2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra is the reason to take this trip: after crossing from Eilat into Jordan, you reach the rose-colored Nabatean city with enough time to see it with a guide and then explore on your own. I like the mix of guided context and independent time, and I like that breakfast, admission, transport, and a hotel night are bundled together.

The main drawback is the border crossing. Visa and border fees are extra, paid in cash, and the schedule can feel long because day one begins at 8:15 a.m. and the return on day two reaches Eilat around 7:30 p.m. The tour is also shared, with up to 25 people, so it is not a private Petra visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra by Night is optional: It is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the ticket bought separately in Petra.
• You get two different ways to see Petra: Day one includes a licensed guided tour and free time, while day two is set aside for independent exploring.
• Border costs are not included: Bring cash for the visa fee and border fee.
• The tour starts in central Eilat: Pickup is offered, with a stated start time of 8:15 a.m.
• The return is at about 4:30 p.m. on day two: Arrival back on the Israeli side of the border is expected around 7:30 p.m.
• The group can reach 25 people: That keeps the price below a private tour, but it can affect the pace and personal attention.

Why two days makes sense for Petra

Petra is not a quick photo stop. The site is large, and the most famous view, the Treasury, is only the beginning. A one-day visit can show you the main approach and central sights, but this two-day plan gives you time to return to the site and set your own pace.

I like the structure here. On day one, a licensed guide gives you an introduction to Petra, then you have free time. On day two, you get another full day at leisure. That arrangement lets you learn what you are looking at before setting off on your own, rather than spending the entire visit following a flag through an unfamiliar place.

The overnight stay also removes the need to make Petra a rushed day trip from Eilat. You still have a long first day and a lengthy return on the second, but you are not trying to see Petra, cross the border, and return to Israel all within a single daylight window.

The tradeoff is that the experience is action-packed rather than relaxed. Pickup begins at 8:15 a.m., Petra is reached around 11:30 a.m., and the return journey leaves at 4:30 p.m. the next day. You will want to treat both days as full sightseeing days.

From Eilat to the Jordanian border

The morning begins with pickup in Eilat. The meeting information gives an 8:15 a.m. start, and the tour is also described as being near public transportation. That is useful if you are staying outside the central pickup area, but confirm the precise pickup point when booking.

Border crossings require patience. The tour provides assistants to help you cross into Jordan, which is important because the process involves more than simply stepping off one bus and onto another. Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports who hold an Israeli passport, must use that Israeli passport at every border crossing.

You should also bring cash for the visa fee and border fee. These costs are not part of the $299 price, and the supplied information does not give their exact amounts. Do not assume that the advertised price covers every expense connected with entering Jordan.

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, not at your hotel or another destination in Israel. Plan your evening around that detail. If you have a late connection, another tour, or a dinner reservation far from the border, leave plenty of spare time.

The desert transfer and view of Aaron’s Tomb

After the border process, you continue through the Jordanian desert in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer is part of the experience, not simply dead time between Eilat and Petra. The route includes a view of Aaron’s Tomb, a landmark connected with the biblical figure Aaron.

The information provided does not promise a dedicated stop at the tomb, so think of it as a notable sight along the way rather than a separate excursion. Still, that glimpse gives the drive a sense of place. You are moving through a dry, open setting before reaching the carved stone walls of Petra.

Air conditioning matters here. The transfer takes several hours, and the day is already long by the time you arrive. You will appreciate having organized transportation instead of trying to arrange multiple connections across an international border.

The group size can reach 25 people. That is a manageable size for a shared vehicle, but it is still large enough that border delays, bathroom stops, and regrouping can affect the day. Keep your schedule flexible.

Arriving in Petra around 11:30 a.m.

The stated arrival time in Petra is about 11:30 a.m. That gives you the middle and later part of day one for sightseeing. A licensed guide then leads the initial tour of the site.

This first walk is valuable because Petra can feel confusing at the start. The guide provides a basic framework for the ancient city and points out the key places along the route. You can then use your free time to revisit areas that caught your attention or continue farther at your own pace.

The tour does not specify the guide’s name, and the exact route is not listed. That means you should not book expecting a named specialist or a private interpretation. You are getting a shared licensed guide, with the practical benefit of orientation and explanation rather than a custom-built archaeological tour.

Admission to Petra is included on both days. That is a useful part of the package. You can return on day two without buying a second entry separately, giving the overnight plan real value.

Free time inside Petra on both days

The strongest feature of this tour is the balance between instruction and freedom. After the guided portion on day one, you have time to explore independently. Day two is also free time, with entry fees included.

I like this setup for anyone who does not want every minute controlled. Petra rewards pauses. You may want to spend extra time at a major carved façade, walk farther into the site, or simply choose your own pace rather than staying with a group. The schedule gives you room for that.

At the same time, free time requires some self-management. The supplied information does not specify a detailed meeting point inside Petra, walking route, or advice on how far you can go before returning to the vehicle. Pay close attention to the departure instructions for day two, because the group leaves Petra at 4:30 p.m.

