Amman-Petra bus?
Hello. I would like to make a day trip from Amman to Petra. How would the transportation be like and how long would it take? I would be grateful if you could also inform about any time schedules.And in Petra, are the sights withing walking distance or should I use some sort of transportation? Thank you for your answers.
1
There is a daily service from Amman by JETT bus. This leaves the JETT office close to the Abdali area (any taxi would take you there) every morning at 6.30am and brings you to Petra. The fare is 6JD for a single ticket and 11JD for a return. This bus doesn't leave you at the bus station like the others, but goes straight down to the Visitors' Centre at the entrance to the site of Petra. If you thought that you would like to find a hotel first (there are no facilities for left luggage at the Visitors' Centre), then you are unlucky - the bus is not allowed to stop in the village for you even if you ask the driver nicely.The bus returns to Amman at 4.30pm. If you don't already have a ticket you can buy one at Jeff's Bookshop in the line of shops between the ticket office and the entrance to the site. You can also get one on the bus if you haven't left yourself enough time - always supposing that there are seats available.
The importance of this bus is that it is the only public transport leaving Wadi Mousa/Petra after 2pm, and thus a day visit from Amman has become possible. The trip takes around 3 hours, so you would have some 6 hours to wander around. This lets you hit the high spots of the huge site, but no more. If you don't have time for a two day visit - well, this is better than nothing.
3
Petra covers more that 100 square kilometers featuring MANY impressive temples, tombs and some really incredible hikes. If you can add an overnight stay or make it even two days, you will enjoy your experience far more. I spent six days there back in May... and I still did not see everything! I stayed at the Petra Moon Hotel, which is a good economical choice and a very short walk (3 minutes) from the park entrance and visitor center.It takes about half an hour to walk from Visitor Center down to the Treasury which is all down hill. Al Siq, which is the narrow gorge that takes you to the sites, is some 1207 meters long and worth doing on foot to really appreciate its beauty and charm. You can take a donkey cart down (or back up) but this is a rough and noisy ride!
From the Treasury, you continue downhill to reach the Urn tomb, the stunning Roman Collesium, The Pharoah's Treasury and many other fascinating ruins. A half day at Petra would not give you enough time to climb the mountain to reach the Monastery, another magnificent temple (which is worth the effort). Just remember that when it is time to head back to catch your bus... you have to go the whole distance UPHILL. It's a gradual incline, but if you are not in shape... you will be huffing and puffing all the way... which I saw many tourists doing!
Water is not a problem... Bedouin merchants have small kiosks or stalls where they sell bottled water and many other nice handicrafts.
I took the 3 hour minibus from Wihadat station, which as Farah says above, costs 3JD. It departs when it's full, so they can leave at any time after 8am. It makes one stop at a roadside gas station for those who want some food and fresh air.
Hope this helps!
Frederic in Montréal
4
PS the price of the minibus has gone up - like everything in Jordan, some prices have more than doubled in a year to the great distress of the locals.Last I went on the bus (in June) the price was three and a half dinars.
