Wadi Rum, a sandstone and granite desert in southern Jordan that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, is visited by 4×4, on foot or with a night under canvas in a Bedouin camp. Before booking, read the official government travel advice: as of 26 October 2026 the U.S. State Department rates Jordan Level 3 (« Reconsider Travel ») and the UK FCDO reports renewed attacks and interceptions in and around Aqaba, one of the usual gateways to Wadi Rum. This page sets out what those sources say, how entry works with the Jordan Pass, flash-flood risks and, month by month, sunrise and sunset times.
For the rest of your trip, see our guide to traveling in Jordan and our page on the best time to visit Jordan.
Our travel deals for Wadi Rum
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Wadi Rum.Compare flights- Tickets and toursTiqetsEntry tickets and guided tours to book online; compare with the official price.See tickets
- eSIMAiraloData plan to install before you leave (eSIM-compatible phone).See plans
Wadi Rum: key facts
- Safety: Jordan is Level 3 (« Reconsider Travel ») with the U.S. State Department (advisory updated October 22, 2026); the UK FCDO advises against all travel within 3 km (2 mi) of the Syrian border and reports attacks and interceptions in and around Aqaba in early September — neither source names Wadi Rum itself — read on 26 October 2026 on GOV.UK and travel.state.gov
- Flash floods: the FCDO warns of flash-flood risk in wadis during the rainy season from November to March; the State Department mentions flash flooding especially from October to March.
- Entry: the protected area’s entry fee is included in the Jordan Pass, which lists Wadi Rum among more than 40 sites — checked on 24 October 2026 on jordanpass.jo
- Jordan Pass: JOD 70, 75 or 80 depending on the number of days at Petra (1, 2 or 3); it includes the visa fee if bought before arrival and if you stay at least two nights, according to the official website.
- UNESCO: protected area of 74,200 hectares (183,000 acres), 12,000 years of human occupation documented by petroglyphs and inscriptions.
Safety: what the official advice says
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 25 October 2026), travelers are advised against all travel within 3 km (2 mi) of the Jordan-Syria border, and against all travel to the Iraqi provinces bordering Jordan. The FCDO also reports a shooting at a church in Karak Governorate on 23 October 2026, with security operations ongoing, and says that since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in several locations across the region, including Jordan; in early September, renewed attacks and interceptions occurred in and around Aqaba. It warns of a risk of more attacks and of falling debris from interceptions, and advises staying away from military facilities and strategic infrastructure, following local authorities’ instructions and keeping departure plans under review.
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, advisory updated October 22, 2026), Jordan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel, due to terrorism and armed conflict. It adds that Jordan is relatively stable but that the security environment is complex and can change quickly. It identifies Ma’an city, the areas of Ma’an Governorate east of Highway 15 (the Desert Highway) and those within two kilometers west of it as areas of heightened risk of terrorism and crime, and tells Americans not to travel to the borders with Syria and Iraq, among other places.
Neither source names Wadi Rum. But it lies in the south of the country and is usually reached via Aqaba or via the desert road that passes near Ma’an. Before any plan, reread both pages on the day you leave, enroll in the State Department’s STEP program if you are a U.S. citizen or sign up for FCDO email alerts if you are British, and check with your insurer what is covered when official advice warns against travel (the FCDO notes that travel insurance can be invalidated if you travel against its advice).
Entry requirements and the Jordan Pass
For passport, visa and entry rules, see entry requirements for Jordan. The Jordan Pass, sold on the official website jordanpass.jo, bundles entry to more than 40 sites, including Petra and Wadi Rum, with a waiver of the visa fee.
| Pass | Days at Petra | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wanderer | 1 day | JOD 70 |
| Jordan Explorer | 2 consecutive days | JOD 75 |
| Jordan Expert | 3 consecutive days | JOD 80 |
Note a difference between sources: the Jordan Pass website says the visa waiver applies to a stay of at least two nights (three days) if the pass is bought before arrival, while the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 25 October 2026) says you must stay at least 3 nights in Jordan to apply for the pass. Follow the stricter rule or have the condition confirmed before you buy. See also our page on visiting Petra.
Booking a camp or a 4×4 excursion
Most visits are made with a Bedouin guide by 4×4, on foot, by camel, or with a night in a camp. There are many offers, directly from the camps or through resellers. Check that the protected area’s entry fee is included or covered by your Jordan Pass, the real length of the tour and the sites visited, the meeting point (visitor center or Rum village), the cancellation terms if the security situation or the weather worsens, and the camp’s equipment (water, heating in winter). The FCDO notes that the quality of outdoor tour operators varies and recommends choosing one with suitable safety measures and insurance.
