2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra is the prize here: a two-day visit from Eilat that gives you more than a rushed glimpse of the rose-colored city. You cross into Jordan with assistance, join a guided walk through the main site, then return for generous free time and a second day at your own pace.

I like the built-in overnight stay, which saves you from trying to cram Petra into one exhausting day. I also like the mix of structure and freedom: a guide explains the great sights, then you can wander without being tied to the group. The main catch is the border process, which adds time, cash fees, and a little uncertainty to an already long journey.

Key points to know before booking

• Two full days at Petra: You arrive around 11:30 a.m. on day one, then have another free day before leaving at 4:30 p.m. on day two.
• Guided and independent sightseeing: A licensed guide leads part of the visit, while the rest is yours to plan.
• Border costs are extra: Bring cash for the Jordanian visa fee and border fee, neither of which is included.
• Petra by Night is optional: It may be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the ticket purchased in Petra.
• Small shared group: The maximum is 25 people, a useful limit for a border-crossing tour.
• The tour ends at Israel’s side of the border: Plan your onward arrangements in Eilat accordingly.

Why two days makes Petra easier to enjoy

Petra is not a quick roadside stop. The site is spread through a dramatic desert valley, and the most famous view, the Treasury, is only the beginning. A one-day visit can show you the headline sights, but it often leaves little room for detours, slower walks, or a second look at places you missed.

This tour gives you that extra breathing room. After collecting you in Eilat at about 8:15 a.m., the operator helps you cross into Jordan. The drive then continues across the Jordanian desert, with a view of Aaron’s Tomb along the way, before reaching Petra at roughly 11:30 a.m.

That arrival time matters. You are not getting two complete sightseeing days from opening to closing, but you do get a substantial first afternoon and a full second day. Leaving Petra at 4:30 p.m. on day two, with an expected arrival in Eilat around 7:30 p.m., creates a useful window for exploring without forcing every hour into a strict guided schedule.

I especially like this format for people who want context but do not want a guide beside them all day. You receive a proper introduction to the site, then have time to choose your pace. You might spend longer near the Treasury, walk farther into the valley, or simply pause when the heat and stone start to wear you down.

The journey from Eilat to Jordan

The first part of the day is practical rather than glamorous. You meet at a central pickup point in Eilat and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The vehicle is important here because the day includes the Israeli border, the Jordanian border, and a long desert transfer.

Border crossings are not a minor footnote on this trip. You need to carry cash for the visa fee and border fee, as these are not included in the $299 price. The exact amount is not provided, so confirm the current requirements before departure and do not assume your tour payment covers every charge.

If you hold an Israeli passport, you must use it at every border crossing. That rule also applies to anyone with dual passports who has an Israeli passport. Bring the correct document and follow the passport instructions carefully, since switching documents at the border can create confusion.

The tour includes border assistance, which is one of its more useful features. You are not left to figure out the crossing alone, though the assistance does not remove the need for patience. The border procedure takes time, and the day can feel long before Petra even comes into view.

The desert transfer adds a scenic element. The route includes a view of Aaron’s Tomb, a mountain associated with biblical and Jordanian tradition. The information supplied for the tour does not promise a stop or visit there, so treat it as a view from the route rather than a separate sightseeing activity.

Entering Petra at about 11:30 a.m.

Arriving around 11:30 a.m. gives you time to settle into the main experience without wasting the morning in transit once you reach Jordan. The licensed guide then leads a tour of Petra, with admission included in the package.

A guided introduction is valuable at Petra because the stone façades can otherwise seem like a collection of impressive pictures without a clear story. Your guide can help explain what you are looking at and point out the importance of the site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The shared group can include up to 25 people. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is still a manageable size for a major archaeological site. Stay close enough to hear the guide, especially if the group is moving through crowded or narrow sections.

The guided portion is followed by free time. This is one of the strongest features of the trip. You can revisit the spots that interested you, take photographs without trying to keep up, and decide how much walking suits you that afternoon.

The supplied information does not name the guide, so you should not book this expecting a particular person. The tour promises a licensed guide rather than a named specialist. That is a reasonable arrangement for a shared excursion, but the quality of your explanations may depend on the individual assigned that day.

Making good use of the first afternoon

Petra rewards a sensible pace. You may want to use the guided portion to understand the main route, then spend your independent time getting your bearings and choosing what deserves a closer look.

The first afternoon is also a chance to avoid a common mistake: trying to see everything at once. Petra is a large site, and your energy matters. The tour does not promise a specific route beyond the guided visit, so your best plan is to ask the guide what can realistically fit into the remaining hours.

Admission to Petra is included on both days. That is helpful because you can return the next day without paying a separate entry fee. It also makes the overnight format more useful than a basic one-day transfer, since you are paying for access to the site across the full program.

The hotel night is included, but the provided details do not name the property or describe its room standards. Consider the accommodation a practical base rather than a reason to choose the tour. If hotel quality is central to your decision, ask for the property details before booking.

Breakfast is included. That gives you at least one meal covered during the overnight stay, though lunch and dinner are not listed among the inclusions. Plan to pay for those separately.

Petra by Night on selected evenings

If your visit falls on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you may have the chance to attend Petra by Night. This is an optional evening event, not part of the standard tour price, and you purchase the ticket on the spot in Petra.

