Petra from Sharm is a marathon, not a stroll. What makes it special is the ferry-to-Petra route: you start very early, travel by boat to Aqaba, then get a guided sweep through Petra’s rock-cut sights, including the famous Treasury. I like the way pickup and transfers are handled so you’re not constantly figuring out what comes next, even with border and bus changes. Guides on this run have included people such as Meskal and Ibrahaim, and the best ones make the long day feel organized.

The other thing I really like is that you don’t just “get there.” You get the essentials done right: a full included buffet lunch in a restaurant inside Petra and admission so you can focus on the sights instead of juggling tickets. Just keep one drawback in mind: this is a very long day with limited time in Petra, so if you’re hoping for a slow, deep exploration, this format can feel rushed.

Quick picks: what stood out most

• Early start + ferry routing: the boat helps break up the long overland travel.
• A tight Petra hit: you see major zones like the Treasury and Royal Tombs, not just the entrance area.
• Lunch inside the action: included buffet means you’re not hunting for food between walks.
• A guide-led loop: you follow a planned path through the canyon and monuments.
• Aqaba reset stop: about an hour for shopping and a breather in Jordan.
• Big-day reality: expect lots of walking and bus time even with comfort stops.

The 1:00 am start: getting from Sharm to the Taba ferry

This tour is built around an extremely early departure. The listed start time is 1:00 am, and in practice that means a wake-up call while most of Sharm is still asleep. You’ll get hotel pickup and then travel to the port area at Taba for the ferry crossing to Aqaba, Jordan.

Why I think this start time matters: it protects the one thing you can’t buy back—daylight. Petra looks best when you have enough light for photos and for the details on the rock-cut facades. Leaving early also helps you avoid sitting around with nothing to do while other transport options slowly fill up.

What to plan for: the day begins with a long vehicle stretch before you even set foot in Jordanian airspace. Pack like you’re on an all-day hike plus a bus trip. Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and a small bag you can keep with you during transfers make a big difference.

Crossing to Aqaba by ferry: your buffer for toilet and snacks

Once you board the ferry from Taba to Aqaba, the day changes pace. You get a boat ride that’s not just transportation—it’s a mental break. Several people also note that the overall journey is broken up with regular toilet and snack stops, which is exactly what you want on an itinerary this long.

There’s also a practical reality at the border: you’ll go through border procedures on the route. One detail that comes up clearly is that you pass through the Egyptian border before boarding in this sequence, and security interactions can be less friendly than you’d expect. The best approach is simple: be patient, have your passport ready, and don’t argue about process. This is one of those moments where calm wins.

Comfort tip that I’d actually use: bring a light layer for the vehicle and ferry. A/C is included, but early mornings and enclosed transport can swing from warm to chilly fast.

Petra route in one day: Treasury, Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Qasr al-Bint

Here’s the main event: Petra. The tour runs a guided route that brings you through the rock gorge area toward the monuments that most people picture from postcards and movies. The first big sight is the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), usually the moment everyone feels the trip was worth it.

You’re not just dropped at a random spot either. The plan continues along a facade street route, reaching key areas such as:

• the Roman Theater
• the Royal Tombs
• Qasr al-Bint

Even if you’ve seen Petra on screens, the stonework still has that wow factor. What hits most is scale: you’re walking through a canyon that feels carved for drama, then suddenly you face architecture cut into rock like it belongs there. A good guide makes this sharper by pointing out what you’re looking at and why the site is arranged the way it is.

The drawback: it’s a one-day sweep. You’ll see major highlights, but you won’t get to do everything you might dream about for days—like fully wandering side valleys or taking your time with distant viewpoints. If you love slow pacing, plan to come back later. If you want a smart “greatest hits” run, this tour’s format fits.

Walking reality check: the itinerary includes going in on foot, though there may be options if walking is difficult. One passenger noted paying extra for a golf cart due to age or mobility limits. If that’s you, ask ahead of time whether a cart option is available for your specific needs and timing.

Lunch inside Petra: keeping energy up without wasting time

Lunch is included, and it’s served as an open buffet in a restaurant inside Petra. This matters more than it sounds. When you’re doing a long-distance day trip, the hidden cost isn’t just money—it’s time. An included meal helps you avoid losing a chunk of Petra visiting restaurants outside the core sights or waiting for transport.

