How To Get From Petra To Wadi Rum
When planning a trip to Jordan, it is inevitable that, at some stage, you will need to get from Petra to Wadi Rum or vice versa.
The two sites are arguably the most popular destinations to visit in Jordan; as a result, knowing how to get from Petra to Wadi will be essential.
In this article, we run you through all the possibilities and options there are for travelling between Wadi Rum and Petra.
We outline exactly how to do it, how easy it is and how much it is going to cost.
So, let’s dive into how to get from Petra to Wadi Rum:
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Petra to Wadi Rum Overview
How long is the journey? 100km (62 miles) and takes 1.5-2.0 hours
Most convenient: Book a private transfer
Cheapest option: Jett Bus from Petra to Wadi Rum
Best place to stay in Wadi Rum recommendation: Wadi Rum Dream Camp
Getting from Petra to Wadi Rum
The 100km (62 miles) journey between Petra and Wadi Rum takes approximately 1.5 hours and will take you along some of the most scenic roads in Jordan.
The journey will be split between the modern Desert’s Highway and the breathtakingly beautiful King’s Highway.
Here are your best options when it comes to travelling between Petra and Wadi Rum.
Petra to Wadi Rum on Google Maps
Petra to Wadi Rum by Car
Cost: 30-40JD per day for car hire
How to do it?
It is possible to hire a car and independently drive from Petra to Wadi Rum. Though this is possible as a stand-alone journey, it is often incorporated into a Jordan road trip itinerary where you hire a car in Amman and do a loop of the main sights in the country.
The drive between Petra and Wadi Rum is fairly straightforward, most of which will be along the recently renovated and well-maintained Desert’s Highway. We bought a Jordan eSIM for our phones and used Google Maps for directions.
For most of the accommodation options in Wadi Rum, you will be expected to drive to the Wadi Rum visitor centre, where you will be welcomed by a guide and taken onward into the Wadi Rum Protected Area in a 4x4 jeep.
Rental cars are left at the visitor centre while you visit Wadi Rum, and although it isn’t a locked compound, we felt it was safe enough to even leave a few of our belongings in the car instead of taking them into the desert with us.
Some notable exceptions are when you choose to stay at the larger hotels on the periphery of the Wadi Rum Protected Area, in which case you will likely drive your car directly to the hotel.
You'll see plenty of Camel Road Signs while driving from Petra to Wadi Rum
Petra to Wadi Rum by Taxi
Cost: 40JD
How to do it?
Perhaps the easiest and most popular route between Petra and Wadi Rum, taxis can be found throughout Wadi Musa. They can be pre-arranged by your hotel in Petra or by simply flagging one down at the side of the road.
There is always a big line of taxis outside the Petra Visitor Centre and Museum, and the competition between the drivers means you can arrange a fair price before entering the taxi.
Typically, it should cost 40JD (for one taxi) for the 2-hour ride to Wadi Rum. You can split the cost if you find others who want to make the same journey.
Expect plenty of Bedouin Tea in Wadi Rum
Petra to Wadi Rum by Bus
Cost: 15JD
How to do it?
The bus departs from Wadi Musa bus station daily at 11:30. The journey takes longer in a bus than in a car as the coach has to stop along the way and is significantly slower.
You typically arrive at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre around 1:00 - 1.5 hours after leaving Wadi Musa (Petra). The only downside to this bus service is that it is only sometimes very reliable and will only leave once there are enough passengers on board.
Of course, this does mean that you won’t arrive in Wadi Rum until mid-afternoon. To our surprise, we found this is actually a great time to arrive because you can leave all your belongings at the Amazing Bedouin Camp you will be staying in. Leaving enough time in the evening to go on a 4x4 tour and star-gazing in the desert.
You can find a complete list of Jett Bus services and prices here.
Petra to Wadi Rum by Private Transfer
Cost: 95JD
How to do it?
It is possible to pre-arrange a private transfer between Petra and Wadi Musa. This is probably the most stress-free way of travelling between the two sites as you are guaranteed a smooth journey, but it is also the most costly.
We recommend this option for groups of at least 4 people. The Jett Bus, for example, for 4 people, cost 60JD, whereas for only 35JD more, you can arrive at Wadi Rum in style with a private transfer.
The incredible landscape at Wadi Rum
Petra to Wadi Rum with a Tour
Cost: 150JD+
How to do it?
Your final option for getting between Petra and Wadi Rum is to book an organised tour that takes you to the main sights in Jordan. These tours typically begin and end in either Aqaba or Amman, so it is unlikely that you will find a tour that starts at Petra.
There are several tour options when it comes to visiting Petra and Wadi Rum. They consistently feature a private tour guide and transportation included, so you can sit back and relax while exploring the incredible country of Jordan.
Here is an overview of the best tours in Jordan that include Petra and Wadi Rum:
Best place to stay in Wadi Rum
Now that you know how to get from Petra to Wadi Rum, you will be wondering where you should stay once you arrive in the desert.
We cannot recommend the Wadi Rum Dream Camp enough. This is where we stayed during our visit to Wadi Rum and the staff and overall vibe of the camp was excellent.
The en-suite rooms come with incredible panoramic views of the desert and the camp serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. The official description of the accommodation is ‘tents’, but we’d argue that they are more like mini hotel rooms.
The Wadi Rum Dream Camp is the perfect blend of authentic Bedouin accommodation with a touch of home comforts. Running water and electricity are two things that don’t feature in all camps in Wadi Rum but the Dream Camp thankfully has both.
Best of all, the camp provides tours in the desert, too. They can organise sandboarding, 4x4 Jeep Tours and Camel Rides - so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Wadi Rum Dream Camp is undoubtedly the best place to stay in Wadi Rum.
The view from your room at Wadi Rum Dream Camp
So, that rounds out our guide on how to get from Petra to Wadi Rum. We hope this article has made it easy for you to decide how to travel between the two fascinating sites.
