Petra feels close from Eilat, if you plan it right. This 2-day overnight tour gets you across the border into Jordan with help, aiming for an arrival at Petra around 11:30 AM, then gives you time to explore with a small group of up to 25.

I especially like the mix of a licensed guide on Day 1 and enough free time afterward to move at your own pace. I also like that you can add Petra by Night on select weekdays for a totally different experience of the same famous place.

One thing to keep in mind: the tour doesn’t cover visa and border fees, which you pay in cash at the crossing. And since the schedule depends on good weather, plan to be flexible if conditions force a change.

Key points before you go

• Border-assist crossing from Eilat with support from assistants
• Arrive in Petra by late morning (around 11:30 AM) so you get usable sightseeing time
• Guided tour plus independent exploring both days
• Overnight hotel included, so you’re not rushing back and forth in one long day
• Mobile ticket for easier entry
• Petra by Night option on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (extra cost, ticket bought in Petra)

The real value: getting to Petra without the chaos

This tour is built for one simple goal: getting you from Eilat into Petra with less friction. You start at 8:15 AM, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and then cross into Jordan with assistance at the border. That matters because a big chunk of day trips die on paperwork, lines, or timing problems.

After pickup, you’ll transfer across the Jordanian desert and you’ll even get a view of Aaron’s Tomb along the way. Then you land in Petra with enough time to see more than just the main entrance area. You’re not stuck rushing through the site before everyone else finishes.

Also, the group size cap of 25 is a quiet win. It’s small enough that the day doesn’t feel like a moving herd, but large enough that the tour still runs efficiently with shared services.

Crossing from Eilat to Jordan: where time gets won or lost

Border crossings can feel like a wildcard when you’re traveling on your own. Here, you get people helping you through the process, which reduces the stress of knowing what to do next.

A few practical notes you should plan for:

• You’ll still need your documents ready before you reach the border.
• Israeli passport holders (including dual citizens with an Israeli passport) must use their Israeli passport at every border crossing.
• The tour ends on the Israeli side of the border, which keeps the route simple for getting back to Eilat.

There’s also a cash factor. The tour lists visa fee and border fee as not included, both paid in cash at the border. If you show up without that, your day can get slowed down. I’d treat cash prep as part of the itinerary, not an afterthought.

Day 1 in Petra: guide first, then your own plan

You arrive in Petra around 11:30 AM, which is a smart time window. It’s late enough that you won’t feel like you’re staring at dawn-lit sand for hours, and early enough that you can still enjoy a chunk of daylight exploration.

On Day 1, you get a guided tour from a licensed guide. This is valuable even if you think you already know Petra. A guide can help you understand what you’re looking at—how the rock-cut city was organized, why certain facades matter, and how to read the site so you don’t miss the big moments while you’re wandering.

After the guided portion, you get time on your own. This is where Petra becomes personal. You can slow down for the spots you care about most, stop for photos, and choose your pace instead of marching on a fixed route.

Petra by Night, if you want a second mood

On select days (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), you have the chance to join Petra by Night at an optional extra cost. The ticket is bought on the spot in Petra, and it’s not included in the base price.

If you’re the type who loves a change of lighting and atmosphere, it’s worth considering. If you’d rather spend the evening resting, skipping it is also a totally reasonable choice—especially since you’ve got a full return day ahead.

Overnight hotel included: why it changes the whole trip

This is an overnight tour, and that’s more than a convenience. Sleeping in the area means you get to experience Petra at more than one point in the day without feeling like you’re on a ticking clock.

The schedule includes overnight in a hotel, and you’ll also have breakfast included for Day 2. The practical win here is pacing. You don’t have to plan your energy around a nonstop bus ride, and you’re less likely to arrive exhausted and then spend your best hours just trying to recover.

Because the tour data doesn’t specify the hotel category, I can’t promise a particular standard. But I can say the overnight itself is part of the value: it turns Petra from a half-day stop into a two-day experience.

Day 2: more time to see what grabbed you

Day 2 is built as a more flexible day. You enjoy another period of free time to explore Petra at leisure, with entry fees included.

