Can I include a day trip to Petra in my Egypt tour?

Can I include a day trip to Petra in my Egypt tour?

Table of Content 

• Introduction  

• How do you get from Cairo to Petra? 

• Is it possible to take a day trip to Petra from Egypt?

• What is the distance from Petra to Egypt?

• How to find Cairo to Petra day trip packages? 

• Top attractions in Petra 

• What is the best month to visit Petra? 

• Conclusion  

Yes, travelers can include Petra as an additional historical site to explore in their trip to Egypt. Many tour agents also offer travel packages. Petra is situated in Jordan, a neighboring country to Egypt. It requires a day of travel to reach Jordan from Cairo. The historical sites in Petra define Nabataean culture, and tourists can see the ancient wonders influenced by Greek and Egyptian history. Petra, the city in Jordan, is famous for its cut-stone architecture.​

In this blog, you will get complete guidance for a one-day trip from Cairo to Petra. From ways of travelling to 1-day itineraries, everything is explained below. 

How do you get from Cairo to Petra? 

From Cairo to Petra, there is no direct land transfer option. You need to get air travel, and then with a bus you can reach Petra, the fastest way. Special entry visas to Jordan are also required, which you can get on arrival, and if you are taking Petra to Cairo packages, travel agents help in handling visa and transportation arrangements. ​

The first way to travel is to combine flying with a drive, which takes approximately 9.5 hours. 

Another way you can get to Jordan is by taking a ferry ride from the port of Nuweiba in Egypt to Aqaba. A ferry is a small boat cruise ride that is taken for tourism purposes between Egypt and Jordan. Then, after Aqaba, you need a bus or taxi to Petra; in and around it, it’s a time-consuming way that takes around 19-20 hours of travel. You can make bookings easier with the best Nile cruise companies, as they also have links with travel agents providing Petra tours. 

Is it possible to take a day trip to Petra from Egypt?

No, visiting the whole Petra tourist site and traveling from Cairo is not possible in a day. Mainly, you need 2-3 days to carry out a trip from Cairo to Egypt. The best way to travel is to take a day to travel from Cairo to Amman, then stay overnight in Amman. After resting, leave for Petra and start exploring the city. Keep 2-3 days for exploring, and then with a return flight, you can end your Cairo-Petra tour. 

It is suggested to plan the trip only under the guidance of experienced travel agents in Egypt. Nile Cruisen has experienced tour guides who can provide you support in choosing the right option for the Cairo to Petra trip. It eases comfort and relaxed travel. You can visit Petra on your return trip after creating lasting memories on a Nile cruise in Egypt.

​What is the distance from Petra to Egypt?

The distance from the capital of Egypt, Cairo, to Petra is around 621 km. From the Cairo International Airport, tourists can easily get flights to travel to Petra, Jordan. The journey typically combines air travel and bus for a relaxing transfer. 

How to find Cairo to Petra day trip packages? 

To find the best Cairo to Petra trip packages, browse and find travel agents that have tour packages for Jordan. Not every travel agent in Egypt provides Petra tour packages. So, if you are interested in exploring the ancient city of Petra on an Egypt tour, select a local travel agent. 

Booking from USA tour companies may not do justice to your travel experience, whereas the local and Egypt-based tour company assists you better because they have more extensive knowledge for carrying out tours in neighboring countries. Choose a reputable company that also provides Egypt river cruise tours so you can get everything booked in one place. 

​Top attractions in Petra 

​The Siq (The Entrance Gorge) 

It is one of the most prominent and famous sites in Petra; this gorge, called the Siq, is a canyon that is 1 km long. You can walk through the Siq; it’s magical and keeps you anticipating throughout the tour of the canyon. The surroundings have sandstone that creates appealing visuals and backgrounds for pictures. 

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

The iconic facade is famous due to its cinematic appearances in the movie featuring Indiana Jones, an American film character. The long wall of the treasury is placed as the entrance of the temple in the movie. It is carved directly into the redstone, making it a monument. This place is often included in Petra tours. 

​The Royal Tombs

In Petra, there are a number of great rulers who have their ceremonial sites. Some major royal tombs that tourists usually visit are the Urm Tomb, Sik Tomb, Corinthian Tomb, and Palace Tomb. These tombs hold significance for ancient Arabic architecture. The carvings on the rocks speak a lot about the history and early civilization of Petra. 

The Qasr al-Bint 

Another major monument in the city of Petra, Jordan, is a Nabatean temple. It is different because this historical monument is built from rock blocks rather than carved from a single stone. The temple is dedicated to the ancient Nabatean god, Dushara, who is one of the major religious figures in Nabatean culture. 

The Monastery (Ad-Deir)

This monument was carved by the Nabataean people in the 1st century AD. It is the second most visited site by a number of tourists after the treasury in Petra. The monastery has around an 800-step hike, which means exploring requires walking, but it is worth it because of its views for pictures, and each sandstone cliff speaks volumes of history and early civilization on Nabatean culture. 

​What is the best month to visit Petra? 

The months of spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are considered ideal to explore Petra. A major reason is that during these months the weather is moderate and best suitable for exploring sites by walking. Summers are ideally not suitable for exploring, as walking through historical monuments can become harder.  

​Conclusion

Combining the Petra tour with Egypt and Nile River cruises gives you an enriching historical gateway with tons of ways for adventure. If you are someone who loves exploring cultures, then a Petra visit on an Egypt tour is a must for you. Both countries hold scents of history, as the treasury in Petra offers you adventure, and the cruises set a perfect mood for relaxation.