From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry

Petra is the reason to book this trip. After an overnight departure from Sharm El Sheikh, you cross into Jordan, ride the ferry from the Taba area to Aqaba, and reach the rose-colored city of the Nabataeans for a guided visit. The first glimpse of Al Khazneh, appearing at the end of the narrow Siq, is the payoff.

I like two things here: transport, entry, guide, and lunch are bundled together, and the route lets you see Petra without arranging several separate border, ferry, and road connections. Guides such as Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, and Wazy have been praised for clear explanations and careful group support. The drawback is plain: this is a very long 22-hour day, with border and ferry delays that can eat into your time.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra in one demanding day: You get about three hours of guided sightseeing, with roughly ten hours allocated to Petra and nearby stops.
• The ferry is part of the adventure: The crossing is scheduled for about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way, though port procedures can add waiting.
• Expect a midnight schedule: Pickup is just before midnight, and the return to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel is planned for around midnight the next day.
• Karim and Kareem are names worth noting: Guide assignments can vary, but these guides have been singled out for friendly, clear, and capable service.
• Good shoes matter: Petra involves walking through the Siq and among tombs, theaters, streets, and temples. Bring water and your passport.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: Vegetarian choices may be limited, so tell the operator about dietary needs before departure.

Why Petra is worth the punishing schedule

At $381 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. It is also not a simple bus outing. The price covers hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned vehicle, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra admission, an English-speaking guide, a three-hour guided tour, and lunch.

That bundle has real value. Organizing the Egypt to Jordan border crossing, ferry, onward transport, visa arrangements, and Petra tickets on your own would be awkward, especially during an overnight schedule. You are paying for coordination as much as for sightseeing.

Still, value depends on your tolerance for fatigue. You leave Sharm El Sheikh before midnight, spend much of the night and morning moving through border and port procedures, walk around Petra, then repeat the process on the way back. If Petra is high on your personal list, the cost and lost sleep may feel fair. If you want a relaxed holiday day, this is the wrong shape of excursion.

Petra itself is a powerful reward. The Nabataeans carved their capital into sandstone cliffs many centuries ago, and the route through the Siq builds the drama naturally. You do not simply arrive at a monument, take a quick photo, and leave. You move through a narrow rock passage before Al Khazneh appears ahead, framed by the canyon walls.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh before midnight

Pickup takes place at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle. The early departure is necessary because the tour has several international travel stages before you reach Petra.

The ride to Taba is part of the overnight transfer. The schedule lists about 20 minutes at Taba, but you should think of this as a border and transit stage rather than a sightseeing stop. Keep your passport easy to reach, and expect checks, instructions, and periods of waiting.

You must provide a copy of your passport to the local partner no later than two days before the tour. Bring the original passport with you as well. Without it, the border crossing and Jordan entry cannot proceed.

The vehicles have been described as clean and comfortable, with air conditioning. That matters on a trip this long. Even so, comfort does not remove the need for patience. One part of the trip received criticism for disorganized timing on the Egypt side, and one report raised concerns about a driver using a phone while driving. I would treat that as a reason to stay alert and speak up if you feel unsafe, not as a reason to dismiss the whole excursion.

Crossing by ferry to Aqaba

The ferry crossing is one of the unusual features of this Petra trip. The scheduled ride lasts about 2 hours and 20 minutes. After the border stage, you continue toward the port area and take the ferry to Aqaba.

The ferry gives the tour a different feel from a long overland crossing. You get a break from the road, and the movement between Egypt and Jordan becomes part of the story. But do not picture a quick hop with no formalities. Port and immigration procedures can take time at both ends.

The itinerary allows about 20 minutes in Aqaba before the main Petra visit. That is not enough for a full city tour. Treat Aqaba as your Jordan arrival point and a short pause in the wider journey, not as a separate destination.

Ferry schedules can change. If the ferry is urgently canceled or the booking falls outside the operating schedule, the operator says you may be transferred into Jordan through the Arava border instead. That backup route can help protect the Petra visit, but it may alter the day’s timing.

The first steps into Petra through the Siq

Petra is not a site you see from a coach window. After arrival, you enter on foot or use one of the available riding options to reach the Siq. The supplied information specifically describes a choice between walking and riding a camel to the canyon, while one person also used a horse option. Ask exactly what is available and what it costs before accepting a ride.

The Siq is a natural crack between the rocks. It works like a long stone corridor, slowly hiding and revealing the ancient city. You follow the trail through carved rock and pass statues, idols, and other remains before reaching the famous view at the far end.

This is where a guide adds real value. Without context, Petra can look like a series of impressive facades. With a good guide, you can connect the carvings and structures to the Nabataean kingdom and understand how the city developed as a major center in the region.

Karim and Kareem have received especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and clear. Ahmed and Wazy have also been singled out for good support during the Jordan portion. Guide assignments can change, so book this for the route and organization rather than for a guaranteed individual guide.

Al Khazneh and Petra’s major sights

The first major stop is Al Khazneh, often called the Treasury. It has stood for more than 2,000 years and is Petra’s most recognizable facade. The name and appearance can make it sound like a building filled with treasure, but the important experience is the carved exterior and the way it appears at the end of the Siq.

The scheduled visit here is about 30 minutes. That gives you time to look closely, take photographs, and hear the main explanation, but it is not a long private session. The area can be busy, and local horse, camel, and souvenir sellers may approach you with prices that feel high for small items. A polite refusal and a clear budget are useful.

