From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry

Petra is the reason to take this trip. You leave Sharm El Sheikh before midnight, cross the border at Taba, ride the ferry from Aqaba, and reach the Nabataean city for a guided look at the Siq, Al-Khazneh, royal tombs, and Roman remains. It is a 22-hour marathon, but it brings one of the world’s great ancient sites within reach.

I like the ferry crossing, which gives the journey a welcome change of pace, and I like that entrance fees, transport, lunch, a Jordanian visa, and a three-hour Petra tour are included. Guides such as Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, and Wazy have been praised for their care and clear explanations.

The drawback is plain: this is a very long day with border checks, waiting, several vehicle changes, and a late return to your hotel. Ferry and immigration timing can be untidy, so you need patience, strong walking shoes, and enough water.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra gets the full spotlight: You see the Siq, Al-Khazneh, Roman theater, royal tombs, colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent with a guide.
• The day begins before midnight: Pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel takes place just before midnight, with arrival back around midnight the next day.
• The ferry takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way: It breaks up the road journey, though port and border procedures add waiting time.
• Guides make a real difference: Karim and Kareem are praised for their energy and care, while Ahmed and Wazy have also provided strong support on the Jordan portion.
• You will walk a lot: You can walk or take a camel or horse option toward the Siq, but comfortable shoes remain essential.
• Lunch is included, but drinks are not: Vegetarian choices may be limited, so ask about the meal before sitting down.

Why Petra is worth such a punishing day

Petra is not a quick photo stop. The city opens gradually, first through the narrow Siq, then into the famous view of Al-Khazneh, the Treasury. That reveal is the emotional center of the trip, and it explains why many people accept the exhausting schedule.

The Nabataeans carved Petra into rose-colored rock more than 2,000 years ago. You will see carved facades, tombs, religious structures, and traces of Roman planning. The site feels less like a single monument and more like a whole city spread through mountain valleys.

Your guide gives the stones a human story. The best guides explain how the Nabataeans built a trading kingdom, why water control mattered in this dry region, and how later Roman influence shaped the city. Karim and Kareem have been singled out for enthusiastic, clear guiding, while Ahmed and Wazy have also helped keep the Jordan portion organized.

The visit is especially valuable if you have only one chance to see Petra. You will not cover every corner of the archaeological site, but you will see the main route and its most important monuments without needing to arrange separate transport, border paperwork, ferry tickets, entrance fees, and a Jordanian guide yourself.

The midnight pickup from Sharm El Sheikh

The first part of the day is practical rather than glamorous. A modern air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh just before midnight. The early start is necessary because the tour must connect road transport, border formalities, ferry schedules, and a long Petra visit.

You should treat the overnight departure as part of the price. Sleep beforehand if you can, and pack your passport where you can reach it easily. The operator also needs a copy of your passport no later than two days before departure.

The vehicle is described as clean and comfortable, with air conditioning. That matters on a day with long transfers, though comfort cannot remove the basic strain of staying on the move for nearly a full day.

Taba and the border crossing

The trip passes through Taba, where you are met and assisted at the border. On paper, this sounds simple. In practice, border and immigration procedures can take longer than expected, especially on the return journey.

This is the least predictable part of the experience. Some departures run smoothly, while others involve extended waits. Keep water, snacks, your passport, and any essential medication close at hand rather than packed away in the vehicle.

Communication can also vary. The Jordanian part of the tour has had strong support from guides such as Ahmed and Kareem, but the Egypt-side return journey may have less English guidance. You may need to pay close attention to instructions about toilet breaks, drinks, boarding, and the next meeting point.

The ferry operator can cancel a sailing or run outside the planned schedule. If that happens, the tour says you will be transferred into Jordan by way of the Arava border instead. This gives the operator a backup, but it may also alter the timing and feel of the day.

The ferry from Aqaba to Jordan

The ferry leg takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. After reaching the port of Aqaba, you board for the crossing toward Jordan, with the trip then continuing overland to Petra.

