Petra day tour from Jerusalem: 03:00 departure, 22 hours, $299 + $125 cash at the border
Full itinerary: 03:00 to evening
Departure from the David Citadel Hotel at exactly 03:00 (arrive 15 minutes early). Air-conditioned coach south past the Arava Valley and the Red Sea, cross at the Israeli–Jordanian border. Border control and customs can take up to an hour in each direction. Have your exact cash (USD, EUR or NIS accepted) ready for visa fees. 2.5-hour drive to Wadi Musa. You then see Djinn Blocks, Obelisk Tomb, the Siq, the Treasury, Royal Tombs, Petra Theatre at your own pace with a licensed guide. Includes licensed guide, border assistance, Petra entrance fees, lunch at a local restaurant. Guide in English and Spanish. Not included: health insurance, breakfast, drinks. Not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women or wheelchair users.
The 3.7 rating: what the reviews actually say
This tour is rated 3.7 from 12 reviews. I am going to be straight about this, because it is important: the low rating is not about Petra itself, it is about the border logistics. Reviewer Felipe from Chile (4 stars): "A long delay at the Jordanian border waiting for the guide, and nobody gave instructions when we first arrived, so it was confusing. The guide on the Jordanian side was good, the site itself marvellous, the lunch good." That review is the tour in miniature. The weak point is the crossing and the logistics in the pre-dawn hours. Petra itself is not the problem. Reviewers also noted: Maria, United States; Aprigio, Brazil; Luis, Peru. Border delays are not guaranteed — they depend on how busy the crossing is that day. But they happen often enough that you should budget for it.
Cost breakdown: $299 tour + $125 border cash
Tour price: $299. Border visa and fees: $125 cash USD, EUR or NIS at the Jordanian border (or $65 if you already hold a valid visa or have a visa on your passport). That is $424 total for the tour itself. Breakfast and drinks are not included; budget $10–15. A tip for your guide (10–15% of the tour price) is standard. Breakfast before the 03:00 departure is on you.
Who should book this tour
People based in Jerusalem who cannot or do not want to spend a night in Wadi Musa but still want a full day at Petra. If you can stay overnight, the two-day tour from Amman ($249) is cheaper and far less painful (it starts in the morning, not 03:00). The Jerusalem tour is honest: it is possible to do Petra as a same-day trip from Jerusalem, but you pay in exhaustion and border queueing.
Departure is at 03:00 sharp from the David Citadel Hotel. Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring your passport. Have $125 cash (USD, EUR or NIS) ready at the border — exact change is essential. The border can take up to an hour; budget for delay. Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat. Do not eat a heavy breakfast before 03:00.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 03:00 departure time really that strict?
Yes. The David Citadel Hotel pickup is at exactly 03:00. You must arrive 15 minutes early. Lateness will leave you behind.
How much cash do I need at the border?
$125 USD, EUR or NIS for visa issuing and border fees. Or $65 if you already have a valid visa. Have the exact amount in cash — change may not be available and you are paying Jordanian border authorities directly, not the operator.
What is this 3.7 rating about?
The 3.7 rating (from 12 reviews) is about border waits and crossing confusion, not about Petra. One reviewer spent an hour at the border waiting for the guide. The Petra part of the day, according to the reviews, was excellent. Border delays are real but not guaranteed — they depend on how busy the crossing is. Read more about border crossings and visa costs.
How much time am I at Petra?
A full day at the site with a licensed guide. The 22-hour tour time is travel and border waits; you have genuine daylight hours to walk the site, not rushed like the Eilat or Tel Aviv options.
Can I bring my family with young kids?
The tour says it is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. Otherwise, yes, though a 03:00 departure and a 22-hour day is hard on small children.
Is breakfast included?
No. You need to eat before the 03:00 departure at your hotel or bring something. The tour includes lunch in Jordan.