How to Get to Wadi Rum: Complete Transport Guide from Petra, Aqaba and Amman
One of the most common questions we receive is: how do I actually get to Wadi Rum? The protected area sits in southern Jordan, roughly 60 km east of Aqaba and 110 km south of Petra. There is no train, no direct flight and no metro. But reaching Wadi Rum is straightforward once you know your options. This guide breaks down every route, every transport type, real costs and practical tips so you can plan the journey with confidence.
For a quick overview of directions and meeting points, see our How to Get There travel guide page. This blog article goes deeper with detailed comparisons, insider tips and common mistakes travelers make when planning transport.
Quick Summary: Which Route Is Best?
- From Petra / Wadi Musa. 1.5 to 2 hours. Most popular route. Shared taxi 10 to 15 JD per person.
- From Aqaba. 1 to 1.5 hours. Easiest if arriving by flight. Taxi 30 to 40 JD.
- From Amman. 3.5 to 4 hours. JETT bus 10 to 12 JD, private transfer 80 to 150 JD.
- Self drive. Flexible timing. Parking available at Wadi Rum Visitor Center.
Don't forget: All visitors must stop at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center to pay the entry fee (7 JD, free with Jordan Pass). Your camp will pick you up from there.
From Petra / Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum
This is the most common route. Most travelers visit Petra and Wadi Rum together as part of a Jordan itinerary. The distance is about 110 km and the drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and stops.
🏛️ Petra to Wadi Rum. Transport Options
How to find a shared taxi: Ask at your hotel reception in Wadi Musa the evening before. Drivers gather near the Petra Visitor Center entrance each morning looking for passengers headed south. The car departs once four people are ready. If you are traveling solo, you may need to wait 30 to 60 minutes for other passengers or pay a bit more to leave sooner.
How to find a private taxi: Your hotel can arrange this. Agree on the price before you leave. A fair price is 40 to 50 JD for the whole car. Some drivers try to charge 60 JD or more, which is too much for this distance.
Carpooling with Rakib App: Another smart option is Rakib, a carpooling app widely used across Jordan. You can find shared rides from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum at very affordable prices. Drivers and passengers rate each other, making it transparent and reliable. It works especially well for solo travelers who want to split the cost of a ride. Download the app or visit www.rakibapp.com for details.
Leave Wadi Musa between 10:00 and 11:00 AM. This gives you time for a relaxed breakfast after visiting Petra the day before. You arrive at Wadi Rum around noon, settle in, and start your jeep tour in the afternoon with plenty of time for sunset. If you have a second night, you can do a morning tour the next day instead.
Step 1: Coordinate with your camp
Message your camp on WhatsApp the evening before. Tell them your approximate arrival time. They will send a jeep to meet you at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center.
Step 2: Take a taxi from Wadi Musa
Your hotel arranges the taxi or you find one at the Petra gate. The route heads south on the Desert Highway, then turns east toward Wadi Rum village. The landscape changes dramatically from rocky hills to red sand desert.
Step 3: Stop at Wadi Rum Visitor Center
The taxi drops you at the official entrance. Pay the entry fee (7 JD, or free with Jordan Pass). There are toilets, a small shop and a restaurant here.
Step 4: Camp pickup
Your camp driver meets you at the Visitor Center with a 4x4. The ride to camp takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the camp location. Camps inside the protected area are further in. Enjoy the drive. It is your first taste of the desert.
From Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Aqaba is the closest city to Wadi Rum and the easiest starting point. If you are flying into King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, or arriving by ferry from Egypt, this is your route. The distance is about 60 km and the drive takes 1 to 1.5 hours.
🏖️ Aqaba to Wadi Rum. Transport Options
Carpooling with Rakib App: Rakib is a carpooling app widely used across Jordan. You can find shared rides from Aqaba to Wadi Rum at very affordable prices. Drivers and passengers rate each other, so the system is transparent and reliable. It works especially well for solo travelers and budget travelers. Visit www.rakibapp.com to download the app and check available rides.
