Amman to Wadi Rum: 6 Ways to Get There

Cat is Out of the Office contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

There are 6 ways to get from Amman to Wadi Rum: rent a car and drive yourself, hire a driver, book a guided tour or bus, fly to Aqaba and drive from there, or hike for 9 days on the Jordan Trail.

I explored this incredible country solo for almost a month, cruising around in my rental car. I usually prefer public transportation, but there isn’t much of it in Jordan yet.

I’ve been traveling full-time for the past 2.5 years, and spending the night in Wadi Rum was one of the highlights. The Bedouin culture and natural beauty of the desert landscape captivated me, making the logistical challenges of getting around worth it.

If you’re feeling anxious about getting around in Jordan, I get it. That’s why I’m here – to guide you with firsthand knowledge and reliable advice. So, buckle up and get ready as I take you through six ways to get to Wadi Rum from Amman!

👉 I love how easy it is to compare the major car rental companies to find the best price with this tool.

Amman to Wadi Rum Distance: 201 miles / 324 km

Here’s an overview of transportation options from Amman to Wadi Rum, with detailed instructions below.

Mode of Transportation	Duration (One-way)	Approximate Cost in USD	Best For
Self-Drive	4 hours	$20-40/day	Adventurous travelers who value freedom and flexibility
Taxi / Private Driver	4 hours	$150-175	Couples and groups
Guided Tour from Amman	1-2 Days	$100+	Solo travelers, travelers short on time, don’t want to plan
Bus	4-5 hours	$29 one-way	Backpackers on a budget with plenty of time
Plane (to Aqaba) + Taxi/Self-Drive	1 hour flight + 1 hour drive	$150	Travelers planning to visit Aqaba
By Foot	9 Days	$28+	Adventurous hikers

Let’s take a closer look at each of these options for how to get from Amman to Wadi Rum.

🇯🇴 Check out this 5-star-rated, 7-night Jordan tour. It includes all the highlights: Amman, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. Enjoy a perfectly curated experience that lets you soak in Jordan’s beauty without the stress. 🐫

1. Self-drive to Wadi Rum in a Rental Car

• Pros: Freedom to create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace; relatively affordable
• Cons: Driving in a foreign country can feel stressful

I opted to rent a car in Jordan since I would be there for nearly a month and wanted to explore parts of the country that are hard to get to otherwise. It worked out great for me!

Except for Amman, driving in Jordan is easy and safe. Amman is more challenging due to traffic and aggressive drivers, but I made it out alive.

Prices for rental cars in Jordan usually range from $20-40 USD per day – I recommend using Discover Cars to compare costs between different providers. You’ll want to book ahead during peak season.

All visitors to Wadi Rum must first check-in and pay an entrance fee at the Visitor Center.  It’s also essential to book your camp accommodations in advance, as there are limited options inside the park boundaries, and many places do book up.

Important: Do not drive onto the sand in your car. Instead, park in town just before the paved road ends, and arrange transportation to your desert camp in your accommodation’s 4×4 vehicle. Most accommodations offer this service free of charge.

If you’re spending several days exploring all that Jordan has to offer, I also recommend checking out the Siq Trail of Wadi Mujib – one of my favorite activities to do in Jordan!

🚙 I recommend using Discover Cars to compare costs and get the best deal.

2. Amman to Wadi Rum Taxi / Private Driver

• Pros: Convenient door-to-door service, local driver familiar with the route, comfortable, efficient
• Cons: Expensive, potential language barrier, may need to negotiate a fair price

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to do the 4-hour drive from Amman to Wadi Rum, then a taxi from Amman to Wadi Rum or a private car service is the perfect option. I met two women in Wadi Rum who chose this route, and they said it was super convenient!

Most taxis in Jordan are comfortable, air-conditioned, and can accommodate up to 4 people. If you arrange a private transfer, your car will probably be nicer than a standard taxi.

Prices for a one-way Amman to Wadi Rum taxi trip usually range from 100-110 JD ($140-155 USD) from Queen Alia International Airport and about 125 JD ($175 USD) from Amman city center. Haggling with a taxi driver is typical and expected.

Hiring a private driver for the journey may cost a little more, but it is worth it for the peace of mind and comfortable vehicle. You can also hire a car for a full day if you plan on returning to Amman the same day.

You can also try to find others to share the ride with if you want to save money. Don’t be surprised if the taxi picks up other passengers heading in the same direction – ride-sharing is very common in Jordan (a private driver wouldn’t do this).

I recommend booking a top-rated car service online. Or, arrange a taxi through your hotel, as they can help you negotiate a fair price and may already have drivers in mind whom they are familiar with. 

It’s essential to agree upon pick-up and drop-off points in advance and the price before getting in the taxi.

You will be brought to the Visitor Center at Wadi Rum to check in before being picked up by your accommodation to head into the desert.

👉 This popular 5-star overnight tour from Amman makes exploring Petra and the Wadi Rum desert easy. Travelers give the guides rave reviews!

3. Guided Tours of Wadi Rum from Amman

• Pros: Convenient door-to-door service, knowledgeable guide, opportunity to meet fellow travelers, well-planned itinerary
• Cons: Limited flexibility, more expensive, less independence, tight schedule

Visiting Wadi Rum from Amman with a guided private or group tour is an incredible opportunity to experience the beauty and history of this stunning region without any stress. You won’t have to deal with the intense Amman traffic!

This is the perfect option for travelers who are very short on time or not confident getting around new places. I love taking tours while solo traveling because it’s an easy way to make friends, and I know I’ll be safe.

