Petra starts with a midnight ferry. I like that this trip stacks real logistics (border help, ferry tickets, and Petra entry) into one booking, and I also like the smooth-feeling English-guided pacing once you reach Petra. Just know the schedule is long—about 22 hours—and border timing can stretch the early part of the day.

You’ll start from Sharm El Sheikh just before midnight, cross via Taba, sail to Jordan, then get a guided walk through Petra’s most famous rock-carved moments before heading back to Egypt after dark.

Key things I’d bookmark before you go

• Midnight start + ferry crossing: you trade a hard land drive for water time
• Skip-the-line Petra entrance: separate entry helps you spend more time inside
• Siq to Al Khazneh with a guide: the payoff is big when you understand what you’re looking at
• 3-hour guided Petra block: enough time for the highlights without feeling like a sprint
• Camel or walking choice in the Siq: you control how much effort you want
• Lunch in a local restaurant: included, but plan for simple options and bring patience

Midnight Pickup, Taba Border, and the Ferry to Aqaba

This is one of those trips that starts when most people are asleep, and that’s exactly why it works. You’re picked up from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel just before midnight and moved toward the Taba border crossing in an air-conditioned vehicle. The goal is simple: you want to minimize wasted daytime and arrive on the Jordan side with enough time to reach Petra.

The border process is where your “day” can expand or tighten. The good news is that the tour includes assistance, so you’re not doing it alone with forms and stamps. The not-so-good news is that any ferry-based itinerary depends on crossing flow. In past experiences with this style of tour, border waiting has been the main friction point.

Then comes the best part: the ferry ride. You sail from Egypt toward Jordan’s Rose City area—landing at Aqaba on the Jordan side. Even if you’ve done ferries before, this one feels like part of the adventure, not just transit. You’re not stuck in traffic; you’re crossing water with time to sit, stretch a bit, and shift gears before Petra.

Crossing Into Jordan Without the DIY Headaches

One of the most practical reasons to book this instead of building it yourself is how much it bundles. You get:

• help at the border
• transport on the Jordan side once you’re inside
• ferry tickets
• Jordan entry visa included
• a Petra guide and Petra entrance fees

That matters because Petra logistics are rarely just one thing. You’re dealing with international paperwork, a ferry schedule, and a site that rewards time. When those parts are handled for you, you can focus on the one part you actually came for.

If the ferry ever has an urgent cancellation (or you’re shifted onto other days), you may be routed into Jordan via the Arava border instead. That’s not something you control as a traveler, but it’s reassuring that there’s a Plan B.

One more detail you’ll want to handle early: you need to provide a copy of your passport to the local partner no later than 2 days before the tour. It’s small admin work that keeps you from getting stuck during document checks later.

The Petra Moment: Siq to Al Khazneh With a Real Guide

Once you arrive in the Petra area, the tour turns into what you actually pictured when you added Petra to your bucket list. The best sequence is the classic one: enter the Siq, then reach Al Khazneh (the Treasury).

You start by choosing how you want to get through the canyon:

• walk the Siq, or
• ride a camel

Either way, you’re heading through that narrow natural cut in the rock that funnels you forward like a built-in corridor. Walking gives you maximum flexibility for pauses and photos. Camel riding can save your legs if your shoes aren’t loved yet by long-distance walking. Just keep in mind that Petra is a place where you’ll be moving again right after the Siq, so you still want comfortable footwear and a steady pace.

The guide portion is the difference between seeing Petra and understanding it. As you follow the trail, you’ll notice rock-carved details—statues, idols, and structures—set into the canyon walls. Without context, they can blur into “cool shapes.” With guidance, you start recognizing how Nabatean and later Roman influences shaped what you’re looking at.

Then you reach the big reveal: Al Khazneh, standing for more than 2000 years. It’s famous for a reason. In the canyon’s dim light, then all at once facing that façade, you get that classic Petra feeling of scale and time.

Beyond the Treasury: Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bent

A short guided window can be risky at Petra, because the site is huge. Here, the tour gives you a 3-hour guided tour—and that’s a smart compromise if you’re doing Petra as a day trip from Sharm El Sheikh.

Within the guided time, you’ll see more than just the Treasury. Expect stops including:

• the Roman theater
• royal tombs
• the Roman colonnaded street
• Qasr al-Bent

What I like about this selection is that it’s not only “the postcard view.” You also get a sense of how Petra functioned as a city—gathering spaces, ceremonial areas, and the street framework that later Roman influence left behind.

Also, you get guidance right when it matters. For example, the Roman theater and tomb areas help you understand how Petra wasn’t only a dramatic entrance. It was a living place shaped by trade routes and careful engineering. You don’t need a textbook to feel the difference once someone points out the key features.

Camel, Horse, and What to Wear for Petra’s Real Footwork

This tour makes it easy to choose your pace in the Siq. You can walk or use camel riding there, and the idea is to save your energy for the rest of the visit.

