Three airports put Petra within easy reach: two serving Amman, Queen Alia International south of the capital and Amman Civil Airport in the city’s Marka district, plus King Hussein International in Aqaba on the Red Sea. Each is connected to the Nabataean capital by a two-to-three-hour drive on well-maintained highways, and the right choice depends on where you are flying from and what else your itinerary includes. This guide covers each airport, the drive from it, and how to arrange onward transport.
The Three Airports in Jordan Near Petra
| Airport | Code | Distance to Petra | Driving time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Alia International (Amman) | AMM | ~209 km | ~2.5 hours | Most international arrivals, full Jordan itineraries |
| King Hussein International (Aqaba) | AQJ | ~129 km | ~2 hours | Petra, Wadi Rum, and Red Sea focused trips |
| Amman Civil Airport (Marka) | ADJ | ~239 km | ~3 hours | Regional and seasonal routes into central Amman |
Queen Alia International Airport (Amman)
Queen Alia International Airport is Jordan’s main gateway and handles the overwhelming majority of international flights, with direct connections to Europe, the Gulf, Asia, and North America.
The drive from Queen Alia to the Petra Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa covers about209 kilometres and takes around 2.5 hours. International rental companies operate desks in the arrivals hall, and pre-booked private transfers are easy to arrange through hotels and tour operators.
Landing here also gives you the full range of route choices for the journey south, including the scenic King’s Highway through Madaba, Karak, and Dana. For a complete comparison of the three roads, see our Distance Between Amman and Petra guide.
King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba)
King Hussein International Airport is the closest airport to Petra, sitting about 129 kilometres away with a drive of just under 2 hours. It serves Aqaba, Jordan’s Red Sea city, with regional connections and seasonal European routes, including a number of low-cost carriers.
For travellers focused on southern Jordan, arriving in Aqaba is remarkably efficient: Wadi Rum is about an hour away, Petra about two, and the Red Sea is on your doorstep. Taxis, rental cars, and pre-arranged transfers are all available at the terminal, and JETT runs a daily bus between Aqaba and Petra.
Amman Civil Airport (Marka)
Amman Civil Airport in the Marka district is the capital’s original airport, recently relicensed for scheduled civil operations under the name Amman City Airport, with services from Royal Jordanian and home-based carriers including Jordan Aviation and Royal Wings on regional and seasonal routes such as Istanbul, Antalya, Trabzon, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Hurghada. Its great advantage is position: Marka sits inside the city itself, minutes from downtown Amman, so arrivals skip the airport-to-city transfer entirely.
For Petra, the journey from Marka mirrors the journey from central Amman: about three hours south via the Desert Highway, roughly 239 kilometres, by rental car, private transfer, or a connection to the JETT bus.
Which Airport Should You Choose?
Choose Queen Alia (Amman) if you are flying long-haul, want the widest choice of airlines and fares, or plan a full Jordan itine Amman Civil Airport (Marka)rary that includes Jerash, the Dead Sea, and the capital alongside Petra.
Choose King Hussein (Aqaba) if your trip centres on Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea, if you find a convenient seasonal route from Europe, or if you are combining Jordan with a Red Sea holiday.
Choose Amman Civil (Marka) if a regional or seasonal route lands you there, or if starting in the heart of the capital suits your plans; for the drive south to Petra it is interchangeable with central Amman.
Getting from Each Airport to Petra
Private transfer: the simplest door-to-door option from either airport, arranged through your hotel or tour operator. Expect about 2.5 hours from Queen Alia and 2 hours from Aqaba.
Rental car: desks at both airports. The Desert Highway from either direction is well-paved and signposted in Arabic and English. From Queen Alia you also have the option of the King’s Highway scenic route.
JETT bus: from Amman, the daily JETT service to Petra departs Abdali station at 6:30 AM and the 7th Circle at 7:00 AM, so an airport arrival needs to connect into the city first. From Aqaba, JETT runs a daily morning service to Petra taking about two hours. Confirm schedules on jett.
Guided tours: operators in both cities run Petra day tours and multi-day itineraries with airport pick-up included.
Already on the Red Sea? Petra Is Closer Than You Think
If your travels have you on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, one of the wonders of the world is a short crossing away. Passenger ferries link Nuweiba on the Sinai coast with Aqaba in a few hours, and from Aqaba the rock-cut Nabataean capital is a two-hour drive. Petra is the kind of place people plan entire trips around, and being this close without seeing it is a decision travellers regret; a two-or-three-day extension covers Petra and Wadi Rum comfortably before the crossing back. Check current sailing schedules with the ferry operators, since timetables shift seasonally.
FAQs
What airport is closest to Petra?
King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, about 129 kilometres from Petra with a drive of just under 2 hours.
Can I fly directly to Petra?
No. Petra has no airport. The nearest are Aqaba (2 hours), Queen Alia near Amman (2.5 hours), and Amman Civil Airport in Marka (about 3 hours).
How many airports does Jordan have?
Three with scheduled passenger service: Queen Alia International, King Hussein International in Aqaba, and Amman Civil Airport in Marka, which serves regional and seasonal routes.
Is Aqaba a good airport for visiting Petra?
Yes, particularly for trips focused on Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Red Sea. It is the closest airport to Petra.
How far is Petra from Amman airport?
About 209 kilometres, a drive of roughly 2.5 hours via the Desert Highway.
Ready to Plan Your Trip
Both airports put Petra within easy reach, and each opens a different way of seeing the country. For everything to do once you have landed, see our full guide to things to do in Jordan.
