How to get to Wadi Rum
Updated 5 November 2026 · Eid Salman, Bedouin guide, and Amina
Getting to Wadi Rum at a glance
| From | Distance | Drive time | Taxi | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amman | ~320 km | 3.5 – 4 h | 110 JOD | No direct bus (via Aqaba) |
| Petra (Wadi Musa) | 112 km | ~2 h | 40 JOD | 6:00 AM · 7-10 JOD |
| Aqaba | 70 km | ~1 h | 25 JOD35 JOD airport | 8:00 AM · JETT station |
Indicative taxi fares per vehicle to the Wadi Rum Rest House. Site entry: 7 JOD (free with the Jordan Pass). We arrange fixed-price transfers on request.
Getting to Wadi Rum by car
If you are planning to visit Wadi Rum, traveling by car is certainly the most convenient way to reach the desert in Jordan. Many car rental agencies are available at both Amman and Aqaba airports, and fuel prices are relatively affordable. Roads in Jordan are generally well maintained, parking is free, and road signs are written in both Arabic and English, making navigation easy for international travelers.
When you arrive in Wadi Rum, stop at the Visitor Centre to pay the 7 JOD entrance fee (free with the Jordan Pass). Then continue along the road for about 10 minutes to Rum Village. There is a large free visitor car park on the right, next to the Wadi Rum Rest House, where your vehicle stays safe while we head into the desert by 4×4.
Without a car, two buses reach Wadi Rum every morning: from Petra (Wadi Musa) at 6:00 AM and from Aqaba (JETT station) at 8:00 AM. There is no direct bus from Amman: you need to go via Aqaba. We can also arrange a private taxi at a fixed price on request.
Petra (Wadi Musa) to Wadi Rum
You can travel from Wadi Musa (Petra) to Wadi Rum by car, with an estimated driving time of around 2 hours to cover the 112 kilometers between the two locations.
If you prefer to take a taxi for your transfer, the fare is approximately 40 JOD per taxi for a journey between Wadi Musa (Petra) and the Wadi Rum Rest House, and 45 JOD per taxi for a transfer from Al-Bayda (near Little Petra) to the Wadi Rum Rest House. We can also arrange your private taxi transfer to and from Wadi Rum upon request when making your reservation.
It is also possible to reach Wadi Rum by bus. In the morning, a bus departs from Wadi Musa at 6:00 AM and arrives at the Wadi Rum Rest House. Another bus leaves at 5:00 PM and stops at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. The ticket price ranges from 7 to 10 JOD.
If you wish to take the bus, we recommend asking your accommodation in Petra to reserve a seat in advance. The morning bus from Wadi Musa usually arrives in Wadi Rum Village between 8:30 and 9:00 AM.
Amman to Wadi Rum
Amman is about 320 km from Wadi Rum, a 3.5 to 4-hour drive along the Desert Highway (Highway 15), which passes right by Queen Alia International Airport. Take the Wadi Rum exit shortly before Aqaba.
If you prefer to take a taxi for your transfer, the fare is approximately 110 JOD per taxi for a journey between Amman and the Wadi Rum Rest House, or between Queen Alia International Airport and the Wadi Rum Rest House. We can arrange your private taxi transfer from Amman to Wadi Rum if you let us know at the time of your booking.
There is no direct bus from Amman to Wadi Rum. The best way to reach the desert by public transport is to take a bus from Amman’s main bus station (Abdali) to Aqaba, and then take a taxi from Aqaba to the Wadi Rum Rest House.
Please note that this option may take longer and be more complicated than a direct taxi transfer, but it is also a more budget-friendly alternative. If you need assistance organizing your bus and taxi journey to Wadi Rum, feel free to contact us for advice.
Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Allow about 1 hour to drive the 70 km from Aqaba to Wadi Rum. A taxi costs 25 JOD from the city to the Wadi Rum Rest House (35 JOD from the airport), and we can book it for you. A JETT bus also leaves Aqaba bus station every morning at 8:00.
From Wadi Rum to Petra
After a night in the desert, many of our guests continue to Petra: 112 km, about 2 hours by road. We bring you back to the village after breakfast, mid-morning, and you reach Petra around noon.
The simplest is a taxi: about 40 JOD per vehicle from the Wadi Rum Rest House to your hotel in Wadi Musa. We arrange it at a fixed price when you book. In this direction there is no reliable daily bus.
By car, take the Desert Highway north, then follow the signs to Wadi Musa / Petra. All the details in Wadi Rum to Petra.
Where to meet us
Upon your arrival in Wadi Rum, please make sure to stop at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. An entrance fee of 7 JOD applies unless you are a Jordan Pass holder. More in our guide to Wadi Rum Village and the Visitor Center.
Afterward, continue driving for about 10 minutes towards Wadi Rum Village. You will find a large free visitor parking area on your right, next to the Wadi Rum Rest House. Your guide will be waiting for you there, and you can safely park your vehicle before starting your desert tour.
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Getting to Wadi Rum: FAQ
How far is Amman from Wadi Rum?
Is there a direct bus from Amman to Wadi Rum?
Can I drive my rental car to the camp?
Can I visit Petra and Wadi Rum on the same day?
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