Money, cards and ATMs in Jordan

The dinar

• The Jordanian dinar (JOD) has been pegged to the US dollar since 1995, so the rate you see today is the rate you will get next year.
• It divides into 1,000 fils, and prices are often written with three decimals: 1.500 is a dinar and a half.
• Notes are JOD 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50. The 50 is hard to break outside a hotel.
• Jordan is more expensive than its neighbours and visitors consistently underestimate it.

Cash and cards

• Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and site entrances take cards. Taxis, small shops, market stalls, camps in Wadi Rum and most rural business do not.
• ATM fees are JOD 3 to JOD 5 per withdrawal on top of your own bank's charge, so take out a decent amount at a time.
• Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to your own currency. Choosing dinars is the cheaper answer, every time.
• Exchange offices in downtown Amman beat the airport and the hotels and are quick.
• Carry small notes for tips, taxis and the Wadi Rum entrance. Nobody at a desert camp has change for a JOD 50.

Tipping

• 10% is normal in restaurants, and a service charge is often already on the bill - check before adding to it.
• Round up for taxis.
• A jeep driver or a guide in Wadi Rum: JOD 5 to JOD 10 for a half day is generous and normal.
• Hotel staff: JOD 1 or JOD 2 for bags.

Costs to expect

• Alcohol is heavily taxed and a night out drinking costs European money.
• Site entry is the big line in a Jordan budget, which is the entire argument for the Jordan Pass.