Petra from Sharm El Sheikh: Ferry, border crossing & guided tour

Twenty hours, two countries, one ancient city carved into rose-red stone

A full-day tour from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra, Jordan combines ferry crossings from Taba and Aqaba with overland transport and a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed rock-cut city. You pick up before dawn, cross into Jordan by sea, explore Petra's canyons and monuments with a guide for 2–3 hours, eat lunch locally, then return through Taba to your hotel around midnight. The route handles all borders and transport. You bring only your passport and cash for the ferry.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Petra via ferry and bus

• Guests pick-up from hotels
• Drive from Sharm to Dahab
• Short break in Dahab
• Drive to Egyptian border and cross
• Ferry trip from Taba to Aqaba
• Bus trip from Aqaba to Petra with souvenir stop
• Explore Petra archaeological site
• Lunch in Petra
• Bus trip back to Aqaba
• Border crossing to Egypt
• Ferry trip from Aqaba to Taba
• Drive back to Sharm El Sheikh
• Return guests to hotels

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m., then a drive south through Dahab to the Egyptian border at Taba. After crossing, you board a ferry for the 40-minute sail across the Gulf of Aqaba to the Jordanian port of Aqaba. From there, a bus carries you inland toward Petra, with a 30-minute stop at a souvenir center along the way. The whole journey from Sharm to the site takes most of the morning.

At Petra itself, your guide leads a 2–3 hour exploration of the Nabataean city. You walk or ride a camel through the Siq, a natural canyon that opens onto the carved facades of Al Khazneh, the Roman theater, royal tombs, and the colonnaded street. The guide points out the statues, idols and architectural details carved into the rose-colored rock. Lunch follows at a local restaurant in Petra (bring cash for drinks, as they are not included). The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited archaeological attractions in the Middle East, so expect crowds, especially mid-morning.

The return journey mirrors the outbound route: a 2-hour bus ride back to Aqaba, the 40-minute ferry to Taba, border crossing, and a final drive north to Sharm El Sheikh, arriving around midnight. Your guide is English or Russian speaking and remains with the group throughout. The tour is rated suitable for families and couples, though the long hours and moderate walking fitness required mean it is not a casual outing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Sharm El Sheikh.
• all entrance fees to Petra.
• expert guided tour of the site in English or Russian.
• round-trip bus transport to and from the ferry terminals on both the Egyptian and Jordanian sides.
• ferry crossings from Taba to Aqaba and return.
• lunch at a local restaurant in Petra.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full-day Petra Jordan tour from Sharm El-Sheikh by ferry and busGuide in English or Russian · 00:30 and 01:00Pickup is included

The ferry ticket is includedGuide in English or Russian · 00:30 and 01:00Pickup is included, with no basic extras

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and SaturdayDepartures at 00:30 and 01:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 145

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by High Quality Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?The early start and late return suit travelers with a single day in the region and the stamina for a long journey. The ferry route and guided walk mean you do not arrange transport or navigate borders alone, but the 20-hour duration and moderate fitness requirement rule it out for anyone seeking a shorter outing or preferring to stay closer to Sharm El Sheikh.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Al Khazneh and why is it the main sight at Petra?

Al Khazneh is the most photographed monument at Petra, a massive carved facade standing at the end of the Siq canyon that has stood for more than 2,000 years. It is the first major structure visitors encounter after walking through the canyon, and its scale and detail make it the iconic image of the site.

Do I need a passport to cross into Jordan for this tour?

Yes, you must carry a valid passport. The tour crosses two borders: the Egyptian checkpoint at Taba and the Jordanian entry at Aqaba. Both crossings are included in the tour logistics. Your guide handles the process.

What happens if I get tired during the walk through Petra?

You can choose to ride a camel through the Siq instead of walking, which reduces the physical demand. The guide will point out the same monuments and carvings either way. The 2–3 hour exploration is paced by the group, so you move at a shared speed.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks?

Lunch at a local restaurant in Petra is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included, so bring cash to purchase water, tea, coffee or other beverages during the meal and throughout the day.

How early do I need to wake up, and when do I get back to my hotel?

Hotel pickup happens between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m., so you will need to be ready in the middle of the night. The return to your hotel is around midnight the same day, making this roughly a 20-hour outing from door to door.