The Aqaba Nuweiba ferry is a popular and reliable way to travel between Jordan and Egypt. If you are looking to explore Wadi Rum or heading to the Sinai Peninsula, the ferry service might be your first choice.
Operating at least once a day, the ferry covers a distance of approximately 62 kilometers in around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Ticket prices range from 60€ to 80€, making it an affordable choice.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about this ferry service, from booking tickets to what to expect on board.
Key Takeaways
- Travel options between Egypt and Jordan include ferry, flight, or land crossings, each catering to different preferences for speed, cost, and scenery.
- The Nuweiba to Aqaba ferry operates daily, covering the Red Sea in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with ticket prices ranging from 60€ to 80€.
- Upon arrival in Aqaba Port, travellers must go through customs and obtain the Jordan Visa. We suggest booking the Jordan Pass before arrival.
- From Aqaba , you can book a direct taxi to Wadi Rum or stay the night in Aqaba. Book an all-inclusive desert experience with Wadi Tribe to make the most of your time in Wadi Rum.
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- Key Takeaways
- Finish Planning and book your Camp in Wadi Rum.
- How to Get from Egypt (Sinai) to Jordan (And Vice Versa) – All Options
- Booking Ferry Tickets with AB Maritime – Everything You Need to Know
- Taking the Ferry – Nuweiba Port Details
- Arriving to Aqaba Port – What’s Next?
- Getting from Aqaba to Wadi Rum
- Getting back from Aqaba to Nuweiba Port
- FAQs
How to Get from Egypt (Sinai) to Jordan (And Vice Versa) – All Options
Traveling between Egypt and Jordan can be done by various means such as bus, car, ferry, or flight. Each method offers unique advantages and caters to different preferences and budgets.
While we opted for the ferry crossing on our trip, we still want to show you what the alternatives are:
Taking a Flight from Sharm el Sheikh
For those who prefer to fly, direct flights connect Sharm el Sheikh to Amman, offering a convenient and quick option to get to Jordan. The flight time is about an hour, making it the fastest way to travel between Egypt and Jordan. This option is ideal for travelers who value time and comfort, allowing them to bypass the long land or sea routes.
However, if you are planning to go to Southern Jordan specifically to visit Wadi Rum, we do not recommend flying as there is no direct connection between Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba.
Aqaba Taba Land Crossing
The Aqaba Taba land crossing is another viable option for those who prefer traveling by road. This border crossing route connects the town of Taba in Egypt to the city of Aqaba in Jordan.
However, in between lies a small section of Israel, too, meaning you will have to do Israeli immigration, too, demanding quite a bit of time as well. Travelers need a valid passport and a visa to cross the border.
For this option, you’ll have to travel all the way up to the coastal town of Taba. Buses are operated sparsely, some being offered by GoBus. One single bus connection operates daily with prices starting at 150EGP (Egyptian Pounds) or 3€. Taxi services might be a better pick.
Tala Bay Speed Boat Crossing
For a quick and exciting alternative, the Tala Bay speed boat crossing offers a unique way to travel between Egypt and Jordan. This service operates between Tala Bay Resort in Jordan and Taba Heights in Egypt.
The speed boat provides a swift journey of about 30 minutes across the Red Sea. This ferry services is operated by a company called ABSI. Online bookings are possible. You can reach Taba Heights via GoBus.
Nuweiba Aqaba Ferry Crossing
The Nuweiba Aqaba ferry crossing remains one of the most popular methods for traveling between Egypt and Jordan. With a journey duration of around 2 to 3 hours and a ticket cost ranging from 60€ to 80€, this was the option that made the most sense for us.
Taking the ferry means a short transfer to Aqaba (or Nuweiba) as it is located fairly close to Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab and a straigh-forward process. Tickets can be booked online by the operator AB Maritime.
Booking Ferry Tickets with AB Maritime – Everything You Need to Know
Booking ferry tickets with AB Maritime is a straightforward process that can be done online. AB Maritime Ferries offers services between Nuweiba, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan, with tickets available for purchase on their website.
Currently, there is only one daily ferry crossing each way. The Egypt-Jordan ferry departs at 1 p.m., while the Jordan-Egypt ferry crossing is scheduled for 10 p.m. Ferry tickets from Aqaba to Nuweiba cost 60€ for a single trip from Nuweiba to Aqaba and 80€ from Aqaba to Nuweiba.
You can save money booking a round trip. The only travel class available is Tourist, which includes basic seating arrangements, but the convenience of online booking and e-tickets makes the process hassle-free.
Booking online, you will also save yourself the service fee for booking in person. Please note, that you have to book your tickets at least one day in advance.
Taking the Ferry – Nuweiba Port Details
Nuweiba Port, located on the outskirts of Nuweiba Village, serves as a key hub for ferry services, operating daily crossings to Aqaba. Let’s dive into some of the things you should know before getting there:
Travelers should arrive at the port at least two hours prior to departure to complete the check-in process. The ferry journey from Nuweiba to Aqaba takes approximately three hours, providing ample time to relax and enjoy the sea views. Passengers are allowed to bring one piece of luggage weighing up to 80 kg on the ferry. So much for the theory.
Getting to Nuweiba is best done by GoBus. The Egyptian bus company has a daily connection in the morning heading up to the North of the Sinai peninsula. Get out at the Nuweiba bus stop in front of Nuweiba port. The bus usually arrives around 10 a.m. with the ferry crossing starting at 1 p.m. Alternatively, we suggest getting a taxi to Nuweiba Port.
