Petra hits you fast, even after a very long day. This tour pairs a cross-Sinai drive with a ferry ride across the Gulf of Aqaba, then delivers the big Petra moments with a guide and lunch. I love the first jaw-drop view when Al Khazneh comes into sight, and I also love that you go beyond the Treasury to see the Roman Theater and the King Wall graves. The main drawback is time: plan for a door-to-door 20+ hour day, so only book if you’re okay with long transit.

You’re also not just buying tickets to a famous site. You’re getting help navigating the day, including hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Petra entrance fees, and an on-site guide. One more note: the day can mean a large group, and language mix may vary, so if you want very specific English explanations the whole way, you should ask about guide language before you go.

Key Highlights Worth Planning For

• Crossing by ferry from Egypt to Jordan saves you from a purely overland slog and breaks up the day.
• Al Khazneh (the Treasury) is the first major payoff and a classic photo moment for a reason.
• Roman Theater + Citadel areas give you variety beyond the single postcard view.
• King Wall graves (including the 13 graves) add an extra layer of meaning to the canyon walk.
• Lunch is included, which matters when you’re staring down a very long day.

Day Tour to Petra by Ferry: The Big Picture

Petra is one of those places that feels built for cinema. The pink stone, the rock-cut facades, and the way the canyon funnels you forward all combine into that rare effect: you keep turning corners and thinking, wait, that’s real.

This particular day tour is built around reach and pacing. You start from Sharm El Sheikh, cross into Jordan by ferry, then drive toward Petra via the Ma’an area so you can spend your daylight inside the site.

Here’s the trade-off: you’re paying for access and support, but you’re also signing up for serious travel time. If you hate long coach days, this won’t be your kind of day. If you can handle it, Petra makes the hours feel worth it.

The Sharm to Taba Run: Where the Day Really Starts

Pickup from Sharm El Sheikh sets the tone early. After you leave, you’ll be traveling across the Sinai Peninsula toward Taba, the Egyptian side where the ferry connects you to Jordan.

The upside is comfort. The transport is described as air-conditioned, and there are stops along the way for breaks. That matters because the day is long enough that you’ll want water, a stretch, and a reset at least once.

The downside is simple: you should plan your stamina for a long route, not for a quick sprint to a sight and back. Bring your best patience, especially if you’re sensitive to travel days.

What I’d do to make it easier for you: wear shoes you can walk in for hours, pack a small bottle of water you can grab quickly, and keep snacks simple and portable.

The Gulf of Aqaba Ferry: A Real Change of Pace

Once you reach Taba, you take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba into Jordan. It’s not the main attraction, but it’s a smart part of the day.

Why? Because it breaks the trip into phases. Instead of one long drive, you get a water crossing, and the experience stays smoother in terms of schedule control. Also, the ferry time is part of the overall push that gets you to Petra without needing an all-land border adventure.

One practical tip from the reality of heat in the area: when you arrive on the Jordan side, you’ll be glad you planned hydration. Even if the ferry is comfortable, Petra itself can be hot.

Crossing into Jordan and Heading Toward Ma’an

After the ferry, the tour heads toward the Ma’an gorge area where you connect to Petra. This is the transition moment: you stop thinking about logistics and start thinking about rock-cut architecture.

You’ll also get the basics you need to function on arrival. The tour includes Jordan entry visa, plus Petra entrance fees and a tour guide on-site. That helps because border days can get stressful fast, and Petra deserves your full attention.

This is also where timing matters. Petra is not just one site; it’s a system of paths, viewpoints, and heritage zones. A guided plan helps you focus on the stops that make the biggest impact in the time you have.

Entering Petra: Al Khazneh and the Siq Moment

Petra’s layout rewards the “walk forward and look up” style of travel. The classic canyon approach funnels you toward the big reveal, and Al Khazneh (the Treasury) is the star scene.

When the Treasury opens up, it’s not just impressive because it’s famous. It’s impressive because it looks carved to fit the moment you’re standing in. The scale of the Treasury, the rock color, and the way the canyon frames the view all work together.

This stop is often why people book a day tour in the first place. You’ll see it, you’ll understand why it’s everywhere in photos, and you’ll get the explanation from the guide that makes it feel less like a postcard and more like a place with a purpose.

If you like architecture and visual storytelling, this is your high point.

Roman Theater and the Citadel Areas: More Than One View

After Al Khazneh, the day widens. You’ll move on to the Roman Theater, which is one of the biggest visual reminders that Petra wasn’t only a carved-city mystery. It was adapted and used as civilizations changed around it.

From there, you can expect stops that connect the dots across different parts of the site, including Temple and Treasures of the Citadel. Even if you only catch pieces in your day, the overall effect is that Petra becomes layered. You see signs of different eras rather than one single “thing.”

This is a big reason I like this tour structure. Many short trips over-prioritize one location. Here, you get multiple anchor points in a single day.

King Wall Graves (13 Graves): A Quiet, Moving Stop

One of the most specific highlights is the walk past the graves on the King Wall, including the 13 graves of the area’s famous tombs.

