2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra is worth the border crossing. This overnight trip from Eilat gives you a guided introduction to Petra, plenty of time to explore alone, and a second day for a slower look at the site. I like the included admission tickets and air-conditioned transport, which remove two major planning chores. I also like the chance to see Petra by Night on selected evenings, though that event costs extra.

The main drawback is the border process. Visa and border fees are not included, must be paid in cash, and the tour ends on the Israeli side rather than returning you all the way to your hotel. The experience also packs a lot into two days, so you should be comfortable with an early start, a long first day, and a strict departure time from Petra.

Key things to know before booking

• Arrival at Petra around 11:30 AM: You get a useful first visit on day one, followed by free time.
• A second Petra day is included: The extra day lets you see more without squeezing everything into one guided walk.
• Group size is capped at 25 people: This is shared transport and guiding, not a private tour.
• Petra by Night runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: The ticket is optional and bought in Petra.
• Cash is needed at the border: Visa and border fees are excluded from the $299 price.
• The tour ends at the Israeli border: Plan your onward transport from there after the expected 7:30 PM arrival.

Why an overnight visit from Eilat makes sense

Petra is not a quick side trip. The ancient Nabataean city covers a large area, and its most famous monument, the Treasury, is only the beginning. A day trip can show you the headline sights, but it leaves little room for a second look or a slower walk.

This two-day format gives you a better chance to appreciate the place. On the first day, a licensed guide introduces the main setting and major sights. Afterward, you have time to wander independently. On day two, you return to Petra at leisure before leaving at 4:30 PM.

I like this structure because guided sightseeing and personal time serve different purposes. A guide helps you understand what you are looking at. Free time lets you pause, take photographs, revisit a favorite view, or move at your own pace. You are not tied to a guide for every hour of the visit.

The tradeoff is intensity. The first day begins with an 8:15 AM pickup in Eilat and does not finish until the overnight stay in Petra. The second day ends with a return to the border at about 7:30 PM. This is efficient, but it is not a restful holiday schedule.

From Eilat to the Jordanian border

The tour begins from a central pickup point in Eilat at 8:15 AM. Pickup is offered, and the meeting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in town.

At the border, assistants help with the crossing process. That support matters because international border crossings can feel confusing, especially when you are handling a new country, new fees, and passport requirements. The tour does not remove every responsibility, though. You must bring cash for the visa fee and border fee, since neither is included in the price.

Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports who hold an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing. This is not a small detail. Bring the correct document and use it consistently.

The border crossing also means you should allow patience in your plans. The stated schedule aims to get you to Petra at about 11:30 AM, but the actual pace of an international crossing can affect the day. The tour includes assistance, yet the border remains part of the journey rather than a simple checkpoint.

An especially encouraging point is the reassurance given by an American participant who had worried about entering Jordan. The experience was described as welcoming and comfortable, which may help ease similar concerns. Still, you should treat the crossing as a serious travel step and follow all instructions from the tour staff.

The desert transfer and view of Aaron’s Tomb

Once across the border, you travel through the Jordanian desert in an air-conditioned vehicle. The drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer between two points. The route includes a view of Aaron’s Tomb, adding a religious and historical reference before you reach Petra.

The information provided does not promise a dedicated sightseeing stop at the tomb, so you should think of it as a scenic point along the route rather than a separate excursion. Still, it breaks up the journey and gives you something to watch for outside the vehicle.

Air conditioning is a practical benefit here. You are crossing a dry desert region, then spending long hours at an outdoor archaeological site. A comfortable vehicle matters, especially on the return journey after walking around Petra.

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is large enough for a social shared tour, but small enough to be more manageable than a full coach group. You should expect some waiting while everyone crosses the border, boards the vehicle, and follows the schedule.

Your first Petra visit at 11:30 AM

The first day brings you to Petra at approximately 11:30 AM. Admission is included, so you do not need to arrange the main entry ticket separately. A licensed guide leads an introductory tour, giving structure to your first look at the site.

That guided portion is especially useful at Petra because the ruins can feel overwhelming. The famous rock-cut architecture attracts attention immediately, but the wider site includes much more than one celebrated facade. A guide can help you connect the monuments, setting, and ancient city layout instead of treating each carved surface as an isolated photo stop.

The tour then gives you free time. This is one of the strongest parts of the arrangement. You can use the remaining hours to explore without having to stay beside the group or follow a fixed commentary. If the guided walk moves quickly, free time gives you a chance to return to something that caught your eye.

The schedule describes day one as roughly 12 hours, including the pickup, border crossing, transfer, Petra visit, and evening arrangements. That is a long day. Wear practical shoes, carry water, and keep your energy for the walking inside the site. The available information does not specify the exact walking route or the hotel location, so you should not assume that every major corner of Petra is covered.

Free time and the value of a second day

Day two is the part that separates this trip from a rushed Petra visit. You get another free day at the site, with entry fees included again. The wording indicates that you may explore at leisure rather than joining another scheduled guided walk.

This open time can be used in several ways. You might revisit the central sights with a better sense of direction, spend longer at a monument, or simply move at a slower pace. The first visit often involves getting your bearings. A second day gives you a chance to make choices instead of reacting to the scale of the place.

The free day also helps balance the guided format. Some people prefer detailed explanation; others want quiet time for photographs and personal observation. Here, you receive both.

