Petra is Jordan’s defining site and the most logistically demanding to visit well. The 264-square-kilometre Nabataean city — carved directly from rose-red sandstone cliffs between the 4th century BCE and the 1st century CE — requires at minimum a full day, ideally two. Getting there from Amman means a 3.5-hour drive each way, which makes a self-organised visit more involved than most travellers expect.
The five tours below cover the full range of ways to visit Petra: private and group formats, day trips and multi-day packages, the evening candlelit walk, and an option specifically for travellers already at the Dead Sea.
1. From Amman: Private Day Trip to Petra
From Amman: Private Day Trip to Petra with Pickup (from $120 per person)
A dedicated private guide and driver for the full day, with hotel pickup across Amman. The private format allows you to pace the visit around your own interests — spending longer at the Treasury, committing the time needed to climb to the Monastery (800 steps each way, 1.5 hours), or lingering at the Royal Tombs without a group schedule. Most private tours depart at 7:00 am and return by 9:00–10:00 pm.
Duration: Full day (~12 hours including transfers) | Difficulty: Moderate — extensive walking on uneven terrain
Includes: Private guide, dedicated driver, hotel pickup, Petra site entry
Best for: Travellers who want maximum flexibility inside the site and a responsive guide
2. From Amman: Full-Day Group Tour to Petra
From Amman: Full-Day Tour to Petra (from $60 per person)
A group-format day tour from Amman covering the Siq, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Street of Facades, the Theatre, and the Royal Tombs. The guide provides commentary at each major monument and the tour is structured to cover the essential route efficiently. Group sizes are capped — verify on the listing. This is the most accessible price point for a professionally guided Petra visit and covers the core sites thoroughly.
Duration: Full day | Difficulty: Moderate
Includes: Guide, transport, hotel pickup from Amman, Petra entry
Best for: Solo travellers and budget-conscious visitors who do not need the flexibility of a private tour
3. Petra by Night
Petra by Night: Candlelit Siq and Treasury Walk (prices vary; book via GYG)
Petra by Night runs three evenings per week — Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday — from the main visitor centre gate. The route follows the candle-lined Siq for 1.2 kilometres to the Treasury courtyard, where Bedouin music and storytelling last approximately 45 minutes. The Treasury facade is lit against the night sky; the Siq itself is transformed by candlelight into something quite different from its daytime appearance. Tickets must be bought separately from the daytime entry ticket.
Duration: 2.5 hours | Difficulty: Easy
Includes: Petra by Night entry and Treasury show
Best for: Visitors spending two or more nights in Wadi Musa — this is not reachable as an add-on to an Amman day trip
4. From Dead Sea: Private Full-Day Petra Tour
From Dead Sea: Private Full-Day Petra Tour (from $95 per person)
A private Petra day tour departing from the Dead Sea hotel zone at Swemeh. The Dead Sea resort area is approximately 2.5 hours from Petra by the Desert Highway — closer than Amman — which makes this a practical option for travellers whose Jordan itinerary includes a night at a Dead Sea resort. The private format gives you a full day inside the site with a dedicated guide, without the longer Amman return.
Duration: Full day | Difficulty: Moderate
Includes: Private driver-guide, hotel pickup from Dead Sea area, Petra entry
Best for: Travellers combining the Dead Sea, Petra, and Wadi Rum in a south-to-north or north-to-south circuit
5. From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour
Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour (from $180 per person)
Jordan’s three flagship experiences in two days: Petra on day one, Wadi Rum jeep tour with overnight Bedouin camp on day two, then a Dead Sea stop on the return north to Amman. This is the most efficient format for visitors with limited time — you cover the three unmissable sites without losing days to repeated transfers. The Petra component is a single full day, which is tight, but the overall coverage in 48 hours is hard to beat.
Duration: 2 days / 1 night | Difficulty: Moderate (Petra walking)
Includes: Guide, transport, Wadi Rum camp accommodation, dinner and breakfast, Petra and Dead Sea entries
Choosing the Right Petra Tour
| Tour | Format | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Day Trip from Amman | Private | Full day | $120 |
| Group Day Trip from Amman | Group | Full day | $60 |
| Petra by Night | Group | 2.5 hrs | see GYG |
| Dead Sea to Petra (Private) | Private | Full day | $95 |
| 2-Day Petra + Wadi Rum + Dead Sea | Group | 2 days | $180 |
Prices per person in USD, as of 2026. Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure — verify at booking. Browse all Petra tours on GetYourGuide.