A day trip to Petra from Israel is the fastest way to see one of the New Seven Wonders of
the World without giving up a whole holiday. You leave early from Eilat, cross the Arava border, and by
mid-morning you are walking through the Siq, the narrow canyon that opens onto the Treasury. Most tours
stay between four and six hours inside the site, which is enough for the Treasury, the Street of Facades,
the Roman Theatre and, on longer routes, the Royal Tombs and the monastery trail.
Everything that usually worries travellers is included: border crossing assistance, a Jordanian guide,
transport on both sides and the entrance fee. You only need a passport, comfortable shoes, water and a hat.
The crossing at Arava is the shortest and the fastest of the three, which is why day tours use it.
Because the site is huge and the sun is strong, the best months are spring and autumn. In summer the tour
starts earlier and moves more slowly. In winter the days are shorter but the site is quieter and the light
inside the Siq is at its best.
Booking a day tour from Israel also means you keep your hotel in Eilat, so there is no packing and no
second check-in. Pick a date, choose the group size, and the operator handles the rest. If you want to
combine Petra with Wadi Rum or with a second night in Jordan, look at the multi-day options on this page.
