How to Get From Aqaba to Wadi Rum — ALONG DUSTY ROADS

BUS FROM AQABA TO Wadi Rum

Whilst Jordan’s public transport is far from a perfect system, there are a couple of good options for those relying on buses to travel between Aqaba and Wadi Rum – minibuses and the JETT bus company.

Minibuses

· The local minibusses run from Aqaba to Wadi Rum a number of times a day – but not on a specific timetable.

· Instead, the drivers wait until the minibus is full before departing. To get a gauge on approximate departure times, you’re best asking the drivers in Aqaba the day before.

· The buses leave from the station located outside of Aqaba Police Station (maps)

· A one-way journey costs just 3JD.

Do note that tickets cannot be booked in advance and that buses can get filled very quickly. We recommend asking the drive what’s the best place / time to wait for a bus back to Aqaba (feel free to let us know in the comments if you do this and can share advice!)

The JETT bus

· This is a tourist bus, not a public bus, operated by company called JETT.

· Departure from Aqaba leaves at 8am and you can board at any the three pick-up points: Jett Office Aqaba (maps), Mövenpick Tala Bay (maps) or Divers Village (maps).

· Despite this being a relatively short distance, the JETT website states that the bus arrives at the Wadi Rum Visitor’s Centre at 11am, whilst other sources state it takes around 1.5 hours – if anybody takes this bus, and can confirm this the journey time we’d be delighted to share here!

· To return, the bus departs the Visitor’s Centre at 6.30pm, arriving back in Aqaba around 8pm.

· The price is 15 JD per person each way, or 30 JD for a return. Do note that children requiring a seat must pay the full adult fee.

Tickets can theoretically be paid for on the day at the Jett Office but given the very limited departures and seats selling out very quickly, if you leave it to the last moment you may find the service is sold out. For example, at time of publication, even booking a week in advance there were only a handful of seats remaining!

Instead, we’d recommend booking your seats on line via the official website here.