There is a limit. You must leave Petra at 4:30 PM. That departure is firm enough to shape your day, so keep an eye on the time and allow room to return to the meeting point. You do not want to turn the final hours into a frantic walk.

The second day is listed as about eight hours, including the Petra visit and return transfer. Arrival at the Israeli side of the border is expected around 7:30 PM. From there, you are responsible for continuing to your accommodation or another destination.

Petra by Night: an optional evening extra

On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you may have the option to attend Petra by Night. It is not part of the tour price, and you buy the ticket on the spot in Petra.

This can be a pleasant addition for someone who wants a different atmosphere after the daytime visit. It also makes the first evening longer, so consider your energy before committing. You have already had a full travel day, and the next morning begins another visit to Petra.

Because the event is only available on selected days, check your travel date before counting on it. The available schedule lists Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. No ticket price is provided, so bring enough cash or confirm the accepted payment method locally before you go.

I would treat Petra by Night as a bonus, not the reason to book the tour. The daytime guided visit and second free day are the core experience.

What the $299 price really covers

At $299 per person, the tour is not simply an admission ticket with a bus ride. The price includes air-conditioned transportation, Petra entry fees, a licensed guide, an overnight hotel stay, and breakfast. Those inclusions make the cost easier to assess, especially for anyone who does not want to arrange a hotel and cross-border transport independently.

The two Petra admissions are important. Entry fees can make a major difference to the final cost of a self-planned visit, and they are already built into this package. The included breakfast also removes one small morning task during a tightly scheduled trip.

The price does not cover the visa fee or border fee. Both must be paid in cash at the border, so the advertised price is not your full out-of-pocket total. Since no amounts are provided, check the current requirements before departure and carry suitable cash.

The hotel is included, but no property name or quality details are supplied. You should view the overnight stay as practical accommodation that supports the itinerary, not as a hotel-focused getaway. If room standards or location matter greatly to you, ask the provider before booking.

For someone starting in Eilat, the package can offer good value because it combines transportation, border assistance, guiding, accommodation, breakfast, and site tickets. For someone who already has private transport and a place to stay in Jordan, the package may be less appealing.

Comfort, group size, and the pace of the day

The air-conditioned vehicle is a welcome feature on both long transfer days. You will spend considerable time moving between Eilat, the border, Petra, and the border again, so vehicle comfort affects the whole experience.

A maximum of 25 participants keeps the group from becoming enormous, but this remains a shared trip. You should expect a common schedule and some group coordination. A private guide, private car, or flexible departure time is not included.

The itinerary suits most people, and the available information says most participants can take part. It does not provide a detailed accessibility breakdown, walking distance, or information about mobility equipment. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the provider before paying.

The schedule rewards punctuality. Missing the 8:15 AM start could jeopardize the border crossing and Petra arrival. On the way back, the 4:30 PM departure from Petra is equally important. This is not a good fit for someone who likes to decide the return time at the last minute.

Who will enjoy this Petra tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you are staying in Eilat and want a practical way to see Petra without building a cross-border trip from scratch. It is especially suitable if you value a guide at the start but want personal time afterward.

It also works well for first-time visitors who feel uncertain about crossing into Jordan. Assistance at the border and a shared group can make the process feel less daunting. An American participant specifically reported feeling reassured about the welcome in Jordan after initially having concerns.

The tour may not suit you if you want a slow cultural trip, a private guide, or complete control over the timetable. The schedule is packed, border fees are extra, and the long return evening can be tiring.

Families and older visitors should pay close attention to the walking demands, since the tour includes extended time at a large outdoor archaeological site. The provided details say most people can participate, but they do not promise a low-walking route.

Booking, cancellation, and practical preparation

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so do not leave the decision until the final evening.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Before leaving Eilat, I would prepare four things:

• Your correct passport, especially if you are an Israeli passport holder or dual national with an Israeli passport
• Cash for the visa and border fees
• Comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for long outdoor hours
• A plan for reaching your final destination after the tour ends at the Israeli side of the border

Bring your mobile ticket and keep the booking confirmation available. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the tour offers a mobile ticket, which is useful at the pickup point and entry stages.

Should you book the 2-day Petra tour from Eilat?

I would book this tour if you want the convenience of a prepared cross-border package and like the idea of seeing Petra with both a guide and free time. The second day is the strongest selling point. It gives you breathing room that a single-day visit cannot provide.

I would skip it if you need a private schedule, dislike border formalities, or want the lowest possible price without extra fees. The $299 cost covers a useful bundle, but you must add the visa and border charges and arrange your own onward transport from the Israeli border.

For most people based in Eilat, this is a sensible way to reach Petra. Go in expecting a long, active two days rather than a pampered holiday, carry cash, watch the clock, and use the free time well.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts from a central pickup point in Eilat at 8:15 AM. The meeting area is near public transportation, and pickup is offered.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day one is about 12 hours, and day two is about eight hours, including transfers and time at Petra.

What time do you arrive at Petra?

The planned arrival at Petra is around 11:30 AM on day one.

Is admission to Petra included?

Yes. Petra entry fees are included for the visits described on both days.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the journey from Eilat, the border transfer, and the return trip.

Is a hotel stay included?

Yes. Overnight accommodation in a hotel is included, along with breakfast.

Are visa and border fees included?

No. The visa fee and border fee are not included. Both must be paid in cash at the border.

When does the tour return to Eilat?

The tour leaves Petra at 4:30 PM on day two and arrives at approximately 7:30 PM on the Israeli side of the border.