Visiting Petra from Eilat is the single best day trip you can take from Israel, and it is far easier than most travelers expect. The Lost City sits just two and a half hours from the border, which means you can have breakfast at your hotel in Eilat, stand in front of the Treasury by late morning, and be back the same evening. Our team runs this route every week, so this guide gives you the real logistics: the border steps, the fees, the timing, and the honest answers we give our own guests.
Why Eilat is the best starting point for Petra
Petra sits in southern Jordan, near the town of Wadi Musa. From Eilat, the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing (called Wadi Araba on the Jordanian side) is a short drive from any hotel, and from there it is roughly 2.5 hours through the desert to the entrance of Petra.
Compare that with traveling from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, which adds 4 hours of driving in each direction before you even reach the border. Starting Petra from Eilat means more hours inside the site and far less time on a bus. That is why most travelers who plan well base themselves in Eilat for at least one night before crossing.
Your three options for Petra from Eilat
There are three ways to structure the trip, and the right one depends on how much time you have:
- One day tour. The classic choice. Cross in the morning, get a guided visit plus free time inside Petra, enjoy an authentic buffet lunch in Wadi Musa, and return to Eilat in the evening. Our Petra day tour from Eilat runs this exact route with border assistance and fast track entry.
- Two day tour. If you want to walk up to the Monastery, see Petra in softer morning light, and skip the rush, the Petra 2 day tour from Eilat adds an overnight stay and a second visit to the site.
- Petra plus Wadi Rum. The full southern Jordan experience. The Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour combines the Lost City with a jeep safari through the desert that doubled as Mars in Hollywood films.
If it is your first visit and you only have one day, take the day tour. If Petra has been on your list for years, give it two days. Nobody has ever told us they regretted the extra day.
The border crossing explained, including the $140 fee
This is the part that worries travelers most, and it is the part an organized tour solves best. Here is exactly how it works:
- You need a valid passport with at least six months remaining. Bring the physical passport, not a photo of it.
- Border fees and the Jordanian visa cost $140 per person in total. This covers everything at the crossing in both directions.
- On our tours you can pre-pay the $140 when booking. That lets you skip the exchange booth and use the fast track queue, which matters on busy mornings.
- A representative meets you on the Israeli side, assists with the paperwork, and your Jordanian guide is waiting on the other side. The crossing itself usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Visa rules vary slightly by nationality, so check the official Visit Jordan site before travel. Joining a group tour simplifies this dramatically, since group visa arrangements are handled for you at the border.
What a Petra from Eilat day actually looks like
Here is the real timeline from our day tour, so you can set expectations:
- 08:45 Meet at the Eilat border with full crossing assistance
- 09:30 Drive north through the Jordanian desert toward Wadi Musa, with a photo stop when conditions allow
- 11:30 Enter Petra and walk the Siq with your English speaking local guide, emerging at the Treasury
- 13:00 Free time for photos, the Royal Tombs, the Theater, or simply soaking it in
- 15:00 Authentic buffet lunch at a restaurant in Wadi Musa
- 16:30 Return drive south past the Wadi Rum turnoff
- 19:30 Cross back into Israel and transfer to your Eilat hotel
It is a long day. It is also, according to our guests, one of the best days of their entire trip.
What you will see inside Petra
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom more than 2,000 years ago, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The walk begins in the Siq, a narrow sandstone gorge whose walls rise up to 80 meters. After about a kilometer, the gorge opens onto the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the carved facade you know from every photo and from Indiana Jones.
Beyond the Treasury, the city keeps going: the Street of Facades, the 8,500 seat Theater carved directly into rock, and the Royal Tombs on the cliffside. Travelers with two days and good legs can climb roughly 850 steps to the Monastery (Ad-Deir), a facade even larger than the Treasury and far less crowded.
Best time of year to go
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are ideal: comfortable walking temperatures, great light for photos, and manageable crowds. Summer is hot, regularly above 35 degrees, so early departures and plenty of water are essential. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, with occasional rain and chilly evenings. The route from Eilat runs year round.
What the trip costs in 2026
Honest numbers, so there are no surprises:
- Day tour: from $199 per adult and $100 per child, including your licensed local guide, transport, border assistance, fast track entry, and the buffet lunch
- Border fees and visa: $140 per person, payable at the border or pre-paid with your booking
- Extras: drinks, souvenirs, and tips for the guide and driver
For context, the Petra entrance ticket alone is valued around $130 for a one day visit, so a guided package that bundles entry, transport, lunch, and border handling is genuinely good value for what is involved.
[bt_related_tours ids="68,11752,11792" title="Book Your Petra Tour from Eilat"]Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Petra from Eilat?
You need a valid passport, and the Jordanian visa arrangements are included in the $140 border fee when you cross with an organized group. Rules vary slightly by nationality, so check official guidance before travel.
How far is Petra from Eilat?
About 130 km door to door. The border crossing is minutes from Eilat hotels, then it is roughly a 2.5 hour drive to the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa.
Is one day in Petra enough?
One day covers the Siq, the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Theater, and the Royal Tombs at a comfortable pace. If you want the Monastery hike or sunrise light, choose the two day option.
How much walking is involved?
Expect 6 to 8 km on the standard route, on mostly flat but uneven ground. Wear real walking shoes. Strollers struggle on the gravel, and seniors often appreciate walking poles.
Is it safe to cross from Israel to Jordan?
The Eilat to Aqaba corridor is an established tourist route used daily by thousands of travelers. Crossing with a licensed operator means vetted transport, clear timing, and assistance on both sides of the border.
Can I pay in dollars inside Petra?
The local currency is the Jordanian dinar, but many vendors in Wadi Musa accept cards and often US dollars. Carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
What should I bring?
Passport, walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a light layer for the air conditioned bus. In summer add extra water. In winter add a warm jacket for the evening return.
Do tours from Eilat run every day?
Departures run on most days of the week year round. Check the live availability calendar on the tour page for your exact dates, and book early for spring and fall weekends.
Plan the rest of your trip
Petra pairs naturally with a few days in Eilat for the Red Sea, or a longer route through Jordan. Browse all our Jordan tours, or head back to the travel guide hub for itineraries and border tips. Questions before you book? Message us on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 or email sales@booking-tours.com and a real person from our Eilat office will answer.
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