This stop changes the mood. The Treasury is dramatic and wide-angle. The King Wall area brings you back to scale: you’re moving along the rock edge, looking at memorial forms carved into a place that has been watched for centuries.

If you enjoy the “what does this mean” side of travel, this is where your guide’s interpretation can make a real difference. Also, it’s a nice counterbalance to the main photo stops, so you don’t feel stuck in selfie mode all day.

Lunch Inside the Petra Flow: Keep Energy Up

After exploring Petra, the tour includes lunch at a local restaurant. Getting lunch included is more valuable than it sounds when you’re on a day clock.

In Petra, you can lose time quickly if you’re searching for food or thinking about what to eat. A planned lunch stop helps you avoid the common trap: spend the morning rushing and then end the day too tired to enjoy the last sights.

My practical advice: choose something that doesn’t slow you down. Then, keep your water plan going after lunch too, especially if your visit happens during hotter hours.

The Real Challenge: The 20+ Hour Day and How to Cope

The biggest theme here is time. The tour can run very long. One experience described it as around 20 hours, and another as 23 hours, so you should expect a serious day rather than a normal “depart and return” schedule.

That long stretch is exactly why you’ll want comfort planning:

• Use comfortable clothes for long movement.
• Carry water and take breaks when offered.
• Think ahead about when you’ll recharge mentally, not just physically.

There’s also a group reality. One account mentioned a group of about 48 people, mostly Russian. Another mentioned a guide on one leg speaking mostly in Russian, which can be tricky if you prefer English at all times.

So I’d treat the day like this: you’re there for Petra, but you may not get perfectly tailored commentary during every transport segment. The on-site guiding inside Petra is the part you should care most about, since that’s where the big explanations match the big sights.

Guide Names, Language Mix, and What to Ask Before You Go

This tour uses an on-site guide, and guide names you may encounter include Mohammad, Mayos, and Aladdin. That’s helpful because it signals continuity: there are real people doing the guiding, not just a ticket scan and a map.

That said, language can vary across the long travel components. English and Russian are offered, but if your comfort depends on clear commentary for the whole day, ask a simple question when booking: is English available for the full experience or mainly for Petra?

Also, be ready for a common Petra rhythm: there are plenty of shops and sales pitches. One tip stands out—haggle hard and keep your wits about you. If you’re not into shopping, just walk through with purpose and don’t get pulled into the same conversation twice.

Price and Value: Is $329 Worth It?

$329 per person is not cheap for a day trip. But for this route, it’s easier to judge the value if you break down what you’re paying for.

You’re including:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Ferry tickets across the Gulf of Aqaba
• Jordan entry visa
• Petra entrance fees
• On-site tour guide
• Lunch

For a long-distance, border-crossing day, that package can be worth it if you don’t want to piece the trip together yourself. The ferry and visa inclusion alone remove two headache points that can consume time and energy.

Is it perfect value? Only you can decide. If you’re the type who hates long travel days, no price is worth it. If you’re flexible with timing and want a guided, all-in day to Petra without logistical stress, $329 starts to make sense.

Who This Petra Tour Fits Best

This tour works best for:

• You want Petra in one day while starting from Sharm El Sheikh
• You’re okay with a long door-to-door day and can plan for it
• You prefer having key services handled (ferry, visa, fees, guide, lunch)
• You like structured sightseeing with major stops: Al Khazneh, Roman Theater, and King Wall graves

It may not be ideal if:

• You strongly dislike 20+ hour travel days
• You need uninterrupted English commentary on every segment of the day
• You prefer slow travel or multiple nights in the region

Should You Book This Sharm-to-Petra Ferry Day Tour?

If your top goal is to see Petra’s most iconic sights from Sharm El Sheikh in a single go, this tour is a solid option. The biggest selling point for me is the balance: you get help with the hard logistics, plus guided stops that cover more than just one famous viewpoint.

But don’t book it on wishful thinking. Go into the day expecting a grind. Bring water, wear the right shoes, and give yourself permission to be tired during transit so you can still feel fully awake when Petra opens up.

If that sounds like your style, you’ll likely walk away thinking the long ride was the price of admission to one of the world’s most striking places.

FAQ

How do I get to Petra on this tour?

You’ll start with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh, travel across the Sinai to Taba, take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan, and then continue by road to the Petra area.

What Petra sites are included?

The tour focuses on the Treasure of Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, and the King Wall graves, including the 13 graves.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included after your Petra visit.

Do I need a visa for Jordan?

Jordan entry visa is included in the tour, and you’ll need your passport or ID card.

What’s included in the price?

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

What languages are available?

The tour is available in English and Russian.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, wear comfortable shoes, and bring comfortable clothes. It’s also wise to carry water for Petra’s heat.

How long is the day?

Expect a very long day. Some accounts describe it as around 20 hours and another as around 23 hours total.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes. The transport is described as having air conditioning on the buses and boat.

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. The option is Reserve & Pay Later, where you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

What’s the cancellation window?

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