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

Petra is the reason to consider this trip. You leave Sharm El Sheikh before most people are awake, cross the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry, and reach a city carved into pink stone. Al Khazneh, the famous Treasury, is the headline sight, but the Roman Theater and the 13 graves along the King Wall give you a fuller look at this remarkable ancient place.

I like that the price includes the awkward parts: hotel pickup, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra admission, transport, a guide, and lunch. I also like that the trip gives you a real taste of Petra rather than a quick photo stop. The catch is the length. Plan for roughly 20 to 23 hours, with a large group possible and a great deal of time spent on buses, boats, and border formalities.

Key points to know before you book

• Petra is the main event: See Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel, and the King Wall graves.
• The day begins in Sharm El Sheikh: You travel across the Sinai Peninsula to Taba before boarding the ferry.
• The Gulf of Aqaba crossing adds variety: The ferry is part of the route, not an optional extra, and the transport is air-conditioned.
• Expect a very long outing: The total duration may reach 20 to 23 hours, so do not schedule anything important for the following morning.
• Guide quality can vary: Guides such as Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin received special praise, while one transfer guide was criticized for speaking mostly Russian.
• Bring water and proper shoes: Petra can be hot, and you will want comfortable footwear and clothing for the canyon and archaeological sites.

Why Petra is worth such a punishing day

Petra is not a simple ruin beside a car park. The ancient city lies in the gorge of Ma’an, with monumental buildings cut directly into rose-colored rock. The first view of Al Khazneh is the kind of sight that can justify a tiring journey all by itself.

You are visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Wonders of the World. Those labels matter here because Petra is not just one grand facade. The city combines carved tombs, theaters, temples, and other remains spread through a dramatic canyon.

The practical question is time. From Sharm El Sheikh, Petra is a long way away, and this is a day tour only in the technical sense. You are likely to leave very early, spend many hours crossing Sinai and Jordan, explore Petra, eat lunch, and then retrace the route.

I would book this only if Petra is high on your list and you accept that the journey is part of the experience. If you want a relaxed holiday day, this is the wrong choice. If you are willing to trade comfort and sleep for one of the world’s great archaeological sights, it can be a strong use of a single day.

From Sharm El Sheikh to Taba by air-conditioned transport

The tour begins with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh. From there, you travel through the Sinai Peninsula in an air-conditioned vehicle toward Taba.

That vehicle matters. The first and last parts of the trip are long, and the air conditioning gives you a better chance to rest between stops. There are breaks along the way, but you should still carry water and keep your passport or ID card close at hand.

Do not pack this like a short sightseeing trip. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and keep essential items in a small day bag rather than buried in luggage. You will want easy access to your documents, water, and anything you need during the Petra visit.

The tour is offered with English and Russian language support. Group size can be substantial. One account describes a group of around 48 people, with many Russian speakers. That can make the day less personal than a small private outing, especially during transfers and explanations.

Crossing the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry

At Taba, you board a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. Ferry tickets are included, so you do not need to arrange this part yourself.

The crossing breaks up the long road journey and gives the day a change of pace. You are not simply sitting in a coach from dawn until night. Still, the ferry is transport, not a leisurely cruise, so keep your expectations practical.

Border and entry arrangements are covered by the tour, including the Jordan entry visa. You still need to bring your passport or ID card. Check that your document is valid for the crossing before booking, since the tour information specifically requires one of these identification documents.

The route is carefully organized, but international day trips can involve waiting. You may move between vehicles, ferry facilities, and border points before reaching Petra. This is one reason the full day can stretch to 20 hours or more.

Reaching Petra and entering the ancient city

After the ferry crossing, you continue toward Petra in Jordan and make your way to the gorge where the ancient city is located. Petra’s setting is part of its appeal. Buildings emerge from high rock walls, and the color changes with the light.

Your Petra entrance fee is included, as is an on-site guide. A good guide can make a major difference here because the site is large and the visible carvings are only part of the story. You need someone to explain what you are looking at, point out the important structures, and keep the group moving through a tight schedule.

Several guides received especially warm praise, including Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin. Their helpful manner and explanations added value to the day. At the same time, one guide on the transfer from Aqaba to Petra was criticized for speaking mostly in Russian even though much of the group could not understand it.

That mixed experience is worth noting. The tour is sold with a guide, but the quality of communication may depend on which guide handles each part of the journey. If you are in a multilingual group, pay attention to the meeting instructions and stay near your group so you do not miss the next stage.

Al Khazneh, Petra’s unforgettable first major sight

The Treasury of Al Khazneh is the sight most people picture when they hear the word Petra. Its facade is carved into the cliff, with columns and carefully shaped details that look almost too precise to have been cut from solid rock.

The name Treasury is traditional, but the site is best understood as a monumental carved facade connected with Petra’s ancient burial and ceremonial world. The tour description calls it the Treasure Palace, and it is the first major feature likely to dominate your attention.

Give yourself time to look beyond the obvious photograph. Notice the way the facade fits the rock wall, the scale of the entrance, and the contrast between the pale canyon and the pink stone. Your guide can add context that a quick photograph cannot.

