2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra is the star here, of course, but the real appeal is the time you get once you arrive. This two-day trip from Eilat gives you a guided introduction, a full overnight stay, and a second stretch of free time instead of squeezing the ancient city into one tiring day. You also cross the border with assistance, which can make an unfamiliar route feel less daunting.

I like the balance between a shared guide and independent exploring. I also like that Petra admission, breakfast, transport, and a hotel night are included in the $299 price. The main drawback is the border process: visa and border fees are extra, must be paid in cash, and the return journey can make the second day feel tightly timed.

Key points to know before booking

• Arrival at Petra around 11:30 am: You get a useful first afternoon rather than a rushed late visit.
• Guided tour plus free time: Learn the basic story and layout, then set your own pace inside the site.
• A second day at Petra: Admission is included again, giving you time to revisit places or explore farther.
• Optional Petra by Night: Available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for an extra charge paid in Petra.
• Border costs are separate: Bring cash for the visa and border fees, and use your Israeli passport at every crossing if you are an Israeli citizen or dual national.

Why two days make sense at Petra

Petra is not the sort of place that rewards a quick march to the famous Treasury, a photograph, and a hurried exit. The site is large, the setting is dramatic, and the main monuments are spread along a route that takes time to absorb. A two-day plan gives you a proper first look with a guide and then a chance to return with fewer instructions ringing in your ears.

The first day combines structure and freedom. A licensed guide leads the opening visit, giving you context for the rock-cut city and helping you understand what you are seeing. After that, you have free time to choose your own priorities. You can linger at the most famous views, walk back through places that caught your eye, or simply take a slower look at the carved stone.

The overnight stay is the key feature. Instead of returning to Eilat after a long border crossing and a full day on your feet, you sleep near Petra and wake up with another opportunity to visit. Breakfast is included, which removes one small but useful task from the morning.

The journey from Eilat to Petra

The day begins at 8:15 am from a central pickup point in Eilat. Pickup is offered, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome detail for a route that includes road time and an exposed archaeological site.

You cross from Israel into Jordan with help from tour assistants. That support matters because border crossings can involve unfamiliar procedures, waiting, and payments. Your visa fee and border fee are not included, so prepare to pay those in cash at the border. The price of the tour should not be treated as the full cost of the trip until you have allowed for these extra charges.

The road across the Jordanian desert is part of the experience. You may get a view of Aaron’s Tomb during the transfer, adding a memorable landmark before Petra itself comes into view. The transfer also gives you a change of scenery from Eilat’s resort setting to the dry, open terrain around Petra.

One published account from an American participant found the border experience less worrying than expected and described Jordanians as welcoming. That is useful reassurance, though every border crossing has its own pace and conditions. Go with patience, keep your documents and cash easy to reach, and do not plan anything that depends on arriving back in Eilat at an exact minute.

Your first afternoon inside Petra

The stated arrival time at Petra is about 11:30 am. That gives you much of the afternoon for the first visit, assuming the border crossing and road transfer run close to schedule.

The guided portion comes first. A licensed guide introduces you to the site and leads you through the main visit. This is a sensible arrangement for a first encounter with Petra. Without context, it is easy to focus only on the famous Treasury and miss how the city fits together. A guide can also help you get your bearings before you set off on your own.

The group can include up to 25 people. That is not a private tour, and you should expect the guide’s attention to be shared. Still, the cap keeps the group more manageable than a large coach party. If you prefer a completely personal pace from the first step to the last, this is not the right format. If you want a basic orientation followed by independence, it strikes a practical middle ground.

After the guided visit, you have free time. This is where the tour becomes more flexible than a tightly scripted excursion. You can spend longer at the Treasury, study the carved façades, and decide how much farther you want to go. The information provided does not promise specific trails, rides, or monuments beyond the general Petra visit, so keep your plans open rather than expecting a detailed route through every corner.

Sleeping near Petra and Petra by Night

An overnight hotel stay is included, though the specific hotel is not named. That means you should see the lodging as a practical base rather than booking because of a particular property or set of hotel facilities.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you may have the option to attend Petra by Night. The ticket costs extra and is bought on the spot in Petra. This evening event is not part of the standard price, so check the day of your trip before counting on it.

The optional night visit can add atmosphere after the daytime crowds and bright desert sun, but it also adds another activity to a long day. I would treat it as a bonus, not the reason to book the tour. Your main value comes from the two daytime visits, the guide, transport, and overnight arrangement.

A second day with more control

Day two is intentionally open. You have free time at Petra, with admission included, before leaving at 4:30 pm. This is valuable because the first visit may leave you with unfinished plans or a better sense of what deserves more attention.

