If you’re travelling Israel, it’s highly likely you’ll want to visit the ‘rose city’ of Petra. Located across the border in the southwestern desert of Jordan, this spectacular site is a popular excursion for many travellers. Here we take a look at the different ways to visit Petra from Israel.
How to get to Petra from Israel
There are several ways to get to Petra from Israel. However the best one for you will depend on both your budget and the amount of time you have available.
By land
The first option for visiting Petra is to take a land transfer. The best place to cross into Jordan is at the Arava Border close to the city of Eliat in the south of Israel. With the journey taking little over two hours, this is the quickest and easiest place to transfer – and Jordanian visas are issued on the spot.
It’s also possible to travel from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem in the north and cross at the Allenby Bridge Border. Although, be aware that crossing is only possible if you’ve had your visa pre-issued in your country of origin. The journey is also longer and takes approximately four hours.
Travelling by land, whether in a hired vehicle or private taxi, offers greater flexibility for independent travellers. However, it can be pricey and crossing into Jordan often takes longer than planned. Factor some extra time into your itinerary for any border delays.
DISCOVER THE BEST HIKING TRAILS IN PETRA
By plane
The second option to get to Petra is to take a flight. You’ll find domestic flights available from Tel Aviv to Eliat for around $90 USD per person. You can then transfer by land to Petra.
Tel Aviv also offers flights to the Jordanian capital Amman, with Royal Jordanian Airlines operating two to three per day. These cost a little more, but only take around 45 minutes. A transfer to Petra then takes around 3 hours by land, with a taxi costing around $120 USD.
Day tours
If you’re short on time, the best way to visit Petra from Israel is by joining a day tour. You’ll find full-day excursions departing from cities such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eliat.
Whilst one, action-packed day trip to Petra can be tiring, these tours tend to be fully guided and include transfers to and from your hotel in Israel. This takes the hassle out of planning the trip yourself, allowing you to simply be wowed by Petra’s ancient wonders.
CHECK OUT OUR TEL AVIV DAY TOURS HERE
Group tours
If the thought of a fully-guided day tour sounds appealing, then another option could be to take a group tour of Israel and Jordan. Our 11-day ‘Road to Jerusalem’ group tour takes in the highlights of both countries, visiting Petra, the Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea in Jordan before taking in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Tel Aviv in Israel.
Our Israel and Jordan group tours have many inclusions, including private transportation and accommodation. So similarly to day tours, you don’t have to stress about the logistics.
EXPLORE PETRA ON OUR JORDAN GROUP TOURS
Where to stay near Petra
If you aren’t visiting Petra on a day tour, you’re going to want to stay nearby for a least one or two nights to make the most of the amazing hikes on offer. The town of Wadi Musa sprung up around Petra in the 1990s and is the main gateway to this famous ‘lost city’.
Stretching around five kilometres from Moses’ Spring to the main entrance of Petra, the town offers a selection of hotels and resorts to suit a range of budgets. There’s also plenty of shops and restaurants, with many signs in English.
