Wadi Rum Train Ride: Journey Through 1916 Experience Guide
Imagine boarding a real Hejaz Railway train deep in the Wadi Rum desert, surrounded by dramatic sandstone mountains, when suddenly horsemen and camel riders charge from behind the rocks, firing blanks and waving flags in a thrilling re-enactment of the 1916 Arab Revolt. This is the Journey Through 1916 train ride, one of the most unique and exciting experiences you can have in Jordan, and it is free with the Jordan Pass.
Operated by the Jordan Heritage Revival Company (JHRC), this immersive Wadi Rum train ride takes you on a 10 kilometre journey through the desert on an authentic railway, recreating the moment when Arab revolt fighters ambushed an Ottoman military supply train. It is part theatre, part adventure, part history lesson, and entirely unforgettable. This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Quick Facts
- ✓ Name: Journey Through 1916 (Train Ride Adventure)
- ✓ Operator: Jordan Heritage Revival Company (JHRC)
- ✓ Price: FREE with Jordan Pass — or 25 JOD without
- ✓ Duration: approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour
- ✓ Distance: 10 km through the Wadi Rum desert
- ✓ Schedule: runs multiple days per week (check dates when booking)
- ✓ Capacity: up to 120 passengers per ride
- ✓ Booking: Jordan Pass holders are contacted directly by JHRC. Without Jordan Pass, book at jhrc.jo
What Is the Journey Through 1916?
The Journey Through 1916 is a live, immersive re-enactment of the Great Arab Revolt that took place during World War I. In 1916, Arab forces led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali and his sons, with the involvement of the famous T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), launched an uprising against Ottoman rule. One of their most effective tactics was ambushing Ottoman supply trains on the Hejaz Railway, the vital rail link that connected Damascus to Medina through the Jordanian desert.
JHRC has restored a section of this historic railway in Wadi Rum and created a theatrical experience that puts you right in the middle of the action. You board a real train, travel through the desert with actors dressed as Ottoman soldiers, and then witness a surprise attack by Arab revolt fighters on horseback, camels, and vintage military vehicles, complete with gunfire, smoke, and dramatic charges.
What Happens During the Experience
Step by Step: Your Train Ride Adventure
You arrive at the designated starting point in the Wadi Rum desert, located about 22 km after the Wadi Rum main road entrance. The train is waiting: an authentic Hejaz Railway train with both covered passenger carriages (with original seats and windows) and open flatbed carriages. Ottoman soldier actors are already on board, armed with period weapons and props. You choose your seat and climb aboard.
The train slowly rumbles to life and begins its journey through the stunning Wadi Rum landscape. From the open carriages, you have unobstructed views of the desert mountains, red sand, and rocky formations. Ottoman soldiers patrol the train, posing for photos and adding to the atmosphere. For the first part of the trip, everything seems calm — a routine military supply run through the desert.
Midway through the journey, the calm is shattered. Shots ring out from the rocks. From behind the hills, Arab revolt fighters appear on horseback and camelback, charging toward the train while waving the Arab Revolt flag. Vintage military vehicles join the attack. There is gunfire (blank ammunition), smoke, and dramatic confrontations between Ottoman guards and rebel fighters. The re-enactment is loud, fast, and surprisingly realistic — you feel as though you are truly in the middle of a battle scene.
The Ottoman soldiers are taken prisoner, the Jordanian flag is raised, and cheers erupt from passengers and fighters alike. The train then continues its journey, arriving at the Wadi Rum train station, where the experience concludes. The station area features a collection of historical relics and displays related to the railway.
The authentic Hejaz Railway train in the desert
Re-enactment fighters charge on horseback
Watch the Experience
These short videos give you a taste of what the Journey Through 1916 looks and feels like from on board the train:
The Arab Revolt ambush from on board
Riding through the Wadi Rum desert
Where to Sit: Open or Covered Carriages?
The open flatbed carriages are the best choice if the weather is good. You get full panoramic views of the desert, the wind in your hair, and you are much closer to the action when the ambush begins. Photographers should always choose open carriages. The only downside: on windy days, expect sand and dust. Bring sunglasses and a scarf or face covering just in case.
The covered carriages have original period interiors with vintage seats and opening windows. They offer shade and protection from wind and dust. A good choice in very hot weather, strong wind, or if you are traveling with small children. You can still see the re-enactment through the windows, but the experience is less immersive.
How to Book and How Much Does It Cost
Booking Information
Option 1: Free with Jordan Pass (Recommended)
When you purchase a Jordan Pass, the Journey Through 1916 is included as a free experience. You do not need to book separately. JHRC will contact you directly via email with the available dates and times for the train ride. Simply confirm your preferred slot when they reach out. Make sure the email address on your Jordan Pass is correct and check your inbox (and spam folder) as your travel dates approach.
📋 Travelling plans changed? The Jordan Pass is normally non-refundable — but if your flight was cancelled by the airline, there is an official refund process.
Jordan Pass Refund Guide →Option 2: Buy Ticket Without Jordan Pass
If you don't have a Jordan Pass, you can purchase a ticket directly on the JHRC website by filling in the booking form with your details, preferred date, and number of tickets. You can also buy tickets on the spot at the Wadi Rum train station for approximately 25 JOD per person, subject to availability.
