Petra 1-Day Tour from Jerusalem: Lost City with Lunch

Red cliffs carved 2,300 years ago, explored on foot with a guide who knows where to stand.

A full-day guided tour from Jerusalem to Petra in Jordan, departing early and returning the same evening, with border crossing help, entrance fees, lunch and transport by air-conditioned bus. The tour operates in English. Spanish-language departures are available. Bring a valid passport, cash for Jordanian border fees (USD 65–125 depending on visa status), and comfortable walking shoes. Children are welcome from age 2. The tour is not suitable for travelers with certain spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Petra from Jerusalem

• Early morning departure from Jerusalem
• Drive to Petra via Israeli-Jordanian border
• Explore Djinn Blocks and Obelisk Tomb
• Walk through the Siq to Petra Treasury
• Visit Royal Tombs and Petra Theater
• Return drive to Jerusalem

The experience

You leave Jerusalem at 3am from the David Citadel Hotel, giving yourself a full day at Petra before the return drive. The bus crosses into Jordan and takes a 2.5-hour route through changing desert landscape to reach the site. Border control and customs can take up to an hour, and you'll pay the Jordanian border fee in cash at that point: $65 if you already hold a valid visa or don't require one, or $125 if you're issued a visa on arrival. A licensed guide travels with the group and handles the crossing process.

Once at Petra, you spend 3–4 hours on foot exploring the carved temples and tombs. The guide leads you through the Siq, a smooth gorge that opens onto the Petra Treasury, the site's most famous structure with its massive columns and carved facade. You also visit the Royal Tombs, the Petra Theater, the Djinn Blocks and the Obelisk Tomb, moving through shrines and mausoleums scattered across the red cliffs. The pace is set by the group. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat in summer or warm layers in winter.

Lunch happens at an authentic local restaurant in the afternoon, included in the tour price, though the timing is late in the day. A breakfast stop on the way south is not included, so bringing snacks or a sandwich is practical. After exploring, you ride back to Jerusalem through the desert landscape, arriving by evening. The tour operates in English. Spanish-language departures run on the same schedule and include the same sites, guide and meals.

What’s included

• Fully qualified and licensed tour guide in English.
• entrance fees to Petra.
• border crossing assistance and guidance through Israeli and Jordanian control.
• lunch at an authentic local restaurant.
• transport by air-conditioned bus from Jerusalem to Petra and back.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour in EnglishUp to 15 people · Available from 1 Mar 2027

Tour in SpanishUp to 5 people · Guide in English · Available from 1 Mar 2027

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

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 190

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Is this one for you?The early 3am departure and same-day return suit travelers with limited time in Israel who want to see Petra without staying overnight in Jordan. The guide handles border logistics, which matters if you're crossing an international boundary for the first time or traveling with a group. Spanish-language departures follow the same schedule and route if English is not your preference.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years).

What is the Petra Treasury and why does everyone photograph it?

The Petra Treasury is the largest and most ornate carved structure at the site, with a 130-foot facade cut directly into the red cliff face over 2,300 years ago by the Nabataeans. Its massive columns and intricate stone decorations make it the visual centerpiece of Petra and the first major monument you encounter when you walk through the Siq gorge.

How much cash do I need for the Jordanian border, and when do I pay it?

You pay the border fee in cash (USD, EUR or NIS) directly to Jordanian authorities at the crossing. The amount is $65 if you hold a valid visa or don't require one, or $125 if you're issued a visa on arrival. Have the exact amount ready to avoid delays. The guide assists with the crossing process.

What time does the tour pick me up, and where?

The tour departs at 3am from the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem. Arrive 15 minutes early to be safe, and bring your valid passport. It's required for the border crossing and the reservation.

Is lunch included, and when do we eat?

Lunch at an authentic local restaurant is included in the tour price. It happens in the afternoon after you've spent several hours exploring Petra, so bringing a snack or sandwich for earlier in the day is a good idea. A breakfast stop on the way south is not included.

What should I wear and bring for a full day at Petra?

Wear comfortable walking shoes. You'll be on your feet for several hours exploring carved temples and tombs. In summer, bring a hat. In winter, wear warm layers. The bus is air-conditioned for the drive, but you'll be exposed to the sun and wind at the site itself.