From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry

Petra is worth one very long day. This Sharm El Sheikh excursion gives you two things I especially like: a guided visit to Petra’s major sights and a ferry crossing that adds a memorable international leg to the trip. You also get hotel transfers, entrance fees, lunch, transport, and a Jordan entry visa in the $381 price. The catch is the schedule: 22 hours of travel, border formalities, ferry waits, and walking make this a demanding day.

I like that the tour does more than deliver you to the Treasury for a quick photograph. A three-hour guided visit covers the Siq, Al-Khazneh, the Roman theater, royal tombs, colonnaded street, and Qasr al-Bent. Guides such as Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, Wazy, and Imad have earned praise for clear explanations and attentive help. Still, you should expect delays at the border, limited sleep, and a lunch arrangement that may not suit every diet.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins before midnight: Pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel starts just before midnight, with return around midnight the following day.

• The ferry is a major part of the journey: Each crossing takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, linking the Taba and Aqaba parts of the trip.

• Petra gets real guided time: You have about three hours with a guide inside the ancient Nabataean city, not just a short stop at the Treasury.

• Expect a lot of walking: Comfortable shoes and plenty of water are essential, especially on the route through the Siq and across Petra’s open paths.

• The price covers the expensive basics: At $381 per person, the package includes transport, ferry tickets, Petra entry, lunch, guide service, and Jordan’s entry visa.

• Border timing can shape the day: Immigration and ferry procedures may cause long waits, particularly on the Egypt side.

Why this Petra trip takes 22 hours

This is not a quick excursion with a little sightseeing added on. It is a cross-border expedition from Egypt into Jordan, and the clock starts before most people have gone to bed.

You leave your Sharm El Sheikh hotel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle just before midnight. The first road leg takes you to Taba, where the group passes through the border process. Taba itself is listed as a short pass-by stop of about 20 minutes, but actual border timing can be less predictable.

After the Egypt side is complete, you continue toward the port and board the ferry for Aqaba. The crossing takes roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes. That sounds simple on paper, but you should allow for boarding, immigration, waiting, and instructions from several different staff members. One of the main frustrations reported on this route is lost time at border points and ports.

Once you reach Aqaba, the Jordan section begins. The drive toward Petra takes you inland from the Red Sea port into the Jordanian interior. The itinerary allows around 10 hours in the Petra area, including the guided visit, free time, sightseeing, shopping, lunch, and the return to Aqaba.

The return follows the same broad pattern: travel back to the port, ferry to Taba, border procedures, then road transport to Sharm El Sheikh. Arrival is expected around midnight. In practical terms, you are looking at a full day plus a night of movement, with only the ferry and vehicle offering a chance to sit down.

The Taba border crossing and ferry to Aqaba

The ferry is one of the more unusual features of this excursion. Many Petra day trips from Sharm El Sheikh use long overland routes, while this trip breaks the journey with a sea crossing from the Taba area toward Aqaba.

I like the change of pace. After the overnight road journey, being on a ferry gives you room to stretch and look out toward the Red Sea. It also makes the trip feel like a genuine journey between countries rather than a standard coach transfer.

The practical side is less romantic. Ferry operations and border controls do not always move at the same speed. You may spend longer than expected waiting to board, clear immigration, or receive instructions about the next transfer. One return journey was criticized because there was no English-speaking guide on the Egypt side, leaving people unsure about toilet breaks, drinks, and when to leave the vehicle.

The local operator says that if the ferry is urgently canceled, or if the booking falls on a day outside the ferry schedule, you may be transferred into Jordan through the Arava border instead. That backup plan can keep the trip running, but it would change the transport experience.

Bring your passport, and provide a passport copy to the local partner no later than two days before the excursion. The Jordan entry visa is included, which removes one major cost and administrative task from the day.

Reaching Petra through the Siq

Petra begins with a walk through the Siq, a natural crack between towering rock walls. This narrow passage is not just a route to the main sight. It builds the anticipation as the path bends through the stone toward Al-Khazneh.

You can choose to walk or ride a camel to the Siq. The information for this experience also refers to horse riding in the Petra area, and one participant praised Imad for handling both the horse and the ride with care. Because animal rides involve local operators and separate arrangements, ask your guide about the exact option, cost, and route before agreeing to anything.