Do not confuse two days at Petra with two complete days from dawn until closing. Day one includes the border crossing and transfer, with arrival around late morning. Day two ends with the drive back to Eilat. You have useful time, but the transport schedule sets firm limits.

A possible evening at Petra by Night

On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you have the option to attend Petra by Night. The ticket is not included and must be bought on the spot in Petra.

This can add a very different mood to the visit, especially after seeing the site in daylight. But it is an optional extra, not a standard part of the $299 package. Check the day of your tour before counting on it, and budget separately for the ticket.

Because the provided details do not state the exact start time, duration, or price, you should ask about those points locally. The same applies to the practical question of how the evening event fits with your overnight hotel arrangements.

The overnight hotel and included breakfast

A hotel night is included, along with breakfast. That is one of the reasons this tour can make financial sense compared with arranging every piece on your own.

The hotel name, room setup, and location are not specified. You should therefore treat the overnight stay as a practical part of the route rather than choosing this tour for a particular property. The main benefit is simple: you sleep in the Petra area and return to the site the next day instead of making another long approach from Eilat.

Breakfast is included, which helps on a morning when you need to prepare for more walking. No other meals are listed as included, so plan to pay separately for lunch, dinner, drinks, and snacks.

Is $299 a fair price?

At $299 per person, the value depends on what you want included. You are paying for a two-day organized trip, air-conditioned transport, a hotel night, breakfast, Petra admission, border assistance, and a licensed guided tour.

That bundle is useful if you prefer not to arrange international transport, lodging, and entry separately. It also lowers the planning burden at the border, where the tour provides assistants. For a first visit to Petra from Eilat, that practical support has genuine worth.

The price does not cover everything. Visa and border fees are extra, and Petra by Night costs extra when available. Meals beyond breakfast are also not listed as included. Add those costs before deciding that $299 is your final budget.

A shared group of up to 25 people helps keep the cost below a private arrangement. If you want a quiet pace, a personal guide, or a route built around your interests, this may feel less satisfying. If you want a straightforward way to reach Petra with the major expenses bundled, the package is easier to justify.

What the positive experience tells you

One especially encouraging point comes from the account of an American participant who had worried about crossing into Jordan and described the Jordanians they encountered as welcoming. That matters because border travel can feel uncertain when you have never made the crossing before.

I would still avoid making broad promises about every border experience. Procedures can take time, and the tour cannot control every official step. But the presence of assistants and the positive account of feeling comfortable in Jordan suggest that the crossing need not be the intimidating part many first-time visitors imagine.

The experience has a mixed overall record, with a 3.8 rating from 22 ratings. One person reported that the tour was canceled and was waiting for a refund, so you should keep your plans flexible and read the cancellation terms carefully before setting nonrefundable connections around the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can also cause cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will like this Petra trip

I would recommend this tour most strongly to you if you:

• Are staying in Eilat and want an organized way to visit Petra
• Prefer a shared tour instead of private transport
• Want both a guide and unstructured time
• Like having a hotel night included
• Are comfortable with an early start and a long return day
• Want admission and breakfast handled in advance

It is less suitable if you need a luxury hotel, exact control over the timetable, or a private guide. It may also frustrate you if you dislike border crossings, group coordination, or paying extra fees in cash.

Most people can participate, according to the activity information. No special physical requirement is stated, but Petra involves walking, and the schedule covers two substantial sightseeing days. You should be realistic about your own comfort with extended time on foot.

Final decision: book it or plan Petra independently?

Book this tour if convenience is your priority. The best parts are the organized border crossing, included Petra admission, overnight stay, air-conditioned transport, and the chance to combine a guided introduction with two stretches of independent exploration.

Think twice if the $299 price is only the starting point for your budget. Add border and visa fees, meals other than breakfast, and the optional Petra by Night ticket. Also remember that the trip ends at the Israeli side of the border, not necessarily at your accommodation.

For a first Petra visit from Eilat, I find the two-day format more sensible than a rushed single-day outing. You get time to see the headline sights, return for more exploration, and experience Petra in both guided and self-directed ways. Just arrive prepared for a long schedule, a shared group, and a border crossing that may not run like a clock.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Day one is listed as about 12 hours, and day two as about 8 hours.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Eilat, with pickup offered. The stated start time is 8:15 a.m.

When do I arrive in Petra?

The planned arrival in Petra is around 11:30 a.m. on the first day, after the border crossing and transfer from Eilat.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A licensed guide provides a tour of Petra on the first day. You also receive free time to explore independently.

Are Petra admission fees included?

Yes. Entry fees to Petra are included for the visit, including the free exploration time listed on day two.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. An overnight hotel stay is included, but the hotel name and room details are not provided.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is included. Other meals are not listed as part of the package.

Is Petra by Night included?

No. Petra by Night is optional and available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The ticket is bought separately in Petra.

What fees are not included?

The visa fee and border fee are not included. Both are to be paid in cash at the border.