Wadi Rum at a glance
Wadi Rum is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Jordan. Sandstone mountains, narrow canyons and rock arches rise from red sand, and the valley also holds rock drawings and inscriptions that record thousands of years of human use. Most visitors see it by Jeep with a local driver, and many sleep in a desert camp.
It combines well with Petra. The Jordan Tourism Board gives about 107 km (66 mi) and 1.5 to 2 hours by road between the two, though the exact distance depends on the route and on where in the desert you start and end. Aqaba is the other usual gateway, as the Aqaba to Petra guide explains from the Petra side.
Wadi Rum costs and logistics
Entry is published by the tourism ministry. Jeep and camp prices below come from one camp's published list and are an example, not a standard tariff.
| Item | Price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry, foreign visitors | JOD 5 | Jordanian nationals pay JOD 1. Included in the Jordan Pass. |
| 2 hour Jeep tour, one person | JOD 40 | Driver and several stops in the landscape. |
| 2 hour Jeep tour, 2 to 4 people | JOD 25 per person | Same tour with a shared Jeep. |
| 2 hour Jeep tour, 5 to 8 people | JOD 20 per person | Larger group rate. |
| Jeep tour plus overnight, one person | JOD 50 | Dinner, breakfast, tea and water, and a Jeep back to the village in the morning. |
| Jeep tour plus overnight, 2 to 4 people | JOD 35 per person | Entry not guaranteed to be included. Check before you pay. |
Getting to Wadi Rum from Petra
A single bus timetable between Petra and Wadi Rum is not published. The usual solution is a transfer arranged by your camp or a private driver. Ask the camp whether it offers a pickup in Wadi Musa and the fare, then compare it with a taxi quote from your hotel.
Entry is bought at the visitor center, which in the example of one camp lies about 6 km (4 mi) before Rum Village. Camps usually collect guests there or in the village. That camp lists a transfer without a tour at JOD 10 per person, and a free ride between 15:00 and 16:00. Do not assume other camps offer the same.
The ticket portal lists Wadi Rum as accessible 24 hours a day. That does not mean the ticket office is staffed or that a camp will collect you at any hour. Arrange your arrival time in advance.
Our picks: Wadi Rum
A short jeep tour, a full day with lunch or a night in a Bedouin camp.
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.
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Nine-hour Wadi Rum jeep tour with lunch
An English-speaking guide and driver, transport between the stops, sunset, lunch, sandboarding, water and tea. The camel ride is a bookable option, and the 7 JOD protected-area entry is extra unless you hold a valid Jordan Pass.
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Wadi Rum morning or sunset jeep tour
Four hours with tea and water and a transfer from the village. The Wadi Rum entry fee (5 JOD on the tour page) is extra, and lunch only comes with an option.
Check availability →Wadi Rum tours and desert camps
Jeep tours, camel rides and overnight desert camps in Wadi Rum, some combined with Petra, with live prices and availability.
Jeep tours: what you get
A 2 hour tour is the standard introduction. Your driver takes you across the sand to a handful of rock formations, canyons and viewpoints, with time to walk and take photos. Ask the operator about longer tours if you want more time in the desert. Desert jeep trips with a night under the stars also run in Egypt, from Hurghada on the Red Sea.
Ask what the stops will be, how many people share a vehicle and whether entry is included. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.
Desert camps
Camps in Wadi Rum offer a night in the desert. One camp describes Bedouin tents, and it is in the Um Sabata area, about 11 km (7 mi) from Rum village and offers dinner, breakfast, tea and water. Camps state their own licensing, so ask each camp what permits it holds and read recent guest reviews.
A camp stay is a separate trip from Petra. It is a stay in the desert, and not a place inside the Petra ruins, where staying overnight is not allowed. For hotels near the ruins see where to stay in Wadi Musa.
- What to ask: pickup point and time, what meals are included, and whether the entry fee is part of the price.
- Bedding: ask what bedding and facilities are supplied.
- Animals: if a tour includes camel or horse rides, choose an operator that looks after its animals and keep to the guide's rules.
Fitting Wadi Rum into a Petra trip
Wadi Rum and Petra are each worth a full day. The simplest plan is Petra first, then a night in Wadi Musa, then a transfer to Wadi Rum the next day for an afternoon Jeep tour, a night in camp and a morning departure to Aqaba or Amman. Coming from the south, you can reverse the order.
- Day trip from Petra: possible, but with 1.5 to 2 hours each way, the desert part is short. Most visitors prefer an overnight in camp.
- Jordan Pass: Wadi Rum is part of the offer, and transport is not. Read our Jordan Pass guide before you buy.
- Tours: see Petra tours compared for guided options.
- Seasons: check the best time to visit for temperatures in the region.
Wadi Rum at dusk
The best light in Wadi Rum is at the edges of the day. Early morning and sunset bring out the colors in the sandstone and cool the air. If you take a short Jeep tour, schedule it for the late afternoon so you can watch the sun go down from the desert.
One camp lists dinner, breakfast, tea and water with its overnight package. Ask what your camp includes.
Wadi Rum: frequently asked questions
How far is Wadi Rum from Petra?
About 107 km (66 mi), and 1.5 to 2 hours by road, according to the Jordan Tourism Board. The exact figure depends on the route and the camp.
How much is the entry to Wadi Rum?
JOD 5 for foreign visitors and JOD 1 for Jordanian nationals, according to the tourism ministry's table (2026). It is part of the Jordan Pass.
How much is a Jeep tour in Wadi Rum?
One camp lists a 2 hour tour at JOD 40 for one person, JOD 25 per person for 2 to 4 people and JOD 20 per person for 5 to 8 people. Prices vary by operator, tour length and group size.
Can I do Wadi Rum as a day trip from Petra?
You can, but the drive is 1.5 to 2 hours each way. An overnight stay in a camp gives you much more time in the desert.
Is there a bus between Petra and Wadi Rum?
No single timetable is published. Arrange a transfer through your camp, a private driver or a tour.
Can I sleep in the Petra ruins like in a Wadi Rum camp?
No. Staying overnight in the archaeological park at Petra is not allowed. Wadi Rum camps are a separate option in the desert.