Eilat Travel Answers

I asked about doing that the last time I was staying in Eilat. There are, or at least were, several companies in Eilat that were advertising trips. At the time we were told the Jordanian authorities required people to spend one night in Jordan. That put a stop to us doing it. We had some discussion with guides about the distances involved and were told it was too far to do as a day trip. At the time I wasn't convinced. Just over a year ago we were in Jordan and travelled from Aqaba to Wadi Musa where we stayed for 2 nights and visited Petra. I think I'd now have to agree that a day trip from Eilat probably is too much. The amount of time you'd take travelling unless you could start really early and finish very late would mean you'd just about walk down the Siq and then have to turn around again. Also, I don't believe the Eilat border is open 24 hours a day, so that's not an option anyway.

You can travel on your own quite simply. Take a bus or taxi to the border, cross on foot and then a bus or taxi from Aqaba to Petra. The problem, as kakapoo noted above is the timing. It is doubtful that you could do it in one day on your own.

There are, of course, organized day trips to Petra from Eilat. However, as mentioned, you will be quite rushed and will see only the basic highlights of Petra. If it's "a day trip or nothing" choice, I would recommend doing the day trip - unless, of course, you plan to be back in the region and have more time to see it. Although theoretically it can be done on your own, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have at least two days to do it, since time-wasting things can happen, and you may not make it back to the border before it closes.

Thanks for the good advices. I do realize I can't see all of Petra, cause it seems way too big. From what I see most touroperators do offer a one day trip as well. But if I go with my wife for a day it will cost us around 550 American dollars. If I calculate the costs (entrance 30 dollar a person, lets say 40 dollars for the bus, 15 for lunch, 15 for a horse)Then is is not more than 100 dollar (and then I calculate is fat). We also need to pay 2 x 50 dollars border fee. So that means for 2 persons 250 dollars profit?? I think it is way too much and we even have to pay the border fee ourselves. I can't believe that most people in the world can afford that amount of money for a daytrip. I am very thankful for the advices. We will be only 4 days in Eilat this time so the time sheduale is tight, that's why we can't stay 2 days in Jordan. If you or others have more advices they would be very welcome :)

The main problem in the very last month’s is that the Jordanian government is repeatedly increasing the entrance fees to Petra for “day tourists” coming from Sinai/Israel. At this point entrance fees for “day visitors” who cannot prove they booked a hotel in Jordan (or coming from a cruise doing an overnight in Aqaba port) are between 90 to 130 USD (by Nov. 1st it would be 130$ for certain, until then it is quite unclear). For this reason the day trips became especially expensive. Anyway: the best way for this to be done “independently”: Arrive to the Israeli side by taxi from Eilat “first thing in the morning” – just before the buses loaded with day visitors coming from the Sinai peninsula arrives (=be there at 6:30 AM). Pay the taxes cash (last summer there were only Israeli border taxes at this border cross). Find out at the internet recommendations for reliable Jordanian taxi drivers, and coordinate with one to be waiting at the border. Drive with him the 90 minutes it takes to get to Petra. He will then finish his “assignment” with you. Do your trip through the site. Make sure you are ready to leave at about 4:30 PM (at the entrance to Petra). Walk a little up to Wadi Musa (the town stretching along the road just outside Petra) and stop a local yellow taxi and see if you can agree on a fixed price to drive back to Arava border cross. There are plenty of Taxis and you can get the “best price” as long as you don’t show you are desperate (like anywhere around the world…). Petra had become a real touristy place in the recent decade or so (not that it is not charming) with fancy hotels all around, and full scale of services near by. You wont have a problem getting a taxi. Some more tips: if you are really short with cash, don’t use the “free” horse ride at the entrance to Petra or the free guided tours: you will be asked directly to tip the service people, and not for small cash. Mineral water in Petra is (still…) sold for reasonable prices (compared to touristy places). If by chance the cashier at the entrance to Petra doest ask you if you spend X night in Jordan, and offer you the reduced price, don’t argue… when I was there the last time (earlier this summer) the “high price for day visitors that are not residents of Arab countries” was not enforced the way you expect. It doesn’t seem as if the cashier always care. I told him I don’t stay in Jordan for the night from my “free will” and asked to pay more…. Anyway: good luck.

Thanks for the advice. So it means that if I get the reduced price at the entrance I have to tell them I do not spend a night and pay the high price? Thank you all so much, this helps me so much. I have not decided if we do it.

Hi I did the one day Petra tour from Eilat this spring when my friend from Amsterdam was visiting me and we did it with a company called Desert Echo tours this is their website desertecotours.com/English/i... I think it was around 150$ before taxes per person. It was a great experience For other fun things you can do from Eilat check this page http://www.telaviv4fun.com/south.html Hope you enjoy Regards Mary