You could use the second day to return to a favorite section, slow down for photography, or walk farther than you managed during the guided visit. You could also simply take a calmer look at the site without trying to follow a group.

The fixed departure time is important. You must be back in time to leave Petra at 4:30 pm for the return to Eilat, with arrival expected around 7:30 pm. That schedule gives you several hours at the site but does not allow unlimited wandering. Keep an eye on the clock, especially if you are exploring away from the main route.

The return also includes another border crossing. The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, not necessarily at your hotel or another destination in Eilat. Confirm exactly where the vehicle drops you before booking onward evening plans.

What the $299 price includes

At $299 per person, the tour is easiest to judge as a package rather than as simple transportation. You receive air-conditioned transport, Petra entry fees, a licensed guided visit, an overnight hotel stay, and breakfast. You also receive border assistance, which has real practical value on a cross-border trip.

The second included Petra admission improves the value. A one-day excursion might cost less at first glance, but it would give you less time and could force you through the site at a faster pace. Here, your payment buys breathing room as well as entry.

Still, budget for the items left out. The visa fee and border fee are paid in cash at the border. Petra by Night is also extra if you choose it. Because those amounts are not specified here, I would not book with a strict all-in budget of $299.

The package suits you best if you want the main arrangements handled in one booking. It is less compelling if you are already comfortable arranging transport, accommodation, border procedures, and Petra entry on your own. The tour’s strongest value is convenience combined with extra time at the site.

Who will enjoy this Petra trip most

This experience is a good fit if you are staying in Eilat and want to see Petra without planning every cross-border detail yourself. It works especially well for a first visit, since the guide gives you an introduction and the free periods keep the day from feeling like a classroom exercise.

It also suits people who dislike one-day sightseeing sprints. The overnight stay and second day let you spread the visit across a more reasonable rhythm. The air-conditioned vehicle helps with the road portion, while the group limit keeps the tour from becoming enormous.

You should think twice if you want a private guide, a guaranteed hotel name, or a completely flexible schedule. The maximum group size is 25, the optional night event is not guaranteed every day, and the return leaves at a set time. Those are manageable limits, but they should match your travel style.

Israeli passport holders, including people with dual passports that include an Israeli passport, must use the Israeli passport at every border crossing. This is not a minor detail. Bring the correct document and make sure it is the one used throughout the journey.

Practical advice for a smoother visit

Keep your passport, cash, and booking confirmation accessible during the crossing. The tour provides assistance, but you are still responsible for having the required document and paying the extra border charges.

Wear footwear suited to walking and plan for a full day outside. The supplied details do not specify the exact route or walking distance, so it is wiser to prepare for substantial time on foot than to assume the visit will be a short stroll.

Use the guided portion to ask about the parts of Petra you want to see later. Once free time begins, you will have a better idea of where to spend it. I would also note the 4:30 pm departure before starting any longer exploration on day two.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own planning, avoid placing an important flight or fixed evening commitment too close to the expected 7:30 pm return.

Should you book the two-day Petra tour from Eilat?

Book it if you want Petra handled in a straightforward package and value having two daytime visits instead of one hurried outing. The combination of a licensed guide, independent time, included admission, hotel night, breakfast, and air-conditioned transport makes the $299 price reasonable, provided you add the separate border and visa charges.

Skip it if you need private touring, precise hotel information, or complete control over the timetable. The shared group can reach 25 people, border delays are possible, and the second day ends on a firm schedule.

For most first-time visitors based in Eilat, I would choose this over a single-day dash. Just bring cash for the border, use the correct passport, check the optional Petra by Night date, and leave enough room in your evening plans for the return crossing.

FAQ

What is the price of the two-day Petra tour from Eilat?

The price is $299 per person. Visa and border fees are not included, and Petra by Night costs extra if you choose to attend.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two days. You leave Eilat at 8:15 am on day one and are expected to return to the Israeli side of the border around 7:30 pm on day two.

Is pickup available in Eilat?

Yes. Pickup is offered from a central meeting point in Eilat, with a stated start time of 8:15 am.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation is included for the journey between Eilat and Petra.

Are Petra entrance fees included?

Yes. Entry fees to Petra are included for the visits described on both days.

Is a guided tour included?

Yes. A licensed guide provides a guided visit on the first day. You also have free time to explore independently.

How large is the group?

The group can include a maximum of 25 people.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. An overnight hotel stay is included, although the specific hotel is not identified in the available details.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is included during the overnight stay.

Do Israeli passport holders need to use their Israeli passport?

Yes. Israeli passport holders, including dual nationals with an Israeli passport, must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.

Is Petra by Night included?

No. Petra by Night is optional and available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The ticket must be purchased separately on the spot in Petra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.