea-serving cave woman, then ascends 900 steps. Reach Monastery by 7:30 AM.
9:30–10:00 AM — Return from Monastery to basin. Rest, early lunch.
2:00 PM — High Place of Sacrifice trail from the Street of Facades. The staircase (45 min up) leads to Nabataean altars, offering tables, and a panoramic view of the entire site.
4:30 PM — Descent from High Place via the western route (through the Garden Tomb, the Lion Monument, the Roman Soldier Tomb) — a different return path through a different canyon.
Distances and elevations at a glance
| Segment | Distance | Elevation change |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate → Treasury | 1.7 km | -25m (downhill) |
| Treasury → Royal Tombs | 1.5 km | +80m |
| Royal Tombs → Basin Restaurant | 1.0 km | -60m |
| Basin → Monastery trailhead | 0.7 km | flat |
| Monastery trail | 1.7 km | +350m (900 steps) |
| Basin → High Place trailhead | 0.5 km | flat |
| High Place ascent | 1.2 km | +200m |
| Total Day 1 loop | ~10–12 km | ~450m gain |
| Total Day 2 (Monastery + High Place) | ~9–10 km | ~600m gain |
Why 2 days beats 1 day on the photography calculation
The Monastery at 7 AM on Day 2, with almost no other visitors present, is among the most dramatically empty large-scale archaeological spaces in the world. The Treasury at 7 AM on Day 1 is similarly empty — but the Treasury is photographed millions of times a year and is visually familiar. The Monastery is not. It is photographed far less despite being architecturally comparable in scale.
Photographers who prioritise the Monastery on Day 2’s dawn often produce images that look genuinely fresh — the facade at dawn light, with the desert below visible through the canyon gap behind it, in complete solitude. This is only achievable on a 2-day visit that allows the morning-only timing discipline.
Hotels in Wadi Musa: what to choose
Budget (15–30 JOD/night): Rocky Mountain Hotel (excellent rooftop, close to site), Amra Palace Hotel, Cleopetra Hotel. Clean, basic, good breakfast.
Mid-range (40–80 JOD/night): Petra Guest House (directly on the site boundary, restaurant and bar), Cave Hotel (carved into rock, atmospheric), La Maison Hotel.
Upmarket (100–200 JOD/night): Mövenpick Resort Petra (5-star, directly opposite visitor centre, pool), Marriott Petra (pool, multiple restaurants, spa).
The Petra Guest House location is the single most practical address for 2-day visits: you can be at the main gate 3 minutes after leaving your room. Worth paying for.