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

Petra is the reason to consider this trip: after a long journey from Sharm El Sheikh, you enter a canyon of rose-colored rock and come face to face with Al Khazneh, the Treasury. The Roman Theater and the 13 tombs cut into the King Wall add real depth to the visit. It is a major archaeological stop, not a quick photo pause.

I like that ferry tickets, Jordan entry, Petra admission, transport, a guide, and lunch are included in the $329 price. I also like the full route by road and sea, which turns the transfer into part of the experience. The catch is simple: this is an exceptionally long day, often around 20 hours and sometimes closer to 23, with a large group possible.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra is the star: See Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, the King Wall tombs, and other carved monuments in one visit.
• The day begins early: You travel from Sharm through the Sinai Peninsula to Taba before crossing to Jordan by ferry.
• Expect 20 to 23 hours: The long return makes this a serious day trip, not a relaxed outing.
• The $329 covers the major costs: Transport, ferry, Jordan entry visa, Petra admission, guide service, and lunch are included.
• Group size can be substantial: One departure had about 48 people, with English and Russian used during the day.
• Bring water and good shoes: Petra can be hot, and the archaeological area involves walking on uneven ground.

Why Petra makes the long journey worthwhile

Petra is one of those places where photographs undersell the scale. The city was carved into pink and red stone, and the first sight of the Treasury is designed by nature and architecture alike. You approach through a narrow gorge, then the rock opens to reveal the decorated facade of Al Khazneh.

The Treasury is not a storehouse filled with gold. Its name comes from local tradition, while the building itself is a carved monumental facade. You do not need to know every detail to appreciate the effect. The stone walls, the sudden opening, and the height of the facade make this the moment most people have been waiting for.

Petra is also far more than one famous building. The Roman Theater gives you a sense of the city’s public life, while the King Wall presents 13 graves cut into the rock. The carved tombs show how Petra’s builders used the natural cliffs as part of the city itself.

This tour is useful if Petra sits high on your must-see list and you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh. It removes much of the planning burden, but it cannot remove the distance. You are trading comfort and spare time for the chance to see one of the world’s most famous ancient sites in a single day.

From Sharm El Sheikh to Taba by air-conditioned transport

Pickup begins at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. From there, you cross the Sinai Peninsula in an air-conditioned vehicle toward Taba. The transport is a practical part of the package, since the route is long and the vehicle offers a more controlled temperature than the outdoor heat.

The journey is not the glamorous part of the day. You should think of it as a necessary transfer, with breaks along the way rather than a sightseeing route through Sinai. One useful feature is that the trip includes stops for breaks, so you are not expected to remain on the road without interruption.

The timing deserves careful attention. The listed experience is a day tour, but the actual schedule can stretch to roughly 20 hours. One account describes a 23-hour day, while others place it closer to 20. Your exact return depends on road conditions, border procedures, ferry timing, and the pace of the group.

For that reason, I would not book this immediately before a flight, a formal dinner, or anything that depends on arriving back at a precise hour. Keep the following morning light too. The early departure and late return can leave you tired even if the day itself is exciting.

Crossing the Gulf of Aqaba by ferry

At Taba, you board a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. Ferry tickets are included, and the crossing gives your body a change of pace after the road transfer. You are no longer simply sitting on a coach, but you should still regard this as part of the transport plan rather than a long cruise.

The ferry is also one reason this tour can feel like a small international expedition. Your day includes hotel pickup in Egypt, a land route through Sinai, a sea crossing, entry into Jordan, a transfer to Petra, and the return trip through the same general chain of connections.

Jordan entry is included in the package, which matters at this price. Handling transport and entry arrangements yourself would require more planning, especially when you are trying to fit Petra into one very long day. The included service is most valuable for people who prefer one organized route instead of piecing together separate vehicles, ferry tickets, and admission.

The tradeoff is less control. You follow the group’s timetable, and delays affect everyone. If you want to linger at one tomb, stop often, or set your own pace, this is not the ideal format.

Entering the gorge of Ma’an and reaching Petra

From the Jordanian side, the route continues toward the gorge of Ma’an and Petra. This is where the day finally shifts from transport to archaeology. The approach through the canyon is part of the drama, as the rock walls close around you before the famous facade appears.

An on-site guide accompanies the Petra visit. Several guides received especially warm praise for their manner and explanations, including Mohammad, Mayos, and Alladin. The guide can give the carved buildings context and help you understand what you are seeing rather than reducing the visit to a series of quick photographs.

Guide quality may vary by part of the route. One account described the guide on the transport from Aqaba to Petra as weak and said that much of the speaking was in Russian, even though most of that particular group could not understand it. The tour lists English and Russian as the available languages, so check which language your guide will use and stay alert during group instructions.

This is also where group size matters. A group of about 48 people can make movement slower, especially at narrow points and major photo stops. On the other hand, a large organized group can make the complicated route feel easier, since the transport, entry, and meeting points are managed for you.

Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, and the King Wall

The first major goal is Al Khazneh, usually called the Treasury. It is Petra’s most recognizable facade, carved directly into the cliff and framed by the gorge. Give yourself a moment to look above the columns and figures, not just at the central doorway. The scale becomes clearer when you notice people at the base.

