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

Petra rewards the long road. I like the chance to see Al Khazneh, Petra’s famous Treasury, and the Roman Theater in one ambitious day. I also like that transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry, admission, a local guide, and lunch are bundled into the $329 price. The main drawback is the schedule: this can take 20 to 23 hours, leaving little room for sleep or flexibility.

The trip combines a road journey across Sinai, a ferry over the Gulf of Aqaba, and a guided visit to Petra. Guides such as Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin have earned praise for their care and clear explanations, though guide quality can vary, especially during the Aqaba to Petra transfer. Bring water, wear sensible shoes, and prepare for a very long day.

Key points to know before booking

• Expect a 20 to 23-hour day: The Petra visit is rewarding, but the return to Sharm El Sheikh may come very late.
• Travel is by road and ferry: You go from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, cross the Gulf of Aqaba, then continue into Jordan.
• Petra’s biggest sights are included: The route features Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, the King Wall graves, and other carved monuments.
• The $329 price covers the essentials: Transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry, Petra admission, a guide, lunch, and hotel transfers are included.
• Group size can affect the experience: One departure included around 48 people, with English and Russian used during the day.
• Carry water and wear good shoes: Petra can be hot, and exploring the canyon means walking over uneven ground.

Why this Petra trip is worth considering

Petra is not a quick attraction you can casually squeeze between two beach days. It is an ancient Nabataean city cut into pink and red rock, with monumental façades rising from a narrow canyon. Even after the long journey, the first sight of the Treasury can make the effort feel justified.

This tour gives you a way to visit Petra without arranging several separate services yourself. You are collected at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, driven through the Sinai Peninsula to Taba, taken by ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba, and brought onward to the Petra area. Jordan entry and the archaeological-site admission are already covered.

That convenience matters. A self-arranged trip would require you to coordinate road transport, the ferry, border formalities, Jordan entry, Petra tickets, and a return journey. Here, the day is planned around those moving parts. The tradeoff is that you surrender much of your control over the pace.

The price is $329 per person, which is high for a day excursion. Yet it includes the major costs that can quickly add up: hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, ferry tickets, a Jordan entry visa, Petra entrance fees, an on-site guide, and lunch. I see it as a convenience-focused package rather than a cheap outing.

The early road from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba

The first part of the day begins with pickup at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel. From there, you cross the Sinai Peninsula by air-conditioned vehicle toward Taba, the Egyptian port used for the ferry crossing.

This road section is necessary, not scenic filler. Petra cannot be reached directly from Sharm El Sheikh by road because the Gulf of Aqaba separates Egypt from Jordan. The drive gives you the practical link between your resort base and the ferry terminal, but it also accounts for a large part of the day.

You should plan around an early start and a long return. The exact total time can vary, but reports of 20 hours and even 23 hours are important for planning. Do not schedule a late dinner, an evening show, or an early flight immediately after this trip.

The air conditioning is a welcome feature, especially after time outside in Petra. Breaks are provided during the long journey, but you should still carry water and any small snacks you prefer. Lunch is included later, but the day begins before most normal meal schedules.

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 simple change of vehicle. It gives the journey a clear sense of crossing from one country and setting into another, with the water separating the Sinai Peninsula from Jordan.

Ferry tickets are part of the package, so you do not need to handle that purchase separately. Jordan entry is also included, which removes one of the more important administrative concerns from the day.

Still, ferry travel adds time and depends on the transport schedule. Your day is controlled by the road transfer, border arrangements, ferry timing, and the onward drive. This is why the tour can stretch so late, even though the Petra visit itself is only one portion of the outing.

The onward Jordan transfer deserves a note of caution. The guide on the road from Aqaba to Petra has not always been equally strong, and English explanations may be limited when much of the group speaks Russian. If clear commentary matters to you at every stage, ask who will guide the Petra visit and which parts of the journey will be explained in English.

Entering Petra through the gorge of Ma’an

Petra is reached through the gorge of Ma’an, a dramatic approach to an archaeological site built into the surrounding rock. The city was once described as forgotten by the wider world for more than 1,000 years. Today, its carved façades make it one of Jordan’s defining sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The approach is part of the reward. Petra does not reveal every major monument at once. The rock walls and canyon route create anticipation before the most famous façade comes into view.

You should expect walking rather than a purely roadside sightseeing tour. Comfortable shoes are specifically advised, and that is practical advice rather than a formality. The ground can be uneven, and the canyon visit involves moving between several major points.

Petra’s stone changes color with the light, shifting through shades of pink, rose, tan, and red. That color explains the common description of Petra as a pink-stone city, but the real impact comes from the scale of the carvings. Facades that look delicate from a distance are cut into rock on a huge scale.

Al Khazneh, the Treasury that defines Petra

Al Khazneh, usually called the Treasury, is the sight most people picture before arriving in Petra. Its tall façade is carved directly into the cliff, with columns, sculpted details, and a grand central design that feels far too formal for such a narrow canyon.

This is the point where many long hours of transport begin to make sense. The Treasury is not simply an old building sitting in a field. It appears as part of the rock itself, revealed by the canyon approach.

Your guide can help explain the monument and place it within Petra’s wider story. Guides named Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin have been praised for being friendly, thoughtful, and well informed. Alladin, in particular, was described as helpful throughout the day, while Mayos received praise for his clear and pleasant manner.

