Getting from Amman to Petra is one of the most common journeys in Jordan, and there are good options for every budget. The fast way is the Desert Highway, about three hours by car. The scenic way is the King’s Highway, a full day of castles, canyons and viewpoints. In between are the daily JETT tourist bus, private drivers and guided trips. Here’s how each one works and which to choose.
Planning a trip? Start with our complete Jordan travel guide and our Petra guide.
Amman to Petra at a glance
| Option | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Car or driver via the Desert Highway | About 3 hours | Getting there quickly |
| Car or driver via the King’s Highway | A full day with stops | Sightseeing on the way: Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak |
| JETT bus | About 3.5–4 hours; one morning departure | Budget travelers without a car |
| Guided trip | Day trip or overnight | Seeing Petra with a local guide and no logistics |
The two routes: Desert Highway or King’s Highway
The Desert Highway (fast)
Highway 15, the Desert Highway, is Jordan’s main north–south road, running about 420 km from northern Jordan to Aqaba. From Amman you head south past Queen Alia International Airport, through the open desert to the area of Ma’an, then turn west for Wadi Musa, the town at the entrance to Petra. It’s a wide, straightforward road with fuel stations and roadside cafés along the way, and it gets you to Petra in about three hours.
The King’s Highway (scenic)
The King’s Highway follows one of the oldest roads in the region, through the hills west of the Desert Highway. It’s slower and winding, and it crosses deep valleys, but it’s one of the most beautiful drives in Jordan. A classic day goes:
- Madaba for the mosaics, with an optional detour to Mount Nebo.
- The viewpoint over Wadi Mujib, a huge canyon the road zigzags down into and out of.
- Karak Castle, the great Crusader fortress.
- The viewpoints over the Dana Biosphere Reserve.
- Shobak Castle, another Crusader castle on a lonely hilltop.
- Wadi Musa and Petra, in time for sunset or Petra by Night.
Allow a full day and start early, so you’re not driving the winding sections after dark.
By JETT bus
JETT, Jordan’s main tourist coach company, runs one bus a day from Amman to Petra. According to the Jordan Tourism Board, it leaves Abdali station in central Amman at about 6:30 a.m., stops at the 7th Circle station around 7:00 a.m., and reaches Petra around 10:00–10:30 a.m. The return bus usually leaves Petra in the late afternoon, around 5:00 p.m.
- Book ahead on jett.com.jo or at the station, especially in spring and fall.
- Check times a day or two before; schedules change.
- It’s a day trip if you return the same day, which leaves only about six hours in Petra, so most people stay at least one night.
Cheaper local minibuses also run between Amman and Wadi Musa, but they leave when full, have no fixed timetable and are less comfortable.
By private driver or taxi
A private driver is the most popular choice for visitors without a car. You’re picked up at your hotel, you can stop where you like, and you can choose either route. Book through your hotel, a trusted company or a local host, and agree on the price, the route, the stops and the waiting time before you set off. Yellow city taxis can do the trip too, but agree on a fixed fare first and expect to pay for the driver’s empty return.
Driving yourself
Renting a car gives you the most freedom, especially if you’re continuing to Wadi Rum, Aqaba or the Dead Sea. Rental desks are at Queen Alia Airport and in Amman. Tips:
- Avoid driving after dark, when roads are poorly lit and animals and unlit vehicles are hard to see.
- Watch for speed bumps in towns and police checkpoints on highways; carry your passport and license.
- Fill up before long empty stretches, especially on the King’s Highway.
- Download offline maps; signal can drop in the valleys.
More on getting around in our Jordan travel tips.
On a guided trip
If you’d rather not deal with transport at all, a guided trip handles the drive, the tickets and the timing. You also get a local guide who brings Petra’s tombs and temples to life. Many visitors combine Petra with Wadi Rum or a night at a Bedouin camp.
Arriving in Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is the town at the gate of Petra, with hotels for every budget, restaurants and the Petra Visitor Center at the bottom of town. If you’re arriving by bus, it stops near the Visitor Center. Get your Jordan Pass or ticket sorted before you start walking in, and if you arrive in the afternoon on a night it runs, consider Petra by Night.
Which option should you choose?
- Short on time: a driver via the Desert Highway. You’ll be in Petra by late morning.
- Love road trips: drive or hire a driver for the King’s Highway, and stay the night in Wadi Musa.
- On a budget: the JETT bus, and stay at least one night.
- Want it all handled: a guided Petra or Petra and Wadi Rum trip.
Local-guided experiences
Simsem’s local hosts in Petra run these trips:
Petra Full-Day Guided Tour: Treasury, Monastery & Royal Tombs
Explore Petra’s highlights with a local guide, with hotel pickup and a boxed lunch.
2-Day Petra & Wadi Rum Tour: Guided Petra, Jeep Safari & Bedouin Camp
A Petra day tour, a cultural dinner, a Wadi Rum jeep tour and nights in Petra and Wadi Rum, with transport onwards to Aqaba.
7 Nights in Jordan: Iconic Landmarks & Christian Heritage
Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman and the Dead Sea, plus the Baptism Site, Madaba and Mount Nebo.
Find a local guide: meet our local guides in Jordan.
Amman to Petra FAQ
How long does it take to get from Amman to Petra?
About three hours by car on the Desert Highway, about 3.5–4 hours by JETT bus, and a full day if you take the King’s Highway with stops.
Is there a bus from Amman to Petra?
Yes. JETT runs one tourist bus a day, leaving Abdali station around 6:30 a.m. and the 7th Circle around 7:00 a.m., with a return in the late afternoon. Book ahead and check times before you travel.
Can you do Petra as a day trip from Amman?
You can, but it’s a long day with about six hours in Petra. Staying at least one night in Wadi Musa lets you see far more and avoid the midday heat.
Which is better, the Desert Highway or the King’s Highway?
The Desert Highway is faster and simpler. The King’s Highway is slower but far more scenic, passing Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Karak and Shobak. Take it if you have a full day.
Is it safe to drive from Amman to Petra?
The main roads are good, but driving can be fast and aggressive. Avoid driving after dark, watch for speed bumps and checkpoints, and check your government’s travel advice before you go.
Where do you stay near Petra?
In Wadi Musa, the town at the entrance to Petra, which has hotels for every budget within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the Visitor Center.
Sources
- Jordan Tourism Board — Petra: how to get there — JETT bus stations, times and journey length
- Highway 15 (Wikipedia) — Desert Highway route and length
- King’s Highway (Wikipedia) — route and scenery
- Government of Canada — Jordan — road safety, driving after dark
- JETT — bookings and timetables
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
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