Plan a Petra Day Trip from Amman

Plan the day and departure time

One full day is enough to experience Petra's main highlights: the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, and the Colonnaded Street. The Monastery (Ad Deir) requires an additional 45-minute uphill walk each way and is included in a long day. Petra rewards more time, but one day with an early start is genuinely rewarding.

For a Petra day trip from Amman, aim to depart between 5:00 and 6:30 AM. This puts you at the Petra visitor centre between 8:00 and 9:30 AM — early enough to walk the Siq before crowds and midday heat. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel.

Walking, transport and route options

A standard Petra visit involves significant walking. The Siq alone is 1.2 kilometres. From the entrance to the Treasury is about 2 km. A full day covering the main sites can total 10 to 14 km on foot on uneven terrain. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential.

The Desert Highway (Route 15) is the fastest route — approximately 3 hours. The King's Highway is a scenic alternative through Madaba, Wadi Mujib, and Karak Castle, adding approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Your driver can take either route — specify your preference when booking or discuss it with the driver on the day.

The private driver service covers transportation only. Petra entrance tickets (currently approximately 50 JOD for a 1-day pass), meals, guide services, horse or carriage rides inside the site, and donkey rides are not included and are paid on-site.