What to expect in Petra in January
January is a quiet, off-peak month in Petra: 12° / 1°, plenty of space at the main sights and some of the best deals of the year. Great if you value space over perfect conditions.
Petra weather in January
Typical conditions in Petra during January, based on long-run climate normals rather than any single year. Treat it as a planning guide, not a forecast.
| Average high | 12°C 54°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 1°C 34°F |
| Rainfall | Dry 25/100 |
| How it feels | Cool |
Average highs sit around 12°C with lows near 1°C. It is one of the drier months — pack light.
Crowds & demand
Crowd levels are Low for Petra — plenty of space at the main sights.
Prices & value
Prices run low season this month: some of the best deals of the year.
What to pack
Layers you can shed: 12°C by day and about 1°C after dark is a two-jacket kind of month. Rain gear is largely optional this month, which keeps your bag light.
What it costs
This is one of the cheaper months to visit Petra. Flights and accommodation sit near their yearly floor, and you can usually book late without being punished for it. Compared with the most expensive month of the year, you are looking at roughly 61% less.
Who this month suits
- Anyone travelling on a budget
- People who would rather have space than perfect conditions
- Visitors who want to catch a festival
Events & what’s on
Look out for Petra by Night while you’re there.
- Petra by Night — Candles line the Siq and Treasury courtyard three evenings a week for a torch-lit walk and Bedouin music.
Petra in January compared with nearby months
If your dates are flexible by a few weeks, this is what shifting them actually buys you.
| Month | Temp | Crowds | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 19° / 7° | Moderate | $$ | 59 |
| December | 14° / 3° | Low | $ | 66 |
| January · This month | 12° / 1° | Low | $ | 67 |
| February | 14° / 2° | Low | $ | 66 |
| March | 18° / 5° | Moderate | $$ | 59 |
These months score higher for Petra on the same blend of weather, crowds and price. Same destination, better odds.
Or go somewhere else in January
If the destination is negotiable but the month is not, these places are at their best in January.
Figures are climate normals and modelled estimates — a planning guide, not a forecast. We separate fact, estimate and recommendation. Updated August 2026
