Petra day tour from Eilat: 08:15 pickup, 2.5 hours at the site, $390 with entry and guide
The full itinerary: 08:15 to 19:30
Hotel pickup in Eilat at 08:15–08:30, 20-minute transfer to the Wadi Araba (Arava) border, 20-minute briefing, VIP border crossing assistance, ~2 hours 20 minutes drive to Wadi Musa, 20-minute viewpoint photo stop, 1.5 hours guided tour inside Petra, 1 hour free time (usually at Al-Khazneh, the Treasury), 1 hour lunch (Jordanian buffet included), 2 hours back to Eilat, arriving around 19:00–19:30. Licensed live guide in English. Skip-the-line access via a separate entrance. Optional horseback ride for the first 200 metres of the Siq (a $2–5 tip for the handler is standard). Drinks and gratuities beyond the horse tip are extra. The tour is rated 4.5 from 41 reviews. Reviewer Rich from the United States: "Guide Mohammed was friendly and knowledgeable, flexible, never pressured us into anything." Read the full Eilat review.
The trade-off: 2.5 hours at Petra versus a same-day return to Israel
This is not a leisurely visit. You have 1.5 hours of guided walking plus 1 hour free time — roughly 2.5 hours total on site. That covers the Siq, the Treasury, and a short walk into the main canyon. You will not reach the Monastery or see the Street of Facades in depth. But you are also back in Eilat by 19:30, sleeping in Israel, and avoiding the overnight in Jordan. If you have a week or more in the Eilat region and cannot spare a night in Wadi Musa, this is the honest compromise. If you can stay overnight, the two-day Petra and Wadi Rum tour ($249) from Amman is more time-efficient and cheaper.
Cost breakdown: $390 tour + meals and tips
The tour price of $390 includes the 90 JOD entry fee (the non-accommodated rate for same-day visitors), the guide, skip-the-line access, and lunch. Drinks at lunch, water and snacks outside the lunch stop, gratuities for the guide, and the optional horse tip ($2–5 if you take the ride) are on you. Budget another $20–30 for water and optional extras, plus a tip for your guide (10–15% is standard for a good guide).
Book 3–7 days ahead. The 08:15 pickup time is firm; arrive at your hotel lobby 5 minutes early. Bring your passport. The border is fast with VIP assistance, but delays can happen. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The Siq is shaded; the Treasury plaza gets hot after 10am.
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Frequently asked questions
How much time am I actually at Petra?
1.5 hours guided tour plus 1 hour free time = roughly 2.5 hours on site. That covers the Siq (1.2 km, 20 minutes), the Treasury, and a walk into the main canyon. You will not reach the Monastery or the Street of Facades. Read what 2.5 hours gets you at Petra.
Is the entry fee included in the $390?
Yes. The $390 includes the 90 JOD entry fee (the non-accommodated rate you pay as a same-day visitor), the guide, skip-the-line access, and lunch. Drinks, water outside lunch, and the optional horse tip ($2–5) are extra.
What is this 90 JOD non-accommodated rate?
Petra charges 50 JOD for people who have slept at least one night in Jordan, and 90 JOD for people crossing the border and leaving the same day. You are coming from Israel and returning to Israel the same day, so you pay the higher rate. Read the full entry fee explanation.
Why is this tour so expensive compared to the Amman tours?
The Amman tours ($73–$93) are cheap because you have slept in Jordan and pay the 50 JOD entry fee. This tour absorbs the 90 JOD non-accommodated rate, the border crossing, 6+ hours of transport, and the guide and skip-the-line access. You are paying for the convenience of leaving and returning to Eilat the same day. Read the full cost breakdown by city.
Can I ride a horse through the Siq?
Yes, optional horseback ride for the first 200 metres of the Siq. A $2–5 tip for the handler is standard.