2 day tour to Petra from Eilat

Petra rewards a little extra time. This two-day trip from Eilat gives you guided access and free time at Jordan’s famous rock-cut city, with transportation, admission, breakfast, and a hotel night included. I like that you do not have to rush through Petra in a single day, and I also like the small-group limit of 25 people. The main drawback is the border crossing, which adds uncertainty, extra fees, and a long first day.

The tour begins at 8:15 a.m. in central Eilat and reaches Petra at about 11:30 a.m. You receive help crossing into Jordan, then join a licensed guide before exploring on your own. The schedule is generous, but the trip is still demanding, and the return to Eilat does not happen until around 7:30 p.m. on the second day.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra gets two visits: You have a guided introduction on the first day and a second day to explore at your own pace.
• The border crossing needs cash: Visa and border fees are not included, so prepare cash before leaving Eilat.
• The group is capped at 25: That is more manageable than a large coach tour, though the guided portion is still shared.
• Petra by Night is optional: It may be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a separate ticket bought in Petra.
• The hotel night saves time: Staying in Petra avoids a same-day dash back across the border.
• Israeli passport rules are strict: Israeli passport holders, including dual passport holders with an Israeli passport, must use that passport at every border crossing.

Why two days makes Petra easier

Petra is not a quick roadside stop. The site covers a large area, and the most famous monuments are spread along a route that takes time to walk and absorb. A one-day visit can show you the Siq and Treasury, but it may leave you checking your watch when you should be looking up.

This tour gives you a first visit with a licensed guide, followed by free time. On the second day, you return for another full stretch of independent exploration before leaving at 4:30 p.m. That arrangement is the strongest part of the trip. You get useful context at the beginning, then freedom to set your own pace.

I especially like the split between structure and independence. A guide can help explain what you are seeing and make the enormous site less confusing. Later, you can spend more time at the places that interest you instead of following a fixed group.

The tradeoff is that the first day is long. Pickup starts at 8:15 a.m., arrival in Petra is planned for around 11:30 a.m., and the first visit lasts into the afternoon. Add border procedures and the drive through Jordan, and you should expect a full, tiring day before reaching the hotel.

Crossing from Eilat into Jordan

The tour provides assistants to help with the border crossing. That support matters because an international land border can involve several stages, lines, documents, and fees. You will not simply remain in the same vehicle and roll into Petra.

The tour price does not include the visa fee or border fee. Both are paid in cash at the border, so do not spend every last shekel or dollar before departure. The supplied details do not state the current amounts, and fees can change, so confirm the required cash before you go.

Passport rules deserve close attention. Israeli passport holders must use an Israeli passport at every border crossing. The same applies to people who hold two passports if one of them is Israeli. This is not a detail to leave until the morning of departure.

The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, not at your hotel in Petra or somewhere else in Jordan. You should plan your onward arrangements in Eilat with that endpoint in mind. The return is expected around 7:30 p.m., although a border crossing can affect the exact timing.

One positive point is the calm tone in the available feedback about crossing into Jordan. An American participant described having concerns before the trip but found no reason to worry about how they would be treated. That is useful reassurance, though it does not remove the need to follow passport and border instructions carefully.

The drive to Petra and Aaron’s Tomb

After pickup, the route continues across the Jordanian desert toward Petra. The transfer is described as scenic, with a view of Aaron’s Tomb along the way. This gives the journey some visual interest rather than making it feel like a simple transfer between two points.

The arrival target is around 11:30 a.m. That timing gives you a substantial afternoon at Petra after the border process and drive. Still, the word approximately matters. International travel rarely runs on a perfect clock, and you should not schedule an important evening commitment in Eilat on the day you return.

Air-conditioned transportation is included. That is a practical benefit in a desert setting, especially after a morning of border formalities and road travel. The group size can reach 25 people, so the vehicle will not feel like a private taxi, but it is smaller than the biggest sightseeing buses.

Your first afternoon among Petra’s carved monuments

On arrival, a licensed guide leads the first tour of Petra. The purpose of this part is not just to point at famous stone facades. A guided introduction gives you a framework for understanding the city, its monuments, and the route through the site.

The exact length and route of the guided portion are not specified, so you should not assume that every corner of Petra is covered with the guide. The important benefit is that the tour begins with direction and explanation, then gives you time to continue independently.

Petra is best appreciated when you allow yourself to look beyond the most photographed views. The famous Treasury is an obvious highlight, but the wider site contains many carved structures, rock walls, paths, and changing views. Your free time lets you stop when something catches your eye instead of moving on because the group has moved on.

You should wear practical walking shoes and bring water, though the supplied information does not specify what facilities are available on the route. The visit includes plenty of time on foot, and the first day already includes a morning pickup, border crossing, and road transfer.

Admission to Petra is included on both days. That makes the two-visit format more useful because you are not paying a separate entry charge every time you return to the site. It also means you can use the second day for areas you did not reach during the first afternoon.

A hotel night in Petra, with breakfast included

The overnight stay is included, along with breakfast. This is one of the clearest reasons to choose this tour instead of a day trip from Eilat. You do not have to leave Petra soon after arrival simply to make the return border crossing before nightfall.

The hotel name and category are not provided, so you should book this for location and convenience rather than luxury expectations. The main value is sleeping near the site and starting the second day without repeating the long transfer from Eilat.