The other benefit is that the meal gives you a built-in recovery window between monument clusters. Petra’s walking can wear you out quickly under sun and stone heat, so refueling is part of staying sharp for your remaining stops.

My practical advice: still bring a small snack pack and a reusable water bottle if you can. Lunch is planned, but your body won’t care if there’s a long bus segment afterward. Several people emphasize that this is a long day, so having your own backup food and water can turn stress into comfort.

Aqaba stopover: about an hour to shop and reset

After the Petra visits, you travel back to Aqaba, where you get around one hour of free time. This is short, but it’s not random. It’s enough time for basic needs: a quick look around, a chance to grab small items, and a mental reset before you head back to the ferry and then return to Sharm.

If you’re hoping to fully explore Aqaba beyond a quick browse, this won’t be enough time. Think of it as a practical break, not a city tour. Use it to stretch your legs, refill essentials, and avoid making your return ride feel even longer than it already is.

Then the schedule moves again: you’ll transfer to the port of Aqaba, take the ferry back toward Taba, and continue by vehicle to your hotel in Sharm.

Price and logistics: is $337.31 per person worth it?

At $337.31 per person, this is not a cheap day trip. But the price does bundle several expensive parts of the puzzle into one ticket:

• hotel pickup and air-conditioned vehicle transfers
• ferry travel between Taba and Aqaba
• a guided Petra route
• all admissions to the included sights
• lunch in Petra

Value is easiest to see when you compare it to the cost of doing this yourself. If you try to stitch together your own transport, ferry schedule, entry permissions, and a guide for a tight route, the complexity and time drain often outweigh the savings. This tour pays those headaches for you.

Where the value gets most convincing is in the smoother pacing: the itinerary is long, but it’s organized. People repeatedly highlight that the day feels well-managed from pickup through Petra, including practical stops along the way.

The real question isn’t whether it’s “worth it,” since Petra is always worth the effort. The real question is whether you want a long, structured day. If you do, the bundled logistics help you spend your energy on Petra instead of on travel problem-solving.

One more logistics note: the maximum group size is 30 travelers. That’s big enough for a lively group, but small enough that you usually don’t feel lost in chaos.

Who this Petra day trip fits best (and who should consider alternatives)

This day trip is ideal if you:

• want a greatest-hits Petra overview without planning multiple days
• like having a guide keep your route moving through key zones
• prefer an organized day with pickup and admissions handled
• can handle long vehicle time and a fair amount of walking

It’s tougher if you:

• get tired quickly from early mornings and long bus rides
• need lots of quiet time at each monument
• plan to chase lesser-known spots that aren’t on a tight route

Also, if you’re worried about walking, read the fine print and ask questions early. One person in the experience notes paid extra for a golf cart due to limited ability, which suggests there can be options—but the tour format itself includes a walk through the canyon approach to the Treasury area.

If you’re traveling with kids, it can work, but you need to judge your child’s endurance. A family case mentioned an 8-year-old and still made it through the full route, but that success came with patience and a long-day mindset.

Should you book Petra by ferry from Sharm el Sheikh?

Book it if your goal is simple: see Petra’s biggest sights with a guided plan, admissions included, and ferry travel that makes the long day feel more bearable. The biggest strength is the organization—especially for a trip that blends hotel pickup, ferry crossing, border formalities, bus transfers, and a tightly structured Petra route.

Skip it (or consider a multi-day plan) if you want a relaxed pace. This itinerary compresses Petra into a short window, meaning you’ll miss out on the slow exploration that makes some visits feel like a dream instead of a sprint.

My final take: if you’re the type who can handle a marathon day for a once-in-a-lifetime site, this is a solid way to do it without turning your vacation into a logistics project.

FAQ

What time does pickup start?

Pickup is listed with a start time of 1:00 am, and you’ll be collected from your hotel in Sharm el Sheikh.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is listed as 22 hours to 1 day (approx.), meaning it’s a very long outing from early morning to return late.

Is lunch included, and where do you eat?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s described as an open buffet in a restaurant in Petra.

Are Petra admission tickets included?

Yes. The tour includes all admissions to the sights, and the experience info also lists admission as free.

How much free time do you get in Aqaba?

You’ll have about one hour of free time in Aqaba for shopping and a short break before the return ferry.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.