airports in jordan near petra — full travel guide
Petra doesn’t have its own airport, It is an ancient city within an area called Wadi Musa, and Wadi Musa does not have a private airport .There are two airports in Jordan, you’ll land in Amman or Aqaba, then continue by road to Wadi Musa, the town next to Petra.
If you’re still building your full itinerary, it helps to look at the big picture first. Use your main Petra travel guide as the “hub” for the trip, and this page as your reference for airports and connections.
What are the airports in Jordan near Petra?
When people search for airports in jordan near petra, they’re really talking about two places inside Jordan:
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) – near Amman, the main international gateway
- King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) – in Aqaba, on the Red Sea
From Queen Alia International Airport to Petra, the drive is roughly 200–235 km and usually takes around 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on the route and traffic.
From Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport to Petra, the distance is about 125–130 km, and the drive is usually 1.5–2 hours.
So:
- Amman (AMM) → better for most international flights and round trips across Jordan
- Aqaba (AQJ) → closer to Petra by road, good if you also want Red Sea time
Queen Alia International Airport (Amman)
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is Jordan’s main airport and the hub for Royal Jordanian and many international airlines.
Key points:
- Located about 30 km south of Amman city
- Main entry point for long-haul flights and major European, Middle Eastern, and some North American routes
- Typical drive to Petra: around 2.5–3 hours via the Desert Highway, longer if you take slower scenic routes or hit traffic.
Why people choose Amman airport:
- More flight options and often better prices
- Easy to combine Petra with Amman, Jerash, and the Dead Sea
- Good if you’re doing a classic Jordan loop (Amman → Dead Sea → Petra → Wadi Rum → Aqaba or back to Amman)
- It is recommended if you wish to visit the cities and villages surrounding the capital.
From Queen Alia, you can:
- Rent a car and drive straight to Petra
- Book a private transfer or taxi
- Go into Amman city first, then take a JETT bus or tour down to Petra
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba)
King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) serves the coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. It’s smaller but closer to Petra than Amman.
Key points:
- About 125–130 km from Petra
- Typical drive: 1.5–2 hours by road
- Used for regional flights and seasonal/charter flights from Europe and nearby countries
Why people choose Aqaba airport:
- Shorter transfer to Petra
- Perfect if you want to combine Red Sea (Aqaba) + Wadi Rum + Petra
- Often visa benefits or fee waivers for some nationalities when arriving through Aqaba as part of the special economic zone (check current rules). (jordanpass.jo)
From Aqaba, you can:
- Drive yourself in a rental car
- Take a bus (including JETT) where available
- Use a private taxi or pre-booked transfer
Driving distances from each airport
To keep it simple, here are the rough distances and times by road:
- Queen Alia International Airport (Amman) → Petra / Wadi Musa
- Distance: about 200–235 km
- Time: roughly 2.5–3.5 hours depending on route and traffic
- King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba) → Petra / Wadi Musa
- Distance: about 125–130 km
- Time: roughly 1.5–2 hours by car or bus
These are estimates, not exact numbers. Weather, traffic, and stops on the way will change the final time.
Best airport choice depending on itinerary
You don’t pick an airport in isolation. You pick it based on your route. Here’s the simple way to think about it:
Choose Amman (AMM) if:
- You’re flying from far away and need more flight options
- You want to spend time in Amman, Jerash, or the northern sites
- You’re planning a loop that starts and ends in the capital
- You’re okay with a longer drive to Petra
Choose Aqaba (AQJ) if:
- You want to be closer to Petra and Wadi Rum from day one
- You’re combining beach time in Aqaba with desert and Petra
- You found a good regional or seasonal flight into Aqaba
Use both airports if:
- You fly into Amman and out of Aqaba (or the opposite)
- You don’t want to drive back the same way
- You like open-jaw tickets and one-way road trips
Transportation modes from airports
From Queen Alia International Airport (Amman)
You have a few realistic options:
- Rental car
- Pick up at the airport, drive via the Desert Highway south to Petra.
- Gives you full flexibility and lets you stop at places on the way.
- Private transfer / taxi
- Pre-booked drivers or airport taxis can take you straight to Petra.
- Travel time: around 2.5–3 hours in normal conditions.
- Bus from Amman city
- First, go from the airport to Amman (by airport bus or taxi).
- Then take a JETT tourist bus from Amman (often Abdali) to Petra.
- The JETT bus usually leaves in the morning and takes about 3–4 hours.
- Group tour
- Many agencies run Petra tours starting from Amman city or directly from the airport.
- They often bundle transport, a driver, and sometimes a local guide.
