Petra 2-Day Tour from Tel-Aviv

Petra rewards an early start. I like the easy combination of a short flight from Tel Aviv and a guided walk through the Siq to the Treasury, and I also like having a second day for Petra’s larger sites rather than rushing out after one look. The main drawback is the border crossing, which can take time, plus the extra $65 border fee and $75 Jordan visa fee listed for each person.

This is a busy two days, but it packs in sights that would be awkward to arrange alone. You get air-conditioned minivan transport, a three-star hotel, breakfast, lunch, and guided visits, though the timing is firm and the group can reach as many as 55 people. Bring a current passport, comfortable shoes, water, and patience for the border formalities.

Key points to know before booking

• The Petra entrance begins with the Siq: You walk through the narrow sandstone passage before the Treasury appears at the far end.
• The first Petra visit lasts about 3.5 hours: This covers the Treasury, tombs, amphitheater, and other major remains.
• Day two gives you time for more Petra: The free period is useful for visiting the Monastery and seeing more of the site at your own pace.
• The trip starts with a 6:40 am flight: You must reach Ben Gurion International Airport early and follow the instructions for the Eilat airport shuttle.
• The listed price is $430 per person: Flights, hotel, meals, transport, and guided sightseeing are included, but border and visa fees are extra.
• The group may be large: The maximum is 55 people, so this suits organized sightseeing more than a quiet private outing.

Why this Petra trip is worth considering

Petra is one of those places where the approach matters. You do not simply get off a bus beside the Treasury. You enter through the Siq, a long, narrow rock passage that builds anticipation before the first carved facade comes into view.

I like that this tour makes that entrance part of the experience. The Siq leads you toward Petra’s best-known sight, the Treasury, carved directly into the rose-colored rock. From there, the route continues to tombs, the amphitheater, and other remains from a city that once included more than 800 structures.

The second day is the tour’s strongest feature. A single visit can give you the famous photographs, but it can also leave you feeling that you have only seen the front door. The free time on day two gives you a chance to return to the site and go farther, including the route toward the Monastery.

You should also know that this is not a relaxed weekend break. Day one starts before sunrise, includes a flight, a land transfer, border processing, several hours on foot, lunch, and a hotel check-in. Day two remains active, with a return journey toward Aqaba at about 4:00 pm.

Day one: flying to Eilat and crossing into Jordan

Your flight from Tel Aviv is scheduled for about 6:40 am. The meeting point is Ben Gurion International Airport, and the early departure means you should plan your morning carefully. The tour information does not specify an airport check-in time, so you should allow enough time for normal flight procedures and passport checks.

After landing in Eilat, take Egged shuttle number 30. The shuttle stop is on the right side as you leave the airport. The fare is about 5 Israeli shekels per person, and the ride to the main bus station takes roughly 30 to 35 minutes.

A tour representative is scheduled to meet you at the bus station between 8:15 and 8:30 am. From there, you transfer toward the Jordanian border. This arrangement saves you from finding your own way from the airport, but it requires you to follow the airport shuttle instructions exactly. A missed shuttle or a late flight could affect the rest of the day.

The border is the part of the trip that requires the most patience. You will leave Israel, complete Jordanian entry procedures, and continue toward Aqaba and Petra. The listed border fee is $65 per person, and the Jordan visa is listed separately at $75 per person. These charges are not included in the $430 tour price, so add $140 per person when working out the real cost.

The tour also warns that it is not responsible for delays caused by technical or security problems affecting the flight. If a late arrival requires private transport, an extra $100 per vehicle may apply. I would treat the flight and border connection as a reason not to schedule another important activity immediately afterward.

Aqaba gives the first taste of Jordan

The route includes a panoramic tour of Aqaba before continuing to Petra. The information provided does not list specific Aqaba stops, so you should think of this as a short orientation rather than a full city tour.

That brief look is still useful. Aqaba is Jordan’s Red Sea port, and it gives you a first sense of the country before the focus shifts inland to Petra. You will not have much independent time here on day one, but the stop breaks up the transfer and adds another place to your Jordan visit.

The transport is by air-conditioned minivan. That matters in this region, especially after a morning spent in airports and border terminals. The tradeoff is group movement: with up to 55 people, loading, head counts, and border coordination can take longer than they would on a private trip.

Entering Petra through the Siq

The first Petra visit lasts about 3.5 hours. You begin by walking through the Siq, the narrow passage that leads into the ancient city. The passage itself is one of Petra’s most memorable features, with tall rock walls closing in around the route.

At the end, the Treasury comes into view. It is the moment most people picture when they think of Petra, but the tour does not stop there. You continue through the site to see tombs, the amphitheater, and additional structures carved or built into the surrounding rock.

Petra is not just one facade beside a road. The remains spread across a large area, and the number of surviving structures helps explain why a short stop can feel incomplete. The first visit gives you the main landmarks and a guided introduction, but it is not enough time to examine every section.

You should expect a moderate level of physical activity. The tour specifically recommends a moderate fitness level, and the site includes extended walking over uneven ground. Comfortable walking shoes are more useful than smart clothes here. Bring water and protect yourself from the sun, since the itinerary places you outdoors for much of the day.

The group format can help you make sense of a complicated site, especially during a first visit. It can also mean that you move at a set pace. If you like stopping for long periods at individual carvings or taking photographs without watching the clock, the first guided visit may feel brisk.

