Petra to Wadi Rum: how to get there and plan both

Going from Petra to Wadi Rum is one of the easiest drives in Jordan. You leave the rose-coloured city in the morning or early afternoon and, a couple of hours later, you are among the sandstone mountains of the southern desert. This guide covers the distance, the roads, your transport options, how to plan both places in one trip, and when to leave Petra so you reach camp before sunset.

How far is it from Petra to Wadi Rum?

From Wadi Musa, the town at the entrance to Petra, SunCity Camp is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car. The road distance is a little over 100 km, depending on which way you go and where in Wadi Musa you start.

The time varies with traffic in Wadi Musa, how many stops you make for photos or coffee, and the route you choose. If you are not in a hurry, allow the full two hours and enjoy it.

For comparison, the camp is about 1 hour (60 km) from Aqaba and 3.5 to 4 hours from Amman. Petra sits neatly between the two, which makes Petra first and Wadi Rum next an easy order to follow.

The route: Desert Highway or King's Highway

Jordan has two main north-south roads, and the drive from Petra to Wadi Rum touches both of them.

• The Desert Highway (Highway 15). This is the modern, faster road. From Wadi Musa you climb out of the Petra valley and join the Desert Highway heading south towards Aqaba. Before reaching Aqaba you turn east, following the signs for Wadi Rum. It is the quicker, more straightforward way.
• The King's Highway (Highway 35). This is the older, winding road that runs along the high ground of the country. It is slower and more scenic, with views over the valleys towards the Dead Sea rift. Staying on it for longer before joining the Desert Highway adds time, so it suits people who see the drive as part of the day rather than just a way to get there.

If you are coming from the north and stopping at Petra on the way, the King's Highway between Amman and Petra is where it really shines, passing places like Karak and Shobak castles and the Dana area. Between Petra and Wadi Rum, the Desert Highway is the sensible choice for most people.

The last stretch into Wadi Rum is quiet and easy. The road to SunCity is fine for any car, so you do not need a 4x4, and you do not need to stop at the Visitor Centre. The team sends the exact location after you book. If you would rather leave your car at the Visitor Centre, a 4x4 pickup from there is complimentary, subject to availability.

For more on reaching the desert from other cities, see our guide on how to get to Wadi Rum, or the getting here page.

Petra to Wadi Rum: taxi, private transfer, self-drive or tour

There is no single right answer here. It depends on your budget, your luggage, and how much you want to think about logistics. Prices and times for all of these vary, so check close to your travel dates.

Taxi

Taxis are easy to find in Wadi Musa, and your hotel can usually call one for you. Agree on the destination clearly before you set off, and show the driver the camp location the team sends you. A taxi can bring you straight to the camp, since the road is easy for any car.

Private transfer

This is the calmest option. A driver collects you from your hotel in Petra and brings you to the camp, so there is nothing to arrange on the day. SunCity can arrange a private transfer from Petra on request, and the team confirms the details and price. It is also a good choice for families or for anyone arriving tired after a long day of walking in Petra.

Self-drive

Renting a car gives you the most freedom. Roads between Petra and Wadi Rum are in good condition and the main signs include English. Fill up the tank before leaving Wadi Musa, keep some water in the car, and try to do the drive in daylight so you can see the desert as it opens up around you.

Tour

Many organised tours of Jordan combine Petra and Wadi Rum. This works well if you want everything handled, but you give up some control over timings. If you are booking a tour and staying with us, let the team know your plans so your arrival lines up with check-in and dinner.

Doing Petra and Wadi Rum in one trip

Petra and Wadi Rum belong together. One is a carved city that takes hours on foot; the other is open desert that rewards slowing down. Two or three days lets you enjoy both without rushing. Here is a simple plan that works for most travellers.

A 2-day plan

• Day 1, Petra. Enter early, when it is cooler and quieter. Walk the Siq to the Treasury, then continue to the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and, if your legs agree, the long climb to the Monastery. Sleep in Wadi Musa.
• Day 2, Petra to Wadi Rum. A slow breakfast, then a short return visit to Petra if you like, or head straight off. Leave so you reach camp in the afternoon. Check in, watch the sunset, and sit down to dinner. Stay the night in the desert.

A 3-day plan

• Day 1, Petra. A full day on foot, as above.
• Day 2, Petra to Wadi Rum. A relaxed morning, then the drive south. Arrive in the afternoon, settle in, and enjoy sunset and dinner at camp.
• Day 3, Wadi Rum. A full day in the desert. A jeep tour is the classic way to see the canyons, dunes and rock bridges, and a camel ride or a short hike suits a slower pace. In the evening, look up: the skies here are dark and clear. Leave the next morning for Aqaba or the airport.