According to our experiences and word of mouth, the Nuweiba ferry is NEVER on time. So, make sure to bring some drinks and snacks and schedule your pick-up at Aqaba Port with enough buffer. There is a small store close to the port where you can pick up essentials before heading to the port.
At the port, present your ferry tickets and travel documents to the guards and enter the compound. After finishing the immigration process, you will be told to take a seat and wait until the ferry is ready for boarding. Here, patience is key.
Arriving to Aqaba Port – What’s Next?
Once the ferry has departed, the rest of the journey is pretty straightforward. The ferry crossing takes between 2,5-3 hours on a good day. While the inside of the ferry is quite rustic, it has everything you need to stay entertained during your trip – comfortable seating, a snack bar and a viewing deck.
Upon arriving at Aqaba Port, all hell breaks loose as people try to get off the boat as quickly as possible. Enjoy the show and disembark once the chaos is gone. At Aqaba Port, travellers receive a complimentary visa valid for a month, provided they exit from the same point. However, we were not able to verify, if this option is still around, as information on it online is conflicting.
If you are not planning to leave Jordan through Aqaba Port, we suggest playing it safe and getting the Jordan Pass. The Jordan Pass waives your visa fee of 40 JOD (Jordanian Dinars) and includes the entry fees of major attractions such as Petra and Wadi Rum.
Also note that Aqaba Port is note located in Aqaba City itself but rather a few kilometres to the South. While there is some buses departing from Aqaba Port, you will need a sprinkle of luck to catch one of them. Alternatively, you can grab one of the taxis in front of the port.
Once you step outside, you can’t miss the taxis, or rather the taxi drivers. Approach one of the shouting gentlemen and negotiate a price for your transfer to Aqaba or Wadi Rum according to your plans. A fair price for a taxi into Aqaba is 15 JOD. We suggest pooling with other arriving tourists to save on your individual fare. If you don’t have JOD yet, advise the taxi driver and he will make a stop at an ATM.
Have you planned your Jordan adventure already? Gather some extra inspiration from our 7-day Jordan itinerary!
Getting from Aqaba to Wadi Rum
Traveling from Aqaba to Wadi Rum is relatively straightforward, with several options available. Driving via the Desert Highway takes about 50 minutes. On this route, the Jordanian travel bus company JETT Bus, local minibuses as well as taxis operate.
If you want to head to Wadi Rum directly from Aqaba Port, negotiate with a taxi driver to take you there. Consider making a stop in Aqaba to get your hands on cash and a SIM card for your trip. The taxi ride from Aqaba Port to Wadi Rum should cost you between 30 JOD and 40 JOD. Book your taxi transfer online with Wadi Tribe and take advantage of preferential rates.
More transport options are available from Aqaba City itself. A comfortable seat with A/C in a JETT Bus from Aqaba Bus Station will cost you 15 JOD. Bookings are made through the JETT Bus website. A one-way bus fare on a local minibus costs around 3 Jordanian Dinars, departing from the same station. Note that you might get ‘tourist-taxed’ a little bit.
From Aqaba City, taxis typically charge about 20 JOD for a one-way trip. Private transfers can start at $105 per vehicle, catering to those who wish to be picked up at their hotel.
Some transfer already come with a camp stay in Wadi Rum and a tour of the Red Desert. For your stay in Wadi Rum, we encourage you to get familiar with Wadi Tribe, a tourist initiative encoring authentic desert experiences with Bedouins in Wadi Rum.
For more details on the transfer from Aqaba to Wadi Rum, we suggest you check out our detailed transportation guide on “How to Get to Wadi Rum from Aqaba”.
Getting back from Aqaba to Nuweiba Port
The return journey from Aqaba to Nuweiba Port is easy to navigate. It is just as straightforward as the trip in the opposite direction. The ferry service operates once daily, departing at around 10 p.m., and the journey takes approximately three hours. Tickets from Aqaba to Nuweiba currently cost 80€ and are to be booked directly on the website of AB Maritime.
Travelers should ensure they have their passport and travel documents ready for the ferry crossing. Once you arrive to the coastal town of Nuweiba, you will go through Egyptian customs. Note that there is two visa options: the free 15-day visa for the Sinai peninsula only and the $25 30-day visa for all of Egypt.
Pick up your Egyptian visa and proceed to the front of the port. We suggest securing transport before even starting the trip to Nuweiba. Bus connections in the night are sporadic, if not non-existent. Therefore, play it safe and arrange a taxi transfer to your camp in Nuweiba or to the coastal town of Dahab.
FAQs
How long is the ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba?
The ferry trip between Aqaba and Nuweiba takes roughly 3 hours. This duration allows travelers to enjoy the scenic views of the Red Sea while ensuring a relatively quick journey between the two ports. Plan for delays as they happen frequently.
How much is the ferry from Nuweiba to Aqaba?
Ferry tickets from Nuweiba to Aqaba with AB Maritime range from 60€ to 80€, depending on the direction of travel. Not that AB Maritime currently only offers one departure per day each way.
How do I get from Aqaba to Dead Sea?
Traveling from Aqaba to the Dead Sea often involves taking a taxi or a bus, with options available at various prices. Renting a car is also a popular option, with the drive typically taking about three hours.
Is there a ferry from Aqaba to Egypt?
Yes, there is a ferry service that operates between Aqaba and Nuweiba, providing a connection to Egypt. The ferry operates nightly and takes approximately three hours. Passengers can board the ferry without a prior ticket, as tickets can be purchased at the port. We recommend booking online, however.
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