Day trip to Petra by ferry from Sharm el Sheikh

Petra is the reason to take this trip: you pass through the narrow Siq and suddenly face the Treasury, carved into rose-colored rock. The sight is worth the effort, but this is not a quick hop across the border. It is a 22-hour to one-day outing, and the full journey can stretch to 24 or 25 hours.

I like the ferry crossing from Taba to Aqaba, which breaks up the road travel and gives the day a different rhythm. I also like the included buffet lunch and the chance to see Petra with a local guide such as Meskal or Ibrahim, rather than trying to understand this huge site alone.

The main drawback is simple: you spend far more time getting to Petra than inside it. Expect several hours on buses, early border procedures, walking over uneven ground, and only about three and a half to four hours at the ruins.

Key points before you book

• The day starts around 1:00 am: Hotel pickup is very early, and the return may not come until the following night.
• The route crosses two countries: You travel by road from Sharm to Taba, ferry to Aqaba, then bus to Petra.
• Petra time is limited: The usual visit covers the Siq, Treasury, Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bint.
• Aqaba adds a short second stop: You get about an hour for shopping before returning to the port.
• Lunch and entrance fees are included: Soft drinks and unlisted services cost extra.
• The trip suits determined sightseers: It is best for people who accept a hard travel day in exchange for seeing one of the world’s great archaeological sites.

Why Petra can be worth a 24-hour day

Petra is not a place you casually squeeze into a morning. The ancient Nabataean city spreads through a wide desert valley, with tombs, temples, carved facades, and paths leading far beyond the famous Treasury.

This excursion gives you only a short taste of it, but that taste is powerful. You enter through the Siq, a narrow rock gorge that gradually reveals the Treasury. The approach matters. You do not simply step off a bus beside the monument. The rock walls close around you, and the Treasury appears at the end like a stage set carved by hand.

From there, the guided route continues along the Street of Facades toward the Roman Theater, the Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bint. You will not see every corner of Petra. Even the guide may point out that the complete site could take several days to explore. Still, this route covers the essential sights and gives you the dramatic first encounter most people hope for.

I would think of this as a first look, not a full Petra visit. If Petra is a major personal goal, the limited time may leave you wanting more. If your only realistic chance to see it is from Sharm El Sheikh, the trip makes that opportunity possible.

The midnight pickup from Sharm El Sheikh

The day begins at about 1:00 am, with pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. The early start is necessary because you have a long transfer to Taba, border formalities, the ferry crossing, and another road journey through Jordan.

The first part is handled in an air-conditioned vehicle. Depending on the pickup pattern, the bus may collect people from several hotels before heading north. That can add time, but it also explains why a stated departure time may not mean an immediate departure onto the main road.

Pack for a long stretch of sitting. A small travel pillow, light clothing layers, snacks, and a refillable bottle of water will make a real difference. The included lunch comes later, and soft drinks are not included, so do not count on the tour to provide every drink and snack you need.

The group can reach up to 30 people, although one account describes a much larger combined operation on a busy departure day. The practical point is to pay attention during transfers. The organizers use different vehicles and guides for different sections, so keep your ticket or confirmation close and listen carefully when the group changes buses.

From Taba to Aqaba by ferry

At Taba, you cross the Egyptian border before boarding the ferry to Aqaba in Jordan. Border procedures are part of the day and can feel slow or formal. One family found the security process unpleasant, so go in with patience and allow the staff time to direct you.

The ferry is one of the better features of this route. It breaks up the long bus ride and gives you a chance to move around rather than spending every hour on the road. The crossing itself is described as beautiful, though the exact timing can vary with port procedures and operating conditions.

The ferry route also makes this excursion different from a standard overland Petra trip. You are not simply traveling by coach all the way from Egypt. You get a short sea crossing, an international port experience, and a view of Aqaba before heading inland.

After reaching Aqaba, you meet the Jordanian side of the operation. The transfer from the port to the guide meeting point takes about 40 minutes, followed by a drive of roughly two hours to Petra. These figures describe the main transfers, not the full day, so do not mistake them for the total travel time from Sharm.

