2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra rewards patient explorers. This two-day trip from Eilat gives you both a guided introduction and plenty of time to wander among the rose-colored ruins on your own. I like the included Petra admission, breakfast, and air-conditioned transport, which remove several costly and tiring details from a border-crossing trip.

I also like the overnight stay and second day at Petra. You are not forced to race through the site in a few hours. The main drawback is the border process, where visa and border fees must be paid in cash, and the schedule can feel long if crossings take extra time.

Key points to know before you book

• Petra gets two visits: You receive a guided tour on the first day, followed by free time, then another full day to explore independently.
• Arrival is planned for about 11:30 am: Pickup begins at 8:15 am in Eilat, leaving time for the border crossing and desert transfer.
• Petra admission is included: You do not need to buy the main site tickets separately.
• Petra by Night costs extra: It is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with tickets purchased in Petra.
• The group can reach 25 people: That keeps the trip manageable, though it is not a private tour.
• Bring cash for border charges: Visa and border fees are not included in the $299 price.

Why two days is better than a rushed Petra visit

Petra is the sort of place that benefits from time. A quick visit can give you the famous first glimpse of the Treasury, but it may leave you feeling as if you only saw the entrance corridor and one grand facade.

This tour gives you a first afternoon with a guide, an overnight stay, and a second day to set your own pace. I see that as the main reason to choose it over a short day trip. You can listen to the site explanation early on, then return to places that caught your attention without having to stay beside a group every minute.

The plan also lets you separate orientation from exploration. On day one, the guide helps you understand what you are seeing. On day two, you can revisit the main route, spend more time at a particular monument, or simply walk at a slower pace.

The schedule is still demanding. Pickup starts at 8:15 am, and the return to Eilat is planned for about 7:30 pm on the second day. You should expect a full touring experience rather than a relaxed hotel break.

Leaving Eilat and crossing into Jordan

The tour begins with pickup from a central meeting point in Eilat. The listed start time is 8:15 am. From there, assistants help with the border procedure before you continue into Jordan.

That assistance can be especially useful if you have never crossed this border before. Still, you should not treat the timing as exact. A border crossing involves officials, documents, and fees, so the arrival time at Petra can shift.

You need to budget separately for visa and border fees. These charges are paid in cash at the border and are not part of the $299 tour price. Carry the required money in a form accepted at the crossing, and keep your passport easy to reach.

There is one important passport rule for Israeli citizens. If you hold an Israeli passport, including a dual passport holder who also has an Israeli passport, you must use the Israeli passport at every border crossing. The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, not back at a hotel or another final drop-off point.

The included vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome detail for the transfer through Jordan. The drive includes views of the Jordanian desert and a sight of Aaron’s Tomb. That part of the trip is not just dead time between Eilat and Petra. It gives you a first look at the stark setting around the ancient city.

Arriving at Petra around 11:30 am

The plan is to reach Petra at about 11:30 am on the first day. That timing gives you much of the afternoon, but it also means your visit begins after a morning of pickup and border formalities.

Your licensed guide leads the first tour through the site. The guided portion is useful because Petra can look like a collection of dramatic cliffs and carved facades if you do not know what you are looking at. A guide can point out the purpose and setting of the major features, giving the stonework a clearer human context.

The guide is shared with a group of up to 25 people. That is large enough for the tour to feel social, but small enough to remain more practical than a coach group of 50 or 60. You should still expect to keep track of the group and listen carefully if the area is crowded or noisy.

No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular person in advance. The tour does specify a licensed guide, which is the important point for the formal site visit.

The first guided walk, followed by your own time

After the guided portion, you get free time at Petra. This is one of the strongest features of the trip. You are not limited to a fixed route or forced to leave as soon as the guide finishes.

Use that time to revisit the places you passed quickly, take photographs, or simply absorb the scale of the site. I would keep your first afternoon flexible rather than trying to plan every minute. Border delays could shorten your time, and the terrain may make you want more breaks than expected.

Petra is not only one facade at the end of a short path. The entrance route leads you through a dramatic stone corridor toward the main monuments, and the site continues beyond the first famous view. Your pace will depend on how far you walk and how much time you spend stopping.

The tour information does not promise a private route, special access, or transport inside Petra. Plan on exploring the site as a walking visit. Comfortable footwear and water would be sensible, although those specific items are not listed as inclusions.

The first day is described as lasting about 12 hours, counting the pickup, crossing, transfer, tour, and free time. That makes the included overnight stay particularly helpful. You do not have to return to Eilat after your first look at Petra.

The overnight hotel and the option of Petra by Night

A hotel night in Petra is included, though the property name and hotel category are not specified. You should confirm the exact hotel details before booking if room standards or location matter greatly to you.

The overnight stay gives you a useful pause between two long touring days. Breakfast is included, so you begin the second day with at least one meal arranged. Other meals are not listed, so set aside money and time for lunch, dinner, and drinks.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you can join Petra by Night for an additional cost. The ticket is bought on the spot in Petra, not included in the tour price. This evening event is optional, so you can decide after seeing how much energy you have left.

Petra by Night should be treated as an add-on, not the reason to buy the tour. The main value here is the daytime visit and the extra day. If the event operates on your date, it can add a different atmosphere after sunset, but it also means a later evening after a demanding first day.

