Petra, Jordan, the lost city, is one of the hottest destinations in the Middle East. The trip is relatively affordable and safe, with some incredible sights.
Petra, an ancient city carved in the rocks of southern Jordan, can be explored on foot or by camel.
This is a must-do on any bucket list. The Petra travel map and blog will show you how to do it yourself, without a tour and on a modest budget, with minimal planning.
What is Petra Jordan? What is the history?
Petra, a lost archeological city in Jordan, is where ancient buildings have been carved into rock walls since 400 BC.
Al-Khazneh, the Treasury in Arabic, is most famous for Petra. Instagram has made this view famous.
Most people must know that the Treasury was only one of many buildings. Petra used to be a city. At one point, almost 20,000 people lived in this city hidden in the rock.
Petra in Jordan was abandoned during the first centuries of the Christian era. It was unknown until 1812 when a Swiss explorer rediscovered it.
Day Tours To Petra Jordan
There are several options if your schedule is tight and you want to avoid taking the time to plan a trip yourself to Petra. Or, you may prefer to travel with an established tour company.
They also have a 3-day Petra Jordan tour with Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and more. There is also a 3-day Petra Jordan tour which includes Wadi rum and the Dead Sea.
Next, we’ll cover how to make your plans and arrange everything yourself. This is a cheaper option.
Where is Petra, Jordan, located?
Petra is situated in southern Jordan, about 200 km (125 miles) south of Amman, the capital.
It is carved in the rock walls of a desert gorge just outside the nearby town of Wadi Mua.
How to Get to Petra Jordan
Skyscanner allows you to search for flights to Amman. Skyscanner allows you to search for flights from Amman.
You can choose to travel by bus or car. Below, I will explain the various transport options.
There are 1-3-day tours that depart from Tel Aviv.
Private Taxis
You can request a driver from your hotel in Petra to bring you to the airport. The hotel in Petra arranged for this to be done for a relatively standard price of $75 JD ($105 US).
Taxi drivers can be found at the Amman Airport to transport you to Petra. The prices are similar.
Expensive. This is the fastest and easiest way to get from/to the lost city of Petra.
* JETT Bus
You can take the JETT Bus for 11 JD (15 USD) or 22 JD (30 USD) per one-way ticket. You can reserve the trip on their website.
This is the bus timetable from the JETT site. Taxi drivers must transport you from the Amman airport to the JETT offices, where the buses depart. This part could cost up to 20 JD (28 USD), as taxis are costly in Jordan.
The JETT bus was only used for one trip from Petra to Amman. The bus was very comfortable and easy to use.
Rent a Car
Renting a car to drive yourself is another option.
Jordan’s roads and driving are relatively calm compared to other Middle Eastern countries. This is an option worth considering. The car rental rates are affordable.
I have yet to drive a vehicle in Jordan, but I may cover this in a future Petra blog post.
Map Of Petra
Here is a rough map. You’ll receive a copy of the same map when you arrive at the visitor center.
You’ll be in the company of other tourists after sunrise, as the primary path is easy to follow.
The distance between the visitor center and the museum is approximately 4 kilometers (2,5 miles). Later, we’ll have more information on the walking spaces.
There are restrooms and a few small restaurants on the main route inside Petra. The food in Petra is overpriced, but you can get some great souvenirs if you haggle hard.
Dress Code
There’s no dress code since Petra is not a mosque or temple.
Jordanian culture is conservative; I highly recommend wearing modest clothing to public places.
This means wearing clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Petra: Best Things to Do and See
You may want to know which places you must visit in Petra, Jordan.
It is not an exhaustive list, but I have included some highlights from my visit to the lost city. You will eventually tire of the rock structures, no matter how amazing you find Petra.
You can see most of these places in one day, but not all. Prioritize the items that appeal to you. You can see them all in two days.
The list is in chronological order with some deviations (Monastery, upper viewpoints) where necessary.
The Bab al-Siq
The road is open in the desert and stretches from the visitor center to the Siq (entrance into Petra). This name means ‘gateway of the Siq’ in Arabic.
You’ll see some of the earliest carved monuments and incredible rock homes that look like the Flintstones.