Reviewed · PETRA TOURS

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman

★ 5.0 · 16 reviews From $94 Operated by BookingJordan.com · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Petra is the reason to take this tour: you leave your Amman hotel early, cross Jordan in a private car, and reach the Red Rose City with about seven hours to explore. The main route leads through the Siq to the Treasury, then onward to the Street Facades, Royal Tombs, and Pharaoh’s Castle.

I like the private vehicle, which gives your group a quieter ride and flexible conversation with the driver. I also like the simple comforts: hotel pickup and drop-off, WiFi, air conditioning, and mineral water. Driver Ahmed has earned praise for arriving on time and leaving his phone number so you can stay in touch.

The catch is the distance. The drive can take about three hours each way, so this is a long day with roughly six hours on the road. Petra admission, food, drinks, and a local guide are not included, and the booking cannot be refunded or changed.

Key points to know before booking

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - Key points to know before booking

  • About seven hours at Petra: Enough time for the main route, but not unlimited time for every trail.
  • Private transport from Amman: Only your group rides in the vehicle, with hotel pickup and return.
  • Long driving day: The round trip may take about six hours, leaving most of the 10-hour tour for transport and Petra.
  • English-speaking driver: You have a driver who can help with the transfer, while a Petra local guide is not included.
  • Useful onboard comforts: Air conditioning, WiFi, and mineral water are included.
  • Extra costs matter: Petra admission and meals are paid separately, and the $94 price covers the transfer service rather than the complete Petra visit.

A long day built around Petra

This tour is for the person who has one open day in Amman and refuses to leave Jordan without seeing Petra. It does not try to fill the day with extra stops. The plan is direct: hotel pickup, drive to Petra, several hours at the site, and a return to Amman.

That focus is its main strength. You are not sharing a large coach or losing time to a long list of unrelated attractions. Your group has its own air-conditioned vehicle, and the driver takes care of the road while you watch Jordan pass by.

The stated duration is about 10 hours. The Petra portion is listed at about seven hours, while the Amman pickup and return each take only a few minutes. In real planning terms, the drive is the big factor. One experience of the route described about three hours from Amman to Petra and three hours back, so you should prepare for a full day rather than a quick outing.

I would treat the departure as an early start, even though an exact pickup time is not provided. Reaching Petra with several hours available is far more useful than leaving Amman late and rushing through the site.

A few more Petra days worth weighing up

Hotel pickup in Amman, then a private ride south

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - Hotel pickup in Amman, then a private ride south

Your driver collects you from the hotel lobby, holding a card with your name. That small detail matters in a city where starting the day with a search for the correct vehicle can waste time and patience.

The vehicle is described as new, air-conditioned, and private for your group. WiFi and mineral water are included. These are modest extras, but they make a difference on a long road journey. You can stay connected, keep water close, and avoid sharing the ride with strangers.

The private setup also gives you a direct point of contact. Ahmed, one named driver associated with this experience, is praised for being on time, staying dedicated to the job, and leaving his phone number for communication. Do not assume Ahmed will be your assigned driver, but the detail gives you a useful standard to expect: confirm the pickup and keep the driver’s number handy.

The tour is sold at $94 per person. That price makes the most sense when you value door-to-door transport and privacy. It is not the final cost of seeing Petra because the entrance ticket, food, drinks, and local guide are separate. If you are comparing this with a shared transfer, remember that you are paying for a private vehicle and a full-day return from Amman, not just a one-way ride.

The road to the Red Rose City

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - The road to the Red Rose City

The drive is unavoidable, and it is the part of the day you need to judge honestly. Petra is not a short hop from Amman. A three-hour trip each way can feel tiring, especially after walking through a large archaeological site.

Still, a private car changes the character of the journey. You can sit with your own group, use the onboard WiFi, drink the supplied water, and speak directly with the English-speaking driver. The driver is there to get you safely to Petra and back, not to provide the same service as a dedicated archaeological guide inside the site.

The information for this tour refers to an English-speaking guide in the highlights, while the included services specifically name an English-speaking driver and list a Petra local guide as not included. I would read that as a transfer-focused service with English-language assistance from the driver. If you want detailed explanations at the monuments, budget for a local guide separately.

The length of the drive also affects your energy. This is best for someone with a full free day and a reasonable level of physical fitness. You will spend hours in the vehicle, then walk through Petra on foot, often over uneven ground. The tour information calls for moderate physical fitness, which is a useful warning rather than a minor footnote.

Entering Petra through the Siq

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - Entering Petra through the Siq

Petra was first established around the sixth century B.C. by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic people who settled in the region and built a commercial empire extending into Syria. That background helps explain why Petra feels like more than a collection of monuments. It was a major center shaped by trade, settlement, and the Nabataean ability to work with the rock around them.

Your route begins with the Siq, the canyon leading into the site. Walking through it creates a gradual reveal. The rock walls narrow the view, and the Treasury appears ahead rather than arriving as a monument you simply walk up to in an open plaza.

The Treasury is the most famous structure on the route and rises more than 140 feet. It is the moment many people have come all this way to see. Give yourself time here. The first glimpse is dramatic, but the scale and carved detail deserve more than a quick photograph before moving on.

The entrance ticket is not part of the $94 price. You need to account for that before booking, since the tour cost alone does not cover admission to Petra.

Same corner of Jordan, a completely different kind of day:

From the Treasury to the Royal Tombs

After the Treasury, the route continues along the Street Facades toward the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh’s Castle. This gives you more than a single postcard stop. The day includes a sequence of carved and built features that show how large Petra’s main visitor route is.

The Street Facades help you see Petra as a place of connected monuments rather than one isolated building. The Royal Tombs add another major group of carved structures to the walk. Pharaoh’s Castle is also listed as part of the visit, giving you a clear set of landmarks to aim for during your time inside.

