From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry

Petra is the reason to book this trip. After an overnight departure from Sharm El Sheikh, you cross into Jordan, travel through Aqaba, and reach the Nabataean city carved into rose-colored rock. The first view of Al Khazneh, after passing through the narrow Siq, is the moment that makes the long journey feel worthwhile.

I like the all-inclusive setup, with transport, ferry tickets, Jordanian entry, Petra admission, a guide, and lunch covered. I also like the human touch reported from guides such as Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, and Wazy, who have helped keep tired groups informed and cared for. The catch is simple: this is a very long 22-hour day, and border and ferry waits can eat into your time.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra is the main event: You get a three-hour guided visit covering the Siq, Al Khazneh, Roman theater, royal tombs, Colonnaded Street, and Qasr al-Bent.
• The day begins before midnight: Hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh starts just before midnight, with return planned around midnight the following day.
• Ferry travel is part of the adventure: Each ferry crossing is listed at about 2 hours and 20 minutes, with border procedures at both ends.
• Expect plenty of walking: Comfortable shoes and plenty of water matter, especially on Petra’s uneven paths.
• The guide can make a major difference: Karim, Kareem, Ahmed, Wazy, and other local guides have been praised for clear explanations and personal care.
• Lunch needs a little planning: The meal is included, but drinks are not, and vegetarian choices may be limited to salads.

Why this Petra day trip is such a long haul

This is not a quick excursion with a short coach ride and a few photographs. You leave your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh just before midnight, cross the Sinai Peninsula toward Taba, deal with border formalities, continue to Aqaba, take a ferry, and then travel onward to Petra.

The full schedule lasts about 22 hours. That means you lose a night of sleep and spend much of the day moving between vehicles, ports, and immigration points. I would not choose this trip if you want a relaxed holiday day. I would choose it if Petra has been on your must-see list for years and you are willing to pay in fatigue.

The price is $381 per person. That sounds high until you count what is included: hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned road transport, ferry tickets, entry to Jordan, Petra admission, a guide, a three-hour guided tour, and lunch. You are also paying for the coordination needed to move across an international border and between several transport systems.

The value depends on your alternative. If visiting Petra independently would mean arranging transport, border procedures, ferry tickets, entry requirements, and a guide yourself, this package removes much of that work. It is not the cheapest way to see Petra, but it is a practical way to add Jordan to a Sharm El Sheikh holiday without arranging an overnight stay in Jordan.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh before midnight

Pickup takes place at your hotel in a modern air-conditioned vehicle. The late departure is necessary because the journey includes the drive to Taba, the border crossing, the ferry, and the road journey toward Petra.

The coaches have been described as clean and comfortable, with air conditioning. That matters here. You will spend many hours seated, and the ability to rest in a cool vehicle makes a real difference. Still, comfort does not change the basic fact that this is a sleep-deprived day.

Keep your passport close and bring water, a light snack, and anything you need for a long night on the road. The operator also requires a copy of your passport to be sent to the local partner no later than two days before departure. Do not leave that step until the last minute.

Taba border procedures and the first waiting period

The route passes through Taba, where you are met and assisted at the border. The listed stop is only about 20 minutes, but border timing can be less predictable than the schedule suggests.

This is one of the less polished parts of the day. Immigration and ferry procedures can involve waiting, and timing at the Egypt side may not always be clear. One practical issue is that English-speaking assistance may not always be available during the return process on the Egyptian side.

You should expect a stop that is functional rather than scenic. Use the time for the toilet, water, and a quick check of your passport and belongings. If you are traveling with children or anyone with special needs, tell the guide early and ask clearly about walking distances, waiting areas, and toilet breaks.

If the ferry is urgently canceled or does not operate on the scheduled day, the group may be transferred into Jordan through the Arava border instead. That keeps the trip moving, but it may change the timing and transport pattern.

The ferry from Aqaba toward Petra

After the border crossing, the group travels to the port of Aqaba and boards the ferry. Each ferry ride is listed at about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The crossing gives you a break from the road, but it also adds another stage where schedules can shift.

The ferry is one of the more unusual parts of this Petra outing. Most day trips from Sharm El Sheikh stay within Egypt. This one gives you a brief taste of international sea travel before taking you into Jordan.

Aqaba itself receives only a short visit in the schedule, about 20 minutes. Think of it as a transit point rather than a full city tour. You will not have time to explore Aqaba properly, shop at leisure, or build in a relaxed waterfront stop. The value here is getting through the port and onward to Petra.

Keep your essentials in a small day bag rather than packed away in the vehicle. You will be changing between a coach, ferry, border areas, and Petra access points. A passport, water, phone, medication, and a light layer should remain easy to reach.

Entering Petra through the Siq

Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans, an ancient trading kingdom that carved buildings, tombs, and ceremonial spaces into the mountains. The approach is part of the attraction. The route leads through the Siq, a natural crack in the rock that forms a narrow canyon.

You can walk toward the Siq or choose a camel ride, according to the tour information. The camel option may appeal if you want to reduce some of the approach on foot, but ask about the price before accepting any ride or animal service. Local horse and camel handlers may quote high prices, and the included tour does not mean every optional ride or souvenir is covered.

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Petra involves walking on uneven ground, and the day already includes long periods on the move. Sandals or smooth-soled fashion shoes will make the visit harder than it needs to be.

