Major city · Jordan
Wadi Rumوادي رم
Give Wadi Rum one night minimum, two if you want a full-day 4x4 and a quiet second sunset; day-trippers from Aqaba see about a third of it.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JOD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb nights (near freezing)
- Airports
- AQJ · AMM
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 4
- Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
- Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
- Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
Wadi Rum is a protected desert valley of sandstone and granite massifs in southern Jordan, about 40 km north of Aqaba off the Desert Highway. There is no town to speak of: a visitor centre, a village, Bedouin camps and a lot of rock. Almost everyone arrives on a 4x4 tour and sleeps in a camp, so the real planning question is how many nights and which camp.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Wadi Rum, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Jordanian dinar (JOD) is divided into 1,000 fils (or 100 piastres); one dinar is a high-value note.Jordan-wide
- SIM or eSIMZain, Orange and Umniah sell tourist SIMs at Queen Alia arrivals; passport registration is required.Jordan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source but stored in rooftop tanks; drink bottled or filtered.Jordan-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge; many mid-range places add 10%.Jordan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/F/G/J. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Jordan-wide
- SafetyWadi Rum is calm and heavily touristed; the real risks are heat, dehydration, unlicensed tour sellers and driving at night on the Desert Highway.
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; squat toilets at some bus stations.Jordan-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, ambulance, fire
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the main weekend day: government offices, banks and many downtown shops close, some open after midday prayers.Jordan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckAQJ King Hussein International, Aqaba (About 1 h by road to the visitor centre; taxi 25–35 JD (check)).
- Getting aroundYou cannot see the reserve in a normal car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealCamp night with dinner and breakfastBudget tents from 20 JD; luxury camps 50–80 JD.20–80 JD per person
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi Aqaba to visitor centre30 JD is the usual tourist quote.25–35 JD
- Metro or bus rideBus Wadi Musa (Petra) to Wadi RumOne departure daily, 06:00.One departure daily, 6:00 AM.7 JD
- Museum or sight ticketProtected area entryFree with the Jordan Pass5 JD
- Budget bedBudget Bedouin camp tent (dinner and breakfast), a night, per personJOD 20
- Mid-range bedBubble dome tent (private bathroom, AC), a night, per personJOD 55
- High-end bedBubble dome tent (private bathroom, AC), a night, per personJOD 80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget JOD 35 · Mid JOD 60 · High JOD 110
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AQJ King Hussein International, Aqaba (About 1 h by road to the visitor centre; taxi 25–35 JD (check)) · AMM Queen Alia International, Amman (About 4 h by road; JETT bus to Aqaba then taxi, or a private transfer)
Weather and climate
Wadi Rum: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C59°F
3°C37°F
3 rd
Feb
17°C63°F
4°C39°F
3 rd
Mar
21°C70°F
7°C45°F
2 rd
Apr
26°C79°F
11°C52°F
1 rd
May
31°C88°F
15°C59°F
1 rd
Jun
34°C93°F
18°C64°F
0 rd
Jul
36°C97°F
20°C68°F
0 rd
Aug
36°C97°F
20°C68°F
0 rd
Sep
33°C91°F
18°C64°F
0 rd
Oct
28°C82°F
14°C57°F
1 rd
Nov
21°C70°F
9°C48°F
2 rd
Dec
16°C61°F
4°C39°F
3 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You cannot see the reserve in a normal car. Book a 4x4 tour with a Bedouin driver-guide (typically 50–75 JD per jeep for 3–5 h) or a camel (about 20 JD per hour). Hiking is possible in the cooler months; the first camps are 1–2 h on foot from the village. Most camps collect guests from the visitor centre or village free if you tell them your arrival time.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or minibus from the Desert Highway turnoff, or a taxi
Red Sea reefs and winter sun; the natural pairing with a Rum night.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
One daily bus at 06:00, 7 JD, booked through your Petra hotel; or a taxi, 30–35 JDOne daily bus at 6:00 AM, 7 JD, booked through your Petra hotel; or a taxi, 30–35 JD
Book the bus the day before; it fills.
Tala Bay
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Taxi or bus to Aqaba then south along the coast
A resort base, not a sight; only worth it if you are already sleeping there.