Public minibus option: The cheapest way. Minibuses leave from Aqaba's main bus station to Wadi Rum village (not the Visitor Center). They run irregularly, usually in the morning. From Wadi Rum village you need to walk or take a short ride to the Visitor Center. This option works for budget travelers with flexible schedules but is unreliable for tight timings.
If you land at King Hussein Airport, the easiest option is a camp arranged transfer directly from the airport. Many camps offer this for 35 to 50 JD. Alternatively, take a taxi into Aqaba city (10 to 15 JD) and then a shared taxi to Wadi Rum the next morning. This makes sense if you want to spend a night in Aqaba first for some Red Sea snorkeling before heading to the desert.
From Amman to Wadi Rum
The longest route at roughly 320 km, but also the most common for travelers starting in the capital. The journey takes 3.5 to 4 hours by road. There are several options ranging from budget buses to comfortable private transfers.
🚌 Amman to Wadi Rum. Transport Options
JETT Bus details: The national bus company operates one daily departure from Amman's Abdali station, usually at 06:30 AM, arriving around 10:30 AM. Book online at jett.com.jo or at the JETT office 1 to 2 days in advance during peak season (March to May, September to November). The bus drops you directly at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. Return bus departs around 16:00.
Private transfer: Best for families and groups who want comfort and flexibility. Many camps can arrange this as part of your booking. The driver picks you up from your hotel or from Queen Alia Airport. You can request stops along the way for photos or food. This is the most expensive option for solo travelers but splits well between 2 to 4 people.
Carpooling with Rakib App: For budget conscious travelers, Rakib is a popular carpooling app that works across the whole of Jordan, including routes from Amman to Wadi Rum. You can find or offer shared rides at much lower prices than a private taxi. Drivers and passengers rate each other, so the system is transparent. Visit www.rakibapp.com to download the app and check available rides.
Most travelers do not go directly from Amman to Wadi Rum. The smart route is Amman → Petra (2 to 3 nights) → Wadi Rum (1 to 2 nights) → Aqaba or back to Amman. This way you explore Jordan from north to south. Read our Petra and Wadi Rum combined itinerary for detailed planning.
Self Drive: Renting a Car
Driving yourself gives you maximum flexibility. Jordan's roads are well maintained, signage is in Arabic and English, and traffic outside Amman is light. The route to Wadi Rum follows the Desert Highway (Route 15) south and then the Wadi Rum Highway east.
What you need to know:
- A regular car works fine on the highway. You do not need a 4x4 to reach the Visitor Center.
- Inside the protected area you cannot drive your own car. Your camp picks you up in their 4x4 from the Visitor Center.
- Free parking is available at the Visitor Center. It is safe to leave your car overnight.
- Car rental in Amman costs about 25 to 40 JD per day. Book in advance for better rates.
- Fuel is inexpensive by European standards. A full tank from Amman to Wadi Rum and back costs about 30 to 40 JD.
- Be careful driving at night on desert roads. Animals can cross unexpectedly.
⚠️ Important: Do Not Drive Into the Desert
Even if you have a 4x4 rental car, do not attempt to drive into the Wadi Rum protected area yourself. The desert terrain is dangerous without local knowledge. Visitors have gotten stuck in soft sand and required expensive rescue. Your camp provides all transport inside the protected area as part of your stay. See our guide on visiting Wadi Rum without a tour for more details.
Arriving at Wadi Rum Visitor Center
No matter which route you take, all visitors arrive at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. This is the official entrance to the UNESCO protected area. Here is what to expect when you arrive:
- Entry fee: 7 JD for non Jordanians, free with Jordan Pass. Children under 12 are free. Read our full entry fee guide
- Facilities: Toilets, a small museum, a souvenir shop and a restaurant. Use the toilets here because the next ones will be at your camp
- Camp pickup: Your camp driver will be waiting with a sign or will recognize you from your WhatsApp conversation. The ride to camp takes 15 to 45 minutes
- Luggage: Bring everything you need for the night. There is no going back to the Visitor Center until departure. Pack light but don't forget essentials (see what to pack)
- Cash: There is no ATM at Wadi Rum. Bring enough cash for your entire stay. Nearest ATMs are in Aqaba or Wadi Musa
Common Transport Mistakes to Avoid
After helping thousands of travelers reach Wadi Rum, here are the mistakes we see most often. Avoid these and your journey will be smooth (see also our general booking mistakes guide):
1. Not coordinating with your camp in advance
Your camp needs to know when you are arriving so they can send a driver to the Visitor Center. If you show up without notice, you may wait a long time. Always message your camp the day before with your expected arrival time.
