From Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch review
What the tour is like
Early pickup at your Eilat hotel (08:15–08:30), 20-minute transfer to the border, 20-minute briefing, then the VIP border crossing. Once across, it’s about 2 hours to Wadi Musa. You get a 20-minute viewpoint photo stop, then 1.5 hours with a licensed guide covering the main route: Djinn Blocks, Obelisk Tomb, the Siq, Treasury, Royal Tombs, and the theatre. After the guided section, 1 hour free to explore at your own pace. Lunch (Jordanian buffet) is included. Optional horseback rides for the first 200 m of the Siq (small tips appreciated) if you want them. Then the drive back (2 hours), border crossing again, and you’re at your Eilat hotel around 19:00–19:30. Total time at Petra is about 2.5 hours — tight for deep exploration, but you see the headline sights and eat well.
What works
- 4.5 stars from 41 reviews shows people think it’s worth the price
- VIP border crossing saves queuing time
- Lunch (Jordanian buffet) is included; no hunting for food
- Licensed guide in English is included
- Skip-the-line entrance at Petra saves 30+ minutes
- Optional horseback ride through the Siq if you want it
- Back at your hotel by early evening
Worth knowing
- ~2.5 hours on site is very tight; the Monastery is out of reach
- $390 reflects the border crossing overhead, not just Petra
- The pace is brisk — this is a highlights tour, not exploration
- You pay the 90 JOD non-accommodated ticket (no way around it on a same-day trip)
- Optional horseback rides add cost and require tips
Rich from the US praised the guide (Mohammed) for being flexible and not pushing activities. Ariel from Israel noted the guide explained everything from the moment you board. The 2.5 hours at Petra is tight; focus on the Treasury and the Street of Facades and skip the Monastery climb to save time. The border crossing is the real overhead here. If you have more time, the Tel Aviv tour with flights costs more but gives you more time on site. If you don’t want a border crossing at all, fly from Tel Aviv instead.
Who it’s for
Tourists in Eilat with one day to spare who want to see Petra. People comfortable with early pickups and fast-paced touring. The 2.5 hours at Petra means you see the main sights but don’t explore deeply. If you want more time, consider staying overnight in Wadi Musa and joining a 2-day tour from Amman instead, or book flights to Tel Aviv and take the flight tour, which gives you more on-site time. For a same-day Israel experience, this is your only option from Eilat.
Other tours to consider
Flies both waysFrom Tel Aviv: Full-Day Trip to Petra with Roundtrip Flights
Best reviewedAmman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour
From IsraelFrom Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch
Frequently asked questions
Why does Eilat cost $390 when Amman is $93?
You pay for the non-accommodated ticket (90 JOD ≈ $25), the border crossing, VIP assistance, and 6 hours of driving. The operator is absorbing all the visa and border logistics. Amman is cheaper because you already slept in Jordan and pay 50 JOD for the ticket. Read the full fee breakdown.
How much time do I get at Petra?
1.5 hours guided + 1 hour free ≈ 2.5 hours on site. That’s enough for the Treasury, the Street of Facades, and the Royal Tombs. Not enough for the Monastery climb. Rich noted the guide was flexible, so if you’re fit you can push for more ground.
Is the lunch good?
It’s a Jordanian buffet at a local restaurant — standard hotel-style fare. It’s included, which saves you time hunting for food. Drinks and tips are extra.
Should I do the horseback ride?
Only if you want to skip the 20-minute Siq walk and have a couple extra dollars for the handler’s tip. It’s optional and costs extra. The Siq walk is iconic; most people do it on foot.