Breakfast is included, which gives you one less meal to arrange before the second visit. Other meals are not listed as included, so budget separately for lunch, dinner, and any drinks or snacks.

The overnight format also gives you a chance to consider Petra at a slower pace. On selected evenings, you may join Petra by Night, an optional event that requires a separate ticket bought on the spot in Petra. It is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday according to the supplied schedule.

Do not treat Petra by Night as part of the standard package. It is an optional extra, and availability depends on the day of your tour. If your departure date lines up with one of those evenings, ask about the event before you leave Eilat and carry enough cash for the separate ticket.

The second day gives you room to wander

The second day is the tour’s best feature for independent explorers. You have a free day at Petra, with entry already covered, before leaving at 4:30 p.m. for the return journey.

That free time lets you revisit a favorite monument, walk farther than you managed on day one, or simply move at a less hurried pace. You can also use it to take photographs without trying to keep up with a guide or group.

The schedule says eight hours for the second day, but the actual time inside Petra will depend on the hotel departure arrangement and the day’s local schedule. The firm detail is the planned 4:30 p.m. departure from Petra. Keep track of the time. Missing the group departure would create a serious problem at an international border.

The second visit does not come with another guided tour as described. That is good news if you like independence, but less ideal if you want a guide beside you for every part of the site. If you prefer detailed explanations throughout, use the first guided visit to ask questions and note the areas you want to explore later.

Is the $299 price fair?

At $299 per person, this is not a budget border hop. The price includes several costly and useful elements: air-conditioned transportation, Petra admission for both days, a hotel night, breakfast, and a licensed guided tour. Those inclusions make the price easier to justify than a simple transport package.

You still need to pay visa and border fees in cash. Meals other than breakfast are not included, and Petra by Night costs extra. The final price of your trip will therefore be higher than the advertised amount.

I see the value most clearly for people who want a practical package rather than a collection of separate arrangements. You would otherwise need to coordinate transport from Eilat, the border crossing, Petra tickets, a hotel, and the return journey. Here, those main pieces are arranged together.

The value is weaker for someone who wants a private guide, a polished luxury hotel, or complete control over departure times. The group may contain up to 25 people, and the international crossing means the schedule cannot be as flexible as a private trip.

The overall rating supplied for the experience is 3.8 out of 5 from 22 ratings. That suggests a mixed but generally workable experience, not a flawless one. One booking was canceled, leaving the customer waiting for a refund, so you should keep your plans flexible and read the cancellation terms before paying.

Who will enjoy this Petra tour most?

I would recommend this trip to an independent-minded person who wants help with the complicated parts but does not want to spend two full days in a rigid guided group. You get an organized transfer and guide, then meaningful time to make your own choices.

It also suits people staying in Eilat who want to see Petra without arranging a separate Jordan itinerary. The central pickup, air-conditioned transport, and overnight stay keep the plan straightforward.

This tour is a good fit if you value time at the site more than hotel luxury. Two admission days and a second free day are more important here than a fancy room.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long road transfers, walking, or border procedures. The first day begins early and packs several major steps into one schedule. The second day is easier inside Petra, but you still face the return drive and border crossing afterward.

It may also be less suitable if your passport situation is complicated. Israeli passport holders and dual passport holders with an Israeli passport must follow the stated Israeli passport rule at every crossing. Confirm your documents before booking.

Practical advice for making the day work

Start by checking your passport requirements and preparing cash for the visa and border charges. Those costs are separate from the $299 tour price, and the border is not the place to discover that you are short of money.

Keep your essentials with you during the day. Your phone, passport, cash, water, and any medication should be easy to reach. The supplied details confirm mobile tickets, so make sure your phone is charged before pickup.

Plan your expectations around a shared experience. A maximum of 25 people is reasonable, but you will not have the instant decisions or personal attention of a private tour. During free time, the group structure matters less because you can explore independently.

Use the guided visit as your orientation. Pay attention to the route, note which places you want to revisit, and ask questions while the guide is present. That makes the second day more productive.

If you want Petra by Night, choose a departure that falls on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday and confirm the separate ticket arrangements in Petra. The event is not included in the basic price.

The cancellation terms are simple but strict near departure. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this two-day Petra tour from Eilat if you want the major logistics handled, need more than a rushed visit, and like having free time after a guided introduction. The included hotel, breakfast, transportation, and Petra admission give the $299 price solid practical value.

Skip it if you want a private itinerary, luxury accommodation, or a guaranteed minute-by-minute schedule. The border crossing can be tiring, extra fees apply, and the shared group may not suit every style.

For most people choosing between a hurried day trip and a slower overnight visit, the extra day is the deciding factor. Petra deserves it. Just arrive prepared for the cash fees, passport rules, long first day, and late return to Eilat.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Eilat to Petra?

The tour lasts approximately two days. Pickup begins at 8:15 a.m. on the first day, and return to Eilat is expected around 7:30 p.m. on the second day.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transportation is included, with pickup offered from a central meeting point in Eilat.

Is Petra admission included?

Yes. Entry fees to Petra are included for both the first and second days.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A licensed guide leads a tour of Petra on the first day. The second day is free time for independent exploration.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. An overnight hotel stay in Petra is included.

Is breakfast included?

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

Are visa and border fees included?

No. Visa and border fees must be paid separately in cash at the border.

Can I join Petra by Night?

You may join Petra by Night as an optional extra on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Its ticket is not included and must be bought on the spot in Petra.