Day trips · Petra · Jordan
5 best day trips from Petra
Where to go when you want a day away from Petra, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Azurfrog, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Petra is Wadi Rum (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car). The closest option is Shobak Castle, about 35 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Shobak Castle (35 km)
- Most popular
- Wadi Rum
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wadi Rum | 110 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car, taxi or organised tour | First-timers, Couples, Families |
| Shobak Castle | 35 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car or taxi | Culture, Quiet stays |
| Dana Biosphere Reserve | 60 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car or taxi | Quiet stays, Solo travellers |
| Aqaba | 125 km | About 2 hours by car | Car, taxi or minibus | Beach, Families |
| Kerak Castle | 120 km | About 2 hours by car | Car along the King's Highway | Culture, Families |
The day trips
110 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
1.Wadi Rum
A protected desert of red sand and towering sandstone and granite mountains, associated with T. E. Lawrence and many film shoots. Bedouin-run 4x4 tours visit rock bridges, canyons and inscriptions, and an overnight stay in a desert camp is the classic way to see it.
- Getting there
- Car, taxi or organised tour
- Best for
- First-timers, Couples, Families
35 km · About 45 minutes by car
2.Shobak Castle
Built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115 on a steep hilltop, Shobak (Montreal) has walls, a church, an escape tunnel and wide views. It is easy to combine with Petra or with the King's Highway drive north.
- Getting there
- Car or taxi
- Best for
- Culture, Quiet stays
60 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by car
3.Dana Biosphere Reserve
Jordan's largest nature reserve drops from the stone village of Dana through dramatic valleys to the desert of Wadi Araba. Walking trails start from the village and its guesthouse, and the reserve is known for birdlife and wide views.
- Getting there
- Car or taxi
- Best for
- Quiet stays, Solo travellers
125 km · About 2 hours by car
4.Aqaba
Jordan's Red Sea port has beaches, coral reefs for snorkelling and diving along the South Beach coast, and a small Mamluk-era fort. It makes a relaxing contrast to Petra's walking days.
- Getting there
- Car, taxi or minibus
- Best for
- Beach, Families
120 km · About 2 hours by car
5.Kerak Castle
One of the largest Crusader castles in the Levant, Kerak's warren of vaulted halls and passages sits above the town on the King's Highway. It is usually visited on the drive between Amman and Petra.
- Getting there
- Car along the King's Highway
- Best for
- Culture, Families
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- JETT coaches link Amman with Petra in about 3–4 hours, and minibuses run from Amman and Aqaba, though schedules are limited and fill early.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Petra?
Wadi Rum. A protected desert of red sand and towering sandstone and granite mountains, associated with T.
+How long does it take to get from Petra to Wadi Rum?
About 1 hour 30 minutes by car — Car, taxi or organised tour, about 110 km.
+How long does it take to get from Petra to Shobak Castle?
About 45 minutes by car — Car or taxi, about 35 km.