Meeting your Petra guide

A guide meets you in Jordan and leads the Petra portion. Names reported for this experience include Meskal and Ibrahim. The quality of the guiding may vary by departure, but the best guides add real value here because Petra can otherwise feel like a series of impressive ruins without a clear story.

A good guide helps you understand how the site is arranged and keeps the group moving through the limited visit window. The guide also helps you stay with the right group during the return journey, which matters after a tiring day with several vehicles and border points.

You should still expect a group visit rather than a private archaeological tour. The guide needs to keep people together, and the route moves at a pace designed to cover the main sights. If you want to linger at every tomb or climb to higher viewpoints, this excursion will feel too compressed.

The guide-led walk also means you can focus on the details around you instead of spending your short time trying to navigate. Petra has many routes and side paths, and three and a half hours passes quickly.

Walking through the Siq to the Treasury

The walk through the Siq is the emotional center of the day. This narrow gorge leads directly to the Treasury, Petra’s most recognizable monument. The rock walls and changing light make the approach memorable even if you have seen photographs many times.

The route can be covered on foot or with a horse option mentioned in the itinerary. You should ask about any extra charge before accepting an animal ride. The supplied information also notes that carriage and camel offers are present around Petra, so be cautious with unsolicited offers and do not assume they are included.

The Treasury is a facade carved into the cliff, not a building you enter as part of this route. Its scale becomes clear when you stand in front of it, but the short visit means you may have to share the viewing area with other groups.

This is also where you should manage your expectations about photographs and extra costs. One account describes being asked to pay for a photo. Keep your money secure, and clarify prices before agreeing to any picture, ride, or service.

The Street of Facades, Theater, and Royal Tombs

After the Treasury, the tour continues along the Street of Facades. Here you see rows of rock-cut tomb fronts, each shaped by the stone and the people who carved it. The area gives you a better sense of Petra as a large burial and trading center rather than a single famous monument.

The Roman Theater is another major stop. It shows how the city changed and developed over time, with a large performance space cut into the rock. The guide can give the site context, but you should not expect a long lecture at every stop. The schedule has to keep moving.

The Royal Tombs offer some of the most striking carved walls in Petra. Their scale is impressive, though the route involves walking and uneven surfaces. Good shoes matter more than stylish ones here. Sandals may work for some people, but sturdy footwear is the safer choice.

Qasr al-Bint rounds out the main route. The structure gives you a look beyond tombs and facades, and it helps show how varied Petra’s remains are. The itinerary covers a strong selection, but it does not include every part of the ancient city.

Lunch inside the Petra visit

Lunch is included as an open buffet at a restaurant in Petra. This is useful because the schedule leaves little time to search for food independently, and a full meal gives you a proper break during a demanding day.

The buffet is described as plentiful, with enough variety for different dietary preferences. Drinks are separate, so budget for soft drinks or bring water. You should also carry snacks for the bus and ferry sections, since lunch does not solve the problem of a 22-hour day.

The timing of lunch can affect your Petra visit. One account notes that the guide placed lunch before the group had finished seeing the site, which shortened the time available for sightseeing. This may not happen on every departure, but it is worth asking the guide how the schedule will work when you arrive.

Do not treat lunch as a leisurely restaurant stop. It is a practical meal built into a packed excursion. Eat enough to keep your energy up, then use the rest of your Petra time carefully.

The short Aqaba stop on the way back

After Petra, the transfer returns you to Aqaba. You get about an hour of free time for shopping before heading back to the port.

This is a brief stop, not a full Aqaba visit. You might use it to buy a small souvenir, stretch your legs, or see a little of the city before boarding the ferry. Keep your expectations modest. The day is already governed by ferry schedules and border timing.

The stop does add variety, though. You are not simply reversing the Petra journey without interruption. After the ruins and long drive, a short break in Aqaba can help you reset before the return crossing.

