From Sharm ElSheikh: The Lost City (Petra) Day Tour by Ferry

Petra hits hard, even after a long ride. I love the Al Khazneh first big reveal and the sense of scale you get at the Roman Theater. The trade-off is the day can stretch to around 20 to 23 hours, so you need to plan your energy and snacks.

This Petra tour starts with pickup from Sharm El Sheikh and a straight shot through the Sinai to Taba, then a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. I also like that you get air-conditioned transport, plus regular stops so you are not stuck staring at a window the whole time.

Once you reach the Petra area, the tour is built around the major sights in the canyon, then lunch, then the long return. You also get Jordan entry covered as part of the package, which saves time and avoids paperwork stress while you are traveling.

Key things I’d watch before you go

• Direct ferry route: You travel by ferry from Taba across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan, not just a land slog.
• Big Petra highlights in one day: Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, and the King Wall graves are part of the core loop.
• Tour guide on-site: You have an English or Russian guide during Petra.
• Air-conditioned travel plus breaks: Reviews mention AC on buses and boat, with stops for rest.
• Lunch included after Petra: You are not left hunting food after walking in heat.

How this Sharm El Sheikh to Petra tour really feels

This is a “get there and do Petra” day. You will spend a lot of time in transit, because you are starting in Egypt and crossing into Jordan. The good news is that the route is set up to be manageable, with ferry time and air-conditioned vehicles.

I like that the package is built around the big, unforgettable monuments, not vague “see some stuff” sightseeing. When the day is this long, you want your time at Petra to feel focused and worth the effort.

The main drawback is simple: even with breaks, this is not a quick day out. If you are sensitive to long travel days, treat this as a once-only challenge, not a casual excursion.

The route: Sharm to Taba ferry to Jordan, then into the Petra area

Your day begins with hotel pickup from Sharm El Sheikh. Then you head through the Sinai Peninsula toward Taba, which is where the ferry part starts.

From Taba, you take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan. This ferry segment matters more than it sounds. It breaks up the drive and helps you arrive in better shape for walking inside Petra.

After you are on the Jordan side, you continue toward the gorge of Ma’an, the area where Petra is found. You should expect the “day goes fast, then long, then even longer” rhythm. That is normal here. Reviews repeatedly mention an early start and that the whole tour can run around 20 hours, with some reporting closer to 23.

What helps on a day this long

A few practical things can make a huge difference:

• Bring plenty of water for Petra. It can be hot once you reach the site.
• Wear comfortable shoes that handle uneven stone.
• Plan a lunch-time pace. Your feet will feel it even if you are moving carefully.

Also, the reviews note AC on the buses and boat, plus stops for breaks along the way. That is the kind of comfort you want on a long crossing day.

Entering Petra: the Al Khazneh moment and why it matters

Petra is famous for carved architecture built into pink stone, and this tour is structured around the most iconic stop first. One of the big reasons people travel here is the surprise of scale when you finally see the Treasury, known as Al Khazneh.

Even if you have seen Petra photos before, the real thing has weight. The canyon setting makes everything feel compressed and then suddenly huge once you reach the open views. You do not just look at a building, you experience the way the stone frames it.

This tour also includes other Petra highlights you can expect to see in your circuit, such as the Treasure Palace area and the Citadel sights (Temple and Treasures of the Citadel). You get the feeling of Petra as a whole system, not a single photo spot.

The likely “timing” reality

Because this is a long day, Petra time can feel like a steady sequence. If you like to linger for photos or sit and take it all in slowly, you might need to choose what matters most to you. I would treat the major monuments as your priority and use any extra moments for a second look.

Roman Theater: a perfect stop for architecture nerds (and everyone else)

Next up is the Roman Theater, one of Petra’s standout surviving structures. It is not just that the theater is impressive, it is that you can feel the mix of cultural eras in one place.

What I like about this stop is how it helps you understand Petra beyond the famous Treasury silhouette. You start seeing the city as a functional place with public spaces, not only a dramatic canyon backdrop.

And if you care about explanation, the on-site guide can make a difference. In reviews, named guides such as Mayos and Mohammad are praised for being friendly and helpful, with clear guidance that keeps the day from turning into a rushed photo sprint.

King Wall graves: a quieter, more personal kind of Petra

The King Wall is different from the big open monuments. The graves, described as the 13 graves on the King Wall, add a heavier tone to the visit.

