Petra starts with a ferry ride. This day trip from Sharm El Sheikh sends you across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan so you can hit Petra’s Al Khazneh and the canyon sights in one go. I like the clean structure of the day: pickup, ferry, Petra, lunch, return—no separate planning headaches.

What I also like is the mix of Petra stops. You get the big iconic moment at Al Khazneh, then you move on to the Roman Theater and the graves in the King Wall area, which helps the whole site feel like more than a single photo spot.

Here’s the catch: this is a very long day. Expect around 20 hours, and some people reported closer to 23, with lots of coach time. If you dislike long travel blocks, this tour will feel like a grind before it feels like a win.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Ferry crossing to Jordan: Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, then a Gulf of Aqaba ferry hop
• The Al Khazneh Treasury stop: the classic canyon view everyone talks about
• Roman Theater and Citadel areas: Petra’s layered influences beyond the Treasury
• King Wall graves: 13 graves that add a quieter, darker mood
• Lunch included: a real reset after walking the canyon
• English or Russian guiding: helps if you match the tour language

The big picture: a bucket-list day with serious travel hours

This tour is built for one goal: getting you from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra fast enough to see the highlights in daylight, then back again. That sounds simple on paper, but the reality is a long corridor of time—Sinai roads, a ferry crossing, then road time in Jordan—followed by walking inside Petra.

If you love major “wow” moments and you hate spending days on logistics, you’ll probably enjoy this format. The value is that the core costs are bundled: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra entrance fees, an on-site guide, and lunch.

The tradeoff is fatigue. You’re not doing Petra at a slow, romantic pace. You’re doing it on an efficient schedule with a lot of time spent moving. I’d only book this if you’re okay with that pace and you’re ready to treat the travel itself like part of the experience.

From Sharm El Sheikh to Taba: the road portion you should plan for

Your day starts with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh, then you travel through the Sinai Peninsula to Taba. This is the beginning of the “how long is this going to take” part, so it helps to go in with clear expectations.

One thing I appreciate from the tour’s description is that it’s not a bare-bones hop. The transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle, and there are break stops along the way. That matters because once you’re dealing with time pressure, any missed comfort turns into irritation.

You’ll also want to mentally prepare for what Petra needs later: sturdy shoes and enough water. The earlier you remind yourself of those basics, the easier it is to switch modes when you finally arrive.

Crossing to Jordan by ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba

At Taba, you take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. This is one of the more interesting parts of the day because it breaks up the road time with a different kind of travel.

Also, the day has a better rhythm than you might expect: air-conditioned comfort continues on the coach and the boat, and you get chances to stop and reset. It’s not luxury travel, but it’s practical.

If you’re the type who gets restless on long rides, this ferry leg can be a welcome breather. It’s also a quick mental switch: you’re no longer only traveling from one hotel to another—you’re crossing into the region where Petra sits.

Ma’an gorge and arrival at Petra: what you need when you step out

Once you’re across the border, the tour heads to the gorge of Ma’an, where Petra is found. This approach helps explain why the site feels so theatrical once you reach it. You’re traveling into the canyon environment, not just arriving at a flat monument.

From there, the tour focuses on the signature sights:

• Al Khazneh (the Treasury)
• Roman Theater
• Temple and Treasures of the Citadel areas
• King Wall graves (13 graves)

The most practical advice here is simple: once you’re inside Petra, your time becomes walking time. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that won’t annoy you after hours in warm weather. And bring whatever water strategy you personally trust—one strong tip from the experience is to carry plenty of water because Petra can get hot.

Al Khazneh Treasury: the stop that turns the day from travel into real wonder

This is the headliner. Al Khazneh (the Treasury) is the postcard view of Petra, and it’s also one of those places where the stone architecture looks like it belongs in a story, not in a real desert canyon.

When you reach the canyon section for the Treasury, you’ll feel why this place became a legend. The buildings carved into pink stone create that classic “reveal” moment: the scale hits before the details do.

What makes this stop work in a day tour is that you get it early enough to focus. You’re not just rushing past it. The guided approach helps you notice what you’d miss on your own, even if you only catch a portion of the full complex.

Just plan for crowds and for the fact that time is tight. If you want one clean photo and then want to move on, you’ll probably have a better experience than if you try to linger in every angle.

Roman Theater and Citadel sights: Petra beyond the single famous façade

After the Treasury, you shift from the most iconic façade to the broader story of the site. The tour includes the Roman Theater, plus the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel areas.

This part matters because it gives you the Petra “layers” effect. Petra isn’t only about one tribe or one era. You start seeing how different cultures left their mark—Roman influence shows up in theater architecture, while the Citadel areas help you understand Petra as a whole carved world.

In the best moments, the Roman Theater stop makes you imagine performances in the open air. Even if you don’t sit for long, you’ll get the sense of designed space—where viewing and movement mattered.

And if the group pace feels brisk, remember: the payoff here is perspective. You’re building a mental map of Petra, not collecting only one highlight.

King Wall graves: the 13 graves that add a somber tone

One of Petra’s strengths is that it can swing from awe to unease in seconds. This tour includes the King Wall graves, specifically the 13 graves along that wall.