Walking gives you more control and lets you pause for the carved details along the way. It also adds to the physical demand. Petra involves uneven ground, a long approach, and plenty of walking once you leave the Siq. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and do not treat this as a gentle stroll from a coach to a viewpoint.

The path opens onto Al-Khazneh, Petra’s famous Treasury. Its façade has been carved directly into the rock and has survived for more than 2,000 years. This is the moment most people have in mind when they book the excursion, but the Treasury is only the beginning of the visit.

What you see during the three-hour guided visit

A three-hour tour gives you enough time to understand the main section of Petra, though not enough to explore every path and high viewpoint. The guide helps turn a series of carved façades into a clearer picture of Nabataean life, trade, religion, and Roman influence.

Al-Khazneh

The Treasury is Petra’s visual star. Its detailed façade appears at the end of the Siq, creating one of the most memorable reveals in the ancient world.

Your guide can explain what is known about its purpose and the people who carved it. Despite its name, the building was not simply a treasure chest waiting to be opened. The site’s meaning is more complex, and a good explanation adds much more than another photograph.

The Roman theater

The theater shows how Petra changed over time. The Nabataeans created the city, and Roman influence later shaped parts of its public architecture.

You can see how the seating was cut into the rock and how the structure fit into the surrounding city. It is a useful reminder that Petra was not a single-period ruin. It developed over centuries.

The royal tombs

The royal tombs offer more large-scale façades carved into the mountain. They are less instantly famous than the Treasury, but they help you understand the scale of Petra’s burial architecture.

The stone changes color and texture as you move through the site. The effect is especially striking when the sun catches the red, orange, and brown rock, though the exact appearance depends on the light and time of day.

The Roman colonnaded street

This route gives you a different view of Petra. Instead of focusing only on façades cut into cliffs, you see the remains of an urban center with a formal street and Roman-style elements.

It helps you picture Petra as a working city, not merely a dramatic canyon with tombs. Trade, administration, religion, and daily life all played a role here.

Qasr al-Bent

Qasr al-Bent is one of the important freestanding structures in Petra. Its remains add another layer to the site because they show construction above ground rather than only monumental carving into rock.

The guide-led route is valuable here. Without context, the ruins can look like scattered stone. With an explanation of the building’s place in Petra, the stop becomes easier to read.

Guides can make or break the Petra section

The strongest part of this experience is often the Jordanian guide. Karim and Kareem received especially warm praise for being friendly, professional, and well informed. Ahmed and Wazy were also credited with keeping the day organized and explaining the Jordan portion clearly.

That matters because Petra is large and visually overwhelming. A guide helps you avoid spending the whole visit moving from one famous façade to the next without understanding what you are seeing.

The best feedback also points to practical care. One guide offered to pay for coffee and water as a gesture of Jordanian hospitality. Another, Imad, was praised for taking care with a horse ride and even arranging tea with a local family in the mountains. These are personal touches, not guaranteed features of every departure, but they show how much the quality of the local staff can shape the day.

The Egypt side may involve different staff from the Jordan side. Do not assume one English-speaking guide will be with you for every mile. Confirm where to meet after ferry crossings and listen carefully for instructions at ports and border points.

Lunch in Petra and the limits of all-inclusive

Lunch at a local restaurant is included, which is useful after a morning of travel and several hours on foot. The meal has been described as tasty, with enough variety for many people.

There are two cautions. Drinks are not included, so keep money available for water or other refreshments. Also, vegetarian choices may be limited. One vegetarian diner found that the main alternative was salad, so you should state your dietary needs clearly before departure and carry a suitable snack if your food choices are important.

The lunch stop also takes time from sightseeing. That is not necessarily a bad trade. After an overnight start and a long walk, sitting down in a local restaurant gives you a proper break before the return journey. Just do not expect a leisurely restaurant experience with a large amount of spare time.

Transport, comfort, and safety

The vehicles are described as clean, comfortable, modern, and air-conditioned. That is important on a route with long road sections and a hot, exposed archaeological site.