You should also give yourself time to look beyond the famous photograph. The Treasury is the headline sight, but Petra’s appeal comes from the way carved tombs, temples, theaters, and rock walls work together across the site.

The Roman Theater and King Wall graves

The Roman Theater gives the tour a different view of Petra. Instead of one monumental façade, you see a large performance space carved into the rock, showing how the city functioned as a place of public life as well as a funerary center.

The route also includes the King Wall, known for its 13 graves carved into the cliff. These tombs are less instantly famous than the Treasury, but they help you understand the scale of Petra. The city is not one isolated monument. It is a broad collection of carved spaces spread through the gorge.

The tour also mentions the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel. Names and translations can vary between guides and printed material, so your exact commentary may differ. The useful point is that your visit covers more than the first Treasury viewpoint.

Time is the limiting factor. A full exploration of Petra could easily take much longer than this day allows. You will see the principal highlights, but you should not expect to inspect every path, tomb, and upper viewpoint. This tour is best viewed as an introduction to Petra’s central monuments, not a complete archaeological study.

Lunch after the ruins

After the Petra visit, you stop at a local restaurant for lunch. The meal gives you a chance to sit down, cool off, and recover before the return journey.

That timing is sensible. Exploring Petra can be tiring, especially in warm weather, and eating after the main sightseeing keeps the archaeological visit as the focus of the day. Lunch is included, so you do not need to budget separately for the main meal.

The information provided does not specify the menu, dietary choices, or restaurant name. If you have special food needs, check those details before departure rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

Do not expect a leisurely evening meal on the way back. One departure did not include dinner during the return, which is worth noting because the total trip can last 20 to 23 hours. Carrying a small snack is sensible, even with lunch included.

Transport, group size, and guide quality

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle on the road portions, and the ferry connects Taba with Jordan. The air conditioning matters because the journey is long and Petra may be hot. Breaks are made along the way, but this remains a transport-heavy excursion.

Group size is another practical issue. One group included about 48 people, which is large for a site where you may want to hear detailed explanations and move at your own speed. A large group can also make it harder to stay close to the guide in crowded areas.

The English and Russian language mix may affect how much spoken information you receive during transfers. The strongest reports focus on individual guides, especially Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin, rather than on one guaranteed guiding style for every departure.

I would treat the guiding as an important variable. At Petra itself, a good guide can help you notice tombs and architectural details you might otherwise pass without understanding. On the other hand, the transport guide between Aqaba and Petra may be less effective in English.

How the $329 price measures up

At $329, this is not a budget day trip. The price makes more sense if you value simplicity and want the main arrangements handled in advance.

Included are:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh
• Air-conditioned transportation
• Ferry tickets
• Jordan entry visa
• Petra entrance fees
• On-site tour guide
• Lunch

That list is substantial. You are paying for an international day trip with several transport stages, not just a bus ride to a nearby attraction. The ferry and border arrangements alone make this more complex than a standard excursion.

The weak point is the amount of time spent getting there and back. If you measure value only by hours inside Petra, the price may feel steep. If you measure it by the chance to visit one of the world’s great archaeological sites without arranging each step yourself, the package becomes easier to justify.

An alternative by air would likely reduce travel time, but this particular experience uses the road and ferry route. If saving hours is your top priority, this may not be the right format. If the ferry crossing appeals to you and you accept the long day, the arrangement offers a practical route from Sharm El Sheikh.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this tour to you if Petra is a major personal goal and you have only one free day from Sharm El Sheikh. The site has enough visual impact to justify a demanding schedule, especially if you prefer seeing a landmark in person rather than postponing it for a future Jordan trip.

It suits people who are comfortable with early starts, long vehicle rides, a ferry crossing, and a fast overview of a large archaeological site. It also suits anyone who prefers one booking that includes transport, entry, lunch, and guiding.

I would hesitate if you dislike group tours, need a slow pace, or cannot manage a 20 to 23-hour day. The group may be large, and the language balance can make some transport commentary less useful. You should also reconsider if you want time for every tomb, trail, and viewpoint.

The cancellation terms are helpful: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.

Should you book the Petra ferry tour from Sharm?

Book it if Petra is high on your list and you can accept that the journey is almost as demanding as the destination. The strongest reasons are the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the King Wall graves, the included ferry and entry arrangements, and the chance to make the trip with guides such as Mohammad, Mayos, or Alladin.

Skip it if you want an easy holiday day or a relaxed Jordan visit. A smaller group or flight-based option would be preferable for some people, but this ferry tour remains a practical way to reach Petra from Sharm El Sheikh. The key question is simple: are you willing to trade a very long day for a few unforgettable hours among Petra’s carved cliffs?

FAQ

How much does the Petra day tour from Sharm El Sheikh cost?

The tour costs $329 per person.

How long does the tour take?

The full day can last between 20 and 23 hours, including travel from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, the ferry crossing, the Petra visit, lunch, and the return journey.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

How do you travel from Egypt to Jordan?

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

Are ferry tickets included?

Yes. Ferry tickets are included in the tour price.

Is Jordan entry included?

Yes. The Jordan entry visa is included.

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 Petra sights are visited?

The tour includes Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, the 13 graves at the King Wall, and the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Russian.

What should you bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and plenty of water for the time spent in Petra.

Can you cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the tour and pay later.