How to Get Around Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum

How transport works in Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum

Rental car or private driver is the classic Jordan setup — the Desert Highway links Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum in 3–4 hours per leg. JETT intercity buses run Amman ↔ Petra and Amman ↔ Aqaba. Careem operates in Amman; in Petra and Wadi Rum, rely on hotel transfers.

Your options compared

• Private driver / rental car

  The classic Jordan setup — Desert Highway links Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum smoothly.

• JETT intercity bus

  Daily Amman ↔ Petra (JOD 11, ~4h) and Amman ↔ Aqaba services.

• Careem

  Operates in Amman only; in Petra and Wadi Rum use hotel drivers.

• Petra shuttle & horses

  Included Siq horse ride and paid carriages inside the Petra archaeological park.

Local transport tips

Fridays are quieter — Jerash, Madaba and Petra are less crowded but some shops close in the morning.

Arriving from the airport

• Queen Alia International (Amman) (AMM)

  Airport Express bus JOD 3.5 to Amman North Terminal (~45 min); taxi ~JOD 25.

• King Hussein International (Aqaba) (AQJ)

  Southern gateway — best for Wadi Rum/Petra first, then work north to Amman.

Do you need a rental car?

Inside Amman, Petra & Wadi Rum a car is usually a liability — parking and traffic cost more than transit. A rental earns its keep for day trips and regional drives, so compare rates only for the days you actually leave the city.