From Sharm El Sheikh: Day Tour to Petra by Ferry review
What the tour is like
Pickup from your Sharm hotel just before midnight, 2.5-hour drive to Taba crossing, 20 minutes at the border, then the ferry. The 2 hr 20 min crossing to Aqaba is the longest leg. Once across, it’s roughly 2.5 hours to Wadi Musa, photo stop, 3-hour guided tour of the main Petra sights (Al-Khazneh, the Roman theatre, royal tombs, the colonnaded Cardo, Qasr al-Bint), free time to explore on your own, lunch at a local restaurant included, then back to Aqaba. Ferry again to Taba, border, and back to Sharm around midnight. Total time in Jordan is roughly 10 hours, of which 3 hours is guided and the rest is travel and free time. You arrive back in Sharm exhausted but having seen Petra.
What works
- 4.6 from 86 reviews shows travellers think it’s worth the effort
- The ferry is a genuine adventure and part of the appeal
- Jordanian visa is included — no cash at the border
- Lunch is included; you don’t hunt for food
- Guides are multilingual: English, French, Italian, Russian
- Skip-the-line access to Petra
- Petra entry included
- James from the UK noted the guide was excellent and helpful; Ilmars noted they were well fed and the guide was engaging
Worth knowing
- 22 hours is exhausting; you leave before midnight and return after midnight
- The ferry is long (2 hrs 20 mins) and can be rough depending on the sea
- Only ~10 hours in Jordan, of which 3 are guided
- You must send a passport copy to the local partner at least 2 days before
- If the ferry is cancelled, you’re rerouted via the Arava border instead
- Beverages and personal extras are not included; tips expected
James and Ilmars both praised the organisation and guide quality. The ferry is the key selling point here — it’s not a flight, but it’s a different border experience than driving. Send your passport copy to the operator at least 2 days before; the local partner needs it for visa processing. Bring seasickness medication if you’re prone — the ferry can be bumpy. If the ferry is cancelled due to weather, you’re rerouted via the Arava border crossing instead, which adds driving time. The 3-hour guided tour is solid; James noted the guide was excellent.
Who it’s for
Travellers in Sharm with a willingness to spend a full night and day travelling to see Petra. The ferry experience appeals to people who like maritime travel. Not ideal for people who get seasick or have mobility issues. If you want more time at Petra, consider staying overnight near Wadi Musa instead. The Eilat tour at $390 is faster and cheaper if you can get to Eilat instead.
Other tours to consider
From IsraelFrom Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch
Flies both waysFrom Tel Aviv: Full-Day Trip to Petra with Roundtrip Flights
Best reviewedAmman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour
Frequently asked questions
Why does the ferry take 2 hours 20 minutes?
Taba to Aqaba is about 200 km across the northern Red Sea. The ferry is the scheduled route. There’s no faster option from Sharm.
Is the ferry rough?
It depends on the sea state. The Red Sea can be calm or choppy depending on the season. Bring seasickness medication if you’re prone. The operator includes the ferry in the package, so cancellations are rare.
What if the ferry is cancelled?
You’re rerouted via the Arava border crossing, which means more driving and delays. The ferry is the intended route, but weather happens. Check the policy at booking.
Why do I need to send my passport copy?
The local partner uses it to pre-process your Jordanian visa. You’ll still present your physical passport at the border, but having it on file speeds things up. Send it at least 2 days before the tour.