Petra is a long way from Sharm el Sheikh. That’s what makes this trip interesting: you trade the usual multi-day hassle for a tight, professionally run route by ferry to Aqaba and then straight into Petra’s rock-cut sights with a guide (with names like Meskal and Ibrahaim showing up often in real operations). What I like is the logistics are taken care of for you, and the day is built around key icons like the Treasury and major tombs, not random bus stops.

The best part is the value blend: hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, guide time inside Petra, lunch included, and admission coverage. The possible drawback is the pace. This is an all-day effort with an early start around 1:00 am, a long stretch on the road and ferry, and only a limited window inside Petra.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Ferry from Taba to Aqaba saves you from the longest overland slog and adds a real mid-journey reset
• Petra icons in one pass: Treasury, Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bint
• Lunch is built in as an open buffet meal at Petra, so you’re not scrambling mid-site
• Aqaba gets an hour for shopping and a quick palate cleanser before heading back
• Small-ish group size with a maximum of 30 travelers for a more manageable bus dynamic
• Admissions included so you’re not doing last-minute ticket math at the gate

Sharm El Sheikh Pickup to Taba Port: The Day Starts Fast

This trip kicks off early, with pickup offered from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel starting around 1:00 am. Expect the day to feel like a well-timed relay: you’re moving before most people are even thinking about breakfast, and the schedule assumes you’ll be ready to go.

You’ll be transferred to the port of Taba, then board the ferry to Aqaba. The route planning matters here. The tour doesn’t rely on you figuring out borders, schedules, or connecting transport. Instead, you’re handed a sequence: bus to Taba, ferry to Jordan, then the onward drive to Petra.

One practical note: because the start is so early, your comfort depends heavily on what you pack. Bring water, bring snacks if you’re the type who gets hungry between meals, and wear layers. It’s not about luxury. It’s about keeping the day from turning into a survival test.

The Ferry Ride to Aqaba: Why It’s More Than Just Transportation

Once you’re on the ferry from Taba to Aqaba, you get something that’s easy to underestimate: a break in the day’s rhythm. Even if you’re not a sea-legs person, the ferry segment helps break up the long-distance stress that comes with day trips to Petra.

The schedule here is straightforward. After the ferry landing, a driver and guide transfer you toward Petra. In the itinerary, after boarding the ferry, you’re also met by your guide following a drive segment, and the onward transfer brings you to Petra within about two hours. That’s the tour’s basic advantage: it keeps things moving, without pretending you can teleport across borders and desert roads.

Also, keep an eye out for the small-but-real moments at the start of the day. Some operations include border and security checks at the Egyptian side before boarding. I can’t promise your experience will match anyone else’s exactly, but you should assume there will be waiting time and security procedures as part of the ferry departure process.

Aqaba to Petra by Road: Getting the Most Out of the Drive

The ride from Aqaba to Petra is where the day’s structure shows up. You’re not sitting on a bus for hours with no plan. The tour transitions you from ferry to guidance, then into Petra.

The itinerary describes meeting your tour guide after the ferry connection and a short drive, followed by transfer to Petra in about two hours. Once you’re at Petra, your first real viewpoint isn’t a generic photo stop. It’s the approach into the rock gorge toward the Treasury.

There’s an option once you get in: go through the rock gorge on foot or by horse. Since you’re on a day-trip timeline, this choice can matter. If you’re walking comfortably and want the atmosphere, going on foot can be satisfying. If you want to conserve energy for the rest of Petra’s sights, the horse option can reduce fatigue for a limited-time visit.

Entering Petra for the Treasury: Your Best First Impression

When people talk about Petra, they’re usually talking about the Treasury. This tour is timed so you hit that iconic view early in the visit, after entering through the rock gorge.

The sequence is key. You approach the Treasury area with a guide, then move on to other major rock-cut and Roman-era features. That keeps you from arriving and feeling like you’re late to the party. With only a half-day-ish slice of time in Petra, starting with the most famous facade is smart.

Here’s what you should understand about the “limited time” reality. The itinerary lists lunch and a set route through multiple sights, and the travel time means your time inside Petra isn’t endless. Some previous guests describe around 3.5 to 4 hours on-site, which matches the kind of schedule a day trip like this has to follow. Treat your time in Petra like a sprint with breaks, not a stroll.

The Petra Route: Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bint

After the Treasury, you continue along the main sightseeing spine toward several big hitters:

• Roman Theater: Petra isn’t only tombs. The theater adds a different angle on the site’s layout and historical use. You’ll likely appreciate it more when you’ve already seen the ornate facades up close, because the theater gives the “city” dimension.
• Royal Tombs: These are the kinds of monuments that make scale and craftsmanship feel real fast. With a guide, you’ll have help connecting what you’re looking at to the broader story of Petra’s carved architecture.
• Qasr al-Bint: This stop rounds out the tour’s “greatest hits” approach. It’s also a useful pacing checkpoint, since you’re moving through key areas before you need to refuel for lunch.

Because this is a day trip, you’re not seeing every corner of Petra. You are seeing the highlights in a guided order that keeps you from wasting time wandering. That’s the value of the route: it trades freedom for efficiency.

And about walking: expect it. Even if you use a horse for part of the approach, Petra still involves steady movement. Your footwear matters. I’d prioritize supportive shoes over cute sandals because the terrain can feel uneven in places, and you’ll be on your feet for hours in the heat.

Lunch at Petra: Included, Open Buffet, and Timed to Keep You Moving

Lunch is part of the plan, with an open buffet at a restaurant inside the Petra area. That’s not just a meal. It’s time management.

