Petra Day Trip from Eilat
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, just 130 km from your Eilat hotel. The definitive guide to visiting the ancient Nabataean city.
Petra is a 2,000-year-old Nabataean city carved directly into the rose-red sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. It was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, a wealthy trading civilization that controlled the incense routes across the ancient Middle East. Lost to the Western world for centuries, Petra was "rediscovered" by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
From Eilat, Petra is remarkably accessible -- just 130 km across the Jordanian border. The Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba border crossing is a 10-minute drive from central Eilat, and organized day tours run daily. Whether you choose a guided tour or go independently, a visit to Petra is arguably the single most extraordinary day trip available from anywhere in Israel.
- Distance
- 130 km
- From Eilat center
- Full Day
- 12-14 hrs
- Depart 6 AM, back 8 PM
- UNESCO
- Since 1985
- World Heritage Site
- Walking
- 10-15 km
- Inside Petra site
Border Crossing: Yitzhak Rabin / Wadi Araba
The only land crossing between Israel and Jordan in the south. Located 3 km from Eilat city center.
Opening Hours
- Sunday - Thursday: 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Closed: Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year (varies)
- Tip: Arrive by 6:30 AM on Sunday-Thursday for the shortest wait. Friday mornings are busiest.
What You Need
- Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. Required -- no exceptions.
- Israeli exit fee: ₪106 (~$29). Payable by credit card at the terminal.
- Jordan visa: See visa section below.
- Cash: Bring USD or Jordanian Dinars for Jordan. ATMs available on the Jordan side.
The Crossing Process (30-60 minutes)
- 1. Israeli side: Exit passport control, pay the ₪106 exit fee, get your passport stamped (or ask for a separate paper stamp if you plan to visit countries that don't accept Israeli stamps).
- 2. No-man's land: Walk or take a short shuttle between the two border terminals (about 200 meters).
- 3. Jordanian side: Present your passport and Jordan visa/Jordan Pass. Get your entry stamp. The process is usually quick and efficient.
- 4. On the way back: Reverse the process. Jordanian exit is quick. Israeli security may ask questions about your visit -- this is normal.
Jordan Visa & Jordan Pass
Most nationalities need a visa. The Jordan Pass is the smart move if you're spending 3+ nights in Jordan. For day trips, a single-entry visa at the border works.
Standard Visa at the Border
- * Single-entry tourist visa
- * Purchased at the Jordanian border terminal
- * Payable in USD, Jordanian Dinars, or credit card
- * Processed on the spot (10-15 minutes)
- * Valid for 30 days
- * Best for: Day trips to Petra only
Jordan Pass
- * Includes Petra entry + visa waiver (if staying 3+ nights in Jordan)
- * Jordan Pass Wanderer: $99 (1-day Petra)
- * Jordan Pass Explorer: $108 (2-day Petra)
- * Jordan Pass Expert: $113 (3-day Petra)
- * Must be purchased online before arrival: jordanpass.jo
- * Best for: 3+ night trips combining Petra + Wadi Rum + Amman
Important Visa Notes
- * The Jordan Pass visa waiver only works if you stay 3+ consecutive nights in Jordan. For a single day trip, you still pay the $70 visa fee separately.
- * If doing a day trip only: buy the standard $70 visa at the border + Petra entry separately ($70 for 1 day). Total: $140 for visa + Petra.
- * Organized tours usually include all border and entry fees in their price -- one of the main reasons to book a tour.
- * Israeli citizens: different rules apply. Contact the Jordanian embassy in advance.
Cost Breakdown: Organized Tour vs. DIY
An honest comparison to help you decide. Spoiler: for a day trip, organized tours are usually the better deal.
Organized Tour
- Tour price (all-inclusive) $120-180
- Israeli exit fee Included
- Jordan visa Included
- Petra entry Included
- Transport Included
- English guide Included
- Total per person $120-180
Lunch usually not included. Budget $10-15 for food inside Petra.
DIY (Independent)
- Taxi Eilat to border $10-15
- Israeli exit fee (₪106) ~$29
- Jordan visa (at border) $70
- Taxi border to Petra $50-70
- Petra entry (1 day) $70
- Taxi Petra to border $50-70
- Taxi border to Eilat $10-15
- Total per person $200-250+
Taxis from the border to Petra can be shared to reduce costs. Negotiate the fare before departing.
