Wadi Rum Entry Tickets Explained
Wadi Rum Protected Area requires an entry ticket for all visitors. The ticket system is straightforward: you pay at the Visitor Center entrance, receive a stamped ticket or wristband, and you're allowed to enter the protected area. The cost varies depending on your nationality and whether you have a Jordan Pass.
This guide covers everything about Wadi Rum entry fees: exact prices for different visitor types, how the Jordan Pass works, where and when to buy tickets, what's included, and common questions about the entry process.
Standard Entry
- Valid for one day
- Access to entire protected area
- Pay at Visitor Center
- Cash or card accepted
Local Rate
- Valid for one day
- Must show Jordanian ID or passport
- Same access as tourist ticket
- Pay at Visitor Center
Jordan Pass
- Wadi Rum entry included
- Petra included (1, 2, or 3 days)
- 40+ other sites free
- Jordan visa fee waived
- Must stay 3+ nights in Jordan
What the Entry Ticket Includes
The Wadi Rum entry ticket (whether paid or via Jordan Pass) grants you access to the entire Wadi Rum Protected Area for one full day. Here's exactly what's included and what's separate:
✅ What's Included in Your Ticket
- Access to the entire protected area: You can travel anywhere within Wadi Rum's 720 square kilometers of desert. There are no additional zones or premium areas requiring extra payment.
- Entry for one full day: The ticket is valid from the moment you enter until the end of that calendar day. If you're camping overnight, you don't need a second ticket the next morning when you leave.
- Use of Visitor Center facilities: Toilets, information boards, maps, and the small shop/cafe at the entrance.
- Permission to camp: If you're staying at a camp inside the protected area, your entry ticket allows you to remain overnight. You don't pay per night—just for entry.
❌ What's NOT Included (Paid Separately)
- Transport inside Wadi Rum: You must hire a jeep, arrange transport with a camp, or join a tour. Personal vehicles are not allowed beyond the Visitor Center without special permits.
- Jeep tours: These are separate fees negotiated with drivers or camps. Typical costs: 2-hour tour ~25–35 JOD, 4-hour tour ~50–70 JOD, full-day tour ~80–120 JOD.
- Camp accommodation: Overnight stays at camps are separate bookings (typically 30–150 JOD per person per night depending on camp quality and inclusions).
- Guided activities: Trekking guides, camel rides, hot air balloon rides, and other experiences are additional costs arranged separately.
- Food and drinks: Meals at camps or the Visitor Center cafe are paid separately (though most camps include dinner and breakfast in their overnight rates).
💡 Entry Ticket vs. Everything Else
Think of the entry ticket as permission to be in Wadi Rum — similar to entering a national park. Everything you actually DO inside (tours, accommodation, activities) is separate and negotiated with camps, guides, or tour operators. The ticket just gets you through the gate.
The Jordan Pass: Is It Worth It?
The Jordan Pass is a tourist pass that bundles Jordan's visa fee with entry to 40+ tourist sites including Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, and many others. For most international visitors spending 3+ nights in Jordan, it's financially worthwhile and simplifies entry logistics.
Jordan Pass Pricing Tiers
| Pass Type | Petra Days | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wanderer | 1 day | 70 JOD (~$99 USD) | Quick Petra visit, 3–4 day Jordan trips |
| Jordan Explorer | 2 days | 75 JOD (~$106 USD) | Most popular, recommended for first-timers |
| Jordan Expert | 3 days | 80 JOD (~$113 USD) | Comprehensive Petra exploration, 7+ day trips |
What's Included in the Jordan Pass
- Jordan visa fee waived: Worth 40 JOD (if staying 3+ consecutive nights; otherwise you still pay at the border)
- Petra entry: Worth 50 JOD per day (1-day pass) or 55 JOD per day (2–3 day passes). This alone nearly pays for the entire pass.
- Wadi Rum entry: Worth 7 JOD
- 40+ other sites: Including Jerash (10 JOD value), Kerak Castle (2 JOD), Madaba mosaics, Um Qais, and many archaeological sites
Financial Breakdown: Is It Worth It?
