From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry

Petra is worth a very long day. This ambitious 22-hour journey links Sharm El Sheikh to Jordan by road and ferry, then gives you a guided visit to the Nabataean city carved into rose-colored rock. I like the chance to see Petra without arranging several separate transfers, and I like that the fee includes transport, ferry tickets, Jordanian entry, admission, a guide, and lunch.

The main drawback is simple: the schedule is exhausting. Border checks, ferry crossings, road transfers, and time at Petra make for a packed day with plenty of waiting. Still, strong guides such as Karim, Kareem, Wazy, Ahmed, and Imad have helped make this demanding trip feel worthwhile and well managed.

Key points before you book

• Petra in one very long day: You leave Sharm El Sheikh just before midnight and return around midnight the following night.
• Two ferry crossings: Each ferry ride takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, with border procedures before and after.
• A guided Petra visit: The three-hour tour covers the Siq, Al Khazneh, Roman theater, royal tombs, Roman colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent.
• Excellent guide reports: Karim and Kareem receive especially warm praise for their clear explanations and care with the group.
• Comfortable road transport: The air-conditioned buses and vehicles are a welcome relief during a day with so much movement.
• Bring practical gear: You need your passport, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water. A copy of your passport must reach the local partner no later than two days before departure.

Is a day trip from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra realistic?

Yes, but only if you accept the cost in sleep and energy. Pickup takes place in Sharm El Sheikh shortly before midnight, so the first part of the experience is a nighttime road journey toward Taba. You then cross the border, continue to Aqaba, board the ferry, and reach Jordan before traveling onward to Petra.

The headline duration is 22 hours, and that figure matters. This is not a relaxed sightseeing day with a leisurely breakfast and a free afternoon. It is a transport-heavy expedition built around one major reward: seeing Petra in person.

I would recommend it to you if Petra is high on your wish list and you have limited time in Egypt. I would not choose it for a family with very young children, anyone who struggles with long transfers, or anyone hoping for a slow, detailed exploration of the site.

The value comes from convenience. At $381 per person, the price is substantial, but it covers hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, entry to Petra, a Jordanian entry visa, a live English-speaking guide, and lunch. Organizing all those pieces separately would be difficult, especially across an international border.

The midnight departure from Sharm El Sheikh

Your vehicle collects you from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh just before midnight. The provided transport is modern and air-conditioned, which is important because you will spend many hours on the road and may want to sleep during parts of the trip.

The first destination is Taba, near the Egyptian border. The planned stop is brief, but border procedures can take much longer than the stated passing time. That is one of the least predictable parts of the day, so keep your passport and any required documents close at hand rather than buried in your luggage.

You must provide a copy of your passport to the local partner at least two days before the trip. Bring the original passport on the day itself. Without it, the border crossing and Jordanian entry cannot proceed.

The transport arrangements have generally been praised, but organization on the Egyptian side has not always been perfect. You may encounter waiting, unclear instructions, or a change in who is guiding the group during the return journey. That does not ruin the visit, but it can make the long day feel even longer.

Crossing by ferry from Taba to Aqaba

After the border formalities, you continue to the port of Aqaba area and take the ferry toward Jordan. Each listed ferry crossing lasts about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The ride breaks up the road journey and gives you a chance to sit, rest, and change pace.

Do not treat the ferry schedule as completely fixed. If the ferry is urgently canceled, or if the tour runs on a day outside the usual sailing schedule, the operator may transfer the group into Jordan through the Arava border instead. This is an important practical detail, since the land crossing can change the rhythm of the day.

The Aqaba portion is short, listed at about 20 minutes, so you should not expect a city tour. It functions mainly as the arrival point for the Jordan section and the link to Petra. Keep your expectations focused on the archaeological site rather than Aqaba sightseeing.

Border and port waits are the biggest risk to your time in Petra. The schedule allows for a full visit, but delays can reduce the hours available at the site. Guides and drivers have received praise for keeping the day moving, though the handoffs between transport, ferry, and immigration are not always perfectly clear.

Reaching Petra and entering through the Siq

Petra is often called the Rose City because of the color of its carved stone. The approach begins at the Siq, a natural canyon formed by a crack in the rock. This narrow passage is one of the most memorable parts of the visit because the city does not reveal itself all at once.

You can walk toward the Siq or choose a camel ride. The camel option may appeal if you want to reduce some walking or simply add a traditional form of transport, but prices for animals and small souvenirs can be high. Agree on costs clearly before accepting any ride or purchase.

The route through the Siq leads to carved facades, statues, religious figures, and other remains of the Nabataean capital. Your guide explains how the Nabataeans built a powerful kingdom here and how the city served as a major center along ancient trade routes.

The guided Petra portion lasts about three hours. That is enough to see the principal sights, but not enough for every path, tomb, and viewpoint. I like this arrangement for a first visit because you receive context instead of simply walking through the canyon, but you should not expect the freedom of a full independent day.

Al Khazneh and Petra’s main monuments

The first major reveal is Al Khazneh, the famous Treasury. Its detailed facade has been carved directly into the rock and has survived for more than 2,000 years. This is the moment many people have been waiting for, and it earns the attention it receives.

The name can mislead you. Al Khazneh is not simply a treasure store, and a guide can help explain the role and meaning of the monument. The scale becomes clearer when you see people gathered at its base, looking up at the columns and carved details.

The tour also takes you to the Roman theater, royal tombs, Roman colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent. Each gives you a different view of Petra, from public performance space to monumental burial facades and formal city streets.

The Roman colonnaded street is particularly useful for understanding that Petra was more than a canyon with one famous facade. Qasr al-Bent adds another important stop, while the royal tombs show how the Nabataeans used the surrounding cliffs as part of the city itself.

