Visiting Petra with Young Children: A Two-Day Survival Guide
Petra is dusty, expansive, and involves significant walking, so rent a stroller for the flat Siq entrance but expect to carry kids for the steeper climbs. Focus on the main Treasury and Theater areas on day one, and save the shorter, kid-friendly hikes like the High Place of Sacrifice for day two to keep fatigue manageable.
- Buy the Jordan Pass before arrival. Purchase the Jordan Pass online at least 48 hours before you fly. It covers your visa fees and entry to Petra, saving you about $60 per person and allowing you to skip the ticket queue at the entrance.
- Enter through the Visitor Center at 6:00 AM. Arrive at the gates when they open to avoid the mid-day heat and the massive tour bus crowds. The walk through the Siq is much cooler and quieter before 8:30 AM.
- Use the Donkey or Carriage services sparingly. While carts are available to take you through the 1.2km Siq, they are bumpy. If you have young children, agree on a price in advance and ensure the driver goes slowly.
- Pack high-protein snacks and hydration tablets. There is very little shade inside the archaeological park. Bring more water than you think you need and electrolyte powder to keep kids hydrated in the arid climate.
- Can I use a stroller in Petra?
- Only on the flat road through the Siq to the Treasury. Beyond that, the terrain is deep sand, gravel, and stone stairs, making strollers useless.
- Where can I find bathrooms inside the park?
- There are toilets at the Visitor Center, the Basin Restaurant area, and near the Qasr al-Bint temple.