Petra is the most popular site to visit in Jordan. Listed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, it is one of the Middle East’s most epic sites. Hidden for hundreds of years due to its strategic location in the mountains, this rock-cut capital of the Nabateans is on most travellers bucket lists. Naturally, when researching visiting Petra, the topic of flights to Petra is going to come up.
There are a few options when it comes to flying to Petra, none of which offer a “short” drive from the airport to the site. The main options are flying into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), in Amman, flying into King Hussein International Airport (AQJ) in Aqaba or flying into Ben Guerin International Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv, Israel and crossing by land into Jordan.
Where to Stay when you Get to Petra
Before you even worry about getting to Petra you are going to want to make sure you have some accommodation booked. There are hundreds of hotels in Petra, most are small, 3 star style accommodations. There are also lots of five-star hotels as well as plenty of budget accommodations. However, in the busy season, ALL hotel rooms can actually sell out!
LUXURY Movenpick, Petra Bubble Luxotel, Petra Marriott, Petra Moon
MIDRANGE Edom Hotel, La Maison, Petra Palace
CAMPING Petra Bubble Luxotel, Seven Wonders Camp
BUDGET Seven Wonders Hotel, Nabati Hostel, Silk Road Hotel
CLOSEST TO SITE ENTRANCE: Movenpick
Flights to Petra Jordan
Visiting Petra from AMM (Queen Alia International Airport Amman)
Most international flights into Jordan come into Queen Alia International Airport just outside Amman, Jordan’s capital city. For most people who are looking for fly to Petra, this will be your option. On arrival into the country, local transportation is needed to get to Petra. Whether bus, rental car, taxi, or guided tour, there are various ways to get to Petra.
If you are going straight there from the airport, the drive is about 3 hours.
You can read more in this post on getting to Petra from Amman.
Visiting Petra from AQJ (King Hussein Inernational Airport, Aqaba)
Aqaba Airport, offically called King Hussein International Airport is in the south of Jordan, just two hours drive to Petra. For those who are looking for flights to Petra, this is the closest airport, although there are very limited international flights and only one domestic flight per day coming into Aqaba.
On arrival to King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, I have a post on getting to Petra from Aqaba.
Visiting Petra from TLV (Ben Guerin International Airport, Tel Aviv)
This is the most complicated as it requires visitors to enter Jordan from the Northern border or Southern border and then drive to Petra. On arrival to Tel Aviv Airport, transport to the border (the Northern border is closest but is also over 5 hours drive to Petra once you are on the Jordan side) and then arrange a private car, rental car, tour or taxi to take you to Petra.