Here are some highly-rated Wadi Rum tours from Amman that I recommend:

• 2-day Small Group Tour – Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea
• Full-Day Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp Stay! (All Meals Included)
• Full-Day Jeep Tour: “Wadi Rum Highlights” – meeting point in Wadi Rum
• Day Tour to Petra & Wadi Rum from Amman – Group Tour
• Petra & Wadi Rum (1 Day Private tour)

4. Amman to Wadi Rum Bus

• Pros: Cost-effective, environmentally-friendly
• Cons: Limited flexibility, longer travel time, less-comfortable

The direct Amman to Wadi Rum bus route wasn’t running when I visited, but it looks like it is running now! Jordan’s tourist infrastructure is improving quickly.

A daily Amman to Wadi Rum bus departs from Amman’s Jett Abdali Station at 7:30 am, and from Amman’s 7th Circle Jett Office at 8:00 am. The bus arrives at the Wadi Rum visitor center around noon. 

The daily Wadi Rum to Amman bus leaves from the Wadi Rum visitor center at 5 pm and arrives back in Amman around 9 pm.

The cost is 20 JD ($29 USD) one-way. I recommend booking a few days in advance, especially during peak season.

Always plan for extra time, as it’s not uncommon for the buses to arrive later than expected. If you’re delayed, you’ll want your tour guides’ and hotels’ contact information handy.

While it’s technically possible to do the round-trip Amman to Wadi Rum bus route in one day, I strongly recommend spending the night if you can! One night was enough for me, but some people chose two.

👉 My Top Picks for Accommodations in Amman: Carob Hostel (budget), Nu Fifty Two (mid-range), or Amman International Hotel (luxury)

5. Fly to Aqaba and Drive to Wadi Rum

• Pros: Save time by flying into one airport and out of another
• Cons: Cost, time spent at airports, potential flight delays

Many travelers to Jordan choose to fly into Amman and out of Aqaba or vice versa. That way, you don’t have to spend time getting back to where you started.

Flying to Aqaba first before heading to Wadi Rum is a great way to make the most of your trip to Jordan if you want to spend time in both Aqaba and Wadi Rum. You may as well go scuba diving in the Red Sea while you’re there!

Royal Jordanian Airlines offers flights from Amman QAIA to Aqaba (AQJ). Be sure to check their website for schedules and prices.

Once you arrive in Aqaba, you can take a taxi or rent a car to get the rest of the way. Taking a taxi will cost around 30 JD ($43 USD). You could also rent a car in Aqaba, a convenient option if you plan to drive for a few days or more in Jordan.

Since I entered Jordan via the Israel-Jordan land border, I rented a car in Aqaba and spent a couple of days in Aqaba before moving on to Wadi Rum, Petra, and the rest of the country before dropping off the rental car in Amman.

You can also travel easily from Petra to Wadi Rum.

👉 My Top Picks for Accommodations in Wadi Rum: Magic Milky Way Camp (budget), Wadi Rum Star Wars Camp (mid-range), or Memories Aicha (luxury)

6. Hike The Jordan Trail to Wadi Rum

• Pros: Experience Jordan’s nature and beauty, visit local communities, adventurous
• Cons: Time-consuming, physically demanding, weather conditions, logistical challenges

Yes, you read that right – if you have an extra 9 days, you can hike from Amman to Wadi Rum via the Jordan Trail! This is the most adventurous and off-the-beaten-path option, and you have to tell me about it if you do it.

The trail begins in Um Qais in the north of Jordan and ends in Aqaba on the Red Sea, passing through Petra and many other points of interest along the way. 

To get to Wadi Rum from Amman, you would first hike from Amman to Dana (4 days/84.5 km) and then hike the rest of the way to Wadi Rum (5 days/90.6km), passing Petra and many other points of interest on the way.

Although going with a guide isn’t required, it is recommended, as they can provide you with valuable information about the history and culture of the region.

Hiking the Jordan Trail is a unique way to experience all that this stunning desert has to offer.

🐴 I loved this horseback riding tour of the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra – it was a fun way to spend my second morning in Petra.

Where to Stay in Wadi Rum

Budget: Magic Milky Way Camp 

Mid-range: Wadi Rum Star Wars Camp 

Luxury: Memories Aicha (this is where I stayed!)

FAQs: How to Get from Amman to Wadi Rum 

Wrap-Up: Best Way to Get to Wadi Rum from Amman

Now you know how to get from Amman to Wadi Rum! All in all, your journey from Amman to Wadi Rum can be as much a part of your Jordan adventure as the destination itself. 

• Renting a car allows you to explore at your own pace, stopping at roadside attractions that capture your interest. This is how I went, and I had a great experience.
• Hiring a driver allows for relaxation and convenience, taking any road stress out of equation – plus local drivers often have fantastic stories and insights to share about their homeland. 
• Joining a tour group can also be a great option, as it takes care of all the logistics and planning for you, leaving you to simply enjoy the stunning scenery and cultural experiences.
• The Amman-Wadi Rum bus is an economical choice, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the landscapes.

Remember though, regardless of how you get there, what awaits in Wadi Rum is an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.

To help maximize your Jordanian journey beyond Wadi Rum, don’t forget to check out my detailed 1-week and 2-week itineraries for Jordan. They are packed with tips and highlights that will ensure you get the most out of your time in this magical country.

And if you’re leaning towards renting a car, be sure to read my comprehensive guide on driving in Jordan for helpful information and advice.