Hello all,

We are planning on taking an escorted tour of Israel from Dec 20 -28, 2006. From Dec 28 - Jan 1, we were thinking of going to Sharm El Sheik in Egypt and also to Petra in Jordan.
What's the best way of getting from Jerusalem to Sharm? I looked up some flight options but they are very expensive. Does anyone know alternative options?
Also, can I squeeze in a day trip to Petra from Jerusalem before heading to Sharm?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thansk in advance!

A day trip from Jerusalem to Petra will be very hectic. It's really much easier crossing from Eilat at Arava border.

That said, if going on an escorted tour of Israel, have you checked with your tour operator whether they have Sharm and/or Petra extensions. Most TOs that specialize in Israel do. I'd check with them.

Hi Sandi,
We are going with Insight tours, which is a UK based company I think. They didn't really know.

Unless there is more than one Insight Tours, believe they are a US based company and their website does indicate Egypt and Jordan. They don't show Sharm, but they do show Petra.

If you only have 5/days, it's difficult to do both Sharm and Petra. If seeking a place to relax after your touring in Israel, you might want to consider Eilat; from here you can pick-up a 1 or 2/day trip to Petra.

I also presume you'll be returning for home from TLV. If that is the case, it'll be easier to stay in Israel, returning from Eilat after R&R here.

I would suggest that you choose one of the two. As Sandi noted, Petra would be the most convenient. You can get 1-day or overnight trips direct from Eilat and also spend a couple of days there. Petra really does deserve two days, there is a lot to see there.

To Sharm is a very long and tiring bus trip, with potential complications. You go from Eilat by bus/taxi to the border, cross on foot and then bus/taxi on down to Sharm - a long trip and slow.

Do also check with Insight tours. You can send them an email.

Can't comment on Sharm as I have not done it, but we've done a day trip to Petra from Tel Aviv. Very gruelling day--up at 5:30am, took the first flight from Sded Dov to Eilat, met the tour operator around 8:00, didn't get back home till after 10pm.
So it's doable, but much harder if you're starting from J'salem. Definitely recommend making it an overnight, staying at Eilat. Even then, we wish we had another day to explore areas around Petra.

Two different kinds of destinations, Petra and Sharm.

Sharm is a RESORT, and the whole drive down south along the Red Sea is a charm, but only if you stop along the coast, stay in some of the smaller resorts (like Dahab). It's a place where you enjoy resting on the magnificent beach.

Petra is an attraction. You travel there, you tour the place for several hours, before heading back.

And Eilat is also a resort town (I call it Vegas with a sea), and traveling down south thru the Negev desert has its own charm. Especially if you rent a car and drive there yourself. You can drive down South thru Mitzpe Ramon, and come back North thru the Arava road.