The biggest detail here is the timing: you leave Petra at 16:30, and you return to Eilat by about 19:30. That means you’ll want to manage your day so you’re not hunting for a final “must-see” right before departure.

A smart strategy is to treat Day 1 as your orientation day. Let the guide help you get your bearings, then use Day 2 to revisit what you want more time with. Petra is large, so even with two days, you’ll likely focus on what interests you most rather than trying to cram in everything.

Timing that actually works: arriving at Petra by 11:30 and leaving at 16:30

Most Petra logistics fail because they’re either too early or too late. This tour is closer to the sweet spot:

• Day 1: arrival around 11:30 AM, guided time, then free time
• Day 2: free exploring, then departure at 16:30

That structure is good for first-timers. It gives you context on Day 1 and breathing room on Day 2. It also helps you avoid the common problem of feeling like you need to sprint between photo stops.

One more practical point: since you cross borders, you’re not purely in control of pacing. The tour’s schedule helps, but it also means you should plan your expectations around an organized day rather than a totally independent one.

Price and logistics: what $299 covers, and what adds up

At $299 per person, the base price is doing a lot of work. From the tour details, you’re getting:

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport
• Breakfast
• Petra entry fees (admission tickets)
• Licensed guided tour on Day 1
• Overnight hotel
• Mobile ticket

That’s a strong bundle when you compare it to trying to stitch together transport, lodging, and tickets on your own—especially when you factor in the border crossing assistance.

What’s not included is where your final cost can shift. You should budget for:

• Visa fee (cash at the border)
• Border fee (cash at the border)

So yes, the headline price looks clean, but your real total depends on what you pay at the crossing. I’d plan to carry enough cash so you’re not forced into last-minute stress.

Petra by Night: the optional add-on you can plan around

Petra by Night runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It’s optional and costs extra, and you buy the ticket on the spot in Petra.

Here’s how I’d decide:

• If you like night scenes and a different visual mood, it’s a good add-on because it’s not the same experience twice.
• If you prefer a calmer evening or you’re traveling with limited patience for long schedules, skip it and let Day 2 be your main sightseeing push.

Either way, the tour still gives you enough daytime time to enjoy Petra properly. Petra by Night is an extra option, not a make-or-break requirement.

Who this tour suits best

This is a good fit if:

• You want a guided start so Petra makes sense instead of feeling like random buildings in a canyon.
• You only have a short window and need an efficient overnight plan from Eilat.
• You’d rather let someone handle border logistics instead of figuring it out step-by-step.
• You like having time both ways: guided structure plus free roaming.

It may be less ideal if you hate group schedules, or if you’re very sensitive to border-day variables. Also, since the tour requires good weather, it’s better suited to travelers who can handle a small change of plans if conditions force one.

Should you book the Eilat to Petra two-day tour?

I’d book it if you want an organized route into Jordan, a licensed guided introduction to Petra, and real time to explore without rushing. The overnight hotel and breakfast add real value, and the arrival and departure timing keeps you in Petra during workable hours.

I would not book it blindly if you’re uncomfortable carrying cash for the visa and border fees or if you’re the type who absolutely hates schedule shifts due to weather. If you’re prepared for that, this tour gives you a practical way to see Petra with less hassle.

If you want to enjoy Petra with structure and breathing room, this is a solid option from Eilat.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Eilat?

The start time is 8:15 AM.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 25 travelers.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes breakfast, entry fees to Petra (admission tickets), and air-conditioned vehicle transport, plus the overnight hotel and guided tour components described in the itinerary.

What isn’t included and must be paid at the border?

You must pay the visa fee and the border fee in cash at the border.

Is Petra by Night included?

Petra by Night is optional. It’s available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday on select days, and you buy the ticket on the spot in Petra for an extra cost.

When do you arrive in Petra on Day 1?

You arrive in Petra by 11:30 AM.

What time do you return to Eilat on Day 2?

You leave Petra at 16:30 and arrive back in Eilat at about 19:30.

Do you receive mobile tickets?

Yes, mobile tickets are provided.

Can I cancel, and what if the weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. The tour requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.