From King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba)
Options from Aqaba are more limited but also simpler:
- Rental car
- Drive via the Desert Highway or King’s Highway to Petra.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours.
- Bus (including JETT and local buses)
- Buses from Aqaba to Petra usually take about 2 hours, with a short stop.
- Taxi / private transfer
- Direct transfer to Wadi Musa, usually similar time to self-drive.
- Cost is higher than the bus but simpler, especially with luggage or family.
Visa and arrival procedures
Visa rules change, and they depend on your nationality, so always check the latest information before you travel. But in general:
- Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and at other main entry points. jordan.gov.jo
- Some travelers can get a free visa if they arrive through Aqaba under its special economic zone rules. jordanpass.jo
- The Jordan Pass can waive visa fees if you buy it in advance and stay a minimum number of nights in the country.
Typical arrival flow:
- Land at AMM or AQJ
- Go through immigration (visa on arrival or pre-arranged visa)
- Collect luggage and pass customs
- Withdraw cash or use an ATM for Jordanian dinars
- Buy a SIM card if you need local data
- Head to the taxi stand, car rental desk, or bus stop
Keep your passport, hotel details, and return/next-destination proof handy.
Airline options
You won’t plan your whole trip around airline names, but it helps to know the basics.
Queen Alia International Airport (Amman)
- Main hub of Royal Jordanian
- Served by many full-service and low-cost airlines from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond
This is where you’ll find the widest choice of routes and prices.
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba)
- Focus city for Royal Jordanian
- Direct flights to a small set of destinations like Amman, Cairo, Istanbul, and seasonal routes to European cities.
Some travelers fly into Amman and connect to Aqaba on a short domestic flight, then head by road to Petra.
Best arrival times
Think less about the exact hour on your ticket and more about what it means for your first day on the ground.
- Morning arrival
- Gives you time to clear immigration, pick up the car or bus, and still reach Petra in daylight.
- Good if you plan to sleep in Wadi Musa and visit Petra the next morning.
- Midday arrival
- Works if you’re not going straight to Petra, but rather staying the first night in Amman or Aqaba.
- Pushing all the way to Petra the same day can feel rushed.
- Late night arrival
- Usually better to stay near the airport or in the city and drive to Petra the next day.
- Night driving on long desert roads is possible but not ideal, especially when tired.
A simple rule:
Try to arrive early enough that you’re not driving long distances in the dark on your first day.
Tips for first-time flyers to Jordan
- Check visa rules for your passport well before flying, and decide whether a Jordan Pass makes sense for you.
- Keep at least 6 months’ validity on your passport and a few empty pages.
- Have your hotel name and address ready on your phone or printed.
- Consider buying a local SIM card on arrival for maps and calls.
- Keep some cash in dinars for taxis, snacks, and tips; not everything takes cards.
- If you’re renting a car, bring your driving licence and, if required, an international driving permit.
- Plan your jet lag: don’t schedule a full Petra hike right after a long overnight flight if you can avoid it.
FAQ
What is the nearest airport to Petra in Jordan?
The closest practical airports inside Jordan are:
- Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) near Amman – about 200–235 km and roughly 2.5–3.5 hours by road to Petra.
- King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba – about 125–130 km, roughly 1.5–2 hours by road.
Most long-haul flights still arrive in Amman, but Aqaba is closer to Petra.
How long does it take to drive from Amman to Petra?
From Amman city or Queen Alia Airport, the drive to Petra usually takes around 3 hours, sometimes a bit more depending on traffic and stops.
If you take slower scenic routes or stop often, expect 3–4 hours door to door.
Is it safe to travel to Petra by rental car?
For most visitors, yes. The main highways between Amman, Aqaba, and Petra are paved and widely used by locals and tourists.
Common-sense tips:
- Avoid long night drives when you’re tired.
- Watch for speed bumps and changes in speed limits.
- Fill up the tank before you leave the city, and don’t wait for the last fuel station.
Are there buses from Amman or Aqaba to Petra?
Yes.
- From Amman, JETT and other operators run tourist buses to Petra, often with early morning departures and mid-afternoon returns.
- From Aqaba, there are buses and tourist services that usually reach Petra in about 2 hours.
Always check the current schedule, because times and frequencies can change.
What is the cheapest way to get to Petra?
The cheapest routes are usually:
- Tourist or public buses from Amman or Aqaba to Petra
- Local minibuses, if you’re flexible and don’t mind simple conditions and variable departure times
If you’re traveling as a group, a shared rental car or shared taxi can also end up being cost-effective once you split the cost.
This guide should help you pick the right airport and transfer for your plan. Once that’s clear, go back to your Petra travel guide and plug it into the bigger itinerary.