When lunch is included, you avoid the most common day-trip pain point: the scramble for food while everyone gets hungry at different times. The buffet format also gives you choices, which helps if you’re picky or you have specific preferences. Some previous guests specifically called out that lunch was plentiful and delicious, which tells me it’s not the usual token sandwich stop.

One small caution: the tour doesn’t include soft drinks. You can still get beverages, but plan your hydration. In a long day that starts at 1:00 am and moves across multiple segments, water is a real priority.

Aqaba Free Time: One Hour for Shopping and Breathing Room

After lunch and the Petra portion, you return to Aqaba by transfer. Then you get about an hour of free time. That hour is useful in two ways.

First, it gives you a mental break after walking Petra. Second, it lets you pick up small souvenirs or snacks without turning the whole day into a negotiation with the schedule.

This is not a full Aqaba sightseeing block. It’s a reset. You’re using a quick window to recharge, grab something you forgot, and then head back toward the ferry.

If you’re the type who likes to plan, decide ahead of time what you’ll do with that hour: one quick shopping loop, one drink, one bathroom stop, and back on the bus. That keeps the final leg from feeling rushed.

Return Ferry and Back to Sharm: The Final Logistics Stretch

Once your Aqaba time is done, the tour brings you back to the port of Aqaba for the ferry to Taba. Then you continue by transfer to your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.

The key point here is emotional: the return leg can feel longer than the outward journey, because you’ve already spent energy exploring Petra and you’re tired. The itinerary is still organized, but your personal energy management matters.

If you’re prone to fatigue, use the ferry ride back as your recovery window. Eat something light if you skipped snacks earlier. Put your phone away for a bit. In a schedule like this, small rest moments help you enjoy the day instead of just surviving it.

Price and Value: What $337.31 Actually Covers

At $337.31 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. But it’s also not just a ticket to Petra. You’re paying for a full chain of logistics that would be hard to replicate smoothly:

• Ferry travel between Taba and Aqaba
• Hotel pickup and return transfers
• Air-conditioned vehicle transport
• A professional guide inside Petra
• All admissions to the sights
• Lunch (open buffet) during the Petra segment

The value isn’t only in included tickets. It’s in removing the “planning tax.” Day trips fail when you end up spending your best hours sorting out connections, delays, or last-minute entry costs. Here, admissions are covered and lunch is included, which helps you stay focused on the actual reason you’re going: seeing Petra.

Also, the group size helps. With a maximum of 30, the day feels more structured than in huge bus crush situations.

So who should consider paying this price? People who want Petra in one shot, without building their own intercity plan. People who prefer a guided route to reduce decision fatigue. And people okay with a long day for a once-in-a-lifetime site.

Comfort and Packing Tips for a Very Long Day

This tour is doable for most travelers, but comfort needs your input. The schedule is long enough that you should pack like you’re on a road trip, not a casual city outing.

Here’s what I’d prioritize:

• Snacks and water: Lunch is included, but long gaps can still happen depending on the day’s timing. Bring extra.
• Layers: Early starts often mean cooler moments, then warmth later.
• Good walking shoes: Petra involves real walking even on a guided route.
• A small day bag: Keep essentials easy to grab during ferry and bus changes.
• Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen. Petra’s open areas don’t forgive missed protection.

One more practical tip: there may be opportunities for paid add-ons inside Petra, like golf cart options for those who can’t walk as much. If that’s relevant to you, ask your guide what’s available and what you’d be expected to pay, then decide quickly so you don’t lose time.

Also, watch out for unofficial sales tactics. In similar settings around major heritage sites, you may see people offering rides or photos. If signs say rides are not authorized, take that seriously and stay with official options.

The Day’s Biggest Trade-Off: Time in Petra vs. Travel Time

Let’s be honest about the math. You’re spending the day traveling, not just sightseeing. Some guests describe long bus and ferry hours, then a relatively short window inside Petra. That’s the heart of the trade-off with any day trip to Petra from Sharm.

The payoff is obvious: you get to see the Treasury and major structures without committing to multi-day planning.

The consideration is equally obvious: you won’t have time for the full Petra marathon. If you want to wander every side path, take long photo breaks at every corner, and still visit more of the site’s deeper areas, a day trip will feel tight.

If you’re happy with a guided greatest-hits circuit, this works. If you crave slow travel and lots of unstructured time, you might want a longer stay instead.

Should You Book This Petra Day Trip by Ferry?

Book it if:

• you want Petra icons in one day from Sharm without doing the heavy planning yourself
• you value included admissions and lunch so your day stays predictable
• you prefer a guided route that hits the Treasury, theater, tombs, and Qasr al-Bint efficiently

Skip it if:

• you hate very early starts and long travel days
• you’re the type who needs lots of free time inside Petra to wander at your own pace
• you’re sensitive to fatigue after long bus segments and want a more relaxed itinerary

My take: this is a good fit for first-timers who want Petra most, not all of Petra. It’s the kind of trip that’s worth the early wake-up because the payoff is huge and the logistics are handled for you.

FAQ

How long is the Petra day trip from Sharm el Sheikh?

It runs about 22 hours, up to 1 day.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 1:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered from your hotel.

How do you get to Jordan for Petra?

You’re transferred to the port of Taba and take a ferry to Aqaba, then you continue by vehicle to Petra.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as an open buffet in a restaurant during the Petra portion.

Are admissions to Petra included in the price?

Yes. All admissions to the sights are included, and the admission ticket is listed as free.

Does the tour include soft drinks?

No. Soft drinks are not included.

How much free time do you get in Aqaba?

You get about 1 hour of free time in Aqaba for shopping.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 30 travelers.

What happens if weather conditions are bad?

The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.