Planning for Petra

Q: I would like to visit Petra in Jordan. Can you suggest the easiest way to get there, the cost involved in visit the sites, when I should go and how long I should stay? - Andy King

A: To get there, most visitors fly to Amman (you can get there via Egypt or the Middle East), and then take a three-hour drive to Wadi Musa, the town nearest to Petra. The roads are good, so you can hire a car for around 50 US dollars a day. The ruins are only 15 minutes drive from Wadi Musa, so it makes sense to base yourself there. Petra has an extreme climate, with very hot summers and bitterly cold winters, so the best time to visit is during April and May, when the weather is temperate. To make the most of your stay, try to arrive at the main gate when it opens at 6am every day to avoid the tour groups. Three days will give you enough time to see the sights at a leisurely pace. Tickets are available at the main gate for one day (28 US dollars), two days (37 US dollars) and three days (44 US dollars). You can hire an English-speaking guides (28 US dollars for a half day, 70 US dollars for a full day).