From Jerusalem: Full-Day Tour to Petra with Lunch review
What the tour is like
You meet at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem at 02:45 sharp for a 03:00 sharp departure. Late arrivals are not accommodated. The coach heads south past the Arava Valley and the Red Sea. Border crossing at the Israeli–Jordanian checkpoint takes time — up to an hour in each direction because of control and customs. Once through, it’s 2.5 hours to Petra. You visit the Djinn Blocks, Obelisk Tomb, the Siq, the Treasury, Royal Tombs, the theatre, and the street of tombs. Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Then the return drive (2.5 hours), the border crossing again (another hour or more if busy), and back to Jerusalem by around 01:00 the next morning. It’s exhausting. You see Petra, but you are wiped out after 22 hours of travel.
What works
- You see Petra in a full day without staying overnight in Jordan
- The guide is licensed and speaks English and Spanish
- Petra entry fees and lunch are included
- Guaranteed departure — the tour runs even with small groups
Worth knowing
- 3.7 from 12 reviews is the lowest rating on the site
- Felipe noted 'a long delay at the Jordanian border and nobody gave instructions when we first arrived; it was confusing'
- Border control and customs can take up to an hour in each direction
- The 03:00 departure is punishing; many people struggle to sleep the night before
- 22 hours is a full cycle of exhaustion; the Petra experience is one thing, the travel is another
- Not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or people with mobility issues
- $125 in cash (USD, EUR, or NIS) for Jordanian visa and border fees on top of the $299 tour price
Felipe got the tour in miniature: the logistics are the weak point, not Petra itself. The border delays and confusion at the crossing are real — arrive at the hotel by 02:45 with your passport ready. Have exactly $125 USD, EUR, or NIS ready for the border — they need the exact amount. If you already hold a valid visa or don’t need one, you only pay $65. The drive is long; bring a pillow and blanket. You will not sleep well on the coach. This tour works if Petra is your only chance and you’re willing to sacrifice a night’s sleep. Otherwise, consider flying from Tel Aviv ($583 for 14 hours) or staying overnight in Aqaba or Wadi Musa instead.
Who it’s for
People in Jerusalem with a single day and the stamina to endure 22 hours of travel to see Petra. Not recommended for anyone with kids, mobility issues, or weak constitution. If you have flexibility, stay overnight near Petra or book from Aqaba or Tel Aviv instead. The 3.7 rating is honest — people who book this tour accept the ordeal for the chance to see Petra, and the weak point is always the border, not the site itself. Read the worth-it page for perspective on whether a Petra day is worth 22 hours of travel.
Other tours to consider
Flies both waysFrom Tel Aviv: Full-Day Trip to Petra with Roundtrip Flights
From IsraelFrom Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch
Best reviewedAmman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour
Frequently asked questions
Why 03:00 departure?
To get you across the border and to Petra as early as possible and back to Jerusalem by late night. The border crossing and 2.5-hour drive mean you need a head start. There’s no way around it — 03:00 is firm. Be on time or you miss the tour.
What about the 3.7 rating?
It reflects real frustration with border delays and confusion at the crossing. Felipe waited a long time and nobody explained what was happening. That’s Jordan’s immigration process, not the tour operator’s fault. The site itself is marvellous; the travel is the ordeal. Read the reviews to see if you can tolerate that.
What does the $125 cash cover?
Jordanian visa issuing and border fees. You pay this directly to the Jordanian authorities at the Arava border. Have the exact amount ready (USD, EUR, or NIS). If you already hold a valid visa or don’t need one, you only pay $65.
Should I book this tour?
Only if Petra is your only chance and you can live with 22 hours of travel. If you have any flexibility, stay overnight near Petra or fly from Tel Aviv instead. The Tel Aviv flight tour at $583 is more expensive but less exhausting.