Is Amman expensive to visit?
In Amman, budget travelers spend $55 (JOD39) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $135 (JOD96) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $310 (JOD220) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Amman.
Amman is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
While Amman can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
Within the Middle East, Amman is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Tiberias or Jerusalem.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Amman Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Amman?
The average Amman trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Amman travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Amman cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Amman on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $55 per day that backpackers often spend.
Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.
Luckily, there are plenty of hostels in Amman, such as Battuta Hostel, Nomads Hotel & Hostel, and Carob Hostel. Staying at these hostels means you can score affordable dorm lodging and a lively social vibe, but be prepared for basic amenities.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. Those traveling to Amman often aim to see the major attractions, museums, and noteworthy landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $135 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Amman. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. Amman International Hotel is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Ayass Hotel is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Amman here.
Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?
If you want an all encompassing getaway with top-notch amenities and exceptional service, get ready for a daily cost around $310. Staying in upscale hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, indulging in lavish activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a more luxurious budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as From Amman: Private Full Day Tour to Jerash , Ajloun & Um Qais - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Amman
Hotel prices in Amman can really fluctuate, especially between budget and luxury options. Expect higher costs during peak season, when rates climb from an off-season average of $57 up to around $106. From $30 for budget options to $218 for luxury hotels, there's something for everyone. Hostels, particularly dorms, are typically cheaper. Book early or travel in the low season for better prices.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Amman for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $98 (JOD69). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $49 (JOD35) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Amman? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Amman include:
- Amman International Hotel starting at $98
- Ayass Hotel starting at $98
- AlQasr Metropole Hotel starting at $53
- Amman Orchid Hotel starting at $42
- La Locanda Boutique Hotel starting at $102
Choosing to travel outside of and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.
Transportation Budget in Amman
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $24 (JOD17) per person, per day, on local transportation in Amman. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Amman is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$24
JOD17
Queen Alia International Airport is the airport in town that most travelers arrive at. All foreign visitors must have an entry visa, which can be purchased at the airport upon arrival. The visa costs forty Jordanian dinars. There are money exchange options available before getting to passport control.
To get from this airport to Amman city, the best options are a taxi or the Airport Express Bus. A taxi will cost about twenty Jordanian dinars, while the express bus costs about three Jordanian dinars.
Once in the city of Amman, it can be a little tricky finding your way around the city. There are eight circles (roundabouts) of the city, and they are on Zahran Street and lead to downtown Amman, near the Citadel. Getting around by taxi is a great option; there are yellow and gray taxis that are available all over and can be flagged down from the side of the street. Make sure your taxi has a meter. You can also get around on the buses that run all over the city. Bus No. 26 runs between The Balad and the seventh circle. This is probably the best bus to take if you want to do some site seeing and shopping. Walking is not a great option in Amman. The city is very hilly and has no sidewalks.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Amman, Jerash, and Dead Sea Full-Day Transfers from Amman for $130 details
- Private Transfer from Amman to Petra, Wadi Musa for $259 details
- Private Transfer From Amman City To Airport Amman for $20 details
How much does it cost to go to Amman? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Amman will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Some typical prices for transportation in Amman are shown below. These are actual costs from previous travelers, and are representative of the amount you'll likely spend on transportation in Amman. Don't forget that your individual costs will vary based on how you get around, because hired cars such as taxis are often much more expensive than local public transportation.
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Bus Ride (for Two)
JOD0.50
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RIde to Airport
JOD20
Food Budget in Amman
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Amman can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Amman is $58 (JOD41) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$58
JOD41
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Amman is around $58 (JOD41) per person, with previous travelers spending from $24 to $138. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Amman are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $17
- Lunch: $9 to $23
- Dinner: $17 to $41
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $9
Not only is there a plethora of traditional Middle Eastern restaurant in Amman, there are also tons of places to get Western food and other types of food from around the world.
Traditional Arabic food usually consists of lamb or chicken, rice, flat bread, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Shawarma is a popular dish as well, which is cooked lamb with sauce rolled in flat bread. Falafel and hummus is a traditional snack as well. For the best shawarma in town, Shawermat Reem is apparently the best. It is a street kiosk located in the 2nd circle. Levant is a restaurant that serves gourmet Arabic food that uses fresh ingredients and has an English speaking staff. A great place to grab a sandwich is at Ameer, they have affordable food and it is recommended that you order a "batata", which is a French fry sandwich.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Having a water bottle can help you save on drinks and do your part for the environment.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Amman, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Traditional Cooking Class in Amman with Return Hotel Transfers for $118 details
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience for $140 details
- Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman for $106 details
Listed below are typical food prices in Amman, based on the actual spending of previous travelers. These figures provide an estimate of what you might expect to pay for meals. However, your personal expenses will depend on your dining preferences, the restaurants you choose, and what you decide to order.
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Pastries
JOD3.00
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Tea
JOD4.00
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Amman
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Amman typically cost an average of $32 (JOD23) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$32
JOD23
Amman's Roman Amphitheater is a beautiful and historic sight in the city. Entrance to the theater also gets you access to a folklore and popular culture museum. Another museum that is worth seeing is the new Jordan Museum. It is very close to the city center of Amman and is also free. This museum is interactive with tons of exhibits that involve hands-on exhibits.
There are many buildings to see while visiting Amman. One is the Citadel, which is in the center of Amman. Another is the Ummayad Palace, which is actually a part of the citadel. The Temple of Hercules and the Byzantine Church are also historic buildings to see.
A great activity is to watch the sunset from the viewing point at the Citadel. The view is outstanding and it is even more spectacular if you are there during the time of the muezzin call.
There are tons of places to shop around the city. As mentioned above, The Balad is very popular among tourists. There are not only markets here but also many different coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, spice shops, and tons of street art. Rainbow Street is another place to spend the day. It is a cobblestone street that has many shops and restaurants. Many say that this street has a hint of a European feel.
If you want to get out of the city, one of the best places to visit is the ancient city of Jerash. Here you'll find some fantastically preserved ruins and historical reenactments.
A nice way to explore destinations in Amman is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Transportation from Amman to Top Touristic Cities. For $120 details
- Petra & Dead Sea - One day Private tour for $113 details
- From Petra and Dead Sea Full day tour for $137 details
Amman
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.