In short
- Everyone stops at the Visitor Centre to pay the JD 5 entry (or show the Jordan Pass), then continues 7 km to Rum village.
- Aqaba → Rum ≈ 1 h; Petra → Rum ≈ 1.5–2 h; Amman → Rum ≈ 4 h.
- Your camp picks you up in Rum village — agree a time in advance.
Distances and times
| From | Distance | By car / taxi | Public transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqaba | ≈ 60 km | ≈ 1 h | Occasional minibus; taxi easiest |
| King Hussein Airport (Aqaba) | ≈ 60 km | ≈ 1 h | Taxi |
| Wadi Musa (Petra) | ≈ 110 km | ≈ 1.5–2 h | Morning minibus most days |
| Amman | ≈ 320 km | ≈ 4 h | JETT / bus to Aqaba, then taxi |
| Queen Alia Airport | ≈ 290 km | ≈ 3.5–4 h | No direct bus |
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Check availabilityBy car
Turn off the Desert Highway (Highway 15) at Rashidiyya and follow the road east for about 20 km to the Visitor Centre. Park there or in Rum village; inside the protected area you travel with your camp's 4×4. Do not drive the Desert Highway at night if you can avoid it.
Minibus and taxi
Minibuses link Wadi Musa and Rum on most mornings; ask your Petra hotel or camp to reserve a seat. From Aqaba, taxis are the reliable choice. Camps can also arrange onward transfers to Petra, Aqaba or the airport.
Pickup at Rum village
Camps meet guests in Rum village, usually at the rest house or the camp owner's house. Share your arrival time on WhatsApp, and save the camp's phone number before you lose mobile signal in the desert.
The Visitor Centre: what happens on arrival
- Drive or ride to the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre, signposted off the Rashidiyya road.
- Pay the JD 5 entry or show your Jordan Pass and passport at the ticket desk.
- If you drive, leave your car in the Visitor Centre car park or continue 7 km to Rum village and park where your camp tells you.
- Meet your guide at the agreed point; jeeps leave from Rum village.
- On departure, your camp drives you back to the village or the Visitor Centre.
From Aqaba and the airport
Taxis from Aqaba city or King Hussein International Airport take about an hour; agree the price before leaving and save the driver's number for the return. Many camps offer transfers. If you are arriving on a cruise ship or a flight, allow time for the 60 km drive and the Visitor Centre stop before sunset.
From Petra
The road from Wadi Musa joins the Desert Highway near Ras an-Naqab, with superb views over the southern desert on the descent, then turns off at Rashidiyya. A taxi takes 1.5–2 hours; the daily minibus leaves Wadi Musa in the morning (ask your hotel to reserve a seat and confirm the time the evening before).
From Amman
It is about 4 hours by car via the Desert Highway. By public transport, take a JETT or other coach to Aqaba and get off at the Rashidiyya junction only if your camp has agreed to collect you there; otherwise continue to Aqaba and take a taxi. Many travellers break the journey in Petra.
Getting around inside the protected area
There are no paved roads in the desert, only sand tracks. All movement is by your camp's or guide's 4×4, camel or on foot with a guide. If you get separated from your group, stay where you are — guides know the area well and will come back for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get from Petra to Wadi Rum by bus?
Yes, a minibus runs most mornings; your hotel can reserve a seat. Otherwise take a taxi or private driver.
Is there a bus from Aqaba to Wadi Rum?
Occasional minibuses run, but times are irregular; a taxi or camp transfer is far more reliable.
Is there parking at Wadi Rum?
Yes, at the Visitor Centre and in Rum village. Leave nothing valuable visible in the car.
Should I rent a car for Wadi Rum?
A car helps with the drive from Petra or Aqaba, but you leave it at the Visitor Centre or in Rum village; inside the protected area you travel with your camp's 4×4.
How far is Wadi Rum from Petra?
About 1.5–2 hours by road (roughly 110 km), via the Desert Highway and the Rashidiyya turn-off.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
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