Door to door: 4–5 h
Bus to the highway turnoff then a northbound service, or JETT via Aqaba
Too far for a day return; make it a transfer day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the protected area (Bedouin camps)
Tents and bubble domes among the rock; 4x4 access only, dinner and breakfast usually included.
Wadi Rum Village
The gateway settlement; a few shops and home-stays, most camps pick up here.
Disah and outside the reserve
Cheaper or plusher lodges north of the boundary; the scenery is different and tours run outside the protected area.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 35–55 JD excl. bed (shared 4x4, simple meals)
- Mid
- 55–90 JD excl. bed (private jeep, camp dinner)
- High
- 90 JD+ excl. bed (private guide, balloon, luxury camp extras)
Trip budget
| Budget Bedouin camp tent (dinner and breakfast)2 × 1 night × JOD 30 | JOD 60 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × JOD 60 | JOD 120 |
| 4x4 tour, per jeep, 4–5 h1 × JOD 65 · check | JOD 65 |
| Camel ride, per hour2 × JOD 20 · check | JOD 40 |
| Protected area entry, per person2 × JOD 5 · Free with the Jordan Pass | JOD 10 |
| Taxi Aqaba to visitor centre, one way1 × JOD 30 · check | JOD 30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × JOD 10 | JOD 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | JOD 35 |
| Trip total≈ JOD 190 per person per day, bed included | JOD 380 |
2026 estimate in Jordanian dinars; intercity transport and the Jordan Pass excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Protected area entryFree with the Jordan Pass | 5 JD |
| 4x4 tour, per jeep, 3–5 hPer vehicle, not per person; agree the route first. | 50–75 JD |
| Camel ridecheck | about 20 JD per hour |
| Camp night with dinner and breakfastBudget tents from 20 JD; luxury camps 50–80 JD. | 20–80 JD per person |
| Bus Wadi Musa (Petra) to Wadi RumOne departure daily, 06:00.One departure daily, 6:00 AM. | 7 JD |
| Taxi Aqaba to visitor centre30 JD is the usual tourist quote. | 25–35 JD |
| Hot-air balloon flightcheck | 100–150 JD |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tours sold in Petra or Aqaba that never enter the reserve: ask which sites are visited and confirm you buy a ticket at the Wadi Rum Visitor Centre.
- There is no "Rum 1" or "Rum 2" — the reserve has one entrance.
- Short 3 h 4x4 loops that only drive back and forth are poor value at 50 JD; insist on a 4–5 h route and the site list.
- Desert nights are cold even in summer; bring a layer.
- Cash is king in the village; ATMs are unreliable, so carry dinars from Aqaba or Amman.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Wadi Rumوادي رم
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
خذني لهذا المخيم، لو سمحتTake me to this camp, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire911
Embassy
Most embassies are in Amman; the US and several European states also have consulates or honorary consuls in Aqaba. Check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aqaba → Wadi Rum visitor centre, taxi: 25–35 JD, about 1 h (check)
- Wadi Musa (Petra) → Wadi Rum, bus: 7 JD, 06:00 departure, about 1.5 h7 JD, 6:00 AM departure, about 1.5 h
- 4x4 tour, per jeep: 50–75 JD for 3–5 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello / Peace be upon you (as-salaamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al-si'r?)
- وين المخيم؟ — Where is the camp? (wein al-mukhayyam?)
- بدي ماء — I need water (biddi maa)
- لا شكراً — No, thank you (la shukran)
Show the camp name and GPS pin to your driver; many camps sit off the mapped tracks.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Wadi Rum. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb nights (near freezing) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-camp contract for AQJ and AMM: last bus times, taxi fallback, camp pickup confirmation.
- Four camp clusters with verified GPS pins: village edge, Khaz'ali corridor, Umm Fruth side, Disah outside the reserve.
- Site pages with verified access notes (Khaz'ali Canyon, Burdah and Umm Fruth bridges, Red Sand Dunes, Lawrence Spring) and tour cutoffs.
- Heat and cold fixtures so gate decisions stay honest in July and January.
Sources
- officialWadi Rum official site
- officialJordan Tourism Board
- secondaryWikivoyage: Wadi Rum, revision 5241896 (CC BY-SA 4.0)