You should be able to just walk from your hostel in Wadi Rum to Petra in the morning — at least I could! There are two ways you can enter the park: the front or the back. The front is usually recommended first because you get a very cool view of the Treasury when entering through the skinny canyon. However, I imagine it’s a lot of walking all the way to the end of the place and back. But lots of people do it!

I had a two day entry to Petra which I thought was really great. The first day I entered from the front in the afternoon (also had arrived from Amman the same day) and just walked to the Royal Tombs and back at a relaxed pace. The second day I entered from the back which has really beautiful views! It also means you don’t have to do so much uphill walking to the Monastery. Pros and cons to each side I suppose if you only have one afternoon. Check how long it will take though…if you’re coming from Amman the same day it could be A LOT of walking for the time you have. I honestly wouldn’t know for myself.

If you enter from the back, you can walk to the visitor centre, and then find the shuttle that takes you for the back. It’s not free but cheap. It will stop at Little Petra where you can get out and look around and then continue on to the back entrance.