Amman to Petra at a glance
Petra lies in southern Jordan, near the town of Wadi Musa, and Amman is the usual starting point. There is no train. You choose between a scheduled bus, a public minibus, a taxi or private driver, a rental car, or a guided day trip that bundles transport, a guide and the ticket. Many travellers pair Petra with the Dead Sea, which also lies in Jordan and is an easy stop from Amman.
The road is the main factor. The Petra authority gives about 3 hours by car or taxi on the Desert Highway and about 4 hours on the King's Highway. Treat both as rough figures, because traffic and roadworks change them.
Ways to get from Amman to Petra
What is published for each option as of October 2026. Where no fare or timetable is listed, confirm it locally before you travel.
| Option | Leaves from | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| JETT bus | Abdali | Departs 06:30 | Return from Petra at 17:00. Book on the operator's website and check the current fare there. |
| Tour operator bus | Abdali 06:30, 7th Circle 07:00 | About 4 h, arrives 10:30 | One operator lists a one way seat from JOD 20. |
| Public minibus | South Station | Departures 09:00 to 16:00 | Return from Petra between 06:00 and 13:00. No fares or fixed frequency published. |
| Taxi or private driver | Anywhere in Amman | About 3 to 4 h | Agree the price before you set off. No standard fare is published. |
| Rental car | Anywhere in Amman | About 3 to 4 h | Flexible, and you can add stops on the way. |
| Guided day trip | Amman hotels | Full day | Transport, guide and often lunch bundled. Check what is included. |
The JETT bus from Abdali
JETT runs the best known scheduled service. The Petra authority lists a departure from Abdali at 06:30 and a return from Petra at 17:00, with booking on the JETT website. Fares change, so check the current price in the live schedule when you book rather than relying on an old figure.
Another operator advertises a one way seat from Amman to Petra from JOD 20, with pickups at Abdali at 06:30 and the 7th Circle at 07:00. The ride takes about 4 hours and arrives around 10:30. That is one operator's offer, not a fare for every bus.
Do the arithmetic before you choose a day return. If you arrive at 10:30 and the bus home leaves at 17:00, you have six and a half hours at most, and you must be at the pickup point on time. The Main Trail from the Visitor Center through the Siq to Qasr al-Bint is 3.9 km (2.4 mi) one way and takes about 1.5 to 1.75 hours without stops. Walking out again takes the same time.
Our picks: from Amman
Petra alone, Petra with Wadi Rum or two days with a night in the desert.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea over two days
Hotel transfer, two hours in a jeep, a night in a Bedouin camp, dinner and breakfast. The Petra and Wadi Rum entry fees and the Dead Sea resort access are not included.
Check availability →
Petra and Wadi Rum in one day from Amman
Pickup in Amman, an English-speaking driver, water and Wi-Fi. The two-hour jeep ride and the entry tickets are only included with the matching option, and there is no local guide.
Check availability →
Private full-day Petra tour from Amman
Private transport from Amman or the airport with an English-speaking driver, water and Wi-Fi. Entry tickets, a local guide and lunch are only available as options.
Check availability →Petra day trips from Amman
Guided trips from Amman with transport, a local guide and time at the site, with live prices and availability.
Public minibuses from South Station
Minibuses to Wadi Musa leave from South Station in Amman. The Petra authority gives a window of 09:00 to 16:00 for departures and 06:00 to 13:00 for return trips from Petra. It does not publish a fixed frequency or a fare, so do not treat the window as a guaranteed timetable.
The practical consequence is on the way back. Return minibuses run in the morning and early afternoon, so a same day return by minibus leaves you very little time at the site. If you take a minibus, plan to stay at least one night in Wadi Musa. Ask the driver or the hotel the fare and the latest departure before you set off.
From Queen Alia Airport
The Petra authority mentions two options from the airport: a taxi directly to Petra, or a taxi to South Station and a minibus from there. A regular direct bus from the airport to Petra is not listed. If you land late, an overnight in Amman and a morning start is usually easier than a long transfer after a flight.
Arrange the transfer price before you get in the taxi, and ask your hotel in Wadi Musa whether it can arrange a pickup.
Book a private transfer from Queen Alia Airport (AMM) to Petra at a fixed price on Kiwitaxi.
Day trip or overnight in Wadi Musa?
A day trip from Amman works if you want the classic walk: the Siq, the Treasury and the Colonnaded Street. It is tight for anything more. The Monastery is an extra hike of about 800 steps each way from Qasr al-Bint, and it does not fit comfortably into a short day. Ask any day tour whether the Monastery is included before you book.
One night in Wadi Musa changes the day. You enter Petra when the gate opens, have the Siq nearly to yourself, and can stay until late afternoon. Two nights let you add a second day for the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice or Little Petra. See where to stay in Wadi Musa for the areas.
- Opening hours: from 2 October 2026 to 1 March 2027, the site is listed as open 06:30 to 17:00. In summer, 2 March to 1 October in the 2026 calendar, it is 06:00 to 18:00.
- Petra by Night: the evening show runs from 20:30 to 22:30 on the operator's schedule, so it needs an overnight stay. See Petra by Night.
- Tickets: a visitor who spends at least one night in Jordan pays JOD 50 for one day, JOD 55 for two days and JOD 60 for three days (2026, adults). Without a night in Jordan it is JOD 90. Details in our Petra tickets guide.
Driving yourself
The two roads give you a choice. The Desert Highway is the faster route, at about 3 hours. The King's Highway takes about 4 hours. A published figure for fuel, tolls or parking is not available, so ask your hotel in Wadi Musa about parking.
A rental car is useful if you plan to continue to Wadi Rum or Aqaba afterwards. Wadi Rum is about 107 km (66 mi) and 1.5 to 2 hours from Petra. Check current road conditions on the day, especially in winter. The US State Department notes that heavy rain and flash floods are possible around Petra, mainly from October to March, and can block roads.
Amman to Petra: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Amman to Petra?
About 3 hours by car or taxi on the Desert Highway and about 4 hours on the King's Highway, according to the Petra authority. A bus with a pickup in Abdali is listed at about 4 hours.
Is there a bus from Amman to Petra?
Yes. A JETT service leaves Abdali at 06:30 and the return from Petra is listed at 17:00. Public minibuses also run from South Station in Amman. Check the live schedule when you book.
Can I visit Petra as a day trip from Amman?
Yes. Expect a very early start and a long day. You will see the Siq, the Treasury and part of the main trail, but the Monastery usually needs more time.
How much is the bus from Amman to Petra?
One operator lists a one way seat from JOD 20 with a 06:30 pickup in Abdali. For the JETT bus, check the fare in the booking system on the day. Minibus fares are not published.
Is it better to take a taxi or a bus?
A bus has a fixed departure. A taxi or private driver lets you choose the departure time and stop on the way. Agree the price and the route before you start.
Where do I buy the Petra ticket?
At the Visitor Center in Wadi Musa, or online through the official ticket portal. Read our Jordan Pass guide if you also plan to visit other sites.