We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Jenell, to complement an earlier one from Johnson. Both are members of the Solo Travel Society: Jenell is from Canada and Johnson is from the Philippines. They both submitted reports from their solo trips to Petra, Jordan, each from their own unique perspectives. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Languages spoken: Arabic, English
Reasons to Visit Petra, Jordan
Jenell's Story
Solo travel rating: 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Perhaps you are a fan of ancient history and encountered Petra, Jordan among the pages of your beloved books. Maybe you were fascinated by an episode of your favourite show on the National Geographic Channel that featured this 2,000-year old city. Or maybe – just maybe – your interest in the Rose City was sparked by Harrison Ford’s epic character Indiana Jones’ search for the Holy Grail in “The Last Crusade.”
No matter what your reason may be, I highly recommend traveling to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and seeing one of the New 7 Wonders of the World for yourself.
The main airport to get into Jordan is the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan’s capital city. It is located approximately 3-4 hours’ drive away from Petra and it is where most international flights land.
Upon landing, follow the signs to passport control where you can buy a visa (depending on your nationality, check your local consulate before you go) for 40JOD at booths that are adjacent to the counters. Note that they only accept Jordanian Dinars but there are two money changers in the same lobby where you can easily change your cash. You can then proceed to baggage claim and towards the exit, where a very modern Starbucks as well as more banks and ATMs await you.
From the airport, you can catch the yellow Sariyah Express Airport Bus to Amman city centre, which is about 30-45 minutes away. You can also take a taxi and it would cost around 20JOD. There is an airport desk outside the airport marked “Taxi” where you can request one and the price is negotiated between the passenger and the driver through this desk and you will get a paper with the price, sort of like a receipt. You can also take a taxi straight to Petra, as I did, for 70JOD, a journey of 3 or so hours.
A more budget-friendly option is to take the JETT bus. This departs from the JETT office near the old Abdali station. The price is 10JOD and there is only one bus to Petra and it leaves in the morning. Another, more adventurous option is to go to the South Bus Station (Wahedat or Mojama' al-Janoob) in Amman and catch a local minibus to Petra. This station is full of all kinds of parked buses so you will definitely know when you are there. The price is 7JOD and there is no set schedule – the bus will leave when it is full!
You will arrive in Wadi Musa, no matter which route you take. This is the town that is located outside Petra. It is where the JETT bus will drop you off (right outside the gates) and the bus station in the town is where the mini bus will drop you off. The town is a nice size with plenty of hostels, B&Bs, and hotels ranging from 8JOD to 100JOD. Note that this town is full of hills and I suggest getting a hotel located close to the entrance to Petra and save your walking for inside Petra itself. My personal choice was La Maison Hotel, a 3-star modern hotel with strong Wi-Fi and breakfast included. It is located about a 2-minute walk from the gates. There is a restaurant onsite (with large windows providing a decent view) and many more shops on the streets around. The concierge can change your currency for you; only JOD cash is accepted when buying tickets to Petra. You will see a debit/credit machine by the ticket counter but for some reason, they hesitate to use it. The nearest ATM is inside the Movenpick Hotel.
The entrance fees to Petra are the following: 1 day 50JOD, 2 days 55JOD, and 3 days 60JOD. Note that you can see Petra in one day but it will be rushed. I suggest the 2 or 3 day tickets for best value. Note that these tickets require at least a one night stay in Jordan and the ticket counter might ask for proof, although they didn’t with me. They might also ask to see your passport when you are on your second or third day visit.
The entrance ticket includes a horseback ride to the Siq, which is about a 2 km walk from the gates. The men with the horses will try and insist that you take their horse but do so with caution – they will be expecting a tip! The same goes for the children and men all throughout Petra who will be following you offering their horses, donkeys, and camels to ride – it is a very large park and is a lot of walking – just remember to negotiate a price beforehand and stick to it!
My narrative will end here. I will show you some pictures from my trip but no words can describe the feeling that you will experience when you get there. The pictures will simply serve as fuel to get you going until you see this wondrous city, one of the New 7 World Wonders, for yourself.
Enjoy The Rose City of Petra, Jordan!
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 2 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
Johnson's Story
Solo travel rating: 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Petra, Jordan: the lost city that's carved on a mountain.
It's believed to have been established as early as 312 BC and was discovered by the western world in the 1800s. Entrance to the city is via the Siq, a kilometer long pathway flanked by soaring cliffs. As you reach the end of the Siq, you'll see a sliver of an image framed by cliffs just a few meters apart due to tectonic activity in ancient times.
Nothing prepares you for the first sight of the Treasury. Just amazing. One of my top must-see sights in the world.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 2 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 2 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 2 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)