Petra has two main gateways: Amman in the north and Aqaba on the Red Sea coast.
This guide breaks down real travel times and prices in JOD from both cities, so you can pick the route that matches your budget and schedule.
- The JETT bus is the cheapest way in: 10 JOD from Amman, 15 JOD from Aqaba, each roughly 2.5–4 hours door to door.
- Aqaba is the closer gateway by road, about 2 hours to Petra, versus roughly 3 hours from Amman via the Desert Highway.
- A private taxi (about 70–100 JOD) is the fastest, most flexible paid option from either city.
- Self-driving from Amman takes about 3 hours via the Desert Highway, or up to 4.5 hours on the scenic King’s Highway.
- Book the JETT bus or a rental car ahead during peak season (March–May and September–November).
Amman vs Aqaba: which gateway to Petra?
Most international travelers fly into Amman‘s Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan’s main hub. Some, especially those combining Petra with a Red Sea or Wadi Rum trip, fly into Aqaba‘s King Hussein International Airport instead.
Aqaba is physically closer to Petra, about 130km compared to Amman’s 235km. Amman has far more flight connections worldwide, so the “better” gateway usually comes down to your full itinerary rather than distance alone.
How to Get to Petra from Amman
From Amman, travelers choose between the JETT bus, a rental car, or a private taxi. Each has a clear trade-off between cost and convenience.
- JETT bus: 10 JOD one-way. Departs Abdali station at 6:30am (or 7th Circle at 7:00am), arriving at the Petra Visitor Centre around 10–10:30am. The return bus leaves Petra at 5:00pm.
- Car rental (self-drive): Petra is about 235km south of Amman. The Desert Highway takes roughly 3 hours; the scenic King’s Highway via Madaba, Karak, and Dana takes 4–4.5 hours. Fuel runs about 25–30 JOD round trip, and parking near the Visitor Centre is currently free.
- Private taxi/transfer: About 70–100 JOD per car, roughly 2.5–3 hours via the Desert Highway. This is the fastest paid option and the easiest for groups or families.
JETT schedules can shift around public holidays and Ramadan, so confirm your date on the official JETT website before you travel.
A day trip to Petra by JETT bus from Amman
The JETT bus makes a same-day Petra visit from Amman entirely doable. Here’s what the schedule looks like in practice.
How to Get to Petra from Aqaba
From Aqaba, the drive to Petra is shorter than from Amman, and all three options run daily.
- JETT bus: 15 JOD one-way per JETT’s official fare schedule. Departs Aqaba around 8:00am from one of three pickup points (the JETT office or select hotel/dive-area stops), arriving at Petra around 10:30–11am. The return bus leaves Petra at 5:00pm, reaching Aqaba by about 7–8pm.
- Car rental (self-drive): King Hussein International Airport is about 130km from Petra, roughly a 2-hour drive on paved, well-signposted roads. A separate fuel figure for this shorter route isn’t published by an official source, but it will run well below the 25–30 JOD round-trip cost quoted for the longer Amman route.
- Taxi: Widely available at the airport, hotels, and on the street. Expect about 75–100 JOD one-way for the roughly 2-hour drive.
Which route should you take?
The right choice depends on your budget, schedule, and how much you want to see along the way.
- Budget travelers: Take the JETT bus. It’s the cheapest option from either city and needs no driving experience in Jordan.
- Time-pressed travelers: Book a private taxi. It’s the fastest door-to-door option and runs on your own schedule, not a fixed timetable.
- Flexible or scenic-minded travelers: Rent a car. Amman’s King’s Highway route adds Madaba, Karak, and Dana to your trip, and a rental lets you stop wherever you like.
Petra entrance tickets and where to stay
Petra’s ticket counter is at the Visitor Centre in Wadi Musa, the town where most visitors base themselves. A Jordan Pass covering Petra entry costs 70 JOD for one day, 75 JOD for two days, or 80 JOD for three days, and it also covers entry to more than 40 other sites and waives the tourist visa fee for eligible stays.
Most travelers stay in Wadi Musa itself, a 5–10 minute walk from the entrance, though hotels across Jordan are easy to compare if you’re building a longer multi-stop itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest way to get to Petra?
The JETT bus is the cheapest option from either gateway: 10 JOD one-way from Amman, or 15 JOD one-way from Aqaba.
Can I visit Petra as a day trip from Amman?
Yes. The JETT bus departs Amman at 6:30am, arrives at Petra around 10–10:30am, and the return bus leaves Petra at 5pm, getting you back to Amman by around 8–8:30pm.
Is Amman or Aqaba a better gateway to Petra?
Aqaba is physically closer, about a 2-hour drive versus roughly 3 hours from Amman. Amman has far more international flight connections, so the better gateway usually depends on your overall itinerary rather than distance alone.
How long does it take to drive from Amman to Petra?
About 3 hours via the Desert Highway, or 4–4.5 hours via the scenic King’s Highway through Madaba, Karak, and Dana.
Do I need a Jordan Pass to enter Petra?
No, it’s optional, but it’s worth comparing costs. The Jordan Pass bundles Petra entry with over 40 other sites and a tourist-visa-fee waiver for eligible stays, priced from 70 JOD for one day of Petra access.
Is it safe to rent a car and self-drive to Petra?
Yes. Both the Desert Highway and King’s Highway from Amman, and the road from Aqaba, are paved and well-signposted in Arabic and English, and are used daily by locals and tourists alike.
Ready to plan your trip
Whichever gateway you choose, Petra rewards the trip to get there. Compare flights to Jordan and start mapping your route from Amman or Aqaba on Wego.
Sources
- JETT (Jordan Express Tourist Transportation) — Official Bus Schedule
- Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority — Getting to Petra
- Jordan Pass (official) — Pricing Tiers
- Jordan Tourism Board — Petra: How to Get There
- Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority — Official Ticket Portal
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
