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Petra or Wadi Rum? An honest comparison
The short answer
If you can only see one, pick Petra: the Siq, the Treasury and the Monastery are Jordan's main sight. Pick Wadi Rum for desert landscapes, jeep tours and a night in a Bedouin camp. They are close and cost about the same (about 133 JD a day mid-range at Petra, 130 JD in Wadi Rum), so most visitors do both.
Petra: suits first-timers, couples and walkers who want one of the world's great archaeological sites.
Wadi Rum: suits couples, friends and solo travellers who want desert scenery, stars and a camp night.
Side by side
| Petra | Wadi Rum | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €167 JD133 local | €163 JD130 local |
| Budget day* | €88 | €75 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About 133 JD a day; ticket is expensive. | ●●●●●About 130 JD a day; camps often include meals. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●The Siq and Treasury busy from mid-morning. | ●●●●●Wide desert; jeeps spread out quickly. |
| Food | ●●●●●Mansaf and maqluba in Wadi Musa; tourist prices. | ●●●●●Zarb cooked underground at the camps. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Very quiet; Petra by Night on set evenings. | ●●●●●Campfires and stargazing, no bars. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Long walks and many steps; donkeys and carts offered. | ●●●●●Jeep rides and camps; cold nights in winter. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●On foot inside; expect 10 to 20 km days. | ●●●●●Only by jeep, camel or guide. |
| Best months | Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov |
| Warmest / coolest | Aug 31°C / Jan 11°C | Aug 36°C / Jan 15°C |
| Known for | Al-Khazneh, The Monastery, The Siq, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street | Burdah Rock Bridge, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Khazali Canyon, Lawrence’s Spring |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Petra and Wadi Rum day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Petra if…
- you want the Treasury and the Monastery.
- you enjoy long walks and climbs.
- you are interested in archaeology.
- you want a hotel with comforts.
Pick Wadi Rum if…
- you want desert scenery and rock bridges.
- you want a night in a Bedouin camp.
- you want stargazing.
- you want jeep or camel trips.
Weather month by month
| Month | Petra high / rainy days | Wadi Rum high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C · 9 | 15°C · 2 |
| Feb | 12°C · 8 | 16°C · 1 |
| Mar | 15°C · 6 | 20°C · 1 |
| Apr | 23°C · 2 | 27°C · 0 |
| May | 26°C · 1 | 30°C · 1 |
| Jun | 28°C · 0 | 33°C · 0 |
| Jul | 30°C · 0 | 35°C · 0 |
| Aug | 31°C · 0 | 36°C · 0 |
| Sep | 28°C · 0 | 33°C · 0 |
| Oct | 24°C · 3 | 28°C · 0 |
| Nov | 19°C · 5 | 22°C · 2 |
| Dec | 14°C · 5 | 17°C · 2 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Petra
Mansaf · Upside-down rice · Bedouin pit barbecue · Falafel and hummus · Sage tea · Sweet cheese pastry
Where: Wadi Musa town centre, Petra Visitor Centre area, Inside Petra (Basin area and tea stalls), Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) camps
Wadi Rum
Zarb · Mansaf · Maqluba · Sage tea and Bedouin coffee · Tomato fry-up · Breakfast spread with flatbread
Where: Bedouin camps inside the protected area, Rum Village, Wadi Rum Visitor Centre, Aqaba
Doing both in one trip
4 days: 2 in Petra + 2 in Wadi Rum
Petra first; arrive the evening before so you can enter at opening, then rest in the desert.
Getting between them: Road about 1 h 30 to 2 h by taxi, private transfer or rental car; public buses are limited. Check current timetables. Distance about 83 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: The Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs and Colonnaded Street
- Day 2: Climb to the Monastery, or Little Petra; travel to Wadi Rum
- Day 3: Jeep tour to Burdah Rock Bridge and Khazali Canyon
- Day 4: Sunrise, then onward to Aqaba or Amman
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Common questions
Is Petra or Wadi Rum cheaper?
They are about the same. Our mid-range estimate is about 133 JD per person per day at Petra against about 130 JD in Wadi Rum. Petra's entry ticket is a big part of the cost; buying the Jordan Pass before arrival can cover it plus your visa. Wadi Rum camp prices often include dinner and breakfast.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn. Petra is best from about April to June and September to November; Wadi Rum from March to April and October to November. Summer is hot, about 31°C at Petra and 36°C in Wadi Rum in August. Winter nights in the desert are cold even if days are mild.
How many days do I need at Petra?
Two days is ideal. One full day covers the Siq, the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the climb to the Monastery, but it is tiring, often 15 km or more on foot. A two-day ticket lets you go slower, add viewpoints or Little Petra, and enter early when it is quiet.
How do I get between Petra and Wadi Rum?
By road, about 1 h 30 to 2 hours. Most people take a taxi, a private transfer arranged by their camp or hotel, or drive a rental car. Public buses are limited and infrequent. Camps usually meet you at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre or Rum Village. Check current arrangements.