These graves aren’t as famous in the average travel photo feed as the Treasury, but they’re essential. They remind you that Petra wasn’t created only for spectacle. It also served as a place tied to memory and status.

This is where the day’s pacing can matter. If you rush, it can feel like another stop. If you take a few minutes—just enough to slow your brain down—you’ll get a more complete sense of what you’re seeing. The graves bring tone to the architecture.

Lunch after Petra: where a reset helps more than you think

After exploring Petra, you’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. In a day this long, lunch isn’t just food—it’s a reset button for energy and mood.

If you’ve been walking and sweating, you’ll appreciate having something planned rather than improvising. Also, since the tour includes lunch, you’re less likely to lose time hunting for a place, or pay extra for convenience.

One more practical thought: after a big site like Petra, people tend to feel less hungry than expected and more tired than expected. Eating anyway helps you stay functional for the return travel, especially once you’re back on buses and planning the long ride.

Time management: why the return feels like the real challenge

Let’s be honest: the travel day is the stress test. People have reported that the tour can take about 20 hours, and some mention around 23 hours. That’s not a casual day trip. It’s more like a full travel marathon with Petra as the centerpiece.

The good news is that the tour keeps things practical: air-conditioned transport, stops for breaks, and a clear sequence of moving parts (pickup, ferry, Petra, lunch, return).

Still, I’d treat the return logistics as important. If you need to plan a dinner, a night connection, or simply sleep, don’t assume you’ll be back at a reasonable hour. Build buffer time. This is the type of tour where you plan your day around the tour, not the other way around.

Price and value: what $329 buys you, and what it doesn’t

At $329 per person, this isn’t a budget excursion. But it can be good value when you look at what’s bundled.

You’re paying for a full package of costs that add up fast if you tried to arrange parts yourself:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Ferry tickets between Egypt and Jordan
• Jordan entry visa
• Petra entrance fees
• On-site tour guide
• Lunch

That’s a lot of included items, and it matters for a day trip like this because you don’t want to spend the best hours of your day solving paperwork or juggling tickets.

What you’ll still pay for is mostly personal spending, like drinks or snacks beyond the lunch. Also, Petra souvenirs are a thing—so if you’re not into that, resist the trap of buying impulsively just to justify a long day.

My value take: if you want Petra highlights with minimal independent planning, this price can make sense. If you’re trying to keep costs low and you’re comfortable with arranging border and transport logistics yourself, you might find cheaper options. But you’ll be trading simplicity for complexity.

Guides, language, and group vibes: English and Russian on the move

The tour includes guides on-site, and the tour languages are English and Russian. This matters because Petra is the kind of place where a good guide can turn scattered landmarks into a coherent story.

In the experiences shared, guides like Mohammad, Mayos, and Aladin have been praised for being friendly and helpful. That’s a strong sign: the guide experience can be a real part of the value, not just a box checked in the itinerary.

Group size can also affect your day. One account described a group around 48 people, and the language mix was mostly Russian. You may not control that, but you can control your expectations: if you need clear English narration most of the time, pick the language option carefully and be ready for the reality of large-group dynamics.

What to bring (so Petra feels good, not miserable)

The tour lists the essentials, and I agree with them:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothes

Then add one practical piece of advice pulled from real day-in-day-out experience: carry plenty of water. Petra can be hot, and you’ll be moving for hours. If you think you’ll be fine with whatever you find when you arrive, you’re gambling.

Also, have a plan for sun and timing. The tour is long, so the goal is to stay comfortable enough that you can actually enjoy the sights, not just survive the logistics.

Who this Petra day tour from Sharm suits best

This tour makes the most sense for you if:

• You have limited time in the Sharm area and still want Petra.
• You want the big highlights: Treasury, Roman Theater, Citadel areas, and King Wall graves.
• You prefer a structured day over independent planning.
• You’re okay with a very long travel schedule.

It may not be your best match if you hate long coach rides, if you need a flexible schedule, or if you strongly prefer slow sightseeing with fewer time constraints.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if Petra is your priority and you’re ready for the reality of a long day. The included value is real—ferry + visa + entrance fees + guide + lunch—and that bundling helps you avoid a lot of friction.

I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to time-on-road or you want to control your pacing hour by hour. This is efficient, not leisurely.

If you do book: wear good shoes, carry plenty of water, and give yourself a full buffer when it comes to your return plans. Do that, and Petra will feel like the win it’s meant to be.

FAQ

How do I get to Jordan from Sharm El Sheikh on this tour?

You travel from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, then take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. After that, you continue by vehicle toward the Petra area.

What Petra sights are included?

The tour visits Al Khazneh (the Treasury), the Roman Theater, and the King Wall graves (13 graves). It also includes views of the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel area.

What’s included in the price of the tour?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra entrance fees, an on-site tour guide, and lunch.

Do I need a passport or ID card?

Yes. You should bring your passport or an ID card for the border/entry requirements.

What language will the tour be in?

The tour languages offered are English and Russian.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included after your Petra visit at a local restaurant.

How long is the trip from Sharm to Petra and back?

It’s a long day. People report it can take around 20 hours, and some mention closer to 23 hours.

What should I wear and bring for Petra?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes, and plan for warm conditions by carrying plenty of water.

Is there a tour guide during the Petra visit?

Yes. A tour guide is on-site during your time at Petra.