Let us be honest: nobody books a trip to Jordan because they are desperate to see a car park. They book it because of a photograph. A narrow canyon, a glowing rose-coloured facade, a sea of red sand with a jeep disappearing into it. Petra and Wadi Rum are the two reasons most people end up on the plane, and the good news is that they sit close enough together to be done in one smooth run.
The less good news is that a bit of planning makes the difference between a magical visit and a sweaty, rushed one with blisters. This guide covers how long you need, how to tackle each place, how to get between them and what to pack, so you can spend your energy on the views rather than on the logistics.
Petra and Wadi Rum at a Glance
Petra was the rock-cut capital of the Nabataeans, a trading people who grew rich on caravan routes. UNESCO describes it as a city carved into the rock, reached by a natural winding cleft known as the Siq, and it lists the tombs, temples and water-management system among the reasons the site matters. In plain English: it is a lost city that was very clever about plumbing.
Wadi Rum is a different animal altogether. According to UNESCO’s listing for the Wadi Rum Protected Area, this mixed natural and cultural site covers around 74,000 hectares of sandstone desert, with narrow gorges, natural arches, towering cliffs and caverns. It also holds roughly 25,000 petroglyphs, 20,000 inscriptions and 154 archaeological sites, which together tell the story of some 12,000 years of human presence. So yes, it is gorgeous, but it is also a giant open-air archive.
Put them side by side and you get history in the morning and silence under the stars at night. That contrast is exactly why they work so well as a pair.
How Many Days Do You Need?
You can technically see both in a long day trip from Amman, and plenty of people do. We would not recommend it. You would spend most of the day in a vehicle and arrive at the Treasury with the enthusiasm of a wet sock.
A far happier rhythm looks like this:
- Petra: one full day at minimum, two if you want to climb to the Monastery without racing the sun.
- Wadi Rum: one afternoon and one night in a desert camp, ideally with a sunset and a sunrise.
- Travel between them: a short transfer that fits neatly into a morning or evening.
That makes three days a comfortable minimum, and four if you like having a spare hour to sit with a cup of tea and do nothing at all.
Planning Your Day at Petra
Walking Through the Siq
The entrance is a long, shaded walk, and it is part of the experience rather than a hurdle to get past. The Siq narrows, twists and then, quite suddenly, opens onto the Treasury. The reveal is the best bit, so resist the urge to dash ahead. Go early, ideally when the site opens, and you will often have the canyon almost to yourself for the first stretch.
Beyond the Treasury
Lots of visitors take their photo of the Treasury and then wonder what else there is. Quite a lot, as it happens. The Street of Facades, the Roman theatre and the Royal Tombs are all within an easy stroll. The big prize is the Monastery, reached by a climb of several hundred rock-cut steps. It is bigger than the Treasury and far less crowded, and the walk up is perfectly doable if you pace yourself and carry water.
If you fancy a view with no queue, the High Place of Sacrifice is another good climb. Wear shoes with proper grip, because the polished stone can be slippery, and rest in the shade whenever you find it.
Tickets and the Jordan Pass
Entry is not free, and this is where a little homework saves real money. The Jordan Pass, the official pass run with the Jordan Tourism Board, bundles the Petra ticket with entry to dozens of other sites and waives the standard visa fee if you stay at least three nights. Check the official site for the current price and the exact terms before you buy, because both change from time to time. Bear in mind that the pass does not cover Petra by Night.
For entry requirements, the GOV.UK Jordan entry requirements page is the place to confirm what applies to your passport.
Petra by Night
On selected evenings, the Siq is lit with candles and the walk ends with music and tea in front of the Treasury. It is atmospheric and a bit theatrical, in the best way. It is a separate ticket, so decide whether it fits your plan. If you are staying nearby overnight, it makes a lovely finish after a day on your feet.
Planning Your Time in Wadi Rum
Jeep, Camel or Your Own Two Feet?