This part of Petra can feel less cinematic than Al Khazneh, but it often becomes the moment you remember most. You get a sense of how the city was shaped for power and remembrance, not just spectacle.

It is also where the guided flow helps. When you have a guide, you spend less time wondering what you are looking at and more time noticing what makes it distinct.

Lunch in a local restaurant, then the long return

After Petra, you will have lunch included in a local restaurant before heading back toward Sharm El Sheikh.

This meal is a practical checkpoint. You are already tired from walking, and the return trip is long. Reviews mention the value of planning for dinner too, but your included lunch helps you at least avoid that mid-exhaustion scramble right after Petra.

Then it is back onto the route: driving back toward Taba, ferrying across again, and continuing to Sharm.

Price: is $329 worth it, or just a pricey shortcut?

At $329 per person, this is not a budget “pop over and back” trip. But it is not only paying for a seat. This price includes a lot that you would normally pay separately or arrange yourself:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• air-conditioned transportation
• ferry tickets across the Gulf of Aqaba
• Jordan entry visa
• Petra entrance fees
• on-site tour guide
• lunch

When you add up the moving parts (cross-border travel, ferry, site entry, and a guide), the value becomes clearer. For a lot of people, the real win is reducing decisions on a day where you do not want to solve logistics while your legs are tired.

Would I call it “cheap”? No. Would I call it good value if Petra is your priority? Often, yes. You are paying to trade planning time for a smoother experience.

Group size and language: the one variable you should plan for

Most tours run smoothly, but language and group size can change how the day feels.

One review mentions a group size of about 48 people, with mostly Russian-speaking passengers, and notes that the transport guide on one segment spoke mostly Russian. Another experience highlights guides in English, with multiple named guides praised for friendly help.

So here is my advice: if you strongly prefer English throughout, take a moment to confirm the tour language arrangement. If your day is mostly spent listening in a language you do not fully catch, you can still enjoy Petra, but the interpretive layer may be weaker on certain transport segments.

Also, with bigger groups, you may spend more time waiting or staying together. That can be fine if you like a structured pace.

What to bring so Petra does not beat you first

You are given a simple checklist, and I agree with it:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothes
• Bring what you need for heat, especially water

If you can pack small, do it. This tour is long, and you do not want to carry extra weight while walking in Petra’s areas.

If you get sweaty, keep your layers simple. You want clothes that handle hot sun, not outfits that demand constant adjusting.

Who this Petra day tour from Sharm is best for

This works well if Petra is at the top of your list and you want the major sights handled for you. It is a solid fit for:

• first-timers who want Al Khazneh, the Roman Theater, and King Wall graves in one day
• people who prefer guided context over wandering
• travelers who value a package that includes ferry, visa, and entrance

It is less ideal if:

• you hate long travel days
• you need lots of downtime at your pace
• you are very sensitive to language differences in a group setting

Should you book this tour?

If you dream about Petra and you can handle a very long day, I would book it. You get the big monuments, a guide on-site, lunch, and covered essentials like ferry travel, Jordan entry, and Petra fees. That reduces stress when you are traveling between countries.

But if you are worried about exhaustion or you want slow, quiet wandering at Petra with no pressure, then think twice. This itinerary is designed to move and see. The payoff is real, but you have to match its pace.

If your goal is to tick off Petra with the least logistical friction, this is a strong candidate.

FAQ

What is the price of the day tour?

The price is listed as $329 per person.

How do I travel from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra?

You start with pickup from Sharm El Sheikh, travel through the Sinai to Taba, take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan, then drive toward the Ma’an gorge area where Petra is found.

Is Jordan entry included?

Yes. The tour includes entry visa to Jordan.

Are ferry tickets included?

Yes. Ferry tickets are included.

What Petra sights are included in the tour?

The tour includes the Al Khazneh treasury, the Roman Theater, and the graves on the King Wall (13 graves).

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included after your Petra visit.

Do I get a guide while visiting Petra?

Yes. There is a tour guide on-site.

What languages are available?

The tour notes languages as English and Russian.

How long is the day?

The day is long. Reviews mention it can take the whole day, with returns to the hotel around 20 hours, and in some cases closer to 23 hours.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, wear comfortable shoes, and dress in comfortable clothes. It is also a good idea to carry water for Petra heat.