Petra Jordan How to Get There: Your Options at a Glance
Petra has no airport of its own, so reaching it always involves a road or bus journey from somewhere else in Jordan. International travellers typically land at one of Jordan's two airports (Queen Alia International near Amman or King Hussein International in Aqaba) and then continue by car, JETT bus, taxi, or guided tour. The route you take depends on where you're staying and which other destinations you plan to combine with Petra.
From Amman
The Amman to Petra journey is the most popular way to reach the site. Petra sits about 235 km south of Amman, with two main route choices: the fast Desert Highway (around 3 hours) or the scenic King's Highway through Madaba, Karak, and Dana (around 4 to 4.5 hours).
Queen Alia International Airport sits south of Amman on the way to Petra, which works in your favour if you're heading directly south after landing. The airport is about 209 km from Petra, with a 2.5-hour drive via the Desert Highway, and many travellers pick up a rental car or arrange a transfer at the airport instead of going into central Amman first.
If you'd rather not drive, the JETT bus is the simplest public transport option. There's one daily bus that picks up at two stations in Amman: it starts at Abdali station (downtown), then continues to the 7th Circle station (closer to many West Amman hotels) before heading south.
Typical schedule:
- Departure from Abdali: 6:30 AM
- Departure from 7th Circle: 7:00 AM (same bus, second pickup)
- Arrival in Petra: ~10:00 to 10:30 AM
- Return from Petra: 5:00 PM
Times shift on weekends, public holidays, and during Ramadan, so confirm on jett before your travel date. Booking online a day or two ahead is recommended in high season (March to May, September to November).
For a full breakdown of every route option from the capital, see our exact distance and route options guide.
From Aqaba
Aqaba is Jordan's coastal city on the Red Sea and a popular starting point for Petra, especially for cruise visitors and travellers flying in from southern Europe or the Gulf. Aqaba sits about 128 km south of Petra, with a drive of around 2 hours via the Desert Highway. The route heads north past Wadi Rum and through the desert plateau before turning east toward Wadi Musa.
King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba is Jordan's closest airport to Petra, sitting about 128 km away with a 2-hour drive. It serves a smaller number of flights than Queen Alia, mostly regional and seasonal European routes, but it can shorten the overall trip considerably for travellers focused on Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea.
JETT also runs a daily service between Aqaba and Petra, with departures typically in the morning and a return in the late afternoon. The journey takes about two hours.
From Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum sits between Aqaba and Petra, with the drive to Petra taking about 1.5 to 2 hours over roughly 107 km. This is one of the most popular itinerary combinations in Jordan, since the dramatic desert landscape of Wadi Rum and the rock-cut wonder of Petra complement each other beautifully. Most visitors stay one night at a Wadi Rum camp before continuing north to Petra, or take Petra first and finish their southern Jordan trip in the desert. Private transfers between Wadi Rum and Petra can be arranged through your camp or hotel.
From the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is around 188 km north of Petra, with a drive of about 3 hours. Travellers heading from the Dead Sea to Petra can take the Dead Sea Highway south past the Wadi Mujib area before joining the Desert Highway for the rest of the journey, which makes for a particularly scenic route through the central Jordanian valleys. This combination works especially well for travellers building a longer Jordan itinerary that includes both float-in-the-Dead-Sea time and the rock-cut splendour of Petra.
Self-Drive, Tours, and Private Transfers
These options offer the most flexibility for travellers who'd rather not rely on public transport schedules.
A self-drive rental gives you the freedom to take your own pace, explore the King's Highway scenic route, and add side trips to nearby destinations along the way. International rental companies operate at Queen Alia International Airport and across major Jordanian cities. For a list of registered car rental operators, see Visit Jordan's Ground Transportation page.
Day tours from Amman typically include round-trip transport, a guide inside Petra, and lunch. They almost always use the Desert Highway and return to Amman in the evening.
Multi-day tours pair Petra with Wadi Rum, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, or several of these destinations together. These combined itineraries are an efficient way to see the highlights of southern Jordan in one booking.
Private transfers offer door-to-door service when you'd rather not drive yourself. Your hotel can usually arrange one from Amman, Aqaba, or another major city.
Choosing the Right Route for You
- Most international visitors flying in: Land at Queen Alia International Airport, head south to Petra by rental car or transfer.
- Cruise visitors and Red Sea travellers: Drive or JETT bus from Aqaba.
- Budget travellers: JETT bus from Amman or Aqaba.
- Road trip enthusiasts: Self-drive the King's Highway from Amman, ideally with an overnight at Dana Biosphere Reserve.
- Travellers combining Petra with Wadi Rum: Wadi Rum to Petra is a quick 1.5 to 2 hour drive, easily done in one morning.
- First-time visitors wanting a guided experience: Multi-day tour from Amman pairing Petra with Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.
Read Also:
full cost breakdown for visiting Petra
FAQs
What is the nearest airport to Petra in Jordan?
King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba is the closest, sitting about 130 km from Petra with a 2-hour drive.
How long does it take to drive from Amman to Petra?
The shortest drive is about 3 hours via the Desert Highway with no major stops.
Is it safe to travel to Petra by rental car?
Yes. Both major routes are paved, well-signposted in Arabic and English, and used daily by locals and tourists. Many travellers pick up their rental at Queen Alia International Airport and head straight south on the Desert Highway.
Are there buses from Amman or Aqaba to Petra?
Yes. JETT operates daily buses on both routes. From Amman, a single daily bus picks up at Abdali (6:30 AM) and 7th Circle (7:00 AM), arriving in Petra around 10:00 to 10:30 AM. From Aqaba, buses typically depart in the morning and arrive in about two hours.
What is the cheapest way to get to Petra?
Public transport, particularly the JETT bus from Amman or Aqaba, is the most budget-friendly comfortable option. Local minibuses are cheaper still, with less predictable schedules.
