10 May 2026 · 7 min read
How to Get from Amman to Petra (2026): Bus, Taxi, Shared Ride & Drive
Every way to get from Amman to Petra in 2026 , JETT bus, shared rides from the airport, private taxi, rental car. Times, prices in JD, and what we recommend.
The drive from Amman to Petra (Wadi Musa) is around 240 km along the Desert Highway and takes about 3 hours without stops. There is no train, no domestic flight, and the bus only runs once a day , so it pays to plan ahead. Here are the four real options, with current 2026 prices in Jordanian dinar (JD).
1. JETT bus from Amman to Petra
JETT is Jordan's main intercity bus company. One daily bus leaves Amman 7th Circle around 06:30 and arrives in Wadi Musa around 10:30. The return leaves Petra around 17:00. A one-way ticket is about 11 JD and should be booked online a day or two in advance, especially in spring and autumn.
Pros: cheapest fixed option, air-conditioned, drops you near the Petra visitor centre. Cons: only one departure per day, no pickup from Queen Alia Airport.
2. Shared ride from Amman or the airport
If your flight doesn't line up with the JETT bus, a shared ride is the simplest way down. We run a daily Amman Airport → Petra shared ride for 40 JD per person (minimum 3 people), and an Amman city → Petra ride for 30 JD per person. The car waits until everyone has cleared customs and drops you at your hostel door , no station-hopping with a backpack.
Book it on our shared rides page and we'll pool you with other travellers heading the same way.
3. Private taxi from Amman to Petra
A private taxi for the whole car is roughly 70-90 JD one-way and 100-130 JD if you ask the driver to stop at Madaba, Mount Nebo or the Dead Sea on the way (highly recommended if you have the time). Agree the price in JD before you get in.
4. Renting a car
Renting from Amman costs around 25-40 JD per day for a small car, plus fuel (the Desert Highway run is about 25 JD of petrol round-trip). The roads are good, signage is in English, and parking in Wadi Musa is easy. This is the best option if you also want to drive to Wadi Rum or the Dead Sea on your own schedule.
Which option should you choose?
Whichever way you come, message us and we'll hold your bed and make sure someone is at reception when you arrive , Petra is worth every hour of the drive.
- On a tight budget and arriving in Amman the day before: JETT bus.
- Landing at Queen Alia Airport: shared ride straight to Petra.
- Travelling with 3-4 people: private taxi or rental car.
- Doing a Jordan road trip: rental car.