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Voykit pocket guide · Jordan
Qasr Amra
Spend 3–4 h at Qasr Amra as a half‑day stop; one day is enough if combined with other Eastern Desert sites.
Qasr Amra is a UNESCO‑listed desert castle about 85 km east of Amman. Its frescoed interiors can be explored in 3–4 h, making a single‑day visit sufficient, especially when paired with nearby sites such as Qasr al‑Kharana.
- Country
- Jordan
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- Avoid
- May–Sep (heat, limited opening hours)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JOD
- Money
- Jordanian dinar (JOD) is divided into 1,000 fils (or 100 piastres); one dinar is a high-value note.
- Daily spend
- Budget JD 20–30 excl. bed · Mid JD 30–45 excl. bed · High JD 45–70 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Zain, Orange and Umniah sell tourist SIMs at Queen Alia arrivals; passport registration is required.
- Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire 911
- Plugs
- Types C, D, F, G, J · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin plugs fit most sockets; UK three-pin (G) is common in newer hotels. Bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge; many mid-range places add 10%.; Taxi / Careem: Round up to the next half or whole dinar.; Guide, half day: JOD 5–10 per person.; Driver, full day: JOD 10–20.; Wadi Rum camp staff and jeep driver: JOD 5–10 per group, per day.; Hotel porter: JOD 1 per bag.
- Water
- Treated at source but stored in rooftop tanks; drink bottled or filtered. Water is scarce — short showers help.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets at some bus stations. A hose replaces paper in many places. Petra has toilet blocks along the main trail.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry ticket Qasr Amra | JD 5 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) in desert | JD 1–2 |
| Taxi from Amman airport to city centre | JD 15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- AMM · Queen Alia International Airport
- Main international gateway, about 80 km (50 mi) west of Qasr AmraMain international gateway, about 50 mi (80 km) west of Qasr Amra
Typical fares
- Amman ↔ Qasr Amra (4×4 driver)
- about JD 70 round trip, 2 h each way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is required; hire a private driver or join an organized tour from Amman. Public transport does not serve the site.
See and do
Known for
- Umayyad frescoes
- Zodiac ceiling
- Desert castle architecture
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Qasr al‑Kharana | Drive east on Highway 40, about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Qasr AmraDrive east on Highway 40, about 9.3 mi (15 km) from Qasr Amra | ≈30 min round trip |
Sleep
- Amman
- Base in Amman (≈2 h drive) – many hotels and guesthouses.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | كم السعر؟kam al‑siʿr? |
| Water, please | ماء من فضلكmāʾ min faḍlik |
| Where is the restroom? | أين الحمام؟ayna al‑ḥammām? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Salam alaykum or marhaba; handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Kissing or hugging someone of the other sex in greeting
- Hospitality: Accept tea or coffee; eat a little when invited; avoid: Refusing all food and drink outright
- Right hand: Eat, pass things and pay with the right hand; avoid: Using the left hand to offer food
- Feet: Keep soles on the ground when sitting; avoid: Pointing the soles of your feet at people
- Mosques: Covered arms and legs, headscarf for women, shoes off; avoid: Entering during prayer times unless invited
- Dress in town: Long trousers or skirts, shirts with sleeves; avoid: Shorts and swimwear away from resorts
- Photography: Ask first, especially with women and Bedouin families; avoid: Photographing police, soldiers or checkpoints
- Politics: Listen; opinions on Palestine run deep; avoid: Joking about the King or the royal family
Scams and watch-outs
- Opening hours vary: May‑Sep 08:00‑18:00, Oct‑Apr 08:00‑16:00 (check exact times).
- Desert heat – carry water, sun protection, and a spare tire.
- Roads are unpaved in parts; a 4×4 vehicle is safest.
Generally safe for tourists; main risks are desert heat, remote location, and unpaved roads – travel with a reliable vehicle and sufficient supplies.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Qasr Amra yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Umayyad frescoes
- Zodiac ceiling
- Desert castle architecture
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Qasr Amra: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12484
- Wikivoyage: Qasr Amra, revision 5065732 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5065732
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Qasr Amra
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلك
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, ambulance, fire911
US embassy in Amman (check address); other consulates in Amman.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/qasr-amra). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.