Example: 5-day Jordan trip visiting Petra (1 day) and Wadi Rum
Without Jordan Pass:
- Visa fee: 40 JOD
- Petra 1-day: 50 JOD
- Wadi Rum: 7 JOD
- Other sites (e.g., Jerash): 10 JOD
- Total: 107 JOD (~$151 USD)
With Jordan Pass (Wanderer):
- Pass cost: 70 JOD (~$99 USD)
- Everything above included
- Savings: 37 JOD (~$52 USD)
✅ Jordan Pass Makes Sense If:
You're visiting Petra (the pass pays for itself with visa + Petra alone), staying 3+ nights in Jordan (to qualify for visa waiver), visiting multiple tourist sites, and want to simplify entry logistics.
⚠️ Skip Jordan Pass If:
You're staying less than 3 nights (you'll still pay the visa fee — negating most savings), only visiting Wadi Rum and not Petra or other major sites, or entering Jordan from Israel/Egypt where the visa is already free.
📋 Jordan Pass cancellation policy: The pass is normally non-refundable, but if your flight was cancelled by the airline there is an official refund procedure.
Jordan Pass Refund Guide →How to Buy and Use Jordan Pass
Purchase Online Before Your Trip
Buy at jordanpass.jo (official website only — beware of copycat sites). You'll need passport details and a credit/debit card. The pass is emailed as a PDF within minutes. Print it or save it digitally on your phone.
Activate at Your First Site
The pass activates the first time you use it at any included site and is then valid for 2 weeks from activation. You cannot activate it before arrival — only inside Jordan at a tourist site.
Present at Visa Control (If Arriving by Air)
At Queen Alia Airport immigration, show your Jordan Pass (printed or on phone) to the visa officer. They'll waive the 40 JOD visa fee and stamp your passport. This only works if you stay 3+ consecutive nights in Jordan.
Use at Wadi Rum Visitor Center
At Wadi Rum's ticket office, show your Jordan Pass. The staff will check it, mark it as used, and give you entry. You don't pay the 7 JOD entrance fee. The pass can be used for Wadi Rum entry once during its validity period.
Use at All Other Included Sites
Repeat the same process at Petra, Jerash, Kerak, or any other included site. Show the pass, they scan/check it, and you enter free. Keep it accessible throughout your Jordan trip.
If your plans change and you need to cancel your Jordan trip after purchasing the pass, see our complete guide on whether the Jordan Pass is refundable and how to request a refund if your flight was cancelled.
At the Wadi Rum Visitor Center: What to Expect
All visitors — whether arriving by bus, taxi, private car, or camp pickup — must stop at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center to buy entry tickets or show their Jordan Pass. Here's the step-by-step process:
Arrive at the Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is located on the main road to Wadi Rum, about 7 km from Rum village. There's a large gate, parking lot, and modern building. If you're arriving by JETT bus, taxi, or private car, you'll be dropped here. If a camp is picking you up, they'll meet you here after you clear entry.
Go to the Ticket Office
The ticket office is inside the main building on the right side as you enter. There are usually 2–3 windows open. During busy times (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM), there can be a queue of 10–20 minutes. Early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late afternoon (after 3:00 PM) are quieter.
Purchase Your Ticket or Show Jordan Pass
If buying a ticket: Tell the attendant how many people are in your group. They'll ask for 7 JOD per international visitor or 1 JOD per Jordanian. Payment: Jordanian Dinars (cash) or credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). You'll receive a printed ticket or wristband — keep this with you.
If using Jordan Pass: Show your pass (printed or on phone). The attendant will verify, scan/mark it, and give you entry with no payment required. You still receive a ticket or wristband as proof of entry.
Meet Your Camp or Tour Driver
After getting your ticket, exit the building and go to the pickup area outside. If you've pre-arranged pickup with a camp, they'll be waiting here. Call them if you don't see your driver immediately. If you haven't arranged transport, you can negotiate with drivers at the Visitor Center.
Optional: Visit Facilities Before Entering
The Visitor Center has clean toilets (free), a small shop selling snacks and drinks, and a cafe with coffee and light meals. This is your last chance for reliable facilities before entering the desert — use toilets and stock up on water.
💡 Coordinate Pickup Time in Advance
Always tell your camp your expected arrival time at the Visitor Center so they can send a jeep to meet you. If your plans change, call the camp to update them. Most camps provide a mobile number for exactly this purpose.
Wadi Rum Protected Area Rules
The entry ticket comes with responsibilities. Wadi Rum is a protected natural and cultural heritage site with specific rules designed to preserve the desert environment and respect Bedouin communities living there.