You may find the area crowded, particularly because Petra is the central purpose of the trip and the tour can include a large group. That is another reason to stay alert to the guide’s instructions. A little patience helps you enjoy the setting rather than treating it as a rushed photo stop.

The Roman Theater and the King Wall graves

The Roman Theater gives you a different view of Petra. Instead of one elaborate facade, you see a large performance space cut into the rock. It shows that Petra was not only a place of tombs and ceremonial monuments. It was also a functioning city with public spaces.

The King Wall is another important stop. Here you see 13 graves carved into the rock. Their repeated openings and large facades create a striking stretch of ancient stonework, and they help you understand how much of Petra was shaped for the dead.

These stops are valuable because they widen the visit beyond Al Khazneh. If you focus only on the Treasury, you miss the range of Petra’s architecture. The theater, graves, temples, and citadel remains show a city with different uses and different styles.

The tour also includes the Temple and Treasures of the Citadel. The wording can be broad, and the available information does not provide a detailed route or exact time at each site. Expect your guide to lead you through the key areas rather than offer unlimited time at every monument.

What lunch adds to the day

After exploring Petra, you eat lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is included in the price, which is useful after a long morning of travel and walking.

Do not think of this as a long restaurant experience. It is a planned meal within a packed schedule. Its main value is practical: you have food arranged for you without needing to search for a place in an unfamiliar town or spend more time organizing the group.

The return journey begins after lunch. One point worth planning for is the evening meal. The tour information includes lunch, but not dinner. One person specifically wished there had been a dinner stop, so you should not assume that another full meal is provided on the way back.

Carry water for Petra, especially since the site can be hot. You may also want a small snack for the return trip, though the tour details do not specify additional food stops.

The real cost of a $329 Petra day trip

At $329 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing excursion. The value comes from what the price bundles together: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, a Jordan entry visa, Petra admission, an on-site guide, and lunch.

If you tried to arrange every part yourself, you would need to coordinate transport from Sharm El Sheikh to Taba, the ferry, entry arrangements, Jordanian transport, Petra tickets, a guide, and food. The package removes much of that work.

The trade-off is control. You do not get to set your own pace or decide how long to spend at each part of Petra. A smaller group or a private trip would likely feel more flexible, but that is not what this experience promises.

The price makes the most sense for a visitor who values convenience and has only one available day. It makes less sense if you are already planning a longer Jordan stay or prefer independent travel. The long journey also means the cost is paying for logistics as much as sightseeing.

The tour has an overall rating of 4.4 from 52 reviews, which fits the pattern here: strong enthusiasm for Petra and the better guides, balanced by complaints about the duration, group size, language mix, and occasional guide issues.

Who should book this day tour?

I would recommend it to you if Petra is a personal priority and you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh without enough time for an overnight Jordan trip. It is also a good fit if you want the main logistics handled for you and do not want to arrange the ferry, visa, entrance fee, and transfers separately.

It suits energetic sightseers who can cope with an early start, a long ride, a ferry crossing, a hot archaeological site, and a late return. Comfortable shoes are not optional in spirit, even though the tour only lists them as something to bring.

I would hesitate if you dislike organized groups or need a predictable return time. The duration can reach 20 to 23 hours, and the group may include about 48 people. One person also felt that flying would be preferable to spending so much time on a coach, though air travel is not part of this tour.

Language is another consideration. English and Russian are offered, but the experience may be less useful if important transfer information is delivered in a language you do not understand. Stay close to the group and clarify meeting points when possible.

Booking tips for a smoother day

Reserve only when you have a completely open day and no demanding plans immediately afterward. The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility.

Bring:

• Your passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Plenty of water for Petra

Keep your expectations focused. You are not getting a slow, reflective visit with hours at every monument. You are getting a demanding but efficient visit to Petra, with the main transport and entry arrangements covered.

Should you book this Petra tour from Sharm El Sheikh?

Book it if seeing Petra matters more to you than having an easy holiday day. The Treasury, Roman Theater, King Wall graves, and carved temples offer a powerful reward for the long route from Sharm El Sheikh.

Skip it if a 20 to 23 hour outing, a large group, and a late return would leave you exhausted rather than pleased. The strongest reasons to go are the site itself, the included logistics, and the helpful guides assigned to many departures. The strongest reasons to hesitate are the sheer travel time, possible language problems, and limited flexibility.

For the right person, this is a bucket-list day with a punishing timetable. Go prepared, carry water, wear good shoes, and treat the journey as part of the price of reaching Petra.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour can take about 20 to 23 hours, including the journey from Sharm El Sheikh, the ferry crossing, the Petra visit, lunch, and the return trip.

How do I get from Sharm El Sheikh to Jordan?

You are picked up at your hotel, travel by air-conditioned vehicle through the Sinai Peninsula to Taba, and then take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan.

Is the ferry ticket included?

Yes. Ferry tickets are included in the tour price.

Is the Jordan entry visa included?

Yes. The Jordan entry visa is included. You must bring your passport or ID card.

Is the Petra entrance fee included?

Yes. Admission to Petra is included.

What sights do I see in Petra?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included after your exploration of Petra.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Russian. The exact language balance may vary during transfers and in a large group.

Can I cancel the booking?

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