Next comes the Roman Theater, another reminder that Petra was a functioning city rather than a lone monument. The theater is carved into the rock and shows how public buildings were fitted into the existing terrain. It offers a useful contrast to the Treasury’s formal facade.

The King Wall is especially worthwhile for people who want more than the standard postcard view. Its 13 graves are cut into the cliff, with facades that vary in size and decoration. The tombs help you read Petra as a city of carved homes, burial places, public spaces, and religious structures.

The route also refers to the Temple and treasures of the Citadel. Exact sightseeing time can depend on the group schedule, guide, and conditions on the day, so do not assume you will have the freedom to explore every corner of Petra. This is a highlights visit, not a slow multi-day study of the site.

Wear shoes that you can walk in for many hours. Comfortable clothing is also important, and water becomes more valuable once you are away from the vehicle. Petra can be quite hot, so carry plenty rather than relying on finding a drink at the last minute.

Lunch after the archaeological visit

Lunch at a local restaurant is included after the Petra visit. This gives you a proper pause before the return journey and means you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the Jordan portion of the day.

The timing is practical. After a long walk through the site, sitting down to eat is welcome, especially before another series of road and ferry connections. Still, do not expect lunch to turn the tour into a leisurely Jordanian food trip. The main purpose is to feed the group efficiently and keep the return schedule moving.

One useful planning point is that dinner is not listed as an included meal. A late return can also make an evening meal at the hotel uncertain. Carrying a small snack is sensible, provided it fits your personal travel needs, and keep water with you for Petra itself.

The return trip and the real cost of time

After lunch, you return by organized transport toward the ferry, cross back to Taba, and continue to Sharm El Sheikh. The air-conditioned vehicle and ferry help, but the distance remains the distance. Even people who found Petra completely worthwhile described the day as long.

This is the central question: how much time are you willing to spend in transit for several hours at Petra? If the answer is a lot, the tour can be a strong use of one holiday day. If you dislike overnight-style schedules or become worn down by road travel, the format may feel punishing.

A flight-based alternative could reduce the road time, but it is not what this experience offers. Here, the ferry and coach route are built into the price and schedule. The advantage is an organized package. The disadvantage is that you lose much of the day to getting there and back.

I would also expect some waiting. Border and ferry crossings do not always move at the same speed, and large groups need time to gather. The tour works best when you accept that the day is an endurance event with a spectacular middle section.

Is $329 a fair price?

At $329 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing day. It becomes easier to judge once you count what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, Jordan entry visa, Petra entrance fees, an on-site guide, and lunch.

The price is strongest for you if you value convenience and want a single booking to handle the complicated pieces. You are paying not only for entry to Petra, but also for the cross-border transport chain and the organization needed to move between Sharm, Taba, Jordan, and Petra.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short, relaxed excursion. The length of the day is the cost that does not appear on the price tag. A smaller group or a faster transport option might be worth paying more for, but this tour is built around the included ferry and road connections.

The high scores attached to the experience reflect a clear pattern: Petra itself makes the effort worthwhile for many people, and the guides can add a lot to the day. At the same time, group size, language balance, and the return schedule can affect how polished the experience feels.

Who should book this Petra day tour?

I would recommend it to you if:

• Petra is a personal priority and you have only one free day.
• You are comfortable with a 20 to 23 hour schedule.
• You prefer an organized border crossing and transport plan.
• You value included costs over a flexible independent itinerary.
• You can handle heat, walking, and a large group.
• You want a guide to explain the main monuments.

I would hesitate if:

• You need a guaranteed return time.
• You want to explore Petra slowly or independently.
• You dislike large groups.
• You expect a calm day with plenty of rest.
• You have an important appointment the next morning.

The best preparation is basic but important: passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and plenty of water. Since English and Russian are the listed languages, make sure you understand where and when to regroup, particularly if the group is large.

Booking is flexible in one helpful way: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful when your holiday plans are still shifting, but they do not change the demanding schedule.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if seeing Petra matters more to you than having a restful day. Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, and the King Wall tombs offer a remarkable payoff, and the package covers the major transport and entry costs.

Skip it if the idea of 20 to 23 hours on a cross-border road and ferry journey already sounds miserable. The tour is worthwhile, but it is not easy. For the right person, it is a memorable way to reach Petra from Sharm El Sheikh. For everyone else, a longer Jordan stay or a faster transport option would be kinder to both your schedule and your energy.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The day can last around 20 hours, and one departure was reported as lasting 23 hours. The exact return time can vary.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

How do you reach Jordan?

You travel through the Sinai Peninsula to Taba, 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 entry to Jordan included?

Yes. The package includes an entry visa to Jordan.

Is the Petra entrance fee included?

Yes. Petra entrance fees are included.

Which Petra sights are included?

The tour includes Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, the 13 graves of the King Wall, and other listed monuments including the Temple and treasures of the Citadel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included after the Petra visit.

Which languages are available?

English and Russian are listed as the available tour languages.