Quick answer: you get to Petra from Sharm El Sheikh by road to Nuweiba, ferry to Aqaba in Jordan, then road to Petra, in one long day. Our Petra day trip by ferry is £250 per adult (£190 child), and the 2-day Petra and Wadi Rum tour is £349. Bring your passport.
Many people staying in Sharm El Sheikh look across the Gulf of Aqaba and want to see the Lost City of Petra in Jordan. So, how do you get to Petra from Sharm El Sheikh, and how do you make the most of one very long day at this UNESCO World Heritage site? The usual route is by road to the port of Nuweiba, by ferry across the Gulf to Aqaba in Jordan, and then by road to Petra. At PyraSafari we run a Petra day trip from Sharm El Sheikh by ferry that puts these steps together for you, from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel to the heart of the old Nabataean kingdom and back.
Want more time? Compare both Petra tours from Sharm El Sheikh: the ferry day trip and the 2-day trip with a night in Wadi Rum.
Planning a cross-border day on your own means timing a ferry, a border and two drives. Our aim is to make that simpler, so you can focus on Petra itself. We should be honest: it is a long day, and it starts with a pickup in the night. In return you get transport, the ferry crossing, a guided visit and lunch arranged in one booking. See the trip page for full details of our Petra tours from Sharm El Sheikh hotels.
How to Get to Petra from Sharm El Sheikh: The Route Step by Step
Your day begins with a pickup at your Sharm El Sheikh hotel at night, so you reach the port in time for the ferry. The road runs north along the Sinai coast and through the mountains to Nuweiba. Try to sleep on the way if you can, because the day ahead is full. Bring a light jacket, as early mornings in the desert can feel cool.
A useful tip: the border and port steps are part of the day, and they can take time. Our team explains what to expect and helps you through the process, but waiting times depend on the port and the authorities, not on us. Ask us on WhatsApp which documents to bring and how visa rules apply to your passport, as these can change. Good planning is what makes a Sharm El Sheikh Petra ferry excursion run smoothly.
At Nuweiba you board the ferry to Aqaba. This is a regular passenger ferry shared with other travellers, not a private boat. The crossing gives you views of the Gulf and the mountains on both sides, with Egypt behind you and Jordan ahead. Use this time to rest, have a snack you brought, and get ready for the walk. A rested start makes a big difference on a long day in Petra.
First Glimpse of the Rose City: The Siq and Beyond
In Aqaba, Jordan, you continue by road to Petra and meet your local guide, who will bring the site’s history to life. The visit begins with the Siq, a narrow, winding canyon that was the main entrance to the ancient city. As you walk, sandstone cliffs rise high on both sides, their colours shifting from ochre to rose to deep red. The shade is cool and the walk feels like a slow build-up to what comes next.
At the end of the Siq you reach one of the most famous sights in the world: the Treasury, Al-Khazneh. Its front is carved straight into the rock face and glows in the sunlight. Many guests stop in silence here. A good spot for your first photo is just as you round the last bend of the Siq, when the Treasury slowly comes into view.
Beyond Al-Khazneh: Exploring More of Petra with Your Guide
The Treasury gets most of the attention, but Petra is a huge site. With your guide you will see more than the main square and hear stories about the Nabataeans, their clever water systems and the meaning of the tombs and temples. Ask us on WhatsApp if you need a guide in a language other than English.
Along the main route you pass the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs. Further sites, such as the Monastery (Ad Deir) with its wide views, or the High Place of Sacrifice, need a long and steep climb. On a day trip, time in Petra is limited, so ask your guide on the day what is realistic. Good walking shoes matter a lot. Your guide will try to match the pace to the group, so you see the main sights without feeling rushed.
During the day there is a break for lunch, which is included in the trip. It is a chance to rest your legs, try some local food and talk about what you have seen before the journey back. Lunch is part of the price of your Lost city of Jordan tour from Sharm El Sheikh.
The PyraSafari Approach: Clear Planning and a Realistic Day
Our day trip covers the whole journey from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra and back. The Petra tour from Sharm El Sheikh with ferry costs £250 per adult and £190 per child. It is a shared group trip. If one day feels too rushed, our overnight Petra and Wadi Rum trip spreads the visit over 2 days with a night at a Wadi Rum camp and a 4×4 drive, from £349 per adult and £299 per child.
Here is what to expect on the day trip:
- Organised Logistics: Your pickup from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel, the drives and the Nuweiba to Aqaba ferry are arranged for you. Port and border waiting times are outside our control.
- A Long Day: The trip starts with a night pickup and returns late. Rest well the day before and plan an easy day after.
- Guided Visit: A local guide shows you Petra and tells the story of its history and culture. Feel free to ask questions as you walk.
- What Is Included: Pickup, the ferry crossing, a guided Petra visit and lunch. For visa costs, entry fees and anything not listed, check the trip page or ask us on WhatsApp before you book.