Watch the time closely. The group must return to the port together, and missing the bus would create a serious problem on an international transfer day. Stay near the agreed meeting point and do not make a distant shopping trip.

The return journey to Sharm

From Aqaba, you return by ferry to Taba and then by vehicle to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. This is the hardest part for many people because the excitement of Petra has passed, while the travel still continues for hours.

The advertised duration is about 22 hours to one day, but you should plan for the possibility of 24 or even 25 hours from pickup to hotel return. Border controls, port procedures, bus changes, and stops can all stretch the schedule.

Regular toilet and snack stops help, but they do not turn this into an easy day. You will spend much of the trip seated, and the overnight timing can make the final transfer feel especially tiring.

The operation has several moving parts, yet the strongest accounts describe the transport as well coordinated. That is important on a route involving Egypt, Jordan, ferries, and multiple buses. Still, communication can feel complicated on the Egyptian side. Keep your phone charged and confirm where to wait if your group is divided.

What the $337.31 price includes

At $337.31 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. The price makes more sense when you consider the ferry connections, air-conditioned transport, Petra admission, guide, and included lunch.

Admissions to the sights are included, which removes one major surprise cost. Lunch is included as well. Soft drinks and services not listed in the description are extra, so you should bring some spending money.

The real value depends on your alternative. If you are already staying in Sharm and do not plan to spend several nights in Jordan, this trip gives you access to Petra without arranging separate transport, border crossings, accommodation, and admission. You pay for convenience and access, not comfort or generous time at the site.

I would not choose it for a relaxed holiday day. I would choose it because Petra matters enough to justify a punishing schedule. The high rating and 90 percent recommendation suggest the basic operation works well for many people, but the low ratings point to real risks: long waits, limited Petra time, confusing communication, and uneven guide quality.

Who should book this Petra trip

You are a good match if you are fit enough for a long day, comfortable with early pickup, and willing to accept a tight sightseeing schedule. The tour suits a first visit to Petra when your Egypt holiday does not include time for a longer Jordan stay.

Families can take part, and one family traveled with an eight-year-old child. Still, younger children may find the overnight schedule and long bus rides difficult. Older adults can participate, but Petra involves substantial walking, and a golf cart may be available for an additional charge. Confirm the cost and availability before relying on it.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike border crossings, group transfers, or fixed schedules. It is also a poor choice if your main goal is to explore Petra in depth. For that, you need more time in Jordan.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and the experience can be rescheduled or refunded if poor weather or insufficient bookings cause the operator to cancel.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if seeing Petra from Sharm is a major goal and you accept that the journey may take 22 to 25 hours. The Treasury, Siq, Royal Tombs, Roman Theater, and Qasr al-Bint provide a memorable first look, and the ferry makes the route more interesting than a long road transfer alone.

Skip it if you need a comfortable pace, dislike overnight travel, or want several hours to explore Petra beyond the main route. Bring water, snacks, sturdy shoes, and patience. Ask about the day’s guide, transfer points, and any optional rides before you start.

The honest bargain here is not time. It is access. You exchange a very long day for the chance to stand in front of Petra, and for many determined sightseers, that is a fair trade.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at about 1:00 am from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is about 22 hours to one day. Actual accounts describe journeys lasting around 24 to 25 hours from pickup to return.

How do I reach Petra from Sharm El Sheikh?

You travel by vehicle from Sharm El Sheikh to the port of Taba, take a ferry to Aqaba in Jordan, then continue by vehicle to Petra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open buffet lunch at a restaurant in Petra is included.

Are drinks included?

No. Soft drinks are not included, so bring water and money for additional drinks.

Are Petra admission fees included?

Yes. Admission to the listed sights is included in the tour price.

How much time do I spend at Petra?

The itinerary provides roughly three and a half to four hours at Petra, although the exact timing can vary.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A professional guide meets you in Jordan and leads the Petra visit. Guides named for this experience include Meskal and Ibrahim.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.