Amman to Petra: Every Way to Get There Compared

The Desert Highway (Route 15) is the straightforward choice: a wide, mostly dual-carriageway run south that takes around three hours door to door from Amman to Wadi Musa, the town beside Petra. The driving is easy by regional standards, fuel is reasonably cheap, and signage to Petra is good once you are heading south. A small rental car typically costs around 25 to 40 JOD per day depending on season and insurance — confirm current rates with the rental company.

The main things to watch are speed cameras, occasional police checkpoints (routine and friendly — have your passport and licence handy) and trucks moving slowly in the right lane. Aim to arrive in Wadi Musa before dark if you can, as the final descent into town is winding. If you are weighing up whether to drive at all, our tour operator or self-drive guide walks through the trade-offs in more detail.

The King's Highway is one of the great road trips of the Middle East — an ancient trade route that winds along the spine of Jordan through Madaba, the mosaic town, past the staggering Wadi Mujib canyon viewpoint, and on to the crusader castle at Karak before dropping down to Wadi Musa. Allow around five hours of driving, and realistically a full day once you factor in stops.

This route only makes sense if you leave early and treat the journey as part of the trip. Madaba's Byzantine mosaic map, the Mount Nebo viewpoint just off the route, and Karak Castle are each worth an hour or more. The road is slower, twistier and more rural than the Desert Highway, so it rewards confident drivers. Many travellers take the King's Highway south and the Desert Highway back north — the best of both.

JETT, Jordan's main coach operator, runs a daily morning service from its Abdali station in Amman direct to Petra, usually departing around 6.30am and taking three and a half to four hours. The return bus leaves Petra in the late afternoon, which technically allows a long day trip, though an overnight stay is far more rewarding. A one-way ticket costs around 10 to 12 JOD — check the current timetable and prices on JETT's official site, as departures do change.

Book ahead, especially in spring and autumn high season, because the single daily departure fills up. The bus drops you close to the Petra Visitor Centre, so you can walk straight to the ticket gates. If you are planning your entry, note that the Jordan Pass bundles Petra admission with your visa — see our Jordan Pass guide and our Jordan visa requirements guide for how that works.

A private car with driver is the most comfortable way south if you would rather watch the scenery than the road. Hotels and local agencies can arrange a sedan from Amman to Petra from roughly 60 to 90 JOD one way, more if you add King's Highway stops — always agree the price, route and any waiting time up front before you set off.

Ordinary yellow taxis will also make the trip, but drivers quote wildly varying fares for long distances, so the same rule applies: settle the number before the doors close. For a day trip with stops at Madaba, Mount Nebo or Karak, a driver hired for the whole day often works out better value than two one-way fares, and many drivers double as informal guides.

Plenty of operators run Petra day tours from Amman, typically leaving around 6am and returning after dark, with transport, a guide and sometimes lunch included. Prices vary widely — from around 60 JOD for a simple transfer-style tour to well over 100 JOD with a licensed guide inside the site — so compare what is actually included, and note that Petra entry is usually extra.

A day tour suits travellers on a tight schedule, but be honest about the maths: you will spend six to seven hours on the road for perhaps four to five hours inside a site that rewards a full day or two. If you can possibly spare a night in Wadi Musa, do — our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Petra explains why the early morning walk through the Siq is worth rearranging a trip for.

On a budget? Take the JETT bus and stay a night in Wadi Musa — it is the cheapest sensible option. Short on time but not money? A private driver on the Desert Highway gets you there in three comfortable hours. Love road trips? Rent a car and take the King's Highway south with stops at Madaba and Karak, returning on the Desert Highway. Nervous about logistics? An organised tour removes every decision, at the cost of flexibility.

Whichever you pick, build Petra into a wider route rather than a there-and-back dash: Wadi Rum is only two hours further south, and the Dead Sea fits neatly on the way back north. Our 7-day Jordan itinerary shows how the classic loop fits together, and our Jordan travel costs budget guide will help you sense-check the numbers before you book.