The Jordanian dinar (JOD) is one of the strongest currencies in the world: arranging your currency exchange in Paris before leaving for Petra or Wadi Rum spares you many unpleasant surprises on arrival.
The Jordanian dinar, a very high-value currency
Jordan uses the Jordanian dinar, whose international code is JOD and local symbol "JD". It is divided into 1,000 fils, though everyday usage also counts in piastres (100 piastres to a dinar). This peculiarity often surprises travellers: prices are sometimes displayed with three decimal places, and a simple coffee can be priced in fractions of a dinar.
The JOD is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed parity (a peg) that has been maintained since the 1990s. This stability makes the dinar a highly valued currency: a single dinar is worth significantly more than a euro. In practical terms, your banknotes will have a high unit value, which changes the way you manage your cash. A large 50-dinar note is hard to get accepted for a small purchase, exactly as a big bill would be in France.
Why plan your currency exchange from Paris
The Jordanian dinar is one of the less common currencies in France: it is not always immediately available over the counter. To guarantee that banknotes are in stock, it is best to order your currency online in advance and come to pick it up in store. That way you arrive in Jordan with cash in hand, without depending on an ATM at Queen Alia airport or on a local exchange office with uncertain terms.
Why cash is still king in Jordan
While the large hotels in Amman and tourist agencies accept bank cards, a large part of the Jordanian experience still relies on cash. In the souks, with taxi drivers, in small mezze restaurants or from Bedouin tea sellers, cash dinars are often the only means of payment.
Petra: plan for cash for the day
The site of Petra is explored on foot, over long distances. All along the route, Bedouins offer donkey, camel or horse rides, cold drinks, handmade souvenirs and mint teas. These transactions are settled almost exclusively in cash, and bargaining is done in dinars. Plan for small and medium denominations for the day: there is no ATM inside the site, and heading back down to withdraw money would cost you precious time.
Wadi Rum: a desert without ATMs
In the Wadi Rum desert, the Bedouin camps, 4x4 excursions and overnight stays under canvas operate largely on cash. Network coverage is limited there, payment terminals are rare and ATMs almost non-existent. Arriving with enough dinars in your pocket is essential to enjoy this leg of the trip with peace of mind, to pay your guides and to buy something to eat.
Tipping, a deeply rooted custom
In Jordan, tipping (the "baksheesh") is part of the customs: at restaurants, for guides, porters or hotel staff. Having small dinar denominations on hand makes it easy to show thanks without having to get change. It is also an appreciated gesture that smooths interactions throughout your stay.
Exchanging your euros for dinars with confidence in Paris
At Paris Change, an exchange office approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you exchange your euros for Jordanian dinars with no commission, at the day's counter rates. As these rates are indicative and revised daily according to the market, the easiest option is to book online and then pick up your banknotes at our single shop, at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris (Saint-Michel metro line 4, RER B and C).
We are open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm, and Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm. This wide range of hours lets you prepare your trip even at the last minute, on the weekend. As the Jordanian dinar is one of the less requested currencies, booking in advance remains strongly recommended to be sure your banknotes are ready on the day you visit.
Keep regulations and a small euro buffer in mind
Bear in mind the European customs rule: any transport of cash equal to or above €10,000 (or the equivalent) must be declared when entering and leaving the European Union. For a typical tourist trip, you stay well below this threshold. Also remember to keep a few euros for your last purchases at the airport and for your return.
Frequently asked questions
Should you exchange your euros before leaving or once there?
Exchanging part of your budget into dinars before departure ensures you have cash from the moment you arrive, without depending on local exchange offices or ATMs that can be hard to find in Petra or Wadi Rum. As the dinar is a less common currency, booking in advance guarantees that banknotes are available.
Which denominations should you favour for Jordan?
As the dinar is a high-value currency, ask for a mix of small and medium denominations. Small values are ideal for taxis, tips, drinks and purchases in the souks, where it is difficult to get change for large notes.
Does Paris Change charge a commission on the Jordanian dinar?
No. The exchange is carried out with no commission, at the day's counter rate. As these rates vary daily, we invite you to check when you book or when you visit the shop.
Prepare your Jordanian adventure with peace of mind: order your currency online right now and come to pick up your Jordanian dinars 7 days a week at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel, in Paris.
