Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There is also a slower car ferry service (US$65, three hours or more) that officially
leaves at midnight. Some days it doesn't leave at all. Fares for children under eight years
are US$55. The service leaves Nuweiba at around 2pm but expect delays.
Departure tax (JD6) is not included in the ticket prices. You need to show your passport
to buy tickets, and return fares are not available. Note that fares from Nuweiba must be
paid for in US dollars, but there are currency-exchange facilities at the terminals at Aqaba
and Nuweiba. The Jordanian side offers a decent exchange rate but avoid travellers
cheques, which attract a huge commission.
Passports are collected on the boat in both directions and handed back on arrival at im-
migration. Bear in mind, if you are travelling from Egypt you will arrive in Aqaba too late
for public transport to Petra or Wadi Rum, so you'll have to stay in Aqaba or pick up a
taxi from the city centre.
OVERLAND TRANSPORT IN A HURRY
Wondering if you can get from Jerusalem to Petra in one day or vice versa? Check the following transport summary
to see how far you can get in a day.
Petra & Jerusalem via Amman & the West Bank
Taking this route means you may be able to avoid evidence of a visit to Israel in your passport. Beware of long
delays at the border. Note that you can't take your own car through this crossing. From Petra, catch a bus to Am-
man's South bus station (three hours), a service taxi or bus to King Hussein Bridge (Allenby Bridge; one hour), a
bus across the border (three-hour delay; border closed by noon Friday and Saturday) and a service taxi or bus to Jer-
usalem's Damascus Gate (30 minutes). Also see Transport (
Click here
)
, Visas (
Click here
) and Border Crossings
(
Click here
). Take the reverse route to get from Jerusalem to Petra.
Petra & Jerusalem via Aqaba & Eilat
You can travel with your own vehicle this way. If you're arriving in Jordan at Wadi Araba (Yitzhak Rabin), you may
be exempt from paying for a Jordanian visa as you'll be entering via the Aqaba free-trade zone. There are less bor-
der delays involved on this route.
From Petra, catch a bus to the main bus station at Aqaba (2½ hours), then a service taxi or bus to Wadi Araba
(Yitzhak Rabin) border (15 minutes). Walk across the border (30 minutes; open every day), then take a service taxi
or bus to Eilat (15 minutes) and a bus to Jerusalem's Damascus Gate (five hours). Also see Transport (
Click here
),
Visas (
Click here
) and Border Crossings (
Click here
)
. Take the reverse route to get from Jerusalem to Petra.
Petra & Damascus via Amman
This trip requires an early start in either direction. Note that the Hejaz Railway no longer operates a passenger ser-
vice and there are no plans for its reintroduction in the near future. Also note that at the time of writing, travel to
Syria was not recommended due to escalating violence.
