You got yourself a cheap flight to Jordan? Congratulations! Jordan is not only considered the safest country of the Middle East, but is also home to some of the world’s most unique sights; Petra and Wadi Rum. But how to get there?
In this article, we will be taking a closer look at your transport options from Amman to Wadi Rum and giving general advice on how to get around Jordan. Let’s dive right in.
| How to Get From Amman to Wadi Rum – 4 Ways: |
| 1. Get a plane from Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport. 2. Hire a private taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum Village starting from 100 JDs. 3. Rent a rental car and embark on a road trip to Wadi Rum. 4. Get a seat on a bus from Amman to Wadi Rum Village. |
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- Planning to Visit Wadi Rum?
- Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Plane
- Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Taxi
- Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Rental Car
- Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Bus
- How much is taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum?
- How long does it take to get to Wadi Rum from Amman?
- Is Wadi Rum worth going to?
- How to get to Wadi Rum from Amman?
- How long is the drive from Wadi Rum to Amman?
Arriving to Amman Jordan
Arriving to Amman Jordan, you are most likely coming through one of the international airports around the capital. There really only is one airport you can arrive to: Amman Airport aka Queen Alia International Airport.
From there, you can either make your way to the center of Amman via taxi to do some exploring there or head straight South.
Amman itself is a bustling metropolis with lots of things to see and food to try. To get an idea of the multicultural society of Jordan, stay in Amman for two nights, and explore Rainbow Street, the Suqs and try traditional Jordanian food and Middle-Eastern classics such as Habibah’s Kunafah.
Once you are done with Amman, there will be a few different ways for you to get from Amman to Petra Visitor center or all the way from Amman to Wadi Rum.
Preparing for Your Trip to the Wadi Rum Desert
First things first. Make sure that, before you arrive to Wadi Rum Village, you have everything you need for the desert. These 5 items are indispensable for your Wadi Rum adventure:
- Buy the Jordan Pass: Get the Jordan Pass, before you board your flight to Jordan. It includes your visa fee, the entrance fee to multiple sights in Amman, the entrance fee to Petra and the entrance fee to the Wadi Rum desert. To learn more about the Jordan Pass, read our in-depth guide about it.
- Book Transport in Advance: No matter which mode of transport you opt for, make sure to book it in advance. This way, you can ensure a hassle free pick up and fair prices. You can buy tickets for buses online, while taxis can be arranged via hotels for comfort. If you book a tour with Wadi Tribe, you can take advantage of our exclusive transport options.
- Book Your Trip: Getting around the Wadi Rum Desert is not possible without Bedouin help. Book your Desert Experience in advance to ensure a good experience in Wadi Rum. Compare offers online and save money by joining group tours.
Details for Your Trip to Wadi Rum – Amman Wadi Rum Distance & More
Let’s take a look at the trip ahead. To get to Wadi Rum from. Amman, you will be traversing a large chunk of Central and Southern Jordan. Usually, people complete this journey in two or three legs with additional stops in Petra (Wadi Musa) and Aqaba. If you are travelling directly to Wadi Rum, however, you will face the following trip:
If you travel along the Desert Highway, the full Amman Wadi Rum distance is about 320 kilometres. By car, you need to plan about 4 to 5 hours of driving. If you are travelling by mini bus or JETT bus, your travel time will be closer to fiver hours, if not more.
The Modes of Transport to Wadi Rum Village
You can reach Wadi Rum Village via multiple modes of transport. Generally, it is possible to reach the Wadi Rum Protected Area in the South of Jordan via plane, taxi transfers, rental car, tourist bus and local bus. Let us unwrap each of your possible travel routes:
Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Plane
After Amman Airport (Queen Alia International Airport), Jordan has one more important international airport, commonly referred to as Aqaba Airport (King Hussein International Airport). Direct flights operate between the two allowing for fast transfers between North and South.
Carriers such as Royal Jordanian Airlines operate on the route cutting the travel time from the capital city to the far South down to just 55 minutes. From Aqaba Airport, you will be only one more hour away from Wadi Rum Village. This last step, you will be able to travel by taxi.
Our Advice on going to Wadi Rum by Plane
While we do not advise you to fly from Amman to Wadi Rum – you would be skipping Petra (Wadi Musa) on the way – it certainly is the fastest way to get from North to South. Make sure to book at least two to three months in advance to find the best deals between the two airports. Find deals on the official website of Royal Jordanian Airlines.
Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Taxi
Getting from Amman to Wadi Rum by taxi is your best bet for a hassle-free, smooth ride. Booking a private driver from Amman is possible online. Your hotel in Amman will also be able to take care of the booking for you.
The private transfer from Amman to Wadi Rum via taxi takes four to five hours with occasional stops at police checkpoints. The route leads along the Desert Highway all the way down until you reach Wadi Rum Road. After five hours, you will be dropped at Wadi Rum Rest House in Wadi Rum Village.
Our Advice on going to Wadi Rum by Taxi
Going to Wadi Rum by taxi eliminates the logistical challenges along the way and equips you with a private driver who is fluent in Arabic to help you in tricky situations.
Arrange your ride in advance online to make sure to get the ride at the best price. If your book your Wadi Rum tour with Wadi Tribe, you will get access to our exclusive taxi transfer options.
Boo your taxi transfer with Wadi Tribe, to take advantage of preferential rates. Our taxi transfers from Amman to Wadi Rum Village start at only 100 JDs fitting up to four people.
Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Rental Car
To explore Jordan at your own pace, you can also opt for a rental car. You can either pay for a rental car from one of the major companies at Amman International Airport or get one from local car rentals and pay there.