This is where a good guide makes a real difference. Karim and Kareem have been especially praised for being friendly, clear, and attentive. Wazy and Ahmed have also been singled out for strong coordination between the Egyptian and Jordanian parts of the day.

Walking, camels, and the demands of the site

You should bring solid walking shoes. The route includes the Siq and several major monuments, and the day involves repeated changes between vehicles, border areas, ferry terminals, and the archaeological site.

Carry plenty of water. The supplied information does not promise drinks with lunch, and one meal report specifically noted that beverages were not included. Buying water and coffee may be possible along the way, but do not depend on every stop having exactly what you need.

The camel option adds local character, and one particularly memorable outing included a guide named Imad, a mountain tea stop, and time with a local family. That sounds like a more personal experience than a standard transfer, but you should remember that animal rides and informal purchases involve separate costs and negotiation.

Petra can also be tiring for anyone with mobility concerns. The activity is advertised as wheelchair accessible, but the site includes a natural canyon and a long sightseeing route. If you need specific assistance, contact the provider before departure and explain your needs clearly.

The local sellers and animal handlers may approach you with souvenirs or rides. Some prices can be steep for small items, so a polite refusal and a clear price check are useful. This is part of the practical side of visiting a major archaeological attraction.

Lunch after the Petra tour

Lunch takes place at a local restaurant after the main Petra visit. Including a meal is helpful because you do not need to spend time searching for a restaurant during an already tight schedule.

The meal has been described as tasty and suitable for a range of preferences, but vegetarian choices may be limited. One vegetarian diner found that salads were the only clear alternative to meat. If you do not eat meat, tell the guide early and ask what can be arranged.

Drinks are not included, so budget for them or carry your own where allowed. The lunch service may also feel informal, with limited direction about where to sit or how the group meal works. That is a small issue, but after several hours of travel, clear instructions would make the stop easier.

I would treat lunch as a practical refueling break rather than a major culinary experience. Its main value is location and convenience, not fine dining.

The return journey and what can go wrong

After lunch, you return toward Aqaba for the ferry back to Taba. The same 2-hour-and-20-minute sailing time applies, followed by border procedures and the road transfer to Sharm El Sheikh.

The return can feel harder than the outward journey because you are tired and the excitement of reaching Petra has passed. During one part of the Egyptian return, English-language guidance was not always available, leaving people unsure about toilet stops, drink purchases, or when they could leave the vehicle.

You may also need to keep track of your hotel during the final Sharm El Sheikh transfer. Confirm your accommodation with the driver before the last stop and stay with the group when vehicles change.

Safety and communication deserve attention. One account raised concern about a driver using a phone while driving. That is not a reason to assume every journey will be the same, but it is fair advice to pay attention and speak up if you feel unsafe.

The expected arrival back at your hotel is around midnight. In practice, border or ferry delays may push the schedule later. Keep the following morning free if possible.

The guides are a major part of the value

The strongest part of this experience is often the human care provided during a complicated day. A good guide is not only explaining Petra. He is helping you understand where to go, when to wait, how the border process works, and how to stay together during several transport changes.

Karim and Kareem are names worth noting when you meet the Jordanian team. They have been praised for strong explanations, patience, enthusiasm, and professional care. Wazy and Ahmed have also helped bridge the Egypt and Jordan portions of the journey.

The guide named Imad received especially warm praise for the camel experience and for creating a memorable mountain tea stop. That kind of personal attention can turn a basic sightseeing stop into a more human encounter.

Still, guide quality and communication may vary by departure. The experience is not a private tour, and some sections may be handled by different staff. Ask who is responsible for your group before leaving each ferry or border area.

Who should book this Petra tour?

This trip suits you best if:

• Petra is a personal must-see.
• You are staying in Sharm El Sheikh and cannot spare several days for Jordan.
• You can manage a night departure and a full day of travel.
• You value included transport and border assistance.
• You are comfortable with a guided overview rather than independent exploration.
• You can walk for several hours and handle changes in transport.

I would think twice if you need a quiet pace, have very young children, require highly predictable timing, or want extensive time at Petra. A longer Jordan stay would be better for those priorities, but this excursion offers a practical shortcut for a single major sight.

Final verdict: worth $381?

For the right person, yes. The price is high, but the package removes much of the difficulty of arranging a cross-border visit from Sharm El Sheikh. Ferry tickets, entry fees, transport, a visa, lunch, and a guide are all included, and Petra is one of those places that can justify an inconvenient journey.

The tradeoff is comfort. You will spend much of the day moving, waiting, and managing border procedures. The ferry schedule can change, communication may be uneven on the return, and lunch may disappoint vegetarians or anyone expecting included drinks.

I would book this tour if seeing Petra matters more to you than having a restful holiday day. Choose it with good shoes, water, a passport, patience, and realistic expectations. If Karim, Kareem, Wazy, Ahmed, or Imad are assigned to your group, you may also get the careful local guidance that makes this demanding trip much easier.

FAQ

How long is the Sharm El Sheikh to Petra tour?

The experience lasts about 22 hours. Pickup begins just before midnight, and the planned return to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel is around midnight the following day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh are included, along with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

How long does the ferry ride take?

Each ferry crossing is listed at approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. You take one ferry toward Jordan and another ferry back toward Taba.

Is the Jordan entry visa included?

Yes. The Jordan entry visa is included in the tour price. You must also bring your passport and send a copy to the local partner no later than two days before departure.

What sights are included at Petra?

The guided visit includes the Siq, Al Khazneh, the Roman theater, royal tombs, the Roman colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent. The guided portion lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant in Petra is included. Drinks are not included, and vegetarian choices may be limited, so tell the guide about dietary needs in advance.

What happens if the ferry is canceled?

If the ferry is urgently canceled or the booking falls outside the sailing schedule, the group may enter Jordan through the Arava border instead.