The four choices to make
| Decision | Options | Price guide (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Length of the 4x4 tour | 2 h, 3 to 4 h, half day, 8 h | 2 h from 11 JOD per person; 3 to 5 h, 50 to 75 JOD per vehicle; 4 h from 42 USD as a booked tour |
| Camp | Simple Bedouin, standard, luxury, bubble | From 20 JOD per person (dinner and breakfast); high-end bubble 130 to over 300 USD a night |
| Extras | Sunset, balloon, Burdah | Balloon 215 to 375 USD; Burdah hike from 95 USD |
| Arrival | Rum village, Aqaba, Petra, Amman | Transfer from Aqaba: 20 to 30 JOD each way at some camps |
Which 4x4 tour?
- 2 hours: to see the points near the village, if you are not sleeping on site. A loop that is only an out-and-back drive is poor value.
- 3 to 4 hours: the most popular option, with the dunes and tea with Bedouins. The 4-hour morning or sunset tour is the village's top-rated activity (5 out of 5, more than 300 reviews, from 42 USD).
- Half day or 5 hours: lunch break and more walking.
- 8-hour day: for the arches and distant sites; it mainly makes sense if you are not sleeping on site.
The detail of the stops is in Wadi Rum by 4x4.
Which camp?
A simple Bedouin camp (from 20 JOD per person, dinner and breakfast, shared toilets) is enough for one night if you want the desert and the starry sky. A standard camp (25 to 45 JOD per person) adds beds and more comfort; a luxury camp (50 to 80 JOD) gives a private bathroom; the bubble (from 35 JOD in a simple camp to over 300 USD a night in a high-end camp) is a purchase for the photo and the comfort.
Always ask: air conditioning and heating, private bathroom, hot water, meals included, next-day tour included, entry fee included. A bubble heats up quickly in daytime, and camp lights reduce the view of the sky: if the stars matter, choose a camp far from the village. The detail is in the bubble camp.
The extras worth the detour
- Balloon: a flight of about an hour at sunrise, 215 to 375 USD, pickup around 4:30 am. Cancelled in strong wind: keep a day in reserve. See the balloon page.
- Burdah: the highest natural arch, reached by a 2 to 3 hour scramble with a guide, from 95 USD. See Burdah Rock Bridge.
- Sunset: the most beautiful light, but the viewpoint is the busiest; arrive 30 minutes early.
Which option for which traveller?
| You are… | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| In a hurry, on the way Petra – Aqaba | 4-hour tour (morning or sunset) with no night, or simple camp with tour included |
| A couple who want the stars | Bedouin or standard camp far from the village, sunset tour |
| Looking for comfort or photos | Bubble with air conditioning and private bathroom, dinner included |
| Sporty | Burdah hike with a night on site |
| Driving | Park at the visitor centre and let the camp pick you up; see car rental |
Entry fee and Jordan Pass
The reserve entry fee (5 JOD according to most sources) is almost always extra; it is included in the Jordan Pass, whose free visa requires at least two consecutive nights in Jordan. Excursions, 4x4s and camps are not covered by the pass.
How to get there and plan
Wadi Rum is about 1 hour from Aqaba and 1.5 to 2 hours from Petra. The camp often sends a vehicle to Rum village. Pay in dinars in cash and fix the price per vehicle before getting in, or book ahead to avoid bargaining. For another night by the sea, see Aqaba and where to stay in Jordan.
Going further
Wadi Rum, Wadi Rum by 4x4, the bubble camp and the Jordan Pass.
The Jordan Authority editorial team