While traffic in cities such as Amman could be overwhelming, the drive from Amman along the Desert Highway is quite relaxed.
Traveling by rental car will give you flexibility to stop along the road trip wherever you like. Depending on your route, you will pass by the Dead Sea, Petra (Wadi Musa) and later the Red Sea. Make stops along the way and spend one night in Petra to explore the ancient stone city.
Our Advice on going to Wadi Rum by Rental Car
Rental car companies in Jordan are usually trustworthy and carry high standards. Make sure to rent a car with air conditioning and preferably a new model to ensure a smooth ride. While most traffic rules are the same as in the US or Europe, you might want to take a few minutes to get familiar with traffic law in Jordan.
Getting to Wadi Rum Village by Bus
To spare yourself to hassle of driving from Amman to Wadi Rum Village by yourself, you can simply travel by JETT Bus. You can book tickets for the bus service online and simply show up at the JETT bus station on the day of your transfer.
JETT bus standards are comparable to Greyhound or FlixBus providing air conditioning and a smooth ride. JETT buses take about four to five hours to reach the South of Jordan.
To get from Amman to Wadi Rum Village by JETT bus, you will have to spend one night in Aqaba, as you will be forced to make a transfer there overnight. Currently, direct buses to Wadi Rum only operate between Aqaba and Wadi Rum Village once a day. The Aqaba Wadi Rum JETT bus arrives to Wadi Rum Rest House at 11 a.m.
Alternatively, you can also plan another stop on the way in Wadi Musa, if you are looking into visiting the Stone City of Petra. The JETT bus station in Wadi Musa is located right in front of the Petra Visitor Center.
The Comfy Bus – JETT Bus
JETT Bus is the main tourist bus company in Jordan. The company provides solid service and comfortable coaches. It connects all the major tourist destinations at a competitive prices. Tickets usually cost 25 JD per seat.
The Affordable Bus – Local Mini Buses
Your cheapest way to get from Amman to Wadi Rum, however, is public transport. Mini buses operate all throughout Jordan linking all population centres with one another. Understanding where bus stations are and what prices look like, might be a bit confusing though.
Research well and expect bus drivers to overcharge tourists slightly. Mini buses are the most cost-effective way from Amman to Wadi Rum Village.
Arriving at Wadi Rum Visitor Center – This WILL Happen to You
No matter which mode of transport you choose to get from Amman to Wadi Rum Village, there will be at least one mandatory stop for you – the Wadi Rum Visitor Center. There are a few things to do at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center before heading to your Wadi Rum camp:
- Pay the Entrance Fee: If you visit Wadi Rum, you are obliged to pay a ticket of 5 JD to enter the protected area.Kids enter for free. Off-road vehicles enter at an extra charge of 25 JD.
- Present Your Jordan Pass: If you hold a Jordan Pass, you will not have to pay an extra fee to proceed to Wadi Rum Village. To learn what more to do at the Wadi Rum Visitor Center, refer to our guide.
- Get Cash from the ATM: Withdraw money from the ATM at the Visitor Center, if you haven’t done so already. There is no ATMs in all of Wadi Rum. Generally, we advise you to take care of your cash needs in Amman City Center already.
- Inform Your Camp About Your Arrival: Let your hosts know that you have made it to Wadi Rum. They will arrange transportation for you between Wadi Rum Village and your desert camp. In Wadi Rum Village itself, you might be faced with weaker signal.
Getting into the Wadi Rum Desert
Once you have made it to Wadi Rum Village, you trip from Amman to Wadi Rum is almost over. Wadi Rum Village is the main settlement of Wadi Rum, functioning as a trading hub between the outside world and the desert itself.
Reaching Wadi Rum from Wadi Rum Village is exclusively possible with off-road vehicles. If you have booked your accommodation already, your hosts will be waiting for you at Wadi Rum Rest House to take you to your desert camp. So, make sure to communicate your arrival time with them.
Conclusion
Getting from Amman to Wadi Rum Village is really uncomplicated. To make it fast, take a plane. To make it hassle free, get a taxi. To make it a road trip, book a rental car and stop at the Dead Sea and Petra. To save money, make use of a local bus service.
Your transfer from Amman to Wadi Rum is as simple as that! Now, take time to enjoy Wadi Rum to the fullest.
FAQs
How much is taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum?
A taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum Village is cheapest when you book it online in advance. A private driver with a taxi equipped with air conditioning will take you to Wadi Rum within four hours. It will cost you around 100 JD.
How long does it take to get to Wadi Rum from Amman?
Getting from Amman to Wadi Rum Village will take your around four to five hours, if you are travelling between the two without any stops. However, as there are multiple sights such as the Dead Sea, Petra (Wadi Musa) and Tala Bay on the Red Sea along the route, stops are recommended.
Is Wadi Rum worth going to?
Wadi Rum, along with Petra, is a place you should not miss at any costs while you are in Jordan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site not only looks like a Martian landscape, but also boasts a rich culture and history.
How to get to Wadi Rum from Amman?
Getting from Amman to Wadi Rum Village is pretty straight-forward. If you decide to go by plane, you will fly from Amman to Aqaba first. If you opt for ground transport, you will most certainly travel along the Desert Highway. Bus schedules and tickets are available online.
How long is the drive from Wadi Rum to Amman?
The Wadi Rum Amman drive by car takes about 4 to 5 hours in total, if you start in Amman City Center and end in Wadi Rum Village. The total Amman Wadi Rum distance is about 320 km.
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