What to see in Wadi Rum
According to UNESCO’s listing, the protected area combines desert landforms in continental sandstone, sculpted by erosion over millions of years, with abundant petroglyphs, inscriptions and archaeological remains testifying to 12,000 years of human occupation. 4×4 tours generally link canyons, rock arches, dunes and inscription sites; the names and order of stops vary by guide: ask for the list before booking.
Sunrise and sunset, month by month
In the desert, the low light of morning and evening is the best time for photos and for walking outside the hot hours. The table below calculates sunrise and sunset times for Rum village on the 15th of each month.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length (h:min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:34 | 18:01 | 10:27 |
| February | 07:18 | 18:27 | 11:09 |
| March | 06:48 | 18:46 | 11:58 |
| April | 06:12 | 19:04 | 12:53 |
| May | 05:45 | 19:23 | 13:38 |
| June | 05:37 | 19:39 | 14:02 |
| July | 05:48 | 19:40 | 13:52 |
| August | 06:06 | 19:19 | 13:13 |
| September | 06:22 | 18:44 | 12:21 |
| October | 06:39 | 18:08 | 11:29 |
| November | 07:02 | 17:43 | 10:41 |
| December | 07:25 | 17:41 | 10:16 |
What the figures show: the day lasts 14 h 02 in June against 10 h 16 in December. In winter the sun sets around 5:41 pm: a day excursion needs to start early. For the climate, see our page on the best time to visit Jordan; and keep in mind the official flash-flood warnings: the FCDO advises checking the weather forecast and not traveling to wadi areas for at least one day after heavy rain.
Getting there and transfers
Wadi Rum is in the south of Jordan. Visitors generally arrive from Petra, Aqaba or Amman, by rental car, taxi or a transfer arranged by their camp. We give no journey time for lack of an official source. On the roads, the UK FCDO says to drive with care at night and avoid unlit roads, noting fatal accidents on the Desert Highway; the U.S. State Department says its Amman embassy advises employees to avoid driving at night outside the Amman metropolitan area, and describes the Desert Highway outside Aqaba as dangerous (narrow, winding, crowded with trucks) and to be avoided at night if possible.
Car rental, transfers and eSIM
If you rent a car or book a transfer, plan to arrive by day, check the insurance and ask the camp for the exact meeting point: rental vehicles generally stay in the village and the rest is done by 4×4 with a guide. For mobile internet, our guide to travel eSIMs explains how to choose a plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving without rereading the official advice: Jordan is Level 3 (« Reconsider Travel ») with the U.S. State Department, and the FCDO reports attacks and interceptions in and around Aqaba (read on 26 October 2026).
- Driving at night, against the advice of both governments.
- Venturing into a canyon in rainy weather: risk of flash floods.
- Buying the Jordan Pass after arrival and counting on the visa waiver: it must be bought before.
- Booking a tour without knowing whether the protected area’s entry fee is included.
Also worth seeing in Jordan
Wadi Rum is most often combined with Petra. See also our map of Jordan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wadi Rum covered by a travel warning?
Neither the UK FCDO nor the U.S. State Department names Wadi Rum, but the State Department rates Jordan Level 3 (« Reconsider Travel ») and the FCDO reports attacks and interceptions in and around Aqaba in early September (both read on 26 October 2026). Reread both pages before you go.
Is Wadi Rum included in the Jordan Pass?
Yes: the official Jordan Pass website lists Wadi Rum among the more than 40 sites included, with Petra and Jerash.
How much does the Jordan Pass cost?
JOD 70, 75 or 80 depending on whether you visit Petra for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days, according to jordanpass.jo on 24 October 2026.
When should you not go to Wadi Rum?
The UK FCDO warns of flash-flood risk in Jordan’s wadis during the rainy season from November to March, and the U.S. State Department mentions flash flooding especially from October to March; both advise watching the weather and heeding local recommendations.
Is Wadi Rum a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, since 2011, as a mixed (natural and cultural) site: 74,200 hectares (183,000 acres) of desert landforms and 12,000 years of documented human occupation, according to UNESCO.
Our sources
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK), Jordan travel advice: Warnings and insurance, Safety and security, Local laws and customs, Entry requirements (updated 25 October 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov): Jordan Travel Advisory, Level 3 (updated October 22, 2026) and Jordan Country Information (last updated May 14, 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- Jordan Pass (jordanpass.jo): « Prices », « Included Attractions » and « FAQ » pages, consulted on 24 October 2026
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: listing no. 1377 « Wadi Rum Protected Area », consulted on 24 October 2026
- Protected area website (wadirum.jo): unreachable on 24 October 2026
- Coordinates of Rum village: Wikipedia, « Wadi Rum » article
- Sunrise, sunset and day length: Destination de Voyage calculation, NOAA solar algorithm, Asia/Amman time zone, coordinates of Rum village (Wikipedia), on the 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and access rules may change: check the official website before you go.
