Local people gained notoriety more recently when they joined the arab revolt forces under the leadership of king Faisal and fought along with Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt (1917/18) to fight the occupying Turkish and German armies. Lawrence himself makes many references to Wadi Rum in his book ‘The Seven Pillars of Wisdom’, a title apparently inspired by one of Rum’s imposing mountains. The exploits of Lawrence have become part of local folklore, and some popular tourist sites are named after him, although whether he used these exact sites is open to debate.
Wadi Rum lies in the south western corner of Jordan 58 kilometers north of the coastal town of Aqaba. It can be reached easily by main roads from Amman (3.5hrs), Aqaba (1hr) and Petra (1.5hrs). Car-hire and bus tours can be arranged through hotels and travel agents and taxis can be negotiated from Aqaba and Petra. Daily internal air-flights operate between Amman and Aqaba. Public transport is very limited and information has to be researched.
Get to Wadi Rum from Amman, Aqaba and Petra,By Bus, Taxi or Private Tour ?
The best way to get to Wadi Rum?
Depends where you are coming from and what time of day you want to arrive.
Wadi Rum is located in the southern part of Jordan. It can be reached easily by driving down the Desert Haighway from Amman (takes about 3.5 hours).
Aqaba is only about 40 minutes away by car.
Public minibus
Public minibuses run daily between Aqaba and Wadi Rum but, since their main purpose is to shuttle teachers from Aqaba to the school in Rum village and to serve the locals, the schedule is accomodating them rather than the tourists.
So all the departure time here are approximate and to be confirmed. If you can, walk up to the bus station in Aqaba the day before you want to travel and ask the drivers. Especially if you plan to travel on a Friday.
The buses leave from near the Aqaba Police station at 6.30h, 11.00h, 13.00h and 15.00h - or when they are full - and return from Wadi Rum cca. one hour later.
Bus ticket costs JD 3 one way.
Taxi from Aqaba to Wadi Rum
The usual price for a taxi ride between Aqaba and Wadi Rum Visitor Center is JD 20 one way.
From Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Public minibus : Public minibuses run daily between Aqaba and Wadi Rum but, since their main purpose is to shuttle teachers from Aqaba to the school in Rum village and to serve the locals, the schedule is accomodating them rather than the tourists.
So all the departure time here are approximate and to be confirmed. If you can, walk up to the bus station in Aqaba the day before you want to travel and ask the drivers. Especially if you plan to travel on a Friday.
The buses leave from near the Aqaba Police station at 6.30h, 11.00h, 13.00h and 15.00h - or when they are full - and return from Wadi Rum cca. one hour later.
Bus ticket costs JD 3-5 one way.
Taxi from Aqaba to Wadi Rum
The usual price for a taxi ride between Aqaba and Wadi Rum Visitor Center is JD 20 one way.
From Petra to Wadi Rum
Bus service between Petra and Wadi Rum
The bus that takes tourists to Wadi Rum leaves from Wadi Musa bus station at 6.00h in the morning and picks up tourists from the hotels in Wadi Musa - but you have to ask your hotel to arrange it for you the day before or you can also call the driver at
079 5235257 to book your place.The capacity of the bus is 27 people.