A second day to choose your own Petra route

Day two is a free day at Petra, with entry fees included. This is where the tour earns much of its price. You get another chance to explore without a guide setting the pace.

You might use the morning to return to the main route and take photographs in better light. You might spend more time at the Treasury, walk farther into the site, or follow a different path if you feel ready for a longer outing. The supplied details do not promise any particular secondary trail, so you should ask the local staff what is open and suitable on your date.

The open schedule also helps if day one feels rushed. You will already know the basic layout, so you can spend the second day making choices instead of trying to understand everything at once.

The departure from Petra is scheduled for 4:30 pm. Return to Eilat is expected around 7:30 pm. That gives you a substantial day, but you need to watch the time. Missing the group departure would create a serious problem at the border, so do not let a final walk or photo stop carry you beyond the meeting instructions.

Is $299 good value?

At $299 per person, this is not a bare-bones border transfer. The price includes air-conditioned transportation, Petra admission, a licensed guided tour, one hotel night, and breakfast. You are also paying for help with the border crossing and a second day at the site.

Those inclusions make the price easier to justify for anyone who wants an organized visit from Eilat. Buying each major part separately could be complicated, and the tour handles the basic structure for you.

The price does not cover visa and border fees. You also pay extra for Petra by Night, and meals beyond breakfast are not listed as included. Add those costs before comparing this option with a simpler transfer or a self-planned visit.

For me, the strongest value is time. A cheaper one-day option may look appealing until you count the long journey, the border crossing, and limited hours at Petra. Here, the overnight stay and second admission give you room to see the site properly.

The value is weaker if you dislike group schedules or want complete control over your hotel and border arrangements. A group of 25 is reasonable, but it is still a group. The fixed departure at 4:30 pm on day two also limits how late you can stay at Petra.

What the mixed rating tells you

The published rating is 3.8 out of 5 from 22 ratings, which suggests a generally useful experience with some service risks. One booking was canceled, and the person affected was waiting for a refund because a new date was not possible. That is worth noting if your Jordan visit is tied to a tight holiday schedule.

At the same time, a strong five-star account praised the ease of crossing the border and said American visitors should have no concerns about how they would be treated in Jordan. That is useful reassurance for first-time visitors who feel uncertain about the crossing.

I would not treat either point as a guarantee. A positive border experience can vary with the day, the officials on duty, and your documents. A cancellation can also result from circumstances outside the guide’s control, especially since the experience requires good weather.

The policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Petra trip most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you are staying in Eilat and want Petra arranged with minimal planning. It suits first-time visitors who value a guide at the start, included admission, transport, and help at the border.

It is also a good match if you want more than a photograph at the Treasury. The overnight stay and second day give you time to see Petra as a substantial archaeological site rather than a quick stop.

You may not enjoy it as much if you need a luxury hotel, a private guide, or a flexible return time. The hotel is not identified in the supplied details, and the group can reach 25 people. You should also be comfortable with early pickup, a long first day, and a fixed departure on day two.

Families and most able participants can take part, according to the tour information. Because the visit involves walking through a large outdoor site, you should think honestly about your comfort with a physically active day. Specific mobility arrangements are not described, so ask the provider before booking if you need them.

Practical advice for a smoother two-day visit

Keep your passport and cash handy during the border process. Do not pack those items at the bottom of a bag, and remember the special passport rule for Israeli passport holders and dual nationals.

Wear shoes suited to extended walking and bring enough personal supplies for a long day. Breakfast is included, but no other meals are listed, so plan for food expenses rather than assuming the tour covers them.

Treat the 11:30 am Petra arrival and 7:30 pm Eilat return as approximate. Border formalities can affect the schedule. On the second day, start keeping an eye on the clock well before the 4:30 pm departure.

If Petra by Night matters to you, check that your tour falls on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The ticket is optional and bought in Petra, so bring extra money if you decide to attend.

Finally, give yourself a little patience. The border crossing, shared transport, and group movement are part of the bargain. In exchange, you get a structured way to reach Petra from Eilat, a guided first look, an overnight break, and another full day to explore.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want two meaningful days at Petra without arranging the border crossing, transport, hotel, and admission on your own. The included guide, breakfast, air-conditioned vehicle, and second day make this a practical choice for a first visit from Eilat.

Think twice if the border fees, unspecified hotel, possible schedule changes, or group size bother you. The mixed service record also means I would avoid placing this tour on the one and only day of a tightly planned itinerary.

For most visitors who want an organized Petra visit with enough time to look around, the $299 cost is reasonable once the included features are counted. Bring cash for the extra fees, confirm the meeting details, and choose this tour for its time at Petra, not just its convenient pickup.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:15 am from a central meeting point in Eilat.

When should I arrive at Petra?

The planned arrival time is about 11:30 am on the first day, after the border crossing and transfer through Jordan.

Is admission to Petra included?

Yes. Entry fees to Petra are included for both days.

Are visa and border fees included?

No. Visa and border fees must be paid in cash at the border.

When is Petra by Night available?

Petra by Night is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is optional, costs extra, and the ticket is bought on the spot in Petra.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, with an expected arrival in Eilat at about 7:30 pm on day two.