Jordanian Dinar (JOD) Calculator

Jordan's Dinar: Pegged and Stable in a Volatile Region

The Jordanian dinar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of approximately 0.709 JOD per USD, making it one of the higher-valued currencies in the Middle East. Like the Kuwaiti dinar, the JOD is worth more than the dollar on a per-unit basis: one Jordanian dinar buys about $1.41. The Central Bank of Jordan has maintained this peg since 1995, providing a degree of economic stability that is notable given the turbulence that has affected many of Jordan's neighbors.

Jordan's economy is smaller and less resource-rich than the Gulf states. The country has limited oil and gas reserves and depends on imports for most of its energy needs. Instead, Jordan's economy runs on services, tourism, phosphate and potash mining, remittances, and foreign aid. The peg is sustained by a combination of foreign reserves, aid from the US and Gulf allies, and IMF support programs.

Tourism and the Ancient City of Petra

Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs, is Jordan's premier tourist attraction and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The site draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and the tourism revenue it generates is a significant source of foreign exchange. Beyond Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum desert, Jerash's Roman ruins, and the Red Sea resort of Aqaba round out a tourism portfolio that offers remarkable diversity for a small country.

Costs in Jordan are moderate by Middle Eastern standards. A hotel in Amman's Abdoun or Rainbow Street areas costs 40 to 90 JOD per night. A meal at a popular restaurant runs 5 to 15 JOD. Petra's entrance fee is 50 JOD for a one-day ticket (free with the Jordan Pass, which bundles the visa fee and multiple attraction entries for 70 to 80 JOD). A Wadi Rum jeep tour with Bedouin camp overnight costs 40 to 70 JOD per person.

Since 1 JOD equals roughly $1.41, Jordan's prices translate to dollar amounts that are comparable to or slightly below US levels. A 70 JOD hotel is about $99. A 10 JOD meal is roughly $14. The Jordan Pass at 75 JOD is about $106, and it covers the visa fee plus Petra and dozens of other sites, making it the best value ticket in the country.

USD/JOD Conversion

USD/JOD = 0.709 means one US dollar buys 0.709 Jordanian dinars. To convert dollars to dinars, multiply by 0.709. So $500 gives you 354.50 JOD. To convert dinars to dollars, divide by 0.709 or multiply by 1.41. So 100 JOD equals roughly $141.

The inverted rate can be confusing. When you see JOD/USD = 1.41, it means one dinar buys $1.41. The dinar is worth more per unit than the dollar, similar to the British pound and Kuwaiti dinar.

Exchange houses in Amman's downtown area and near tourist sites offer competitive rates. The airport exchange counter at Queen Alia International is reasonable for an initial amount. ATMs from Arab Bank, Jordan Islamic Bank, and Cairo Amman Bank accept international cards. Credit cards work at hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in Amman and tourist areas, but cash is preferred at smaller businesses, taxis, and in rural areas. The Jordan Pass can be purchased online before arrival, eliminating the need for a separate visa fee payment at the border.

The Jordan Pass and Budget Strategy

The Jordan Pass is one of the smartest travel purchases in the Middle East. For 70 to 80 JOD depending on the Petra option chosen, it bundles the tourist visa fee (normally 40 JOD), entry to Petra (normally 50 JOD for one day), and free admission to over 40 additional sites including Jerash, Wadi Rum visitor center, Ajloun Castle, and multiple museums. The math makes it an obvious choice for anyone planning to visit Petra plus at least one other site. The pass must be purchased online before arrival and activated at the first site visited. For budget-conscious travelers, combining the Jordan Pass with affordable local transportation (JETT buses between cities cost 5 to 10 JOD), homestays or budget hotels in Wadi Musa and Aqaba, and street food from Amman's downtown falafel and shawarma joints (0.50 to 1.50 JOD) makes Jordan accessible on a modest budget despite the relatively strong dinar.

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