I have long been fascinated with Petra and would like to visit it during a trip to TelAviv. Can it be done as a (very long) day trip, or do you need to stay somewhere in Jordan for a night before or after? I was thinking on taking a private guided tour from the Jordan border and back, if that is available. Travel by car and foot preferred; I am not so interested in horse trips. Just want to get in, see and hear about it, and get back to Israel.

All suggestions are welcome.

Theoretically possible, perhaps, but I would not recommend it. It's a long drive from TLV to Petra via Jerusalem & the Allenby Bridge (I'd guess 4 hours one-way minimum plus border hassles), and flying to AMM and driving from there won't shave off more than an hour.

Once there, Petra is too large to be seen in a day even if you're staying there, never mind just a half-day -- for example, if on foot, it's a good three hours (half of that uphill) just from the entrance to the Monastery. Camels and donkeys can save you the effort, but won't speed you up much, and cars are not allowed inside.

I just got back from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Petra last week. Loved every minute of it. I have been around the world and Petra has got to be one of the best places I ever saw. That said. Petra is a big place. We saw it in one day - from 7 am to 4:30 pm with nothing more than a bathroom break. So, if you are not quite as ambitious, you could easily make two days of it.

Here is how we went, I don't know if this will help you or not. We rented a car from Jerusalem to Eilat (Have to use Eldan Rent A Car - the biggest car rental in Israel, because all the other car rental places have a three day minimum to drop off in Eilat.) Stopped at the Dead Sea and Masada on the way down. Dropped the car in Eilat. Took a taxi to the Arava Border. Went across no mans land. Got a taxi on the other side directly to PETRA ($35JD). Stayed at the Movenpick (great rates at their internet website - wonderful hotel and right next to the park entrance.)

We arranged with our taxi driver going down to pick us up at 7:30 am two days hence. Believe it or not, he was there. Took us back to the border (1 1/2 to 2 hours). Walked across the border. Israeli border people called us a taxi. About 10 minutes later got the taxi. Took it to the car rental. Picked up car to TLV. Used to car for two extra days to see the sites in Northern Israel.

It sounds complicated, but it all worked smoothly.

The only complication is making sure that you have Israeli scheckles and Jordanian Dollars. DON'T make the error that I did and try to pay for something in Jordan with scheckles or try to change one for the other. They don't appreciate it. Changing your money and getting Jordanian Dollars can be a hastle.

If you would like more information. I would be happy to help.

The only way to do it in a day is to catch the first flight from SDV to Eilat early in the morning and return on the last flight in the evening, doing the trip to Petra to/from Eilat. There are organized day trips from Eilat but I believe they start earlier than the 1st flight arrival in Eilat and end later than the last one as it is a long day trip.

I'm sorry saint82, but I just need to make a slight correction to your report. The currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar and not the Jordanian Dollar. Sorry, but I just had to...

Can't really say much about Israel (maybe someday soon I can visit - paging Dovester) but Jordan has a lot to offer in terms of historical sites. I regret not visiting Petra while I was working there for a few months; never had the time really.

Enjoy your stay in Jordan tharris and safe travels...

I'm new to the board, I didn't pay attn to the fact that the OP's post is a year old!