2. Arriving too late in the afternoon
If you arrive after 15:00 you will miss the best part: the afternoon jeep tour with sunset. The ideal arrival time is between 11:00 and 14:00. This gives you time to settle in and start your tour around 15:00 to 16:00.
3. Relying on public transport with tight schedules
Public minibuses and shared taxis do not run on fixed schedules. If you have a flight to catch or a strict itinerary, book a private transfer or camp arranged transport instead.
4. Not carrying enough cash
Wadi Rum is cash only. Most camps do not accept credit cards. Bring enough Jordanian Dinars for accommodation, tours, tips and the entry fee. The nearest ATM is in Aqaba or Wadi Musa.
5. Booking transport through random drivers at Petra gate
Some unofficial drivers at the Petra entrance offer very low prices but may not be reliable or safe. Book through your hotel, your camp, or a trusted taxi company. The small savings are not worth the risk.
Leaving Wadi Rum: Departure Options
Departure is the reverse journey. Your camp drives you back to the Visitor Center, where your taxi, bus or rental car is waiting.
Common departure routes:
- To Aqaba: 30 to 40 JD by taxi (1 hour). Great if you have a flight or want to spend time at the Red Sea
- To Amman: JETT bus at 16:00 (10 to 12 JD), private transfer 80 to 100 JD
- To Petra: 40 to 50 JD by taxi (1.5 hours). Useful if you are doing Wadi Rum first
- To Dead Sea / Amman via King's Highway: Private transfer 120 to 150 JD. Scenic route with optional stops
Most camps can book your onward transport. This is often cheaper and more reliable than finding a taxi yourself at the Visitor Center. Arrange it the evening before over dinner or by WhatsApp.
Need Help Planning Your Journey?
Tell us where you are coming from and we will recommend the best transport option. We can also arrange camp transfers and coordinate shared taxis with other travelers.
Get Transport HelpFrequently Asked Questions
Q: Can my camp pick me up directly from Petra?
A: Some camps offer direct pickup from Wadi Musa for an additional fee (50 to 70 JD). This is the most convenient option because the same driver takes you all the way to camp. Ask your camp when booking.
Q: Is the Jordan Pass worth it for transport savings?
A: The Jordan Pass does not include transport, but it covers the Wadi Rum entry fee (7 JD) plus Petra entry (50+ JD) and other sites. It saves money overall. See our entry fee guide for the full breakdown.
Q: Can I take an Uber or Careem to Wadi Rum?
A: Ride hailing apps work in Amman and Aqaba but not in Wadi Rum village. You can use Careem to get to the highway junction but from there you need a local taxi or camp pickup. It is not a practical option for the full journey.
Q: What if I arrive at night?
A: It is possible but not ideal. The Visitor Center closes in the evening. If you arrive late, coordinate with your camp in advance. They can sometimes meet you at the Wadi Rum village junction instead. The off season months have shorter daylight hours, so plan accordingly.
Q: Is there a direct bus from Petra to Wadi Rum?
A: No direct public bus. Your options are shared taxi, private taxi or camp transfer. The JETT bus only runs between Amman and Wadi Rum. See our FAQ page for more common questions.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Wadi Rum is easier than most travelers expect. The key is planning ahead: coordinate with your camp, choose the right transport for your budget and schedule, arrive before mid afternoon, and carry enough cash. Whether you take a 10 JD JETT bus from Amman or a comfortable private transfer from Petra, the destination is the same: one of the most spectacular desert landscapes on Earth.
Once you arrive, everything changes. The red sand, the towering cliffs, the silence. The journey to get there becomes a distant memory the moment you step into the desert. Plan the logistics, then forget about them and enjoy. For a complete overview of your options once you arrive, check our experiences page for jeep tours, trekking, sleeping under the stars, and hot air balloon rides.