Petra might not have its own airport, but getting there by air is easier than you think. At Alternative Airlines, we help travellers reach Jordan’s iconic Rose City by booking flights into nearby airports like Amman (AMM) and Aqaba (AQJ).
From there, Petra is just a few hours’ drive away, ready to wow you with its carved sandstone temples and ancient history.
Whether you're flying from Europe, North America or elsewhere in the Middle East, you can compare routes from over 600 global airlines, all in one place.
Here are the ten most popular airlines flying into airports near Petra, Jordan:
Petra is an ancient city in southern Jordan, carved into rose-coloured sandstone cliffs. Founded in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans, it served as the capital of their kingdom and a key stop on major trade routes. After centuries of decline, Petra was rediscovered in 1812 and is now one of the most celebrated archaeological sites in the world.
Often referred to as the Rose City, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It's known for its:
Petra attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is Jordan’s most visited destination. It's a must for anyone interested in ancient history, architecture or adventure travel.
Petra doesn’t have its own airport, but it’s easy to reach via two international airports in Jordan:
This is the closest airport to Petra, located about 100 km away. It’s a good option for regional flights within the Middle East or from select European cities. From Aqaba, you can reach Petra in around 2 hours by car.
Located about 200 km from Petra, this is Jordan’s largest and busiest airport, with more international connections, especially from North America, Europe and Asia. The journey from Amman to Petra takes around 2.5 to 3 hours by car.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore more, start your journey with Alternative Airlines. Compare flight options to Amman (AMM) or Aqaba (AQJ) from around the world, including direct and one‑stop routes from major cities across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
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The best season to visit Petra is during spring and autumn, when the crowds are generally thinner, and the temperatures are not so unbearable. March to May or September to November is the best time to visit, where temperatures average 18-25°C.
It is best to arrive at Petra as early as possible in the day, as the ticket office opens from 6am and the crowds are quieter at that time. Late afternoons are also quieter, but be aware that the ticket office closes at 4pm in winter, and 6pm in summer.
Make sure you take sturdy and comfortable walking shoes, as you will be walking over rocky and sandy terrain. To keep yourself out of the direct sun, you may wish to wear a scarf or hat, sunglasses and plenty of suncream.
Generally, most people will need at least a day to visit Petra, spending 5-6 hours exploring the sights. However, many people opt to spend a couple of days exploring the ancient city.
To get to Petra from the modern town of Wadi Musa, it is around a 10-minute walk. The site itself has an area of 60 sq km, so expect to do a fair bit of walking. However, you will be able to break up the walking by stopping to look at the different sights. However, between the key sights of the Siq at the entrance and the Monastery at the end, it is over an hour's walk one-way, with hundreds of stairs to climb.
If you are staying in a nearby hotel, many of them will prepare a packed lunch for you to take if you ask. However, there are stalls outside the entrance where you can purchase refreshments cheaper than the restaurants inside. Make sure you pack plenty of water - you are entering a desert so don't want to get dehydrated.
Tickets for a one-day ticket to Petra will cost around $70 USD per person. However, this is well worth it for seeing such an amazing and significant place.
According to the UK Government website, Jordan as a country is relatively safe to visit. There are some demonstrations which take place in cities, but these are generally fine if you avoid them. The border with Syria should be avoided. There are currently no travel warnings from the British Foreign Office or the US State Department.
Petra is safe to visit, and there are numerous visits by tourists year-round that are all problematic. Petra has police and security roaming, to help keep the place safe for all visitors.
If you are visiting Petra, you should try your best to see as much as possible of it. However, the key things to see is the entrance through the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Amphitheatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Museum and the Monastery.