For Both Options:
- You will receive an e-ticket by email or SMS with the starting point location
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure
- Show your ticket to the trip supervisor for scanning at the departure point
- Seats are limited (up to 120 passengers), so confirm early
Contact JHRC: +962 6 581 0808 or info@jhrc.jo
Schedule and Practical Details
When Does the Train Run?
- The train operates multiple days per week, typically on Wednesdays and Sundays, but schedules change seasonally
- Check current available dates on the JHRC booking page where you can see all upcoming trips
- Departure is usually in the afternoon (times vary, check when booking)
- The train does not run every day, so plan your Wadi Rum visit around available dates if this experience is a priority
- The experience runs year-round, weather permitting
Getting to the Starting Point
- The starting point is located about 22 km from the Wadi Rum main road entrance, deep in the desert
- The exact location is provided in your booking confirmation (see start point map)
- The ride ends at the Wadi Rum train station (see end point map)
- Most visitors coordinate transport with their camp or jeep tour provider
- If you are doing a desert tour on the same day, ask your guide to take you to the starting point
What to Know Before You Go
- Loud sounds: The re-enactment involves blank ammunition, sound effects, and smoke. This can startle young children. The experience is generally not recommended for babies or very small children.
- Dust and wind: On open carriages, expect wind, dust, and occasionally diesel smoke from the locomotive. Bring eye protection and a scarf.
- No date changes: Once booked, the date and time cannot be changed. Plan carefully.
- Tickets are non-transferable: Your ticket is linked to your name.
- Weather: Desert weather is unpredictable. Sandstorms or severe conditions may cause last-minute cancellation. You will be notified at least 48 hours in advance if there are changes.
- Show your ticket: Bring your e-ticket (printed or on phone) and show it to the trip supervisor for scanning at departure.
- Camera or phone with charged battery (you will want photos and video)
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- Scarf or face cover for dust (especially on open carriages)
- Water bottle
- Light jacket in cooler months (the desert gets cold in winter)
- Your e-ticket or Jordan Pass
Extra Activities at the Fortress
After the train ride concludes at the Wadi Rum station, the fun doesn't have to stop. The nearby camp fortress and Madafa (Bedouin Lounge) offer a range of additional activities:
- Authentic Bedouin dining: enjoy a traditional meal in a desert setting
- Stargazing: the Wadi Rum desert offers some of the clearest night skies in the world
- Paintball: team battles in a desert fortress setting
- Zipline: aerial adventure across the desert terrain
- Buggy rides: off-road desert driving
- Horseback riding: explore the area on horseback
- Overnight in Bedouin village tents: extend your stay and spend the night
These additional activities are not included in the Jordan Pass and have separate costs. Check with JHRC for availability and pricing.
The Historical Background
The experience is not just entertainment. It is rooted in real events that shaped the modern Middle East. During World War I, the Ottoman Empire controlled a vast railway network that included the Hejaz Railway, originally built between 1900 and 1908 to connect Damascus to Medina and facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage. However, the railway also served as a military supply line, transporting soldiers and weapons across the empire's Arab territories.
In 1916, Arab forces launched the Great Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule. One of their most effective strategies was targeting the railway. T.E. Lawrence, working alongside Arab fighters, orchestrated numerous raids on the trains, blowing up bridges, derailing locomotives, and ambushing supply convoys. The Wadi Rum area was a key theatre for these operations, and the landscape you see during the train ride is the very same terrain where these historic events unfolded.
The Journey Through 1916 train ride brings this history to life in the most vivid way possible. Instead of reading about it in a museum, you experience it firsthand — on the actual railway, in the actual desert where it happened.
The train ride was the best thing we did at Wadi Rum. The highlight was the Arab Revolt show which was beautifully staged and felt real. Riding a train in the desert is one of the best memories from Jordan.Tripadvisor visitor review
How to Fit the Train Ride into Your Wadi Rum Visit
The train ride works best when combined with other Wadi Rum activities. Here is how most visitors fit it into their trip:
Sample Day Plan:
- Morning: Arrive at Wadi Rum, check in at your desert camp
- Midday: Jeep tour through the desert (Lawrence's Spring, Khazali Canyon, sand dunes, rock bridges)
- Afternoon: Journey Through 1916 train ride (ask your guide or camp to drop you at the starting point)
- Evening: Return to camp for sunset, traditional zarb dinner, and stargazing
Since the train runs on specific days, check the available dates before finalizing your Wadi Rum travel plans. If the train ride is a priority, build your itinerary around it.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. The Wadi Rum train ride known as Journey Through 1916 is unlike anything else you will find in Jordan or the wider Middle East. It is the only place where you can board a real historical railway train in the desert and watch a live battle re-enactment unfold around you. The combination of the stunning Wadi Rum landscape, the authentic train, the skilled horsemen and camel riders, and the theatrical spectacle makes it genuinely memorable.
The fact that it is free with the Jordan Pass makes it even more worthwhile. Many visitors describe it as one of the highlights of their entire Jordan trip. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, a photographer, or traveling with family, this experience delivers something special.
Just remember: the train does not run every day, seats are limited, and planning ahead is essential. If you have a Jordan Pass, keep an eye on your email for the JHRC invitation with available dates. If you don't have a Jordan Pass, book your ticket early on the JHRC website. Either way, don't arrive in Wadi Rum hoping to catch the train on the spot without confirmation.
Plan Your Train Ride Adventure
If you have a Jordan Pass, JHRC will contact you with available dates. Otherwise, buy your ticket directly on their website.
Buy Ticket (without Jordan Pass)