Petra Day Trip from Amman: Treasury & Royal Tombs

The Treasury rises from stone at dawn: a full day from Amman to Petra's carved heart

You get hotel pickup, a 225km round-trip drive with an English-speaking driver, entry to Petra, and the option of a local guide who knows the hidden tombs and viewpoints. You choose sunrise or sunset light, walk at your own pace through the Treasury, Royal Tombs, and lesser-known areas, and return to Amman after a full day. Bottled water and air conditioning are included. Comfortable walking shoes and modest dress are essential.

Options for this experience

5 options

From US$ 88 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

One-way transfer to or from Petra No fixed time Guide in English or Arabic Up to 7 per booking This option is a one-way transfer, providing one method of transportation from Amman or the airport to Petra. As it is only a transfer, no entry fees apply, and no local guides are involved. The duration is 4 hours. Bottled water is available onboard. Vehicles range from economy sedans to larger vans to suit different needs. Enjoy onboard Wi-Fi and phone charging during the ride. Pickup is included.

Tour for holders of the Jordan Pass No fixed time Guide in English or Arabic Up to 9 per booking Entry fees are not part of the tour package, and a local guide is not included, though one can be hired on-site. The service is door-to-door over 11 hours, with bottled water provided onboard. Transport is private, by normal sedan, mini-van, or mini-bus. The Jordan Pass is recommended for this option, as it offers discounted advance entry and access to other Jordanian attractions. Pickup is included.

Tour led by a local guide in Petra No fixed time Guide in English or Arabic Up to 9 per booking A local guide is included for two hours only, at Petra. Entry fees are not part of the tour package. The service is door-to-door over 11 hours, with bottled water provided onboard. Transport is private, by normal sedan, mini-van, or mini-bus. The Jordan Pass is recommended for this option, offering discounted advance entry and access to other Jordanian attractions. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Tour covering admission fees only No fixed time Guide in English or Arabic Up to 9 per booking Entry fees are part of the tour package, but a local guide is not included, though one can be hired on-site. The service is door-to-door over 11 hours, with bottled water provided onboard. Transport is private, by normal sedan, mini-van, or mini-bus. This is the admission-fees-only option. Pickup is included.

Petra tour with guide and entry No fixed time Guide in English or Arabic Up to 9 per booking Entry fees are part of the tour package, and a local guide is included for a two-hour tour at Petra. The service is door-to-door over 11 hours, with bottled water provided onboard. Transport is private, by normal sedan, mini-van, or mini-bus. Pickup is included.

None of these options right for you? See 12 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day trip from Amman to Petra

• Travel from Amman to Petra
• Arrive at Petra visitor center
• Visit ticket counter and optional guide
• Enter Petra through the Siq
• See the Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
• Explore Street of Facades and Royal Tombs
• Visit Pharaoh’s Castle and other structures
• Return drive to Amman hotel

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman, private air-conditioned transport for the 225-kilometer round trip, driver assistance at the Petra visitor center and ticket counter, bottled water on board, and WiFi during the drive.
• Entry to Petra is separate.
• A local guide at Petra is optional and can be arranged at the visitor center.
• You choose sunrise or sunset timing when you book.

Times

• Every day No fixed time

Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English and Arabic Another language? ›

Audio guide English and Arabic

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Stroller-friendly

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

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The experience

The Siq narrows ahead of you, and then it doesn't: the rock opens and the Treasury stands there, carved so precisely into the cliff face that it looks like someone drew it and the mountain agreed. That's the moment most people come for, and it's real. You leave Amman in the early morning (or late afternoon if you choose sunset instead), and the 225-kilometer drive south takes about three hours in an air-conditioned vehicle with your driver. The route is straightforward, the road is decent, and somewhere around Wadi Musa the landscape starts to feel less like Jordan and more like another planet entirely.

At the visitor center, your driver handles the logistics: the ticket counter, the optional local guide if you want one. That guide matters. They know which tombs have the best light for photography, which hidden viewpoints most people miss, and they can tell you why the Nabataeans built a temple here instead of a tomb there, which changes how you see the whole place. You walk through the Siq on your own pace, emerge into that Treasury view, and then the day opens up. The Street of Facades comes next: row after row of carved tomb fronts, each one different, each one telling you something about who lived here two thousand years ago. The Royal Tombs follow: the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb. They're not small. They're not subtle. They're the reason Petra made the New 7 Wonders list, and standing in front of them you understand why.

You'll also see Pharaoh's Castle (Qasr al-Bint), one of the few freestanding structures left, and if you have energy and time, the Theatre and the Great Temple. The walk is uneven terrain, stairs, and sun. Bring water (it's included), wear shoes that grip, and dress modestly out of respect for the local culture. Most people spend four to six hours inside Petra itself, moving at their own speed, stopping when something catches them. Then the three-hour drive back to Amman happens in the late afternoon or evening, depending on which light you chose at the start.

If you're thinking about the Jordan Pass (it covers your visa and entry to Petra plus Wadi Rum and other sites), buy it online before you arrive. It saves time at the border and at the gate. The whole day is long but not rushed. You're not herded through stops. You're not eating a group lunch at a fixed time. It's your pace, your interests, your choice of guide or no guide, sunrise or sunset. The driver waits, the vehicle is ready, and you come back to Amman with the kind of tired that feels earned.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

How long is the drive from Amman to Petra?

About three hours each way, 225 kilometers total. You leave early morning or late afternoon depending on whether you choose sunrise or sunset at the Treasury.

Is a local guide included in the price?

No, the local guide is optional. You can arrange one at the visitor center when you arrive, or explore Petra on your own with just the driver.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, driver assistance at the ticket counter, bottled water, and WiFi on board. Entry to Petra is separate.

How much walking is involved?

Four to six hours of walking on uneven terrain and stairs, depending on how many sites you visit. Comfortable, grippy shoes are essential.

Can I choose sunrise or sunset?

Yes, you can select either option when you book. Both offer different light and atmosphere at the Treasury.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, it's suitable for all fitness levels. Infants and small children can use a pram or stroller, though the terrain is uneven in places.

What should I wear?

Comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain, and modest clothing covering shoulders and knees out of respect for local culture.

Is the vehicle wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the vehicle is wheelchair accessible. However, Petra itself has uneven terrain and stairs, so accessibility within the site is limited.

Should I buy the Jordan Pass?

It's worth considering if you plan to visit multiple sites. It covers your visa fee and entry to Petra, Wadi Rum, and other attractions, and saves time at the border.

What time do I need to be ready for pickup?

Pickup time depends on whether you choose sunrise or sunset. Your hotel will confirm the exact time when you book.