Activities such as jeep tours, camel rides, hiking and stargazing are run by the local Bedouin community, not by the camp, and they are not included in the stay. We help arrange them, and the team confirms prices and times. You can read more in our guides to the Wadi Rum jeep tour and two days in Wadi Rum.

If you are visiting several sites in Jordan, it is worth looking at the Jordan Pass, which covers entry to Petra and Wadi Rum among many other sites. Check the official Jordan Pass website for the current terms before you buy.

When to leave Petra to arrive for sunset

Sunset in the desert is the moment most people come for, so it is worth planning around. Check-in at SunCity is from 14:00, and our advice is to arrive in the afternoon, by around 16:00, so you have time to settle into your room before the light changes. Dinner is served from 19:30 to 21:30.

Working backwards, a good rule is:

• Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the drive.
• Add time for a coffee stop or photos along the way.
• Leave Wadi Musa around midday to early afternoon for an afternoon arrival.

Sunset is much earlier in winter than in summer, so look up the sunset time for your dates and leave a little earlier in the cooler months. Driving the last part of the route in daylight is also easier and far more beautiful.

If you want a final look at Petra in the morning, go early and keep it short. Petra takes a lot of walking, and you will enjoy the desert evening more if you arrive with some energy left.

What to pack for Petra and Wadi Rum

The two places ask for slightly different things, but one bag can cover both.

• Good walking shoes. Petra involves long distances, uneven ground and many steps. Closed shoes with grip are best, and they work well in the desert too.
• Layers. Days can be warm while evenings in the desert turn cool, and in winter the nights can be cold, sometimes near freezing. A warm jacket or fleece is worth packing for most of the year.
• Sun protection. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. There is little shade on the trails in Petra and none in open desert.
• A light scarf. Useful against sun, wind and sand, and handy for visiting local areas where modest dress is appreciated.
• A refillable water bottle. Keep it filled for the walk and the drive.
• A small daypack. For water, snacks, layers and your camera during the day.
• Something for the evening. A torch or phone light, and a warm layer for sitting outside after dinner to look at the stars.

At camp, every room has air conditioning, heating and a private en-suite bathroom with a hot shower, bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, so you can travel light on the rest. For more on seasons, see the best time to visit Wadi Rum.

Where to stay in Wadi Rum after Petra

After a day of walking in Petra, it helps to arrive somewhere comfortable. SunCity Camp is a family-owned luxury camp inside the Wadi Rum Protected Area, known for its Martian Domes, with panoramic views over the desert. There are also Grande Suites, Bedouin-style Deluxe Tents and Family Suites for larger groups. You can compare them on the rooms page.

Breakfast and dinner are included in every stay. The signature dinner is Zarb, the Bedouin underground barbecue of lamb, chicken and vegetables slow-cooked in a sand pit for several hours, served alongside Middle Eastern and international dishes. It is a good way to end a day that started in Petra.

Questions people ask

How long is the drive from Petra to Wadi Rum?

About 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Wadi Musa to SunCity Camp, depending on your route, traffic and stops.

Do I need a 4x4 to reach the camp?

No. The road to SunCity is easy and any car can make it. You can drive or take a taxi straight to the camp, and the team sends the exact location after booking.

Can the camp arrange a transfer from Petra?

Yes, a private transfer from Petra can be arranged on request. The team confirms the details and price.

Is it better to go from Petra to Wadi Rum or the other way round?

Either works. Doing Petra first and finishing in Wadi Rum is a natural order, because the desert is a restful end to a busy trip and Aqaba, with its airport, is about an hour from the camp.

Can I visit Petra and Wadi Rum in one day?

It is possible, but you would see very little of either. Petra alone deserves a full day, and Wadi Rum is at its best at sunset, at night and in the early morning. Spending at least one night in the desert makes a real difference.

What time should I leave Petra?

Leaving around midday to early afternoon usually gets you to camp in the afternoon, in time to settle in before sunset. Leave a little earlier in winter, when the sun sets sooner.

What is the best time of year for this trip?

March to May and September to November are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Summer days are hot, so start early in Petra. Winter brings mild, sunny days and cold nights.

When you are ready, the simplest way to stay with us is to book direct on our website, or send us a message on WhatsApp and the team will help you plan the drive from Petra.