2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra is the star here, of course, but the real appeal is the chance to see it without squeezing the site into a frantic day trip. You cross from Eilat into Jordan, reach Petra around 11:30 am, take a guided walk, then have time to go at your own pace. I especially like the overnight stay and the second full period inside the site.

I also like that the price includes Petra admission, breakfast, and air-conditioned transport, which removes several large expenses from the planning pile. The drawback is the border process: visa and border fees are extra, must be paid in cash, and the day can feel long before you even begin walking through Petra.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra arrival around 11:30 am: You get a useful first afternoon at the site rather than arriving late in the day.
• A guided visit plus free time: The guide gives you structure, then you can explore independently.
• Overnight stay in Petra: Sleeping locally makes the experience less rushed than a same-day crossing.
• Optional Petra by Night: This is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for an extra charge paid in Petra.
• Maximum group size of 25: Large enough to keep the cost down, but small enough to remain manageable.
• Extra border costs: Visa and border fees are not included and must be paid in cash at the border.

Why two days makes Petra easier

A day trip from Eilat to Petra can become a race against the clock. You have the international border, a road transfer, the archaeological site itself, and the return crossing all packed into one demanding schedule. This two-day plan gives you a night in Petra and a second period to explore before the ride back to Israel.

That extra time matters because Petra is not a single monument you walk up to, take a picture of, and leave. The experience begins with the approach through the rock-cut passage and continues through a broad site with major monuments and walking routes. The supplied plan does not promise every corner of Petra, so you should think of this as a guided introduction with time to choose your own priorities, not a private expedition through every trail.

You arrive at about 11:30 am on the first day. That is late enough that you should expect a full afternoon rather than a quiet morning visit. Still, it gives you hours for the guided portion and independent exploration. The following day adds another period at leisure, with departure from Petra at 4:30 pm.

I like that balance. A guide can help you understand what you are seeing, while free time lets you stop following the group when you want to look longer, take photographs, or simply walk at a slower pace. A group tour does not need to dictate every minute of your visit.

Leaving Eilat at 8:15 am

The meeting time is 8:15 am, with pickup offered from a central point in Eilat. Confirm the precise pickup details before setting out, since the information provided identifies a central meeting arrangement but does not name every pickup location.

The morning includes the Israeli and Jordanian border crossing, with assistants helping you through the process. This support is useful. Crossing an international border can feel less straightforward than a normal coach transfer, and having staff nearby gives you someone to turn to if a step is unclear.

Bring cash for the visa fee and border fee. These costs are not part of the $299 tour price, and they are paid at the border. That is an important value calculation. The advertised price covers major parts of the Petra visit, but your final cost is higher once those border charges are added.

Israeli passport holders, including people who also hold another passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing. You should take this rule seriously and carry the correct document. The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, not at your hotel or another destination beyond the crossing.

The desert transfer and first view of Petra

After the border, you continue across the Jordanian desert in an air-conditioned vehicle. The drive is part of the day rather than a minor transfer between two nearby stops. Air conditioning is a practical inclusion, especially after a border crossing and before several hours on foot.

The route includes a view of Aaron’s Tomb. The information provided does not promise a stop or entry, so treat this as a scenic point seen during the transfer rather than a separate sightseeing visit. It gives you a sense of the surrounding terrain before Petra comes into view.

You are expected to reach Petra at about 11:30 am. The timing can shift because border crossings and road conditions are not fully predictable, so avoid booking an evening commitment in Eilat on your return day. The stated arrival back in Israel is around 7:30 pm on day two, but border delays can make that later.

A guided introduction inside Petra

Once you reach Petra, a licensed guide leads the first part of your visit. The supplied information does not provide the guide’s name, so you should not expect to book a particular named guide. What you can expect is a shared tour with a maximum of 25 people.

That group limit is worth noting. It is not a private walk, and you may need to stay aware of where the group is moving. At the same time, 25 people is more workable than a very large coach group. You should be able to hear the guide more easily, though exact conditions depend on the site and the group’s spacing.

The guided section gives you a framework for the ancient rock-cut city. This is especially useful on a first visit, when it can be hard to judge what deserves your time and how the different monuments fit together. Afterward, free time lets you return to a favorite spot or continue farther at your own pace.

I would use the guided portion to get oriented, then treat the independent hours as the heart of the visit. Wear shoes suitable for extended walking and expect the site to require energy. The tour description does not specify walking distances, route difficulty, or whether extra routes are included, so plan for a physically active day without assuming that every path will be covered.

Free time on day one and day two

The first day includes guided sightseeing followed by time on your own. The second day is described as a free day at Petra, with admission included again. That repeat access is one of the strongest reasons to choose this package over a rushed single-day option.