Lunch and a three-star night in Petra

Lunch is scheduled at about 3:00 pm in an authentic local restaurant. The tour includes lunch, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

The late lunch reflects the long first day. You will have already flown, crossed a border, transferred to Petra, and walked through the site. I would carry a small snack for the morning, since the included meal comes well after the start of the day.

After lunch, the driver takes you to the hotel for the night. One overnight stay in a three-star hotel is included, as is breakfast. The accommodation is practical rather than luxurious, and the value comes from putting you near Petra instead of sending you back across the border after the first visit.

An overnight stay also gives the trip a better rhythm. You can finish the first tour, eat, check in, and prepare for another Petra visit instead of trying to see everything in one exhausting push. Hotel details are not specified, so you should not expect to choose a particular property from the information provided.

On two evenings each week, an optional Petra by Night show may be available for an additional charge. It is not included in the tour price, and the schedule is limited to certain nights. Ask about availability before you count on it.

Day two: use the free time for the Monastery

Day two is described as a free day in Petra. That wording is important. The tour gives you time to explore more deeply, but the details do not promise a second guided walk or admission to a separate attraction. Petra entrance is included for the first visit, while day two is marked as not included in the admission details.

The Monastery is the obvious target for this extra time. It is farther into the site and requires more walking than the Treasury area. The additional hours let you set a more comfortable pace and spend time in sections that may receive only a quick look on day one.

I like this setup because it gives you some control. You can revisit the Treasury, focus on the tombs, walk toward the Monastery, or simply take a slower look at the parts covered during the first tour. You are not forced to repeat the same route at the same speed.

At about 4:00 pm, the group travels back toward Aqaba. The stated end point is Aqaba, while the tour also includes domestic flights between Tel Aviv and Eilat. Because the return transport details are not fully spelled out, confirm exactly how and when you return from Aqaba and Eilat before departure. That small check can prevent a very large headache.

The real price: $430 plus border charges

At $430 per person, this is not a budget day trip. The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange yourself.

The price includes:

• Domestic flights between Tel Aviv and Eilat
• Air-conditioned minivan transport
• Guided visits in Petra
• One night in a three-star hotel
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• The organized transfer toward the Jordanian border

The listed extras add $140 per person for the border fee and Jordan visa, bringing the known total to $570 per person before any optional Petra by Night show or small personal expenses. The information does not clarify if every passport holder pays the same visa amount, so confirm the charge for your nationality before booking.

For that total, you are paying for coordination. The tour connects a flight, airport shuttle, bus station pickup, border crossing, Jordanian transport, Petra sightseeing, hotel accommodation, and the return route. That is useful if you do not want to manage several companies and border steps yourself.

The price is harder to justify if you already have your own transport, a Jordanian guide, or a hotel in Petra. It is also less attractive for someone who wants a private experience. The maximum group size is 55, and one account of the trip describes several tour groups being combined and a late hotel pickup. That is a warning to expect some group delays, especially at collection points.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this tour to someone based in Tel Aviv who wants Petra without planning every transfer. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide, included transport, and a second day for further exploration.

It is also a good match for people who want to see Petra as part of a larger Jordan visit. The Aqaba stop adds a second destination, even though the city portion is brief.

You may prefer another arrangement if you want any of the following:

• A small private group
• A slow photographic visit
• Flexible departure times
• Full control over the hotel
• A clearly stated return flight schedule
• A quieter border and transport experience

Families can book, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The moderate fitness requirement should be taken seriously. Petra involves extended walking, and the Monastery option adds more effort on day two.

Practical advice for a smoother trip

Enter your passport details carefully when booking. The operator requires each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country, and you must carry a current valid passport on the day.

Tell the operator about vegetarian meals at booking time. Do not wait until lunch, since the meal is planned as part of a group schedule.

Pack light for the overnight stay. You will move through airports, a bus station, a border, and several vehicles before reaching Petra. A small bag is easier to handle than a full suitcase.

Wear shoes made for walking and bring water. The route through Petra is long enough that comfort matters more than appearance. I would also keep your passport, money, and travel documents together but easy to reach during border processing.

Finally, note the strict cancellation rule. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes passport checks, flight timing, visa requirements, and personal schedules especially important before you pay.

Should you book this Petra tour?

Book it if you want a ready-made route from Tel Aviv and value having transport, a hotel, meals, and guided Petra visits arranged in one package. The second day is a real advantage, giving you a chance to go beyond the Treasury and consider the Monastery.

Skip it if the $570 known cost feels high, if a group of up to 55 sounds frustrating, or if you need a flexible return plan. Before booking, confirm the visa charge for your passport, the exact return route from Aqaba, and whether your dates include Petra by Night.

For an organized first visit to Petra, this is a strong but demanding option. Its best features are the Siq entrance, the guided introduction to the major ruins, and the extra day. Its weak points are the early start, border uncertainty, added fees, and limited flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The scheduled flight leaves at about 6:40 am.

How do I get from Eilat airport to the pickup point?

After landing, take Egged shuttle number 30. The stop is on the right side as you leave the airport. The ride to the main bus station takes about 30 to 35 minutes and costs about 5 Israeli shekels per person.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The tour includes one overnight stay in a three-star hotel in Petra and breakfast.

Are border fees and the Jordan visa included?

No. The listed border fee is $65 per person, and the listed Jordan visa cost is $75 per person.

Is the Petra entrance ticket included on both days?

The first day lists admission as included. The second day lists admission as not included, so confirm the day two entry arrangements before booking.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 55 people. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.