Seven hours is a useful amount of time for this central route. It should allow a steady visit rather than a frantic march, though your exact pace will depend on how long you spend at the Treasury and other stops. The supplied plan does not promise every trail or viewpoint, so do not assume that the day includes the full extent of Petra.

This is where a local guide could add value. The local guide is not included, so you will need to explore independently unless you arrange one separately. If you like moving at your own pace and taking photographs without a constant commentary, that omission may suit you. If you want the Nabataean story explained as you walk, it is an extra cost worth considering.

What seven hours really gives you

Seven hours sounds generous, but Petra is a large site and the access route itself takes time. You need to walk through the Siq, pause at the Treasury, continue along the Street Facades, and reach the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh’s Castle. The return walk also counts.

I would use the time with a simple plan. First, follow the main route without lingering too long at the entrance. Then spend proper time at the Treasury and the central monuments. Keep enough energy and time for the return journey to the meeting point.

The tour does not list a dedicated meal stop, and food and drinks are excluded. Bring your own plan for meals and snacks, using the time in Petra carefully. Mineral water is supplied in the vehicle, but that should not be mistaken for a full food service.

Because the tour returns to Amman the same day, you also need to watch the clock. Your driver is responsible for the return transfer, so agree clearly on the meeting point and departure time before you begin exploring. The booking information confirms hotel drop-off at the end but does not provide a detailed schedule for the Petra visit.

The practical value of a private transfer

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - The practical value of a private transfer

The strongest reason to choose this tour is convenience. Pickup begins at your hotel, the car is reserved for your group, and drop-off returns you to that same general base in Amman. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Petra or solve the return journey yourself.

Privacy is useful on a drive of this length. You can talk with your companions, use the WiFi, or simply rest. A private vehicle also removes the uncertainty of sharing a large group schedule, though the overall day still has a fixed shape because Petra is far from Amman.

The English-speaking driver is another practical advantage. You can ask about the timing, confirm where to meet after the site visit, and communicate during the road journey. Just keep the service distinction clear: an English-speaking driver is included, while a Petra local guide is not.

At $94 per person, the value improves with two or more people sharing the private outing. Group discounts are offered, although no exact discount amount is provided. Solo visitors should compare the price with other transport options, while couples and small groups may find the privacy and hotel service worth the premium.

The drawbacks you should weigh

Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman - The drawbacks you should weigh

The main drawback is not hidden: this is a long transfer for a single attraction. Spending around three hours going to Petra and another three hours returning leaves you tired before the day is over.

The second issue is the extra cost at the site. Admission is excluded, as are meals, drinks, and a local guide. The headline price is therefore a transport package, not an all-inclusive Petra ticket.

The third consideration is the fixed cancellation rule. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If your plans are uncertain, that policy makes booking a bigger commitment.

Finally, the tour is not designed around a slow, multi-day visit. Petra deserves more time than one day can provide, especially if you want to explore beyond the main route. This outing is a practical compromise for a short stay, not a substitute for sleeping near Petra and returning for a second day.

Who should book this Amman to Petra day trip

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Jordan, are staying in Amman, and want the simplest private way to reach Petra and return the same day. It also fits couples, families, and small groups who prefer their own vehicle over a shared coach.

It suits independent visitors who are comfortable exploring Petra without a local guide. The driver handles the long transfer, while you decide how to use your seven hours inside the site.

I would think twice if you dislike long road days, need a relaxed schedule, or want a detailed guided explanation at every monument. In those cases, staying closer to Petra or arranging a local guide separately may serve you better.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Petra is a priority and your Amman schedule gives you only one free day. The private pickup, air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, water, and direct return solve the hardest transport problem, and the seven-hour visit gives you a fair look at the main monuments.

Do not book it expecting an all-inclusive Petra excursion. Add the entrance fee and food to your budget, and decide if you want to pay for a local guide. Most important, accept the long drive and strict non-refundable terms before you commit. For a short Jordan visit, this is a straightforward way to reach Petra. For a slower trip, spend the night nearer the site instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. About seven hours are allocated to Petra, with the remaining time used for hotel pickup, the drive from Amman, and the return to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The driver picks you up from your Amman hotel lobby and returns you to your hotel after the Petra visit.

Is the vehicle private?

Yes. This is a private tour, so only your group participates. Transfers are provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is Petra admission included?

No. The Petra entrance fee is not included in the tour price.

Is a Petra local guide included?

No. A Petra local guide is listed as an extra expense. The included service specifies an English-speaking driver.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Mineral water is provided onboard the vehicle.

Is WiFi available during the transfer?

Yes. WiFi is included onboard the vehicle, along with mineral water.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

More like this

Petra Tours, compared.

The full Petra Tours list →
Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 1,173 reviews

Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour

Read our review →
2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea from Amman
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,141 reviews· from $249

2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea from Amman

Read our review →
Petra & Wadi Rum Private or group Day Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 750 reviews· from $126

Petra & Wadi Rum Private or group Day Tour

Read our review →
Petra and Wadi rum Full day Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 538 reviews· from $99

Petra and Wadi rum Full day Tour

Read our review →
2-Day Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Tour from Amman
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 467 reviews· from $275

2-Day Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Tour from Amman

Read our review →
Petra Full-Day Private Tour from Amman
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 392 reviews· from $78

Petra Full-Day Private Tour from Amman

Read our review →
Petra & Wadi Rum: Full Day Private Tour with Hotel Pickup
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 310 reviews· from $133

Petra & Wadi Rum: Full Day Private Tour with Hotel Pickup

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Jordan

Pick a canyon, a colonnade or a camp.