The extra event can add atmosphere to an overnight visit, but it should not be treated as guaranteed. It is offered only on select days, and availability can change. The package details do not state the extra ticket price, so set aside additional cash if you hope to attend.

The practical advantage of the overnight schedule is that you have enough time for an evening activity without racing back to Eilat the same day. If Petra by Night is important to you, check the date before committing and confirm how the evening fits with the hotel arrangements.

A second day for your own route

Day two is the tour’s real luxury. You have a free day at Petra, with admission already covered, before departing at 4:30 p.m.

This open schedule suits independent sightseers. You can return to favorite places from the guided walk, explore at a slower pace, or simply use the day to see what was impossible during the first afternoon. You also have more control over rest stops and photography.

The tour does not specify a second guided walk, so do not expect a guide to lead you throughout this day. That is good news if you prefer freedom, but less ideal if you want detailed commentary from morning to afternoon.

Since the departure time is fixed, keep an eye on your watch. You need to be back at the agreed meeting point in time for the return journey. Missing the group departure would be a serious problem, especially with the border crossing still ahead.

The return transfer is expected to reach Eilat at about 7:30 p.m. This is an approximate time, not a guarantee. Border delays, traffic, and the pace of the group can all affect the schedule. Avoid booking a tight evening connection or an inflexible late-night plan in Eilat.

Is $299 a fair price?

At $299 per person, this is not a bargain-basement border shuttle. It does, however, bundle several costly and complicated elements: air-conditioned transport from Eilat, assistance at the border, Petra admission, a licensed guided visit, a hotel night, breakfast, and a second day of site access.

The value depends on how much you would otherwise need to arrange yourself. If you are already comfortable organizing transport across the border, hotel accommodation, entry tickets, and a guide, you may find a self-planned trip more flexible. If you want those moving parts handled together, the package is easier to justify.

Remember that the price is not all-inclusive. Visa and border fees are extra and must be paid in cash. Meals beyond breakfast are also not included, and Petra by Night costs extra. Add those expenses before comparing this tour with other options.

The group limit of 25 helps protect the value. You are sharing the experience, but the group is not unlimited. A larger group could make the guide’s explanations harder to hear and slow down border procedures, so the stated maximum is worth noting.

What the feedback suggests about the experience

The overall rating is 3.8 out of 5 from 22 ratings, which points to a mixed but generally workable experience. One serious complaint concerned a cancellation and the wait for a refund. That is not a comment on Petra itself, but it reminds you to keep your plans flexible and understand the cancellation terms.

The strongest positive feedback focuses on the border experience and the welcome in Jordan. One American customer described having worries about crossing into Jordan and then finding no cause for concern, praising the treatment received there. That is useful reassurance if you are anxious about the international crossing.

Still, reassurance is not the same as a promise that every departure will run perfectly. Weather can affect the trip, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted.

The practical lesson is simple: confirm the meeting point, bring the correct passport, carry cash for the extra border charges, and avoid placing an important onward commitment immediately after the expected return.

Who should book this Petra tour

I would look first at this tour if you are staying in Eilat and want to see Petra without building a cross-border trip from scratch. The guided opening gives you useful orientation, while the second day lets you reclaim your own time.

It is a good match for you if:

• You want two days at Petra rather than a rushed day trip.
• You prefer shared transport and a group capped at 25 people.
• You like having a guide for the main introduction but want free time afterward.
• You are comfortable paying extra for border fees, meals, and optional Petra by Night.
• You can handle a long travel day and a return arrival around 7:30 p.m.

It may not suit you if you want a private guide, a named guide, a luxury hotel, or a fully all-inclusive price. The details provided do not promise any of those things.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is efficient access to Petra from Eilat, with the hardest logistics grouped into one two-day plan. The overnight stay and second day are the real advantages, giving you time to see the site without treating it like a quick photo stop.

Before paying, confirm the current visa and border charges, the hotel name, the meeting point, and the date for Petra by Night if that event matters to you. Also leave room in your schedule for border delays.

For an independent visitor who values freedom but wants help with the crossing, this is a sensible middle path. For someone seeking a polished private experience with no extra costs, it is less convincing. The tour does the important job of getting you to Petra and back, but you still need to plan for the practical edges.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Eilat to Petra?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Day one runs for about 12 hours, including pickup, border crossing, transport, the guided visit, free time, and the overnight stay. Day two lasts about eight hours and includes free time at Petra and the return journey.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:15 a.m. Pickup is offered from a central meeting point in Eilat.

What time do you arrive at Petra?

Arrival at Petra is expected at approximately 11:30 a.m. on the first day.

What time do you leave Petra on the second day?

You leave Petra at 4:30 p.m. for the return trip to Eilat.

What time do you return to Eilat?

Arrival at the Israeli side of the border is expected at approximately 7:30 p.m. The time can vary because the tour includes an international border crossing.

Are Petra admission tickets included?

Yes. Entry fees to Petra are included for the visit, including the second day of access.

Are visa and border fees included?

No. The visa fee and border fee must be paid separately in cash at the border.

Is Petra by Night included?

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

Can Israeli passport holders join the tour?

Yes, but Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports who hold an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.