Want to know the quickest, cheapest, or easiest way to travel from Amman to Petra?

Our quick guide has got all the answers for you!

Petra, the ancient rose-red city carved into the rock, is going to feature on every first-time Jordan itinerary.

With the majority of travellers arriving into the country via Amman and its international airport, heading south to Petra from the capital city is a common next step.

Depending on your travel style and how long you’ve got for this particular Middle Eastern adventure, it can easily be done by going straight from the airport or after spending a few days enjoying the city’s sights.

Alternatively, some of you may be using the capital as a base for various day trips and tours around Jordan.

If you’re planning your route just now, or making some last-minute adjustments, we’ve shared the four ways to get to Petra from Amman, alongside pros/cons and key information.

Whether it’s with public or private transport, your own rental car, or joining a day-trip tour, this is all you need to know on how to get from Amman to Petra

p.s. once you’ve sorted your route, be sure to read our definitive guide to visiting Petra to plan for the best possible experience and avoid several common mistakes!

Amman to Petra

/ Three to four hours, 230km apart
/ Easiest with your own rental car
/ A daily bus at 6.30am
/ Hire a car via Rentalcars.com or AutoEurope.
/ Possible to arrange a private taxi
/ Lots of day trip tours available

All Roads Lead to Wadi Musa

First things first! Petra is situated in the small town of Wadi Musa (236km south of Amman), and that’s where you’ll start / end your visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site.

If you’re planning on visiting Petra for more than one day, you’ll also stay in and around the town.

You can find Wadi Musa here on Google Maps.

From Wadi Musa to Petra, it’s simply a 2-minute walk from your accommodation or the closest car parks to the entrance, or a 10 to 15-minute walk if you stay somewhere cheaper up the hill.

We stayed right by the entrance at the affordable, locally-owned Sunset Hotel, and we recommend it as a decent, no-frills option.

The fastest driving route to Wadi Musa and Petra from Amman is around about three hours. Note that there is no Petra airport or airport situated less than two hours from the site, so travel is possibly only by road from elsewhere in Jordan.

AMMAN TO PETRA WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There’s a daily direct bus from Amman to Petra, and it’s going to be the ideal option for certain independent travellers and those on a strict budget.

Operated by the company JETT, it departs Amman at 6.30am and normally arrives at the entrance to Petra between 10 - 10.30am. This unfortunately coincides with the most crowded time at Petra, but will give you plenty time to visit quite a lot of the site before it closes at sunset.

A one-way ticket costs 10 JD per person, with a round-trip ticket priced at 20 JD. The company also has a daily service from Petra to Amman, leaving at 5 pm.

Pros | The 45-seater buses are comfortable enough with air-con, it’s easy to book online, and the price is very affordable. A great option for solo travellers who would like to meet/join some others!

Cons | The early departure time and station location means most of you will require a very early rise and a taxi in Amman to reach one of the two designated pick-up points in good time. The bus also takes longer than the other transport options in this post.

If taking the Amman to Petra bus, we’d recommend against using it for a day-trip. It is absolutely possible to do, but it’s a long day of independent travel to give yourself less than five hours (including lunch) inside Petra. Instead, spend at least one night in Wadi Musa and spread your time exploring Petra across two days, allowing you to have a less rushed first day and a sunrise start on your second, before returning to Amman on the afternoon bus.

Details | You can see timetables, availability, and buy your tickets on the official JETT website. If travelling in high season (December-April) the bus often sells out, so get your tickets booked in advance once you know your dates.

There is also the option to take a minibus from Amman’s South Bus station, but we don’t think this is the best option for saving time given their unreliable schedule, later departures, and slower journey time. However, if you do this and have a positive experience, please do share details in the comments!

Plan // Our Petra Guide

Amman To Petra BY RENTAL CAR

If you’re thinking about a Jordan road trip, the experience and convenience of the drive between Amman and Petra is another reason to get your own wheels.

The most direct route from the capital is a straightforward and enjoyable drive down the Desert Highway to Wadi Musa, which will take you just under four hours once you factor in a road-side stop for lunch, coffees, and getting used to the road.

There’s some incredible scenery along the way too!

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) is situated about a 55-minute drive / 35km from Amman, and is the main entry point for travellers flying in to Jordan. Not only is it the cheapest and best place to grab your rental car, setting off from there will also cut down your journey time substantially.

So, the main decision you need to make is whether you are going to spend some time within Amman first before collecting your vehicle, or you’re content to simply pick up your rental car on arrival at the airport and head straight to Petra!

For car hire in Jordan, we recommend looking + booking via Rentalcars.com or AutoEurope.

If you’re not sure about whether you want to rent a car, or need some advice to reduce costs + stress, make sure to read the following:

· 17 Things To Know Before Driving in Jordan

· Our Jordan Road Trip Itinerary

· 16 Things To Know Before You Visit Amman

Amman To Petra Tours

If time is short, you don’t fancy the bus, and using Amman as a base for your Jordan explorations is the only possibility, we’d highly recommend taking a tour.

Unsurprisingly, there are an abundance on offer that include time at Petra. However, the most important thing is booking one that allows you enough time to explore the archeological site at your own pace, and ideally doesn’t include visits to other touristic attractions such as Wadi Rum or the Dead Sea.

For example, this private day tour from Amman is popular - and has good reviews - but only spends three hours in Petra (meaning no time for the Monastery or those serendipitous moments in between for which many of us travel).

You're therefore far better, if a day trip from Amman is your only option, to go for a specialist tour which dedicates a lot more time to Petra and has good ratings. We think this 12-hour, full-day private transport tour is an excellent option and won’t limit your ability to be able to appreciate your time there.

If you have your heart set on visiting the Monastery on your day trip, then you should take a look at this highly-rated and well-priced private Tour from Amman.

Note that tickets for Petra are usually not included, so you need to arrange your Jordan Pass in advance or purchase them on arrival at the visitor centre (we’d recommend against the latter as it will unnecessarily eat into your time).

If a guide is not included in the tour price - which is surprisingly common - you can easily request your driver to arrange a private guide to join you on arrival in Petra.

Plan // Do You Really Need The Jordan Pass?

Amman To PETRA BY PRIVATE TAXI

A private transfer or taxi is one of the more expensive options, but it will offer a more comfortable journey and remove the need to get to a bus station in the early morning. If short on time or you have no desire to book a rental car or deal with public transport, then this is going to be your best option!

If looking to get your transport sorted in advance, this one-way transfer is excellent value for money, can pick you up form the centre of Amman (or the airport) and has good ratings. Find out more here.

Alternatively, if you prefer to plan last-minute, you can find a taxi in Amman.

Expect to pay in the region of 80 -100 JD one-way from the city centre, and don’t expect every taxi driver to want to do this trip. If in doubt, ask your accommodation in Amman to arrange or put you in touch with a driver they know and trust. Do be aware that the final price will be dependent on your negotiations

Lastly, if you would like to head south to Wadi Musa straight from the airport, then it’s very easy to arrange. In the kiosk outside the arrivals terminals, you’ll find the official taxis waiting and prices are listed on a small piece of A4 paper; the journey from Amman airport to Petra / Wadi Musa costs 77 JD. Alternatively, you can book this private Amman Airport to Petra transfer service online for slightly less.

If you have a positive experience with a specific driver, or an update on prices, feel free to share in the comments!