The ferry is one of the nicer features of the plan because it breaks up the road travel. You can sit down, rest, and watch the journey unfold at a slower pace. Still, it is not a leisurely cruise. Port procedures, boarding, and disembarkation add time, and the sailing schedule may affect the rest of the day.

Aqaba itself is listed as a short stop of about 20 minutes. Do not expect a full city tour here. Think of it as a transfer point and a brief introduction to Jordan before the main visit inland.

Entering Petra through the Siq

Once you reach Petra, the guided visit lasts about three hours, with additional time in the wider Petra area for sightseeing, walking, shopping, and personal exploration. The route begins at the entrance to the Siq, a natural crack between tall rock walls.

You may choose to walk or use a camel or horse option toward the canyon. That choice can help if you want to save energy, but it is not automatically the simpler option. Animal handlers may quote high prices for short rides, and you should clarify the cost before accepting.

The Siq itself is one of Petra’s great experiences. The rock walls narrow the view, and carved details appear along the route. Your guide points out statues, idols, water channels, and other remains that are easy to miss when you are focused only on reaching the Treasury.

Wear shoes with a firm sole. The day includes a lot of walking and repeated changes between vehicles, ports, roads, and the archaeological site. You should also carry plenty of water, since the schedule is too tight to rely on long rest periods.

Al-Khazneh and the main monuments

At the end of the Siq, Al-Khazneh appears suddenly between the rock walls. The facade has survived for more than 2,000 years and is Petra’s most recognizable sight. You get roughly 30 minutes listed for this stop, though the exact pace depends on the group and the wider schedule.

Take time to look beyond the standard photograph. The carved facade is the obvious attraction, but the scale of the surrounding cliffs and the narrow approach are what make the arrival memorable. Your guide can also explain what is known about the building and what remains uncertain.

The route continues to the Roman theater, the royal tombs, the Roman colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent. These stops show that Petra was not only a collection of dramatic rock facades. It was a working city with public spaces, religious buildings, burial areas, and Roman-era additions.

The three-hour guided portion is useful here. Without a guide, you could admire the colors and shapes but miss the reason the structures matter. With a good guide, you get a clearer sense of how the Nabataean city developed and how later cultures used the site.

The time is still limited. Petra is large, and this excursion does not allow for every path or remote monument. If you want a slow archaeological study, several days in Jordan would be better. If you want the main sights in one demanding day, this route covers the essentials.

Lunch in a local restaurant

Lunch at a local restaurant is included after the Petra visit. The meal has been described as tasty and suitable for a mixed group, but the arrangement may not be obvious when you arrive. You may need to work out where to sit and how the group meal is organized.

Drinks are not included, so bring some cash for water or other beverages. This is a small extra cost, but after hours of walking it matters.

Vegetarian food deserves special attention. The available meal may offer salads as the main meat-free choice, with limited alternatives. If you do not eat meat, tell the operator in advance and ask exactly what can be provided.

The lunch is less about a long dining experience than feeding the group before the return journey. Keep your expectations practical. It gives you a chance to sit down, eat, and regroup, but it may feel hurried or crowded if the schedule has slipped.

The return ferry and late-night transfer

After lunch, you return to Aqaba and board the ferry back toward Taba. The second 2-hour-and-20-minute sailing can be welcome because it gives you a chance to rest after Petra. It also reminds you that the hardest part of the tour is often not the archaeological site but the total number of transitions.

Once back in Egypt, you continue by air-conditioned vehicle toward Sharm El Sheikh. The stated arrival is around midnight, making this a full day from one hotel transfer to the next.

Pay close attention during the final transfer. English guidance may be less consistent on the Egypt side, and you may need to confirm when to get off for a break and which vehicle serves your hotel. Keep your hotel name and contact details handy.

The driving arrangements have generally been described as comfortable, but one important safety concern has been raised about a driver using a phone while driving. If you see unsafe behavior, speak up to the guide or local coordinator. A long day is no excuse for careless driving.