What's Allowed
- Traveling with licensed guides and registered camps
- Photography for personal use (not commercial without permits)
- Camping at designated areas with approved camps
- Hiking and trekking on established trails
- Respectful interaction with Bedouin families (if invited)
- Enjoying cultural activities offered by camps (music, tea, traditional meals)
What's Prohibited
- Driving personal vehicles into the protected area: Only 4x4 jeeps with official permits can enter. Tourists must hire licensed drivers.
- Off-trail driving or hiking: Stick to designated routes. Jeeps cannot drive randomly across virgin desert.
- Littering or leaving waste: Pack out everything you bring in.
- Damaging or removing natural features: Don't carve into rocks or disturb geological formations. Ancient petroglyphs are thousands of years old — touching or marking them is illegal.
- Collecting plants, rocks, or artifacts: Everything inside the protected area stays there.
- Unauthorized camping: Overnight stays must be at registered camps or with licensed guides.
- Disturbing wildlife: Don't chase, feed, or harass desert animals.
- Loud music or excessive noise: Respect the tranquility of the desert.
- Drone flying without permits: Drones require special permission from Jordanian authorities. Flying without authorization can result in confiscation and legal issues.
⚠️ Serious Violations and Consequences
Damaging archaeological sites (petroglyphs, inscriptions, ancient structures) can result in heavy fines and potential arrest. Jordan takes heritage protection very seriously. If you see someone behaving irresponsibly, report it to your guide or camp staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Wadi Rum entry fee is 7 JOD per person for international tourists. Jordanian citizens pay 1 JOD. With a Jordan Pass the entry is completely free — the pass (from 70 JOD) also covers the Jordanian visa fee and Petra entry, making it significantly cheaper than paying separately for each.
No. Wadi Rum entry tickets cannot be purchased online. You must buy them in person at the Visitor Center ticket office upon arrival. The only way to secure entry in advance is by purchasing a Jordan Pass before your trip, which includes Wadi Rum entry along with other sites. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the ticket office.
The standard entry ticket is valid for one calendar day only. However, if you're camping overnight in Wadi Rum, you don't need to buy a second ticket the next morning when you leave. The overnight stay is considered part of your initial entry day. If you want to leave the protected area and return on a different day, you would need to purchase a new ticket.
Children typically pay the same entry fee as adults (7 JOD for international tourists, 1 JOD for Jordanian children). There's no official child discount for Wadi Rum entry. However, very young children (infants and toddlers) are sometimes given free entry at the ticket office's discretion.
Yes, if you are also visiting Petra and staying 3+ nights in Jordan. The Jordan Pass (from 70 JOD) includes Wadi Rum entry (7 JOD), Petra entry (50 JOD per day), the visa fee waiver (40 JOD) and 40+ other sites. Without the pass, those same items cost over 100 JOD. If you're only visiting Wadi Rum and not Petra, the math is less clear.
The Jordan Pass is normally non-refundable. However, if your flight to Jordan was cancelled entirely by the airline (not a voluntary cancellation on your part), there is an official refund procedure available at jordanpass.jo/refundticket.aspx. You'll need to submit the airline's cancellation email as proof. Read our full guide: Is Jordan Pass Refundable?
Keep your ticket or wristband with you while in Wadi Rum. Rangers occasionally check tickets at various points inside the protected area. If you lose it, you may be asked to return to the Visitor Center. Take a photo of your ticket on your phone as backup proof of payment.
No. All entry into the Wadi Rum Protected Area requires a ticket, even if you're "just passing through." The only exception is the road that skirts the edge of the protected area without crossing the Visitor Center checkpoint. If you cross into the protected zone, you must pay regardless of your intentions.
Yes. The ticket office staff will examine your Jordan Pass to verify it's genuine and still valid. They may scan a QR code or manually check details. They'll mark that you've used it for Wadi Rum entry. You can show either a printed copy or the digital pass on your phone. Have it ready to speed up the process.
The Visitor Center operates during daylight hours, roughly 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (hours vary by season). If you arrive very early or very late, coordinate with your camp in advance — they can sometimes arrange for you to pay entry fees through them, or you might pay the following morning. It's best to arrive during normal operating hours.
Once you've purchased the entry ticket at the Visitor Center, refunds are not available. Make sure you actually want to visit Wadi Rum before buying. Note that the Jordan Pass itself has a separate refund policy — see our guide on Jordan Pass refunds for details.