From Sharm ElSheikh: The Lost City (Petra) Day Tour by Ferry

Petra rewards the stubborn traveler. This ambitious day trip carries you from Sharm El Sheikh across the Sinai Peninsula, by ferry from Taba to Jordan, and into Petra’s rose-colored canyon. I like the chance to see Al Khazneh, the famous Treasury, and I like that lunch, transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry, and Petra admission are bundled into the $329 price. The catch is serious: this can become a 20 to 23-hour day, with a large group and a great deal of time spent getting there and back.

The payoff is Petra itself. You’ll see the Roman Theater, the King Wall with its 13 graves, and towering structures cut into pink stone. Guides such as Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin have been praised for their warmth and clear explanations, though guide quality may vary, especially during the road transfer from Aqaba.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra is the star: The Treasury, Roman Theater, King Wall, and other carved monuments make the long journey worthwhile for many people.
• Expect an extreme schedule: Early pickup and a return roughly 20 to 23 hours later can leave little energy for anything else.
• The ferry adds a memorable border crossing: You travel from Taba across the Gulf of Aqaba before continuing into Jordan.
• The $329 price covers the major costs: Hotel transfers, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra admission, a guide, and lunch are included.
• Large groups are possible: One account describes a group of about 48 people, with English and Russian used on the tour.
• Pack for heat and walking: Comfortable shoes, light comfortable clothing, your passport or ID card, and plenty of water are sensible choices.

The real shape of the day: Sharm to Taba

Your day begins with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh. From there, the route crosses the Sinai Peninsula toward Taba, so the first part is a road journey rather than sightseeing.

That matters because Petra is not a quick excursion from Sharm. You are committing to a full day and night of movement, border procedures, ferry travel, and touring. Several people found the length tiring but still felt Petra justified the effort. I would treat this as a once-in-a-trip splurge, not a relaxed day out.

The good news is that the road transport is air-conditioned, and the same comfort continues on the ferry and buses. Breaks are made along the way, but you should still carry water. Once you reach Petra, the heat and walking become more noticeable, and water may not always be close at hand.

Crossing the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry

At Taba, you board a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. This is more than a transfer. It gives the trip a distinct regional feel, linking Egypt and Jordan by water instead of simply flying over the area.

The ferry also helps explain why the trip takes so long. You have the road from Sharm to Taba, the crossing itself, entry formalities, and then another road journey toward Petra. Your Jordan entry visa and ferry ticket are included, which removes two large pieces of planning and extra expense.

You should bring your passport or ID card as required for the crossing. Keep it accessible rather than buried in a suitcase. The tour information specifically lists this document as essential, and without it, the included visa cannot help you.

Reaching Petra through Ma’an

After entering Jordan, the route continues toward the gorge of Ma’an, where Petra is located. The long approach builds anticipation, but it also tests your patience. The road portion from Aqaba to Petra has received mixed praise: some guides were friendly and helpful, while one account found the transport guide poor and noted that much of the commentary was in Russian even though most of the group could not understand it.

That is worth keeping in mind if you care strongly about guiding. The main on-site guide may be excellent, but the quality of commentary can vary between parts of the day. The named guides Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin were praised for being friendly, thoughtful, helpful, and well informed.

The language setup is listed as English and Russian. If you need English explanations throughout, confirm how the group will be divided or how commentary will be handled before you go. A large group can make this less personal.

Petra’s first great reveal: Al Khazneh

Petra’s Treasury, known as Al Khazneh, is the sight that makes this tour a bucket-list trip. Carved into pink stone, the grand facade appears as part of a canyon filled with towering rock walls and ancient structures.

The name Treasury is familiar, but the important point for you is visual impact. This is not a freestanding marble building viewed from a distance. It is cut directly into the stone, giving the monument a strong connection to the gorge around it.

Your visit centers on the canyon and its major archaeological sights. You will want comfortable shoes because the experience involves walking through and around the site, not simply stepping off a bus for a photograph. The supplied advice is simple and correct: wear comfortable footwear and clothing, and carry water.

Petra can be hot, especially during a long day when you have already spent hours on the road. The tour’s air-conditioned transport gives you relief between sections, but the archaeological area itself is open and exposed. Plan to use your energy carefully rather than racing through the first major sight.

The Roman Theater and the carved tombs

The Roman Theater gives the Petra visit a different mood from the Treasury. Instead of one highly decorated facade, you see a large performance structure cut into the rock. It shows how the city was not only a place of monumental tombs and ceremonial buildings, but also a lived-in center with public spaces.

The King Wall is another important stop. Here you see 13 graves cut into the rock, with the stone facade and natural cliff working together. These tombs are among the details that make Petra feel larger than a single famous photograph.

The tour also refers to the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel. The wording is broad, so do not assume you will have time to explore every corner of Petra. A one-day trip from Sharm has unavoidable time limits. You are getting an introduction to the central highlights rather than a long, slow examination of the entire archaeological area.

