Petra in one day from Eilat or Aqaba
Both towns sit on the Red Sea, and both are a long day trip from Petra. From Eilat the day starts at the land border in the Arava, known as the Yitzhak Rabin or Wadi Araba crossing. From Aqaba there is no border, but the road to Petra takes about 2 hours by public bus.
Tour packages bundle transport, a guide and usually lunch. What they leave out differs: Petra entry, border handling and the visa are each handled differently. Read the inclusions line by line before you compare prices.
Our picks: Petra from Eilat or Aqaba
Our take: from Eilat, the tour with transfer and lunch handles the border day with the entry included. The guided trip with lunch is the cheaper Eilat choice, and from Aqaba or a cruise ship the transfer day leaves you five hours on your own.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Petra from Eilat with transfer and lunch
- Petra entry
- Guide
- Hotel pickup and return
A group day across the border with the Petra entry included. The Jordan visa and border tax are paid extra.
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Guided Petra day trip from Eilat with lunch
- Petra entry
- Licensed Jordanian guide
- Lunch
A group day with a licensed Jordanian guide and the Petra entry. Visa and border fees are paid extra.
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Petra from Aqaba or the cruise port
- Transfers in Aqaba
- About five hours in Petra
- Fuel and parking
Transfers with about five hours on your own in Petra. The Petra entry and a guide are paid extra.
Check availability →Petra tours from Eilat and Aqaba
One-day Petra trips with transport, a guide and the walk to the Treasury, with live prices and availability.
Eilat and Aqaba tours compared
Two typical examples, 2026. They are not directly comparable.
| From Eilat | From Aqaba | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From USD 219 per person | From USD 149 per person |
| Transport and guide | Included | Included |
| Lunch | Included | Included |
| Petra entry | Included | Extra |
| Border handling | USD 70 or NIS 230, extra | – |
| Visa fee | USD 60, extra | – |
| Departure days | See below | See below |
The border package from Eilat bundles handling services as well as taxes, so it is not the same as the official exit fee. Add the extras to the headline price before you compare. For most visitors staying in Eilat, the Eilat package is the simpler choice, because entry and lunch are already inside it. For most visitors staying in Aqaba, the Aqaba tour is the lower starting price, and you add Petra entry yourself.
Departure days vary: some offers run daily, others guarantee Monday and Friday. Other days run for groups of 6 or more people or as a private tour on request. Ask for your date in writing before you plan around it.
The border crossing at Wadi Araba
Times and fees for the Israeli terminal.
Opening hours
The Israeli terminal is open 06:30–20:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 08:00–20:00 on Friday and Saturday. Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. Yom Kippur and the Islamic New Year are exceptions, and vehicles are processed until 19:00.
Exit fee
The Israeli exit fee at the Rabin terminal is NIS 120 for 15 April to 31 December 2026. A counter payment adds NIS 7, and paying online through the linked payment service avoids that surcharge.
Changes at short notice
Germany's travel advice warns of short-notice changes in opening hours and temporary closures at the Israel to Jordan crossings. A tour on sale does not show that the crossing is open on your day, so check again the day before.
Both sides count
The times above are for the Israeli side. Ask your operator for the Jordanian side and for the time the group meets, since a Friday or Saturday start leaves less daylight at Petra.
Visa, Jordan Pass and Petra entry
Jordan Pass visa waiver rules need the pass bought before arrival and a stay of at least 2 nights and 3 days. A single-day trip does not meet that. Visa on arrival at the Wadi Araba crossing is available to eligible nationalities, and the pass itself is not a visa. Ask your operator how the visa is handled for your passport.
Regular Petra entry is JOD 50 for one day with an overnight stay in Jordan, and JOD 90 without one. A day trip from Eilat has no overnight in Jordan, so check which rate applies to you or whether the tour has paid it. Details on passes are on visitpetra.org, and our own ticket page has the full 2026 price list: Petra tickets.
Fitting the Treasury into one day
The park closes earlier in winter than in summer.
Opening hours
From 2 October 2026 to 1 March 2027 the site and visitor center are open 06:30–17:00. Some ticket terms give 06:00–16:00 for winter, with ticket sales ending 45 minutes before closing. Plan to be back at the visitor center by 16:00.
The walk
Allow up to 1 hour from the visitor center to the Treasury, depending on pace, and the same back. Most of that is the Siq, a sandstone gorge a little over 1.2 km long. A horse ride covers only the stretch to the start of the Siq. See the Siq guide.
Transport inside the park
A club car to the Treasury costs JOD 15 one way or JOD 25 return, bought on site without booking. Private pickups are not allowed inside the park.
Bus from Aqaba
Public buses leave the bus station in Aqaba and take about 2 hours. Fares and timetables change, so ask at the station. The route is covered in more detail on visitpetra.org.
Travel advice for Jordan and the border area
Government advice, with dates.
The US advice, issued on 29 August 2026, is Level 3, "Reconsider travel", citing terrorism and armed conflict. The UK advice, updated on 10 September 2026, warns against all travel within 3 km of the Syrian border. It also mentions attacks in and around Aqaba in early September and possible flight disruption. Germany advises against non-essential travel to other parts of Jordan, in force since 27 August 2026. Read the current advice from your own government before you book, and see our safety page.
More ways to reach the Treasury
Other starting points and the details that matter.
Petra from Eilat or Aqaba: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Petra from Eilat in one day?
Yes, tours do it as a long day trip. The crossing, the drive and the walk to the Treasury all have to fit into daylight, and in winter the park closes at 16:00 or 17:00. Ask your operator for the exact schedule.
How much is a Petra tour from Eilat?
Tours from Eilat start at about USD 219 per person in 2026, with transport, a guide, Petra entry and lunch. Border handling of USD 70 or NIS 230 and a USD 60 visa fee come on top.
Is a Petra tour from Aqaba cheaper?
The starting price is lower: about USD 149 per person with transport, a guide and lunch. Petra entry is extra, so add JOD 50 to JOD 90 depending on your stay.
Do tours run every day?
Some offers run daily, others guarantee Monday and Friday. Other days need a group of 6 or more or a private booking. Confirm your date before you book.
What if the border is closed?
Opening hours can change at short notice. Check the day before you travel and ask your operator what happens if the crossing is closed on your date.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent guide to Al Khazneh. It is not run by the Petra authorities, the border services or any tour operator.