Petra Sightseeing 1 Day Tour From Sharm El Sheikh

Petra rewards the effort it takes to reach it. This long day from Sharm El Sheikh combines hotel pickup, a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordanian transport, lunch, entry fees, and a guided walk through the rose-red city. I like the door-to-door transport and the chance to see the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Street of Facades, and Qasr Al Bint in one ambitious trip. The main concern is the very long travel day, with some language and organization problems reported.

You leave around 1:30 a.m. and return roughly 22 to 24 hours later, so this is not a gentle sightseeing outing. Still, I like that the price includes the ferry, Jordanian visa, departure fees, Petra admission, lunch, and transfers. You should also know that English guiding has not been consistent for everyone, and the pace inside Petra can feel quick.

Five things to know before you book

• The journey starts at 1:30 a.m. from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, followed by a bus to Taba Heights Marina.
• The ferry crosses to Aqaba, then a vehicle takes you about 1.5 hours to Petra.
• You walk through the Siq to the Treasury, with a choice of going on foot or using a horse for that opening section.
• The Petra visit covers major central sights, including the Street of Facades, Royal Tombs, and Qasr Al Bint.
• The $290 price includes major trip costs, including admission, lunch, ferry tickets, visa, guide, and departure fees.
• English service needs checking before departure, since some organized groups have reportedly received much of their commentary in Russian.

Why Petra is worth a punishing day trip

Petra is not simply a single grand building. The famous Treasury is the dramatic first reveal, but the site continues through a long gorge, carved tombs, open paths, temples, and ruined streets. That gradual unfolding is what makes the place memorable.

From Sharm El Sheikh, Petra is difficult to reach independently in a single day. You would need to arrange the Egyptian transfer, ferry crossing, Jordanian transport, entry arrangements, and return connections yourself. This tour bundles those moving parts together, which is its clearest practical strength.

The trade-off is time. The quoted duration is about 22 hours, while several accounts describe the full outing as closer to 24 hours. You spend much of the night and the return day on buses and the ferry, leaving only a limited window for Petra itself. One useful way to think about this trip is as a first look at Petra, not a complete visit.

The 1:30 a.m. departure from Sharm El Sheikh

Your day begins before sunrise, with pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. The pickup service removes the need to find a taxi or make your own way to the coast, but the early start is unavoidable because the ferry and border arrangements control the schedule.

The first leg uses a modern, air-conditioned bus to Taba port. Air conditioning matters here, especially after a night with little sleep, though the quality of the bus and the attitude of the first guide may vary. One serious complaint described an unpleasant bus guide and a long period of Russian commentary despite booking an English-language tour.

I would confirm the language arrangement before you go. Ask whether the guide accompanying the Egyptian bus is English-speaking, and ask when the Petra guide takes over. This is especially important because the local guide in Jordan may provide a much better experience than the guide on the Egyptian portion.

Crossing from Taba to Aqaba

At Taba Heights Marina, you board the ferry to Aqaba. The return ferry brings you back to Taba after the Petra visit, where a transfer continues to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel.

The ferry is more than a minor transfer detail. It adds a border crossing and a fixed departure schedule, so delays can affect the whole day. Conditions on the Gulf of Aqaba can also be uncomfortable. One account described waves on the crossing, so if you are prone to seasickness, carry whatever remedy you normally use.

The tour includes the boat tickets in both directions, plus the marina departure fee and Aqaba departure fee of $25 per person. Those inclusions are useful because they prevent several extra charges from appearing during the day. Drinks are not included, however, so bring money for beverages.

After arriving in Aqaba, you meet the Jordanian side of the operation at the cruise exit door. From there, an air-conditioned vehicle takes you about 1.5 hours to Petra. The change from ferry to road transport is part of the reason the tour takes so long, but it also keeps the route organized.

Entering the Siq and seeing the Treasury

At Petra’s Visitor Centre, you begin the walk toward the Siq, the narrow gorge that leads into the ancient city. You can make this section on foot or choose the horseback option offered by the tour.

The Siq is the right beginning for Petra. Its tall walls make the approach feel enclosed, and the Treasury appears only after the gorge opens. That first view is the emotional high point for many people, and you should allow yourself a moment to look before rushing toward the next stop.

The horseback option may appeal if you want to save some energy, but the supplied information does not explain the exact terms, distance, or handling arrangements. Ask before choosing it. You should also be ready for possible small, optional charges around Petra. One person paid £10 for a camel photograph in front of the Treasury. That picture may be fun, but it is not part of the included tour price.

The Treasury is a carved monument rather than a building you enter as part of this route. Its detailed facade, framed by the gorge, is the image most people associate with Petra. Your guide can add useful context, though the amount of English explanation may depend on the group and the guide assigned that day.

The Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs

From the Treasury, the guided route continues along the Street of Facades. This area gives you a better sense of Petra as a large city of tombs and carved spaces, rather than a single photo stop.

The Royal Tombs are among the key sights included in the walk. Their broad facades are especially impressive because they show the scale of the Nabataean carving tradition. You do not need to be an archaeology expert to appreciate them, but a clear guide helps you understand what you are seeing.