Bottom line: For a single day trip, organized tours save $50-100 per person and eliminate all logistical stress. DIY makes more sense if you're staying overnight in Jordan (Petra + Wadi Rum combo) or traveling in a group of 3+ who can share taxis.
What to See in Petra
Petra is massive -- the archaeological park covers 264 square kilometers. Here's what to prioritize on a day trip, listed in order along the main trail.
The Siq
20-30 min walkThe dramatic entrance to Petra: a 1.2 km narrow canyon with walls up to 80 meters high. The rock shifts from pink to red to orange as you walk deeper. Ancient water channels and carved niches line the walls. The anticipation builds with every step until you catch your first glimpse of the Treasury. Don't rush this -- it's one of the most atmospheric walks on Earth.
Tip: Look up! The narrow slit of sky between the towering walls is extraordinary. Early morning light is best for photography.
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
30-60 minPetra's iconic facade, 40 meters tall and intricately carved from a single cliff face. Built in the 1st century BC, likely as a tomb for Nabataean King Aretas IV. The name "Treasury" comes from a local legend that pirates hid treasure in the urn at the top. The first sight of it through the Siq is a moment you'll never forget.
Tip: Visit between 9-11 AM when sunlight hits the facade directly. The "Petra by Night" tour (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings) illuminates it with 1,500 candles.
Street of Facades
15-20 minImmediately past the Treasury, a row of elaborate tomb facades lines the cliff face. These are smaller than the Treasury but showcase the range of Nabataean architectural styles. The scale of the carving becomes apparent when you see dozens of facades stretching along the canyon wall.
Tip: Most tours pause here briefly. Take a moment to look at the details -- each facade tells a story about the person buried within.
Royal Tombs
45-60 minA series of massive tomb facades carved high into the eastern cliff face: the Urn Tomb, the Silk Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Palace Tomb. The Urn Tomb's interior was converted into a Byzantine church in 446 AD and still has visible architectural modifications. The view from the Royal Tombs terrace across the valley is spectacular.
Tip: The climb up to the Urn Tomb is worth it -- the interior is cavernous and the views are the best in the main valley.
Colonnaded Street & Great Temple
20-30 minThe main thoroughfare of ancient Petra, lined with column stumps and the ruins of markets, temples, and public buildings. This was once a bustling city of 30,000 people with a sophisticated water system, paved streets, and international trade connections. The Great Temple to the south is an impressive excavation.
Tip: This area provides context: Petra wasn't just tombs -- it was a thriving, cosmopolitan city.
The Monastery (Ad Deir)
60-90 min (including climb)The highlight of Petra -- and the reason you need to keep energy in reserve. A 50-meter-wide facade even larger than the Treasury, reached by climbing approximately 800 rock-cut steps. The 45-minute ascent is challenging but the views from the top and the sheer scale of the Monastery make it the most rewarding experience in Petra. There's a small cafe at the top for tea.
Tip: DO NOT SKIP THIS. Many day-trippers run out of time or energy. Start early, pace yourself, and save at least 2 hours for the Monastery climb. It's the best thing in Petra.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
What to Bring
- Water: Minimum 2 liters, 3 liters in summer. There are vendors inside but they're expensive.
- Shoes: Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots. You'll walk 10-15 km over uneven terrain. Sandals are a bad idea, especially for the Monastery climb.
- Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses. There's very little shade.
- Snacks: Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. The restaurants inside are overpriced and limited.
- Cash: Jordanian Dinars (JOD) for souvenirs and food inside Petra. USD also widely accepted. ATMs at the visitor center.
- Passport: You'll need it at both borders. Keep it accessible, not buried in your bag.
Timing & Strategy
- Arrive early: Get to the Petra visitor center by 7:00 AM. The site opens at 6:00 AM in summer, 6:30 AM in winter. Early morning means cooler temperatures and fewer crowds at the Treasury.
- Minimum time inside: 4-5 hours to see the main sites. 6-7 hours to include the Monastery (strongly recommended).
- Route strategy: Siq → Treasury → Street of Facades → Royal Tombs → Colonnaded Street → Monastery → back the same way. Budget 45 min for the Monastery climb each way.
- Don't ride animals: The donkeys and horses inside Petra are often poorly treated. Walking is healthier for you and better for the animals.
- Haggling: Souvenir vendors expect negotiation. Start at 50% of the asking price. Jordanian sand bottles make unique gifts.