The desert is huge, so a jeep tour is how most people see the highlights: the rock bridges, the red dunes, the canyons and the spots where the inscriptions sit. Local Bedouin guides know the terrain far better than any map, and they are usually happy to stop whenever you want to take photographs, which is often.
A camel ride is slower and a lot of fun for an hour or so. Think of it as a scenic ride with a sense of humour, because your camel will have opinions. If you enjoy walking, a short guided hike through a gorge gives you a very different feel from the vehicle.
A Night in the Desert
Sleeping in a camp is the point. Expect simple, comfortable accommodation, a traditional dinner often cooked in the sand, and a sky so packed with stars it looks fake. Desert nights can be properly cold outside the warmer months, so bring a warm layer even if the afternoon felt like an oven.
If you can, schedule your jeep tour so that you catch sunset from a high rock and see the first light the next morning. Those two moments are the ones people remember years later.
Getting Between Petra and Wadi Rum
The drive between the two is generally somewhere around an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the route and the stops. Most travellers go from Petra to Wadi Rum, which suits the story nicely: ancient city first, open desert second. A private transfer is the simplest option, since it lets you leave Petra when you are ready rather than racing a timetable.
If you would rather not juggle drivers, hotels and tickets yourself, our organised Complete Jordan 8 days / 7 nights tour and the Jordan with Desert 8 days / 7 nights tour both put Petra and the desert into a single, well-paced route. Short on time? The Jordan Tour 5 days / 4 nights covers the essentials. Fancy adding sea and sand to the mix? Take a look at Jordan and Red Sea 8 days / 7 nights.
The Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, with warm days that are comfortable for climbing and cooler evenings in the desert. Summer can be fierce, particularly in the middle of the day, so if you travel then, start at sunrise and slow down after lunch. Winter brings crisp, clear days and cold nights in Wadi Rum, and the occasional rain shower can make Petra’s rock look even richer in colour. The Jordan Tourism Board’s official visitor site is useful for checking opening times and seasonal events.
What to Pack
- Sturdy walking shoes with a good grip. Flip-flops and Petra are not friends.
- A hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream. There is not much shade between the highlights.
- A refillable water bottle. You will drink more than you expect.
- Light layers and a warm jumper for the desert evenings.
- Modest, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees, which is comfortable for the heat and respectful as well.
- A power bank. Your camera will work harder than you do.
Sample Itinerary: Three Days
Day one: Arrive in Petra, check in and rest. If you are up for it, finish with Petra by Night.
Day two: Enter Petra at opening time. Walk the Siq, see the Treasury, then climb to the Monastery and take your time coming back down. Transfer to Wadi Rum in the late afternoon.
Day three: Catch sunrise at camp, enjoy a morning jeep tour, then head onward to Amman or Aqaba. Combining the desert with a Red Sea stop is a lovely way to end the trip, and if Egypt is also on your list, our Egypt and Jordan itinerary shows how to link both countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one day enough for Petra?
One full day lets you see the main sights, including the Treasury and the Monastery, if you start early and keep a steady pace. Two days is far more relaxed and lets you explore quieter corners.
Is Wadi Rum worth an overnight stay?
Yes. The sunset, the stars and the sunrise are the best parts, and a day trip misses most of them.
Do I need a guide?
In Petra, a guide helps you understand what you are looking at, though you can also walk independently. In Wadi Rum, a local Bedouin guide with a jeep is the standard and best way to reach the highlights.
Can I do Petra and Wadi Rum with kids or older relatives?
Absolutely, with a gentler pace. In Petra, you can enjoy the Siq and the Treasury without climbing, and in Wadi Rum a jeep tour does the hard work for you.
Ready to Put It All Together?
We can build your Jordan trip around Petra and Wadi Rum, with the transfers, hotels and desert camp already sorted, so all you have to do is turn up with comfortable shoes. Explore our tailor-made trips or get in touch and tell us how many days you have, and we will take it from there.
