Petra Practical Information

The cheapest way into Petra is the Jordan Pass, bought online before you fly — it includes your Petra entry (one, two or three days depending on tier) and waives your visa fee. Without it, one-day, two-day and three-day tickets are sold at the gate; the two-day pass costs only slightly more than one day, which is one more reason to stay two days. Bring your passport.

Petra by Night is a separate ticketed evening event on selected nights — candles line the Siq to the Treasury. Atmospheric rather than archaeological; check the current nights at the gate.

Petra’s entrance is in the town of Wadi Musa. From Amman it is about 3.5 hours by the Desert Highway or 5–6 via the scenic King’s Highway; from Aqaba about two hours; from Wadi Rum about two hours. A private driver is the easiest option; JETT buses run from Amman; self-driving is fine if you are confident. See our from Amman, from Aqaba and from Wadi Rum pages for detail.

Petra is not fully wheelchair-accessible — the Siq is flat but the rest is uneven and rocky. However, the core is reachable for more people than many assume: a horse-drawn carriage covers the Siq to the Treasury, a golf cart runs along the main trail, and donkeys carry visitors up the climbs. For older travelers or anyone with limited mobility, plan around these and consider two short days rather than one long one.

Small cave cafes throughout the site sell tea, juice, water and simple food; there is a larger restaurant near the Basin and a museum at the entrance. Carry at least two litres of water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat and cash in small notes. Toilets are near the entrance, the Basin and a few points inside — small tips are expected. For the full advice, see our Petra travel tips page.