If you are looking to book a Petra tour from Amman then this guide will give you everything you need to know about visiting the fascinating red-rose city of Petra. The archeological city of Petra is located in the southern part of Jordan and its grandeur and beauty are enjoyed by visitors every day.
Taking a Tour from Amman to Petra will ensure that your every need is taken care of. It is 3-4 hours from Amman to Petra so it can be done as a day tour, but it makes for a very long day and I highly suggest you go for an overnight option.
Petra Tour From Amman in One Day
If you are looking for a 1 day Petra Tour from Amman there are a few different options. I have highlighted a few below. I will continue to update this post as I find new tour operators offering tour bookings. The biggest thing to watch is what is included in each tour. Entrance to Petra is JD50 per person for a one-day ticket making tours seem quite expensive when they include entrance in the tour fee. When you see a cheaper Petra tour from Amman, it likley does not include the entrance fees.
Petra from Amman in One Day on Viator Tours
If you want to include Wadi Rum there are a few Petra and Wadi Rum from Amman Tours Click here or Here.
Remember that the drive from Amman to Petra is 3-4 hours so a lot of your day is going to be in the car.
Petra Tour from Amman with Overnight
This 2 day petra tour from Amman sees you visit not only Petra, but Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. It is going to take you 3-4 hours to get to Petra giving you the afternoon to visit the site and overnight in a nearby Bedouin camp. In the morning You can check out this tour here
Amman to Petra Transfer Only
If you are finding the tour options a little out of budget, I have an entire post about how to get from Amman to Petra. If gives you rental car, bus, taxi and private transfer options. You can read it here.
Here is a popular transfer option here however you are going to spend over 6 hours in the car and just three hours in Petra.Â
More Amman Day Trips
If you have set yourself a base in Amman, consider these unforgettable day tours from Amman as well!
What to Pack for Petra
It depends what time of year you are taking a tour to Petra from Amman. But generally, you are going to need these items any time of the year:
- Comfortable shoes (unless you are on a multi-day trek, I do not suggest hiking boots, comfortable shoes or even comfortable sandals that you can walk in all day)
- Water (I highly suggest a Grayl Water Bottle to everyone, not just those going to the Middle East. Some people say the water is safe to drink from the tap, others say it is not; it is not something I am going to chance. And Jordan has a HUGE garbage problem. The streets, the forests and even the desert are littered with plastic bottles.
If you consider drinking at least 1-2 big water bottles a day while you are there, think of how much plastic that creates when every visitor and the population’s 9 million people do the same. With a Grayl, you can filter any tap water (or actually any water source) and have clean drinking water in seconds. Since most people travel with water bottles already, consider one like this with a filter so that you are not just pouring from big water bottles to small. It might sound expensive, but when you compare it to spending a few dollars per day on water while you travel (and do not forget how expensive the water is inside airports), you will pay for this very quickly.
- Hat or Scarf (will keep the sun off your head in the summer and will keep you warm in the winter)
- Snacks (you can buy tea and snacks inside the site, and there is a restaurant also)
- Camera and or Phone
- Selfie Stick
- Kleenex and Hand Sanitiser (there are washrooms in the site, but not few, and sometimes they are not well stocked)
What to Wear in Petra
Regardless of the season, pants are your best option in Petra. Whether it is climbing stairs, dusty paths or sitting to enjoy the sites, pants are the best option all year round for both men and women. You will see fancy dresses and uncomfortable footwear, and if you are planning on a great instagram photo, I suggest you carry those items in your backpack and put them on as needed. It is very unpractical to wear a short dress in a dusty archaeological site.
Regardless of the season, you will see locals in long pants and long sleeves. If you are wondering what is the best time to visit Petra temperature wise, stick to Mid-March to May and Mid-September to November. Days are warm, but not hot and layers will be needed in early spring and late fall.
What to Wear in Petra in Summer
While you will see other tourists wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts in Jordan and in Petra, I do not suggest you wear them. You might feel as if you fit in with other tourists, but it can be seen as disrespectful to Jordanians, who’s culture leans towards modest dress.
Unwanted male attention also comes from showing too much skin and if you are not interested in being flirted with as a woman, wear long pants and t-shirts or long sleeves. Even then, you will likely encounter “friendliness,” but just take that at face value. Jordanians are friendly and welcoming people.
With that being said, I DO NOT suggest you accept invitations from the local tribe in Petra to either see the stars or have dinner in a cave. While it may seem friendly and innocent, you might find yourself in a situation that you are not able to leave. If it is not an invitation you would take at home, you probably should not take it abroad. But, I do personally find Jordanians to be among some of the most friendly people in the world and many are genuine and give without expecting anything in return.
What to Wear in Petra in Winter
You are going to want to dress in layers in Jordan in the winter. The same goes for Petra. The sun can be warm, but the wind is cold and Petra is quite elevated. You will want a winter coat and hat, as well as warm layers that you can easily take off. Jordan does experience wet weather and even snow in higher elevations. Do not expect temperate weather in the winter unless you are sticking to Aqaba.
More Jordan Travel Resources
In order to help make your visit to Jordan as memorable as possible, I have created a number of resources from planning guides to local eats.
If you have just begun the planning, check out 101 Things to do in Jordan to give you some inspiration on the places you want to make sure you have time to see.
Rental Cars are very popular in Jordan, get a quote on renting a car before you arrive.
If you are working on a self-drive itinerary or plan to see the country independently, there is a guide on getting around in Jordan.
If you are thinking of booking a tour, or wondering how much hassle a self drive itinerary can be, check out this post I have on the best Jordan tours to book.
For your time in Amman, check out top things to do in Amman and where to eat.
For your time in Petra, check out our guide to where to stay in Petra and what to eat in Wadi Musa
Save on Air BNB: If you are planning on booking an Air BNB during your trip to Israel (or anywhere for that matter), use this link to save on your booking.
Travel Insurance for Jordan
There are a few other things to think about when it comes to travel. The first thing is travel insurance. Whether it is an emergency room visit for something as simple as strep throat, or an emergency appendix surgery, or an unfortunate moped incident, things do go wrong when people travel every day.
I highly suggest travel insurance and a good policy. I personally never travel without it, and I even checked into my policy about care for my children if I am ever in an accident or hospitalized. There are just too many things to think about.
You can find out more information and buy your travel insurance here.
