Cruise ships calling at Aqaba give you one day in Jordan — just enough to see one of its great sights: the rose-red city of Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum or the Dead Sea. Our private shore excursions meet you at the cruise exit, run on your ship’s schedule and bring you back in time to sail.
Aqaba Shore Excursions Compared
| Excursion | Duration | Highlights | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petra Tour from Aqaba Port | 8 hours | The Siq, the Treasury, Street of Facades, Royal Tombs | $210 |
| Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Aqaba Port | 8 hours | Petra plus a 2-hour jeep safari in Wadi Rum | $450 |
| Wadi Rum Tour from Aqaba Port | 7 hours | 2-hour jeep tour with a Bedouin driver, buffet lunch | $80 |
| Dead Sea Tour from Aqaba Port | 8 hours | Floating in the Dead Sea, lunch | $110 |
All excursions are private; the price per person falls as your group grows, up to six people.
Petra from Aqaba
After about 1.5 hours’ drive you reach the Visitor Centre and continue on foot or with a short horse ride to the Siq, the narrow gorge leading to the Treasury. A local guide accompanies you for 2 to 3 hours along the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs. Entrance fees, lunch and the short horse ride are included.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is Jordan’s largest and most dramatic desert, made famous in the West by Lawrence of Arabia: sandstone mountains rising from red sand around a small Bedouin village. The Wadi Rum excursion includes a two-hour jeep tour with a Bedouin driver and a buffet lunch; the combined tour adds Petra in the same day.
The Dead Sea
About 2.5 hours from Aqaba, the Dead Sea lies some 400 metres below sea level — the lowest point on earth. Float effortlessly in its salty water and try the mineral-rich mud before lunch and the drive back to your ship. Entrance fees and lunch are included.
Tips for Cruise Passengers
Tip: Petra involves a lot of walking on uneven ground — wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat.
Tip: For the Dead Sea, bring swimwear, a towel and sandals; avoid getting the salty water in your eyes.
Important: Share your ship’s arrival and departure times when you book so the tour can be timed to your schedule.
Read the full Dead Sea tour from Aqaba port guide, with safety tips for floating and what to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Petra from the Aqaba cruise port?
Yes. The private Petra tour picks you up at the cruise exit and takes about 1.5 hours each way.
Can I see Petra and Wadi Rum in one day?
Yes. The Petra and Wadi Rum tour combines a guided visit to Petra with a 2-hour jeep safari in Wadi Rum.
How far is the Dead Sea from Aqaba?
About 2.5 hours by road each way.
Are the tours private?
Yes. All our Aqaba shore excursions are private tours.
