About this tour
When Priya from the Global Hobo crew took this private driver tour from Amman to Petra, she got the full theatrical experience of Jordan's most famous archaeological site without the tour-group shuffle. You're collected from your hotel or airport, settled into an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver, and driven roughly three hours south through desert scrubland to the rose-red sandstone cliffs of Petra — one of the Seven Wonders. It's a 10–12 hour round trip that trades the bustle of group tours for solo traveller flexibility, though you'll need to book a local guide separately once you arrive at the site itself.
Highlights
- Private vehicle means you set the pace and photo stops
- Air-conditioned comfort across three-hour desert drive
- Entry tickets included if you opt for the package
- Driver knows the road cold, no wrong turns
- Bottled water and on-board WiFi for the journey
- Hotel pickup saves you the Amman taxi gamble
- Flexible timing — not locked to group departure slots
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your Amman accommodation early (exact time TBA with your driver), collected in a modern, chilled vehicle, and driven southeast through Jordan's arid landscape towards Petra. The drive is straightforward, mostly motorway, with a couple of stops for loo breaks and snacks if needed. Priya found the driver chattier and more flexible than expected — happy to point out landmarks and adjust timing without the rigid schedule of a larger group.
Once you arrive at Petra, the tour essentially hands you over. There's no local guide included, so you'll either walk the site solo (doable, but you'll miss layers of history), hire a guide independently at the entrance, or book one beforehand. The main canyon walk (Siq) and the Treasury are the headline acts — surreal, huge, and worth the effort. Factor in 2–4 hours minimum inside Petra itself, then the reverse journey back to Amman. It's a long day but suits people who want their own rhythm and aren't keen on tour-group banter.
What travellers say
- Private transport lets you stop and linger without group pressure
- Experienced drivers know every pothole and petrol station
- Modern vehicles with air con and WiFi make the drive bearable
- Hotel pickups eliminate Amman taxi negotiation stress
- Flexible pacing means you own your Petra schedule
- No on-site guide included — you'll miss Nabataean history
- Long day in a vehicle not suited to fidgety travellers
- Petra crowds unmanaged — early mornings essential in summer
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're a solo traveller or small group staying in Amman and want to tick Petra without joining a 40-person coach, this works. The privacy is real, your driver won't rush you, and the vehicle is genuinely comfortable. Entry tickets included makes it straightforward (though check your booking confirms this). Kids are catered for — infant seats available if needed.
It's a long slog — basically a full day in a car with several hours on foot at the site. The drive is scenic but not thrilling; if you're not keen on desert vistas, you'll be bored. No local guide means you'll miss scholarly context unless you hire one independently (extra cost, coordination required). Petra itself can get crowded mid-morning, and there's no way around that. The exclusion of a guide is a weak spot; budget another 40–60 JOD if you want proper storytelling. Summer heat is brutal — go early morning or late afternoon. Water's included, but bring sunscreen and a hat.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.