Middle East - Israel to Petra?

Wondering what is the best(and most affordable) way of getting from Tel Aviv-Petra and back. Is a tour the best way to go? Is it more adventurous to just take a cab to Petra and walk around? General experiences? Thanks!

Go with an organized tour out of Jerusalem.

Or out of Eilat if you are already down south.

I took a circle route:
bus TLV to Eilat, cab to Jordan border,
walk across, cab to Petra,
cab to Allenby crossing, bus to Jerusalem.

Pretty easy, but nobody is holding your hand !

I'm actually headed there on thursday. Tour for a full day....flight from TEl Aviv to Elat, then bus for two hours to Petra. Back in Tel Aviv at night via return flight. Not a cheap option though.

I'm going to be there in April. if I'm coming from (and going back to Jerusalem), do you know what the relative costs are for Jerusalem-Petra:
- organized tour (and any recommendations on how to find a good one for the money?)
- cab
- bus, if that's an option

I had an excellent time in Petra on Thursday. The tour was with www.ahalanolympus.com
The two of us along with another couple took a flight with Arkair out of Sde Dov to Eilat. From there, we met up with the other 9 folks on the tour (13 total) and took a five minute bus ride to the Rabin Border. They walked us through the Passport control process and let us know that a bus and guide would be waiting on the other side. After we crossed to the Jordan side, the guide took our passports and walked us through their process. We took a 2-2.5 hour drive to Petra while the guide talked to us about the sites and Aqaba. He was very knowledgeable. We had 3.5 hours in Petra...7 kilometers total to the bottom and back. Side note, the weather sucked every day except the Thursday we were there.
We had lunch after we met up at some hotel in Petra. People liked the food, but I am kind of picky (and glad I had snacks). We took the bus ride back to the border, and were again met by the Israeli guide and bus. We were 3 hours early for the 9:15 flight back to Tel Aviv, but we made the 6:45 plane without issue.
The total fee included everything (including tips) except the Isreal Visa processing. Though they stressed that the tips were included we tipped our guide anyway.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

If I'm in J'lem, does it make more sense to use public bus to Eilat and a tour from there or to take the whole thing out of J'lem. I'm going to guess the former but Israeli buses baffle me. I don't speak any Hebrew.

If I'm in J'lem, does it make more sense to use public bus to Eilat and a tour from there or to take the whole thing out of J'lem. I'm going to guess the former but Israeli buses baffle me. I don't speak any Hebrew.

Don't worry: 95% of Israelis speak English (at some level or other). Welcome to FT, by the way!

If I'm in J'lem, does it make more sense to use public bus to Eilat and a tour from there or to take the whole thing out of J'lem. I'm going to guess the former but Israeli buses baffle me. I don't speak any Hebrew.

The Eilat bus is actually pretty easy to figure out, so I suggest you do that on your own. In the central bus station, 3rd floor, there are ticket/info windows right by the escalators. You'll need the 444 bus (if it's relevant, I think if you buy a return ticket it comes out slightly cheaper).
There's also an option to order the tickets online, but unfortunately that's only in Hebrew.

Thank you 45128 and orthar. I think I'll do that if I go. I know that English always seems to work in Israel, hence why I'm a little baffled so much of the public transit info seems to be lacking in English. But nonetheless, thank you for the advice and welcome.

The buses to Eilat require reservations. You can get lucky and find one the day of your trip--but if you are going during busy summer months it pays to reserve in advance. Unfortunately to reserve in English you have to call Israel. To reserve in Israel you can do it online.