How to Get From Egypt to Petra

The standard way to get from Egypt to Petra is to fly from Cairo to Amman, about 90 minutes in the air, and then drive roughly three hours south. When flights to Aqaba fit your dates, the drive to Petra drops to about two hours. From Sharm El Sheikh, organized day trips fly to Aqaba for a long Petra day, while the overland and ferry routes through Sinai suit only flexible travelers.

Petra looks close to Egypt on a map, and in a straight line it is. In practice, the Gulf of Aqaba, two or three national borders and the schedules of a few flights and ferries sit between you and the Siq. That is why the "best" route depends less on distance and more on what kind of trip you are building: a proper Egypt-and-Jordan journey, a single Petra day from a Red Sea resort, or an adventurous overland crossing.

This guide walks through each realistic option, what it is good for, what can go wrong, and how to fit Petra into an Egypt itinerary without wasting a day on logistics.

The routes compared

Via Amman: the standard route

Flights between Cairo and Amman's Queen Alia International Airport run several times a day, with both EgyptAir and Royal Jordanian on the route, and the flight takes about 90 minutes. From the airport, the Desert Highway reaches Petra in around three hours. If you are not in a hurry, the slower King's Highway route lets you stop at Madaba, known for its Byzantine mosaic map, and at Mount Nebo, where views stretch over the Jordan Valley. With those stops, plan on four hours or more.

Amman works best when your Jordan section has three or more days. A typical shape is one night in Amman or the Dead Sea, one or two nights near Petra, and one night in Wadi Rum or Aqaba. Arriving in Amman also makes it easy to add Jerash, the Roman city north of the capital, or a float in the Dead Sea before heading south.

Getting the timing right

If your Cairo flight lands in the afternoon, do not try to drive to Petra and visit the same day. The road is long, and you will reach Wadi Musa, the town at Petra's entrance, around sunset. Sleep there, and start at the Visitor Center as early as you can the next morning.

Via Aqaba: the shortcut when flights allow

Direct flights between Cairo and Aqaba's King Hussein International Airport have operated on and off, sometimes seasonally. When they are available, they cut the road transfer to about two hours and place Wadi Rum within easy reach. Aqaba also receives domestic flights from Amman, so a common pattern is to fly into Amman and out of Aqaba, or the reverse, which avoids driving the length of the country twice.

Aqaba suits travelers whose Jordan priorities are Petra and Wadi Rum rather than Amman and the north. It is also a convenient end point if you want a final beach night on the Red Sea before flying home.

Sharm El Sheikh to Petra in a day

Agencies in Sharm El Sheikh sell Petra day trips. The usual pattern is a dawn charter or scheduled flight to Aqaba of about an hour, two hours by road to Petra, four to five hours on site with a guide, and the return in the evening. It is a 16 to 18 hour day, and it works for travelers based on the Red Sea who want to see Petra without building a full Jordan itinerary.

Before you book one, confirm:

• Whether it is a flight-based or a ferry-based trip, because the ferry version is longer and less predictable.
• How Jordanian entry formalities are handled, and what is included in the price.
• How many hours you actually get inside Petra, since you will spend part of the day at airports and on the road.
• What happens if the flight is delayed or canceled.

Four to five hours is enough to walk the Siq, see the Treasury, follow the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs, and reach the city center. It is not enough to climb to the Monastery at a comfortable pace, so if the Monastery matters to you, choose an overnight trip.

Overland and ferry routes through Sinai

Two routes cross from Sinai to Jordan without flying. Both can work, but neither is a good fit for a fixed-date itinerary.

Overland via Taba and Eilat

On a map, the shortest line from Sinai to Petra runs through Taba on the Egyptian side, Eilat in Israel and on to Aqaba in Jordan. In smooth conditions, the crossings take two to three hours by taxi, then two more hours by road to Petra. This involves entering and leaving Israel, two separate border crossings, and passport stamps you may need to think about for later travel.

Whether this route is practical depends entirely on the current regional situation and on each border's operating rules on the day. Check official travel advice from your own government before relying on it, and do not build a fixed-date itinerary around it.

The Nuweiba ferry

A ferry service connects Nuweiba in Sinai with Aqaba across the Gulf. The crossing can take anywhere from about one to three hours depending on the vessel, but schedules change and departures are often delayed. It is an interesting option for flexible travelers already in Dahab or Nuweiba, but it is not a reliable link for anyone with a hotel booked in Petra that night or an onward flight to catch.

How long to spend in Petra

A single day covers the main route from the Visitor Center through the Siq to the Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Theater, the Royal Tombs, and the colonnaded street. Two days let you add the long staircase to the Monastery, the High Place of Sacrifice, or a quieter back trail, and they let you visit early and late when the light on the rock is warm and the crowds are thin.

Petra by Night, when the Siq and the Treasury are lit with candles, runs on selected evenings. If it interests you, plan for at least one night in Wadi Musa and ask whether it operates on your dates.

Little Petra, a short drive north of the main site, is a good add-on for a second afternoon. Wadi Rum, about 90 minutes south, pairs naturally with Petra, and a night in a desert camp is a memorable part of many Jordan trips.

Entry to Jordan and practical points

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel. Keep enough passport validity and blank pages for both countries.

A few more points to keep in mind:

• Petra involves a great deal of walking on sand and uneven stone. Good shoes matter more than most things you pack.
• Summer days in Petra are hot, and winter mornings can be cold, with occasional rain.
• If you travel with a combined Egypt and Jordan itinerary, make sure one operator coordinates the flight between countries, the border formalities, and your guide in each country.

Our usual advice

Fly via Amman, or into Amman and out of Aqaba, for a proper Jordan section of three to five days. Take the Sharm El Sheikh day trip only if Petra is a priority and Jordan as a whole is not. Leave the overland and ferry routes to travelers with time to spare and a high tolerance for changing plans.

For most travelers combining the two countries, a smooth order is Egypt first, ending in Cairo, then a flight to Jordan, or the reverse with Jordan first. Starting with Cairo, Giza, and the Nile, then flying to Amman for Petra and Wadi Rum, gives the trip a natural build from river valley to desert.

Frequently asked questions

Can you do Petra as a day trip from Egypt?

From Sharm El Sheikh, yes, by air to Aqaba and then by road to Petra. It is a very long day of 16 to 18 hours with four to five hours on site. From Cairo, a day trip is not realistic, so plan at least one night in Jordan.

How long is the flight from Cairo to Amman?

The flight takes about 90 minutes, and several flights a day usually operate on the route. Allow roughly three more hours by road from Amman's airport to Petra, or longer if you stop at Madaba and Mount Nebo on the way.

Is there a ferry from Egypt to Jordan?

Yes, a ferry runs from Nuweiba in Sinai to Aqaba. Schedules change and delays are common, so it suits flexible travelers better than anyone with a fixed hotel booking or onward flight that day.

How many days do I need for Petra?

One full day covers the classic route to the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the city center. Two days let you climb to the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice without rushing, and give you a chance to see Petra by Night if it runs on your dates.

Should I visit Egypt or Jordan first?

Either order works, and the better one often depends on international flight options from your home city. Many travelers start in Cairo, travel the Nile, and finish with Petra and Wadi Rum, which ends the trip with a dramatic desert section.

Plan it with Nourbelle

Nourbelle combines Egypt with Jordan in one coordinated itinerary, with the flight between countries and a guide on each side. Explore our Egypt tours or tell us about your trip and we will suggest the route that fits your dates.