Major city · Jordan
Kerakالكرك
Stop for the Crusader castle on the King's Highway: 2–3 hours plus lunch, or one night if you are driving south to Petra.
Kerak is a hill town on the King's Highway, 124 km south of Amman, built around a Crusader castle that Saladin took in 1188. Almost everyone comes for the castle and the view over the valley, then moves on. One night is enough unless you add Wadi Bin Hammad or El-Lejjun. It sits between Madaba and Petra, so it fits a southbound drive rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JOD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), Dec–Feb (cold nights, rain)
- Airport
- AMM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 4
- Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
- Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
- Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Kerak911 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kerak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Jordanian dinar (JOD) is divided into 1,000 fils (or 100 piastres); one dinar is a high-value note.Jordan-wide
- SIM or eSIMZain, Orange and Umniah sell tourist SIMs at Queen Alia arrivals; passport registration is required.Jordan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source but stored in rooftop tanks; drink bottled or filtered.Jordan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge; many mid-range places add 10%.Jordan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/F/G/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Jordan-wide
- SafetyKerak is a small, calm town and the castle area is fine by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets at some bus stations.Jordan-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, ambulance and fire
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the main weekend day: government offices, banks and many downtown shops close, some open after midday prayers.Jordan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMM Queen Alia International (Amman) (About 2 h by car south on the Desert Highway or King's Highway; no direct bus to Kerak.).
- Getting aroundThe old city is compact and steep: walk between the castle, the souq and the cafés.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in the old city1–2 JD
- Sit-down mealSit-down lunch, mezze and grill8–15 JD
- Street or quick mealFalafel or shawarma sandwich1.5–3 JD
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week8–15 JD
- Museum or sight ticketCitadel of Kerak entrycheck1 JD (free with Jordan Pass)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or hostel bed, a night, per personJOD 10
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomJOD 40
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomJOD 70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget JOD 25 · Mid JOD 45 · High JOD 80
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMM Queen Alia International (Amman) (About 2 h by car south on the Desert Highway or King's Highway; no direct bus to Kerak.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kerak: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old city is compact and steep: walk between the castle, the souq and the cafés. Shared taxis cover the 5 km between the old city and the King's Highway for about 2 JD. If you drive, park where you find space and walk up; many streets are one-way and narrow.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wadi Bin Hammad
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Taxi or car, 31 km (19 mi) northwest of Kerak; not on the highwayTaxi or car, 19 mi (31 km) northwest of Kerak; not on the highway
Wade the stream for about 2 h past waterfalls and hot springs. Do not enter if rain is forecast: flash floods.
El-Lejjun (Lajjun)
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min each way
Car or taxi, 20 km (12 mi) east of KerakCar or taxi, 12 mi (20 km) east of Kerak
Roman legionary fort of Betthorus, later wrecked by an earthquake. Ruins only; no facilities.
Mu'tah
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min each way
Car or taxi, 15 km (9.3 mi) south on the highwayCar or taxi, 9.3 mi (15 km) south on the highway
Site of the 629 AD battle; the shrines are the main draw, not the battlefield.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Minibus or car north on the King's Highway
Mosaic map at St George's and a good overnight stop before Kerak.
Door to door: About 2.5–3 h
Minibus or car south via Ma'an
Too far for a return day with the castle; sleep in Wadi Musa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old city / castle area
Walk to the castle gate in minutes; cafés and the souq on the same hill. Best for one night without a car.
King's Highway strip
Hotels and the main bus station; 5 km (3.1 mi) from the old city, so you need a taxi or a car.Hotels and the main bus station; 3.1 mi (5 km) from the old city, so you need a taxi or a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 25–40 JD excl. bed
- Mid
- 40–70 JD excl. bed
- High
- 70 JD+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × JOD 40 | JOD 40 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × JOD 45 | JOD 90 |
| Citadel of Kerak entry2 × JOD 1 · Free with the Jordan Pass; check current hours | JOD 2 |
| Shared taxi, old city to King's Highway2 × JOD 2 · check | JOD 4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × JOD 10 | JOD 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | JOD 16 |
| Trip total≈ JOD 86 per person per day, bed included | JOD 172 |
2026 estimate in Jordanian dinars; flights and the Jordan Pass excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in the old city | 1–2 JD |
| Falafel or shawarma sandwich | 1.5–3 JD |
| Sit-down lunch, mezze and grill | 8–15 JD |
| Citadel of Kerak entrycheck | 1 JD (free with Jordan Pass) |
| Minibus Amman → Kerakcheck | 2.25 JD |
| Minibus Kerak → Aqabacheck | 1.75 JD |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | 8–15 JD |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Three bus stations serve different directions: ask locally which one goes to Madaba, Petra or Aqaba before you buy a ticket.
- Minibuses leave when full, not on a timetable; morning departures are more reliable.
- Castle tunnels and stairways are uneven and unlit in places: bring a torch and wear grippy shoes.
- Summer afternoons are hot and there is little shade on the castle hill.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 911
Pocket card
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Kerakالكرك
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire911
Embassy
No embassies in Kerak; they are in Amman. Register your trip with your embassy before travelling south.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Amman (South Bus Station) → Kerak: about 2.25 JD, 2 h, leaves when full (check)
- Minibus Kerak → Aqaba: about 1.75 JD, roughly hourly, passes Madaba and Ma'an (check)
- Taxi, bus station → castle: about 2 JD
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- قديش؟ — How much is it? (qaddesh)
- القلعة لو سمحت — The castle, please (al-qal'a law samaht)
- وين المحطة؟ — Where is the bus station? (wen al-mahatta)
- لا شكرا — No, thank you (la shukran)
Carry small notes: 1 JD and 5 JD are what you need for the castle, taxis and snacks.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kerak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, dry), Dec–Feb (cold nights, rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Castle gate page: opening hours, ticket and Jordan Pass rule, tunnel route and exit, checked against the official source.
- Bus-station page: which station serves Madaba, Petra and Aqaba, first departures and realistic fill-up times.
- Eat pages for the old city with posted-price checks and last orders.
- Wadi Bin Hammad flood-risk fixture so the day-trip card can show a red or green state.