But don’t think the camel removes the effort. Petra still demands walking. Even if your guided time is structured, you’ll move between viewpoints, wait at photo points, and spend time navigating uneven ground and steps.

My practical advice:

• wear sturdy walking shoes (not “nice” shoes)
• bring a water strategy (you’ll want it for a long day)
• keep layers handy, since the canyon and open areas can feel different

One more practical warning from real-world experiences with this kind of Petra day: animal-related vendors inside the area can ask high prices for small “extras.” You can still enjoy the camel or horse option, but you’ll get a better day if you decide in advance what you’re willing to pay and stick to it.

Lunch in Petra: Included, But Keep Your Expectations Practical

Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Petra, which is a major value point. You don’t have to track down food after long travel and a guided run.

That said, Petra’s food situation can be simpler than you might hope on a day tour. In some past experiences, lunch has been more limited for certain dietary needs, and drinks were not included with lunch. Translation: if you’re vegetarian or you eat with specific rules, you may want to plan for salads and whatever else is available rather than expecting a full menu.

If you’re sensitive to long days, do this:

• eat early in your lunch window when possible
• bring a snack you trust if your stomach hates surprises
• drink water before lunch, not only during it

Sharm El Sheikh Return at Midnight: Why the 22 Hours Matter

This is not a “quick day trip.” It’s a long arc: midnight pickup, ferry crossing, Petra time, then the return cruise back to Taba, landing in Sharm El Sheikh around midnight.

That structure matters because you’ll be trading sleep for one giant goal: seeing Petra in a single day. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates being on the move all day, you might find this exhausting. If you’re excited enough to take the hit for the reward, this format can be the easiest way to do it from Egypt.

Also, when you’re tired, it’s tempting to rush through details. Don’t. Petra rewards attention—especially the carvings and the transitions between carved canyon walls and open monuments.

The return route is straightforward: you go back to the port at Aqaba, take the cruise toward Taba, then transfer back to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel. The main “watch out” is time management at ferry and immigration points, which can affect how smooth the last part of your day feels.

Price and Value: What $381 Covers (and Why It’s Not Just a Ticket)

At $381 per person, this isn’t a budget excursion. But here’s the value logic: this price bundles multiple costly pieces together:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• air-conditioned transport
• ferry tickets
• Petra entrance fees
• an English-speaking tour guide
• a structured 3-hour guided tour inside Petra
• lunch
• the Jordan entry visa

A DIY version would likely force you to pay for those items separately, and it would also force you to handle the most stressful part: the border and schedule coordination. When you’re crossing from Egypt into Jordan and time depends on ferry windows, bundled logistics can be worth real money.

So I’d judge the cost like this: you’re paying to reduce friction and maximize Petra time, not just to ride a bus. If you want a relaxed trip where the timing and guiding are handled, this makes sense. If you enjoy organizing borders and public transport yourself, you might find cheaper options elsewhere—but they won’t feel as plug-and-play.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This day trip by ferry is a strong fit if:

• Petra is a top priority and you want the big sights without extra planning
• you like having a guide to help you understand what you’re seeing
• you don’t want to drive long distances over land
• you’re okay with a long schedule and late return

It may be less ideal if:

• you struggle with very long days and delayed schedules
• you need lots of hand-holding for logistics, since a few parts can be busy or slow at borders and ports
• you have dietary needs that require more than basic options at lunch

One small comfort point: buses are described as comfortable and air-conditioned, which matters when you’re traveling through the night.

Should You Book This Petra Ferry Day Trip?

I’d book it if you’re coming from Sharm El Sheikh and you want Petra with minimal stress. The combination of skip-the-line entrance, guided Siq to Al Khazneh, and a planned set of monuments (the theater, tombs, colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent) is a solid use of a limited time window.

If you’re worried about the long day, treat this as a “yes, but prepare” trip: wear good shoes, bring water, and accept that border timing isn’t fully in your hands. When everything lines up, Petra is the kind of place that makes an exhausting travel day feel worth it.

FAQ

What time do you get picked up in Sharm El Sheikh?

Pickup is just before midnight from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel.

How long is the tour in total?

The total duration is about 22 hours.

How do you travel between Egypt and Jordan?

You take a ferry, departing from Egypt and sailing to Jordan with time in Aqaba before heading to Petra.

Is Petra entrance included?

Yes. Petra entrance fees are included, and you’ll use a separate entrance to skip the line.

How much of Petra is guided?

You get a 3-hour guided tour of Petra with an English-speaking guide.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Petra.

Do I need a Jordan visa?

Yes, and an entry visa to Jordan is included with the tour.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your passport.

What if the ferry is cancelled urgently?

If the ferry has an urgent cancellation or you’re moved to other days outside the schedule, you’ll be transferred into Jordan via the Arava border.

FAQ

What should I send before the tour starts?

You need to provide a copy of your passport to the local partner up to 2 days before the tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is described as wheelchair accessible.