Petra to Wadi Rum: every way there.
Updated October 2026
Wadi Rum is about 110 kilometres south of Petra, an hour and a half to two hours by car. Most visitors take a private car or their camp’s pickup to the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre, where the camp’s 4x4 meets them. Leave Petra by early afternoon to reach the desert for sunset.
The options
| Option | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private car | 1.5 to 2 hours | Door to the visitor centre, at the time you choose |
| Camp pickup | 1.5 to 2 hours | Many camps arrange a driver for their guests |
| Minibus | About 2 hours | Usually one early-morning departure from Wadi Musa |
| Rental car | About 1.5 hours | Park at the visitor centre or Rum village |
A private car
The simplest: the car leaves from your hotel door when you want, drives the Desert Highway south and down the Rum road, and drops you at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre or Rum village, where the camps meet their guests. We arrange these for anyone leaving Petra, guest or not: Petra to Wadi Rum.
The minibus
A public minibus usually leaves Wadi Musa for Wadi Rum early in the morning. It is cheap, but there is normally only one, and the time and pickup place change. Ask your hotel’s reception the evening before.
Driving
From Wadi Musa, head back to the Desert Highway and drive south. Past Ras an-Naqab the road drops off the plateau with a long view over the desert. Turn east at the Rum junction and follow the road between the mountains to the visitor centre. Regular cars can go as far as Rum village; beyond that the desert is for 4x4s with Bedouin drivers.
When to leave
Desert camps start their jeep tours in the afternoon so that guests see the sunset from the dunes or a rock bridge. Leave Petra by early afternoon. If you want a last morning in Petra, walk early, have lunch, and go.
Luggage
Camps have limited space in the jeeps and the tents. If you are coming back through Petra, ask reception to keep your big bags and take only a small one into the desert.
The ticket
Entry to the Wadi Rum Protected Area is paid at the visitor centre and is included in the Jordan Pass.
Short answers.
How far is Wadi Rum from Petra?
About 110 km, an hour and a half to two hours by car.
Is there a bus from Petra to Wadi Rum?
A public minibus usually leaves Wadi Musa early in the morning. Ask at reception for the current time.
When should I leave Petra for Wadi Rum?
By early afternoon, to join a camp’s afternoon jeep tour and the sunset.
Can I drive my rental car into Wadi Rum?
To the visitor centre and Rum village. Inside the protected area, only 4x4s with local drivers go.
Is Wadi Rum included in the Jordan Pass?
Yes, entry to the Wadi Rum Protected Area is included.