The air conditioning makes the bus rides easier, but comfort does not remove the basic strain of the schedule. You may be sitting or waiting for many hours, then walking extensively through Petra, then repeating the journey in reverse.

One concern raised about the road section was a driver using a phone while driving. This is not a minor point. If you see unsafe driving, raise it with the guide or local operator at once. Most of the positive comments focus on smooth coordination and helpful staff, but safety should remain your first concern.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but Petra itself includes uneven paths, a long route through the Siq, and movement between several outdoor ruins. If you need specific assistance, ask the operator in advance about the exact route, vehicle transfer, ferry boarding, and access to the restaurant. The general accessibility label does not explain every part of a cross-border archaeological visit.

Is $381 good value?

At $381 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh, air-conditioned transport, both ferry tickets, Petra admission, an English-speaking guide, a three-hour guided visit, lunch, and the Jordan entry visa. Those items add up quickly when you consider the border crossing and international transport.

I see the price as reasonable for someone who has Petra high on a must-see list and does not want to arrange Egyptian transfers, ferry tickets, Jordanian transport, admission, and a guide separately. You are paying for coordination as much as for sightseeing.

The value is weaker if you dislike rushed schedules, sleep poorly on overnight departures, or want to explore Petra at your own pace. A longer Jordan stay would give you more time and less pressure, but this excursion is designed for people based in Sharm El Sheikh who want to see Petra without changing hotels.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to an active adult who has limited time in Egypt, places a high value on seeing Petra, and can accept a tiring schedule. It also suits someone who prefers an organized package with transport, border assistance, admission, lunch, and a guide bundled together.

It is less suitable for young children, anyone with limited stamina, or anyone who finds long waits and repeated transportation changes especially difficult. Families should ask how assistance works at border points and ferry terminals rather than assuming staff will automatically understand special needs.

Pack your passport, water, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and a small snack. Keep some money for drinks and personal purchases. Souvenir sellers and animal handlers operate around Petra, and you may encounter persistent offers or prices that feel high for small items. A polite no and a clear budget make the visit easier.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those flexible terms help when ferry schedules or personal plans are uncertain.

Should you book the Sharm El Sheikh to Petra ferry tour?

Book it if Petra is a personal priority and a single exhausting day is the only practical way to fit Jordan into your Egypt holiday. The ancient city is genuinely extraordinary, and the ferry, guide service, included entry, and hotel transfers make the logistics manageable.

Do not book it expecting a relaxed day or perfect timing at every border and port. The most honest description is a demanding, well-supported expedition with some administrative waiting around the edges.

I would choose it for the access and the strong local guides, especially if Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, Wazy, or another experienced guide is assigned. I would also confirm ferry timing, meal arrangements, dietary needs, and assistance for anyone requiring extra support before paying. For the right person, Petra can justify the long night. For everyone else, a longer Jordan itinerary would be kinder to the body.

FAQ

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

The advertised duration is 22 hours. Pickup begins just before midnight, and return to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel is expected around midnight the following day.

What is included in the $381 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh, air-conditioned transportation, ferry tickets, Petra entrance fees, an English-speaking tour guide, a three-hour guided tour, lunch at a local restaurant, and the Jordan entry visa.

Is the ferry ride included?

Yes. Ferry tickets are included in the tour price. The outward and return ferry journeys are each listed at about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Do I need my passport?

Yes. You must bring your passport. You also need to provide a copy of it to the local partner no later than two days before the tour.

What language is the guide?

The live tour guide service is in English. Different staff may handle the Egypt and Jordan sections, so the same English-speaking guide may not accompany you throughout the entire journey.

How much time do I spend inside Petra?

The tour includes a three-hour guided visit to Petra. The wider Petra portion of the day allows time for sightseeing, free time, shopping, and lunch.

Can I ride an animal to the Siq?

You can choose between walking and a camel ride to the Siq. The experience also includes references to horse riding in Petra, so ask the guide about the exact animal ride available and any additional cost before accepting it.

Is lunch included?

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

What happens if the ferry is canceled?

If the ferry is urgently canceled, or the booking falls on a day outside the ferry schedule, the operator says you may be transferred into Jordan through the Arava border instead.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.