As you pass through the canyon, watch the rock walls and carved details rather than rushing to the famous building at the end. The Siq creates a slow reveal, and the final opening onto Al Khazneh is one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

Al Khazneh and Petra’s main monuments

Al Khazneh, often called the Treasury, is the sight most people picture when they think of Petra. Its elaborate facade was carved into the rock more than 2,000 years ago. The tour allows about 30 minutes at this major stop, though the full Petra visit lasts about three hours with a guide.

The guide helps turn a series of impressive facades into a clearer story about Nabataean engineering, trade, religion, and later Roman influence. The value of the guided visit is not just identifying buildings. It gives you a sense of how the city functioned and why its position mattered.

The route also includes the Roman theater, royal tombs, Roman Colonnaded Street, and Qasr al-Bent. Each site gives you a different view of Petra:

• The Roman theater shows the scale of public life in the city and the later Roman presence.
• The royal tombs reveal how Petra’s rulers used the cliffs for monumental burial places.
• The Roman Colonnaded Street gives you a sense of the city’s organized commercial and civic center.
• Qasr al-Bent adds another important religious and ceremonial site to the visit.

The schedule labels the Petra portion as roughly 10 hours, including sightseeing, walking, free time, shopping, and transport. The guided interpretation itself is three hours. That distinction matters because you may have additional time around the site, but not all of it is structured as a continuous guided walk.

Guides are one of the strongest parts of this experience. Karim and Kareem have been praised for enthusiasm, local knowledge, and looking after the group. Ahmed and Wazy have also been singled out for handling the Jordan portion well. A guide named Imad was described as especially attentive during a horse ride and even arranged tea with a family in the mountains. Your assigned guide may be different, but these examples show how much the personal side of the day can vary.

Lunch in Petra, with a few limits

Lunch at a local restaurant is included after the Petra visit. This is welcome because the sightseeing is tiring and the day leaves little time to find food independently.

The meal has received mixed practical feedback. Some people found it tasty and suitable for a group, but drinks are not included. Carry cash or another way to pay for water and beverages, and do not assume a soft drink or bottled water comes with lunch.

Vegetarian diners should take extra care. The meal may offer salads but not a wider vegetarian selection. If you do not eat meat, explain this to the guide and restaurant staff as soon as you arrive. The operator does not promise a separate vegetarian menu.

Lunch can also feel hurried or unclear, with groups sometimes needing to work out where to sit and how the meal is organized. This is not a fine dining stop. It is a practical meal designed to feed a large group before the long return journey.

The return trip and why timing can slip

After lunch, you return to Aqaba and board the ferry back toward Taba. The listed crossing time is again about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Then come the border procedures, the vehicle journey across Sinai, and the final hotel drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh around midnight.

This return can feel harder than the outward journey because you have already spent hours walking through Petra. It is wise to save some water, keep a snack in your bag, and avoid filling your day with extra plans after arrival.

Communication can be less consistent during the final Egypt-side transfer. Make sure you know the name of your hotel and stay alert when the coach reaches the last stops. If the group becomes spread out, ask before leaving the vehicle and confirm that your accommodation is on the drop-off list.

Safety and organization deserve attention here. One report raised concern about a driver using a phone while driving. I cannot treat that as a standard feature of the trip, but it is fair advice to speak up if driving feels unsafe. The best parts of the experience depend on competent coordination, especially during the long return.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this trip to you if:

• Petra is a major personal priority.
• You are staying in Sharm El Sheikh and do not want to arrange a separate Jordan trip.
• You prefer having transport, entry, border assistance, and a guide arranged together.
• You can manage a full day of walking, waiting, and changing transport.
• You are comfortable with a fast introduction to Petra rather than a slow visit with several nights in Jordan.

I would hesitate if you are traveling with very young children, have mobility concerns, or need a predictable schedule. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but border crossings, ferry transfers, uneven Petra paths, and a long day can still make the experience demanding. Ask the operator about your specific needs before paying.

It is also a poor match if your idea of a holiday includes sleeping late and having long meals. This trip is for the sight, not the pace.

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

Book it if the chance to see Petra outweighs the fatigue, waiting, and high price. The package covers the expensive and complicated pieces, and the better guides can turn a rushed day into a meaningful introduction to the Nabataean city.

Do not book it expecting a leisurely Jordan holiday. You get a major historical site, a ferry journey, a local lunch, and useful guided context, but you also get a night departure, border delays, limited time in Aqaba, and a long ride home.

At 4.6 out of 5 from 50 ratings, the experience has a strong overall record, with the clearest praise directed at the guides, comfortable vehicles, and Petra itself. My practical advice is to bring water, good shoes, a passport, patience, and realistic expectations. If you can handle those conditions, this is a costly but efficient way to put Petra into a Sharm El Sheikh itinerary.

FAQ

How long does the tour from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra take?

The full experience lasts about 22 hours, with pickup just before midnight and return to your Sharm El Sheikh hotel around midnight the following day.

What is included in the $381 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Petra entrance, a Jordan entry visa, a tour guide, a three-hour guided visit, and lunch at a local restaurant in Petra.

Do I need to bring my passport?

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

Is the Petra tour conducted in English?

Yes. The listed live tour language is English.

Is the ferry always used?

The normal plan includes ferry travel between the port area and Taba, with each crossing listed at about 2 hours and 20 minutes. If the ferry is urgently canceled or does not operate on the scheduled day, the group may enter Jordan through the Arava border instead.

Are drinks and personal expenses included?

Personal expenses are not included. Drinks are also not included with lunch, so you should budget separately for beverages, souvenirs, camel or horse rides, and other purchases.