Use day one to understand the layout and see the central highlights with the guide. On day two, you can make a more deliberate choice. You might revisit a monument, spend longer taking in the rock formations, or walk only as far as your energy allows. The plan gives you room to set your own pace rather than treating Petra as a checklist.

The schedule does not name the hotel or explain its distance from the site. It does confirm that an overnight stay is included. I would verify the hotel details, room arrangement, and any included meals before paying if those points matter to you.

Breakfast is included. That is convenient before another active period at Petra, though no menu or serving time is specified. If you need a particular diet, ask the provider in advance rather than assuming the meal will meet your needs.

Petra by Night on selected evenings

If your visit falls on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you have the option to attend Petra by Night. The ticket costs extra and is bought on the spot in Petra. It is not part of the $299 price.

This option can add a different mood to your overnight stay, but it also makes an already full day longer. I would decide after seeing the daytime schedule and judging your energy. You should not pay for it in advance through this package, since the information says the ticket is purchased locally.

The evening event is an optional extra, not a replacement for the main guided visit. The daytime admission and the second day’s entry are already included, so you can skip the night program without losing the core experience.

What the $299 price really covers

At $299 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Petra, but it covers several high-cost pieces: transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry fees to Petra, a licensed guide, breakfast, and an overnight hotel stay.

The value improves if you want help at the border and do not want to arrange Jordanian transport, accommodation, and Petra tickets separately. The price also buys time. A second day can be worth more than a small saving if you dislike rushing through major sights.

The price does not include visa and border fees. You also need to budget for Petra by Night if you choose it, plus any personal spending not listed in the inclusions. Since those extra charges are paid in cash, prepare before leaving Eilat.

The group limit of 25 keeps the package in the shared-tour category while avoiding the scale of a very large group. If you want a private guide, complete control of the timetable, or a named hotel, this is not the right product. If you want a practical structure at a known base price, it makes more sense.

Border rules and the parts that need patience

The border is the least predictable part of the schedule. The tour provides assistants, which helps, but no company can guarantee that every crossing will take the same amount of time. Keep your documents accessible and avoid packing your day with fixed plans.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a visit built around two border crossings and a large outdoor archaeological site, that condition is reasonable.

The cancellation terms are simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Check the local time used for the cutoff, especially if you are arranging the tour from another country.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The description does not give detailed accessibility information, so anyone needing specific mobility support should ask before booking.

Who will get the most from this Petra trip

I would choose this tour if you want Petra as the main event but do not want to plan the border crossing, transport, tickets, and hotel yourself. It suits an independent-minded visitor who likes having a guide at the start and freedom afterward.

It is also a good fit if you are concerned about crossing into Jordan for the first time. The included assistance gives the process more structure, and one positive account specifically describes American visitors feeling comfortable and well treated in Jordan. That is encouraging, though normal border procedures still apply to everyone.

This is less suitable if you need a relaxed holiday pace. The first day starts at 8:15 am, includes the border and desert transfer, and ends after a substantial visit. The second day continues until a 4:30 pm departure, followed by the return crossing and an expected 7:30 pm arrival in Eilat.

Families and older visitors should think honestly about the walking involved. The tour says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed route or mobility plan. If you are comfortable with an active sightseeing day and can manage an uneven outdoor site, the schedule is more realistic.

My booking advice

I would book this two-day Petra trip if your priority is time at Petra, not luxury or total control. The overnight stay, included entries, guide, breakfast, and return transport make the $299 price easier to justify, especially for a first visit from Eilat.

Before booking, confirm the pickup point, hotel details, border charges, and passport requirements. If your dates include Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, decide if Petra by Night suits your energy and budget. Leave room in your return evening because the 7:30 pm arrival is approximate.

Skip it if you want a private experience, a guaranteed short border crossing, or a detailed schedule built around a particular hotel. For most people seeking a practical first look at Petra with meaningful free time, this is a sensible two-day arrangement, provided you arrive prepared for a long and active outing.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Eilat to Petra?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Pickup begins at 8:15 am on day one, and arrival back on the Israeli side of the border is expected around 7:30 pm on day two.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes Petra entry fees, breakfast, an overnight hotel stay, a licensed guide, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are visa and border fees included?

No. Visa fees and border fees are not included, and they must be paid in cash at the border.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 25 people.

When do you arrive at Petra?

Arrival at Petra is scheduled for around 11:30 am on the first day.

Is there free time to explore Petra independently?

Yes. The tour includes a guided visit followed by free time on day one, plus another free period to explore Petra at leisure on day two.

Is Petra by Night included?

No. Petra by Night is optional and costs extra. It is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with tickets purchased on the spot in Petra.

Which passport must Israeli citizens use?

Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border after returning from Jordan.