The guided Petra portion lasts about three hours. The route includes several major remains:

• The Roman theater: A large carved and constructed performance space that shows how the city changed over time.
• The royal tombs: Monumental facades cut into the cliffs, with varied shapes and details worth seeing slowly.
• The Roman colonnaded street: A broad ancient route that helps you picture Petra as a functioning city, not only a collection of cliff carvings.
• Qasr al-Bent: One of the major religious and civic structures included in the guided route.

The schedule also allows free time and shopping. Use it carefully. Petra is large, and it is easy to spend too long at the first sight, then feel hurried later. I would stay close to the guide during the main explanation and save personal shopping for the time clearly set aside for it.

Walking, riding, and the physical effort

You need a reasonable level of mobility for this outing. The exact amount of walking depends on how you use the local riding options, but the route through Petra includes uneven ground and a canyon approach. Good walking shoes are more useful than stylish ones.

Bring plenty of water. Water is not listed as part of lunch, and drinks were specifically noted as an extra expense. A hat and sun protection are sensible choices, though the tour information does not promise any particular weather conditions.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the wider day includes border crossings, ferry transfers, vehicle changes, and Petra’s historic paths. If you use a wheelchair or have special mobility needs, contact the operator in advance and ask how assistance works at each stage. The fact that an activity is marked accessible does not automatically mean every transfer will be easy.

Families with small children should think carefully about the schedule. The overnight start, waiting at immigration, ferry crossing, long road transfers, and walking at Petra can be hard on young children. The same applies to anyone who needs regular rest or predictable meal times.

Lunch in Petra, with a few practical cautions

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Petra and is included in the price. This is useful after a morning of travel and walking, and the meal is intended to offer several choices.

Do not assume drinks are included. They are not listed as part of the package, so carry money for water or other beverages. Vegetarian meals may be less satisfying than meat-based options. One person found that the only clear choice was salad, so tell the operator about dietary needs before the trip and confirm what the restaurant can provide.

The lunch arrangement may feel informal. You may need to follow the guide’s directions rather than expect a host to explain every detail at the door. Keep your group together, note where the coach is parked, and do not wander off during a tight schedule.

Returning through Aqaba and Taba

After lunch and the Petra visit, you return toward Aqaba for the ferry back to Taba. The return crossing is scheduled for another 2 hours and 20 minutes, followed by the Egypt border process and the drive back to Sharm El Sheikh.

This is where fatigue becomes the main challenge. You have already been awake since the previous evening, walked through Petra, crossed an international border, and spent hours in vehicles and ports. Keep your passport and personal items organized so you are not searching through bags during each check.

Communication can be less consistent on the return leg. One person found there was no English-speaking guide on part of the Egypt-side journey and was unsure when there would be time for a toilet break or a drink. Ask the guide or driver directly about the next stop, and make use of planned breaks when they come.

The final transfer returns you to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel at about midnight. Depending on delays, the exact arrival can shift. Plan no important activity for the following morning.

Who gets the best value from this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if Petra is a priority and your time in Egypt is limited. You get the major attraction, an organized cross-border route, a guide, entrance, lunch, and return transportation in one package.

It suits adults and older children who can handle an overnight start, long transfers, border waiting, and substantial walking. It is also useful if you do not want to work out the ferry, Jordan visa, and Petra admission separately.

I would hesitate if you want a leisurely pace, need a guaranteed vegetarian meal, dislike long waits, or are traveling with someone who finds changing vehicles difficult. A longer Jordan stay would offer a more comfortable visit, but this day tour is built for people who want to see Petra from Sharm El Sheikh and accept the cost in time and energy.

Booking details worth checking

The tour runs in English with a live guide. Pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, transportation, ferry tickets, Petra admission, the Jordan entry visa, the three-hour guided tour, and lunch are included. Personal expenses are not.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Availability and starting times should be checked for your date because ferry schedules can affect the route.

Send the passport copy by the required deadline, carry the original passport, and ask about the day’s riding options, vegetarian food, drinks, and border arrangements before you leave.

Should you book this Petra day trip?

Book it if seeing Petra matters more to you than having an easy day. The organization removes much of the stress from a complicated international outing, and the strongest part of the experience is the combination of Petra’s great sights with guides such as Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, or Wazy, who can make the carved city easier to understand.

Skip it if you need a calm schedule or cannot manage a full night and day of movement. The ferry can be delayed, border procedures can be untidy, and the return journey may feel especially long. For a determined first visit to Petra from Sharm El Sheikh, though, $381 buys a practical route to one of the world’s great ancient sites, with the main costs already handled.

FAQ

Where does the Petra tour begin?

Pickup is provided at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, just before midnight.

How long does the full tour last?

The stated duration is 22 hours, with arrival back at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel planned for around midnight.

How do I travel from Egypt to Jordan?

The route uses an air-conditioned vehicle, the Taba border crossing, and a ferry to Aqaba. If the ferry is canceled urgently or the booking falls outside the operating schedule, the operator may use the Arava border instead.

Is the ferry ticket included?

Yes. Ferry tickets are included in the tour price.

Is the Jordan entry visa included?

Yes. The Jordan entry visa is included.

What Petra sights are included?

The guided visit includes the Siq, Al Khazneh, the Roman theater, royal tombs, the Roman colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent.

How much guided time do I get at Petra?

The tour includes a three-hour guided tour of Petra. The wider Petra portion of the schedule allows about ten hours for guided touring, free time, shopping, and sightseeing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant in Petra is included, but drinks are not listed as included.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport. You should also bring comfortable walking shoes and water because Petra involves walking and drinks are not included with lunch.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.