Getting to Petra from Jordan’s border
Road to Aqaba – the nearest city on the Jordan’s site, is 3 km long and you won’t be allowed to walk it, as they claim it’s a military road. In my opinion it’s only to make you take a taxi and pay – 15 JD (Jordan Dinars). The price is for a taxi not per person (normally it’s a fare for 50 km in Jordan). Tell taxi driver to take you to local mini bus station in Aqaba. There’s lot’s of mini buses – also going to Wadi Rum. It is possible to get to Petra from Aqaba by bus (December 2018).
Use a bus from Aqaba to Petra…
Mini bus to Petra leaves at 1pm. But the bus must be full, otherwise does not go – no point in asking a driver if it leaves for sure. They will tell you YES. The bus leaves in 1 or 2 hours, but if there’s not gonna be enough travelers, the bus won’t go.
In December 2018 the bus did not have a problem to fill. It’s mostly ocupated by locals and the driver smokes in the bus! Disgusting!
The road to Petra takes 2.5h. and it’s up to 1400 m above see level. It’s important as I was diving a lot and got very scared when the bus was going up, as you are not allowed to change altitude within next 24h.
…or take a cab
If you don’t find a mini bus in Aqaba going to Petra you can always take a taxi for 50JD. Agree the price first before you get into the cab. And NEVER pay in advance! Also NEVER take a taxi to Petra from the border! They want much more than from Aqaba. Even if you have to take a taxi alone to Aqaba and then negotiate taxi price to Petra it will be much cheaper.
I don’t like to say it but honestly the drivers were owefull! They cheated an Asian guy and did not want to give him money back. Then we paid a lot more than locals. Don’t get me wrong, Jordan people are very nice, but they will use a single occasion rip you off!
A local driver gave me a lift in Petra – which is very common and took 5JD, only because he saw me with a backpack, which means I have just arrived and have no clue about the prices. So, just to give you an idea, the distance through the whole city is 2-3 JD by taxi. So he cheated on me triple price.