That tradeoff is clear. If you have dreamed of seeing Petra but cannot fit a longer Jordan stay into your holiday, this trip gets you there. If you want quiet time, side paths, and a detailed visit from morning to late afternoon, staying near Petra would be a better plan.

Lunch after the ruins

Lunch at a local restaurant follows the Petra visit. This is a useful pause after walking and sightseeing, especially during a day when the schedule has been physically demanding.

The meal is included, so you do not need to budget separately for the main lunch stop. The available information does not specify the menu, restaurant, or dietary arrangements. If you have special food needs, ask before departure rather than assuming the meal can be changed.

One practical gap is the evening journey back. A late dinner stop is not clearly part of the plan, and one person specifically wished there had been dinner before returning. Carrying a small amount of extra food may be sensible, provided it fits your own border and transport needs.

Air-conditioned transport, group size, and comfort

The transport is a strong point. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, road travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, the ferry crossing, and transport between the Jordanian stops. For such a long route, that comfort is not a small detail.

The weak point is group size. One account describes roughly 48 people, and the group was mostly Russian. A large party can mean slower movement, more waiting, and less chance to ask detailed questions. It can also make it harder to hear a guide at a crowded monument.

The best attitude is to view this as a coordinated group expedition, not a private tour. You are paying for access and logistics rather than a quiet, flexible schedule. If a smaller group matters to you, ask FTS Travels about the expected group size and language arrangement before paying.

What the $329 price really buys

At $329 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. But the price includes nearly every major service needed for this particular route:

• Hotel pickup and return
• Air-conditioned road transport
• Ferry tickets
• Jordan entry visa
• Petra entrance fee
• An on-site guide
• Lunch

That bundled price has real value because crossing from Egypt into Jordan independently would require more planning. You would need to arrange transport to Taba, the ferry, Jordan entry, the transfer to Petra, admission, and the return journey. Here, those pieces are handled together.

The question is not simply if $329 is low or high. The question is how much you value seeing Petra during a Sharm holiday without arranging a separate Jordan itinerary. If Petra is high on your list, the price can make sense. If you dislike long transfers or have limited holiday energy, the cost may feel high for a day dominated by transport.

A flight-based option might be preferable for some people, but this particular experience is built around road transport and the ferry. One person specifically said flying would be better than spending so much time on a coach. That is a useful comparison to make before booking.

The guides can shape the whole experience

The strongest personal praise centers on the guides. Mohammad was described as an absolute legend, Mayos as friendly and well informed, and Alladin as thoughtful, helpful, and careful with the group. Those qualities matter at Petra because the site can otherwise become a parade of impressive facades without much explanation.

Good guiding helps you notice how the buildings were carved, how the rock shapes the city, and why the Roman Theater and tombs matter alongside the Treasury. It also helps keep a large party moving through a packed schedule.

Still, do not assume every guide or every part of the route will feel the same. The transfer guide from Aqaba received a poor assessment for speaking mostly Russian. The listed languages are English and Russian, but practical communication may depend on which guide is assigned to which section.

Who should book this Petra trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if Petra is a priority and you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh for a limited time. It is also a good fit if you value an organized package with transport, border arrangements, admission, and lunch already included.

You should be comfortable with:

• An early start
• A return roughly 20 to 23 hours later
• Long road transfers
• A ferry crossing
• Walking in heat
• A possible group of around 48 people
• Commentary in English and Russian
• A fixed schedule with limited free time

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who needs a restful holiday day, has only a short gap before another important activity, or wants an intimate guide-led visit. Petra deserves more time than this tour can provide, and the journey is the price you pay for seeing it from Sharm.

The flexible booking terms help reduce the risk: you can reserve and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is listed for a full refund. Check the current conditions when booking, especially if your hotel schedule is tight.

Should you book the ferry tour from Sharm?

Book it if the sight of Petra’s Treasury has been on your list for years and you can accept an exhausting day. The carved stone facades, Roman Theater, and King Wall offer a powerful reward for the long route, and the included visa, ferry, admission, transport, guide, and lunch make the $329 easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a gentle excursion or if a 20 to 23-hour schedule would damage the rest of your holiday. If you do book, protect your energy, bring water, wear proper shoes, keep your passport close, and ask about the group’s language balance. For the right person, this is a demanding but memorable way to reach one of the world’s great archaeological sites.

FAQ

How long does the Petra tour from Sharm El Sheikh last?

The tour can take about 20 to 23 hours from hotel pickup to return, including the road journeys, ferry crossing, border arrangements, and time at Petra.

How do I reach Jordan on this tour?

You travel by road from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, then take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan before continuing toward Petra.

Is the Jordan entry visa included?

Yes. The Jordan entry visa is included in the tour price.

Is the Petra entrance fee included?

Yes. Admission to Petra is included.

Is lunch included?

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

Which languages are available?

The tour lists English and Russian as the available languages. The balance of languages may vary within the group.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and plenty of water for the Petra portion of the day.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

The stated policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which keeps your plans more flexible.