This is where the pace can become an issue. The Petra portion is listed at about four hours, and one account described roughly 3.5 hours of walking down into and back out of the site. That is enough for the main central sights, but not enough for every trail or upper viewpoint.

Wear shoes suited to extended walking and expect the route to require steady effort. The attraction is large, and the return walk retraces much of the same general route. If you want long photo stops or quiet time at each monument, you may feel hurried.

Qasr Al Bint and the final part of the Petra visit

Qasr Al Bint is another major stop on the route. Unlike the tomb facades, this ancient structure helps show the city’s religious and civic side. It gives the visit some balance, moving you beyond the Treasury and burial monuments.

The included walk is designed to show Petra’s central highlights efficiently. That works well if you have never been and want an informed overview in one day. It works less well if you hope to climb to every viewpoint, wander down side paths, or study individual carvings at length.

Several positive accounts praised the Jordanian guide for explaining Petra and Jordan clearly. Karim was singled out by name in one account as especially helpful and friendly. That suggests the local guide can make a real difference, but you should not assume Karim will be assigned to your group.

A few accounts also described limited English explanations, while other language groups received more attention. This is the biggest service issue to watch. If the guide begins speaking mostly in Russian or another language, politely raise it at once rather than waiting until the Petra walk is nearly over.

Lunch, comfort, and the $290 price

A buffet lunch is included, which is welcome on a day with such an early start and so much transport. Drinks are extra, and the quality of the meal has received mixed reactions. I would treat lunch as practical fuel rather than a reason to book the tour.

At $290 per person, the tour is expensive in absolute terms. The price makes more sense when you count the included Petra entrance, visa to Jordan, ferry tickets, both departure fees, lunch, guide, and round-trip ground transport. It also saves you from arranging a cross-border day trip with several separate operators.

Value depends on your priorities. If you have only a short stay in Sharm and Petra is high on your list, paying for one organized day may be worthwhile. If you dislike long transfers or want time to explore Petra properly, the cost may feel steep for a few hours on site.

The tour accepts a maximum of 30 people. That is a moderate group size, but it is not a private tour. You should expect to move according to a group schedule, wait for transfers, and share guide attention.

Weather and what to pack

Petra can feel surprisingly cold, particularly in the cooler months. One group found that some people were unprepared, so check the forecast rather than packing only for warm Sharm El Sheikh.

For the walking section, bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• A warm layer for the early morning and Petra
• Water and money for drinks
• Sun protection
• Any medicine you use for ferry motion
• A phone or camera with enough battery for the long day

The tour provides lunch and transport, but it does not list drinks among the inclusions. You should also keep your passport details and required documents easy to access during the crossing and border process.

Passport copies, timing, and cancellation risk

A passport copy must be sent to the tour guide after booking. This is tied to the Jordanian visa and border arrangements, so do not leave it until the last minute. Send it in the format the operator can open, since one booking problem involved a copy sent through a channel that the company could not access.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is a major booking risk, especially for a trip dependent on ferry schedules, border procedures, and a very early pickup. Confirm your hotel name, passport copy, pickup time, language, and travel date in writing before paying.

The pickup time may be adjusted. Keep your phone available before departure and ask the operator to confirm the final time. The tour’s strong days appear to be the ones when the transfers run on schedule and the right English-speaking guide is assigned.

Who should book this Petra trip?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh, have only one possible day for Jordan, and want the main Petra sights without arranging transport yourself. It is also a good fit if you value included fees and a guided introduction more than free time.

You should think twice if you need a relaxed schedule, dislike boats, struggle with long bus rides, or want to explore Petra beyond the central route. The ferry, bus, and walking combination makes this a demanding outing even when everything works well.

Families and older visitors need to consider the length and walking demand carefully. The tour says most people can participate, but the day still includes a long approach, several hours on foot, and a return journey after the main sightseeing is finished.

Should you book it?

Book it if Petra is a must-see and you accept the marathon schedule. The included transport, admission, visa, lunch, ferry, and guide make a complicated crossing much easier, and the chance to see the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Street of Facades, and Qasr Al Bint in one day is valuable.

Before committing, get written confirmation that your group will receive English guidance throughout, not only once you reach Jordan. If the operator confirms the language plan, the pickup, and the passport process clearly, this can be a memorable Petra introduction. If you want enough time to appreciate the site fully, spend two or three days in Petra instead.

FAQ

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

The stated duration is approximately 22 hours. Some accounts describe the full trip as closer to 24 hours, including the bus and ferry journeys.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at approximately 1:30 a.m.

How do you travel from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra?

You travel by air-conditioned bus from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to Taba port, take a ferry to Aqaba, and continue by air-conditioned vehicle to Petra. The return follows the same general route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, but drinks are not included.

Are Petra admission fees included?

Yes. The Petra entrance fee is included in the tour price.

Is the Jordanian visa included?

Yes. The tour includes a visa to Jordan.

Can you go through the Siq on horseback?

Yes. The tour offers a choice between walking to the Siq or traveling on horseback. The supplied details do not specify the exact horseback terms.

Do you need to send a passport copy?

Yes. A copy of your passport must be sent to the tour guide after booking.