What the $381 price really covers

At $381 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The price makes more sense when you add up what is bundled: hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, ferry tickets, Petra admission, a Jordanian entry visa, an English-speaking guide, a three-hour guided visit, and lunch.

You are paying for coordination across two countries, not simply for a Petra ticket. Arranging those parts separately would take time and would leave you responsible for border transfers, ferry timing, local transport, and a guide.

The value depends on your priorities. If Petra is a major personal goal and you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh, this may be the simplest way to see it. If you dislike overnight departures, border uncertainty, or long vehicle days, the cost will not make the schedule feel easier.

The phrase all-inclusive needs a practical reading. The main transport and sightseeing costs are covered, but personal expenses and drinks are not. Bring money for water, snacks, souvenirs, and any camel or horse ride you choose.

Who will enjoy this Petra trip most

This excursion suits you if you are in Sharm El Sheikh for a limited time and want to reach Petra without planning a separate Jordan stay. It also suits people who would rather have a guide handle the border, ferry, admission, and local transport.

You should be reasonably comfortable with long travel days and extended periods on your feet. Families with young children or anyone needing extra assistance should think carefully about the repeated transfers and uncertain waiting periods. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the border, ferry, and archaeological route still require advance discussion with the operator.

The tour also suits a first visit to Petra. The route gives you the famous entrance, the Treasury, major tombs, Roman remains, and Qasr al-Bent in one organized visit. It is less suitable if you want quiet time, photography at a slow pace, or access to every part of the site.

An English-speaking guide is provided. Names vary by departure, but Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, Wazy, and Imad have been associated with warm, attentive service. Imad, in particular, has been praised for his care during a horse ride and for creating a personal moment with a local family in the mountains.

Practical advice for making the day easier

• Bring your passport and make sure the operator receives a passport copy at least two days before departure.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes. Petra involves uneven ground, long distances, and plenty of standing.
• Carry water and money for drinks. Lunch does not include beverages.
• If you are vegetarian, ask about the meal before departure.
• Keep your hotel details available for the final drop-off.
• Expect border waits and schedule changes rather than treating every stated time as fixed.
• Confirm the price before accepting a camel or horse ride.
• Sleep before pickup, since the tour leaves just before midnight and returns around midnight the next day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to confirm passport arrangements and ferry availability in advance.

Should you book this Petra day tour?

Book it if Petra is high on your list and you have only a short stay in Sharm El Sheikh. The ferry, organized border assistance, entrance fee, lunch, and English guide give you a practical way to reach a difficult-to-arrange destination.

Skip it if you need a relaxed pace, predictable timings, or a full night’s sleep. The day can include long waits, limited meal choices, many transport changes, and a late return.

My view is favorable, with a clear warning label: Petra is worth the effort, but the journey is the price of admission. Go prepared for an exhausting day, choose sensible shoes, protect your water and passport, and you are likely to feel that the Treasury was worth the miles.

FAQ

How long is the Petra tour from Sharm El Sheikh?

The activity lasts about 22 hours. Pickup is scheduled just before midnight, and you are expected back at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel around midnight the following day.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Petra entrance fees, an English-speaking guide, a three-hour guided Petra tour, lunch, and a Jordanian entry visa.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Petra is included. Drinks are not included, and vegetarian choices may be limited, so ask about arrangements in advance if needed.

Do I need my passport?

Yes. You must bring your passport. The local partner also requires a copy of your passport no later than two days before the tour.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks English. Guide names can vary by departure, with Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, and Wazy among the guides associated with the experience.

What happens if the ferry is canceled?

If the ferry is canceled urgently or the booking falls outside the scheduled sailing days, the operator says you will be transferred into Jordan through the Arava border instead.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Because the day includes border procedures, ferry travel, vehicle transfers, and walking around Petra, you should confirm your specific needs with the operator before departure.