Weather Warnings
Sample Day Trip Timeline
Wake up, light breakfast. Organized tours pick up from hotels around 6:00 AM.
Depart Eilat. Drive to the Yitzhak Rabin border crossing (10 minutes).
Border crossing process: Israeli exit, walk to Jordanian side, entry stamp. Takes 30-60 min.
Depart border for Petra. 2-hour drive through the Jordanian desert (Wadi Araba highway).
Arrive at Petra visitor center. Collect tickets, fill water bottles, use restrooms.
Enter the Siq. Walk the 1.2 km canyon to the Treasury (20-30 minutes).
The Treasury! Photos, awe, more photos. Then continue into the city.
Street of Facades and Roman Theatre. Continue to the Royal Tombs.
Colonnaded Street. Quick rest and water break at the Basin restaurant.
Begin the Monastery climb (800 steps, 45 minutes up).
The Monastery! Tea at the clifftop cafe. Soak in the view. Rest.
Descend from the Monastery (30 minutes down). Lunch stop.
Explore anything you missed. Return through the Siq.
Exit Petra. Return to the parking area. Board transport back to border.
Arrive at border. Jordanian exit, Israeli entry. 30-45 minutes.
Depart border for Eilat.
Back in Eilat. Shower, dinner, collapse. You earned it.
Book a Petra Tour
Organized tours handle all logistics: hotel pickup, border crossing, transport, guide, and Petra entry. The stress-free way to see Petra.
Abraham Tours — Petra Day Trip from Eilat
The most popular and well-reviewed Petra day trip from Eilat. Includes hotel pickup, border crossing assistance, air-conditioned transport to Petra, English-speaking guide inside Petra, and Petra entry fee. Runs daily. Departs 6:00 AM, returns approximately 8:00 PM. Lunch not included but stops available.
Tourist Israel — Petra Day Tour (All-Inclusive)
Premium Petra experience with smaller group sizes (max 20). Includes all border fees, Jordan visa/entry, private transport, licensed Jordanian guide, Petra entry, and a light lunch box. The guide specializes in Nabataean history and provides in-depth commentary at each site.
GetYourGuide — Petra Full-Day Tour from Eilat
Well-organized full-day tour with flexible cancellation (free up to 24h before). Covers border crossing logistics, transport, guide, and Petra admission. Hotel pickup from major Eilat hotels included. Good budget option with professional service.
2-Day Petra & Wadi Rum Overnight
For those with more time: combine Petra with an overnight in Wadi Rum's desert camps. Day 1: Petra (full exploration with time for the Monastery). Night: Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum under the stars. Day 2: Wadi Rum jeep tour, return to Eilat. The definitive Jordan experience.
DIY Independent Guide
Going independently requires more planning but offers total flexibility. Here's exactly how to do it.
Get to the border
Taxi from Eilat to Yitzhak Rabin crossing: ₪40-50 (~$10-15). Or bus 15 (less frequent). Tell your driver "Maavar Arava" (Arava crossing).
Cross to Jordan
Process the Israeli exit (₪106 fee), walk to the Jordanian side, buy your visa ($70 cash or card), get stamped in. Total: 30-60 minutes depending on queues.
Transport to Petra
Pre-arrange a Jordanian taxi ($50-70 one way) or hire one at the border. The JETT bus to Petra is cheaper but runs on a limited schedule and isn't practical for day trips. Some travelers share taxis with others at the border.
Enter Petra
Buy your ticket at the visitor center ($70 for 1 day, $75 for 2 days, $80 for 3 days). Foreign passport required. Ticket office opens at 6:00 AM.
Explore Petra
Follow the main trail: Siq → Treasury → Street of Facades → Royal Tombs → Monastery. Budget minimum 4-5 hours, ideally 6-7 hours.
Return to Eilat
Your pre-arranged taxi picks you up at the Petra visitor center. Drive back to the border. Cross back to Israel (Jordanian exit is quick, Israeli entry takes 15-30 minutes). Taxi back to Eilat.
Petra FAQ
Is it safe to visit Petra from Eilat?
Can I visit Petra and be back in Eilat the same day?
Is one day enough for Petra?
Should I take an organized tour or go independently?
Do I need a Jordan Pass for a day trip?
Can I visit Petra on Shabbat (Saturday)?
What about the donkeys and horses at Petra?
How difficult is the Monastery climb?
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