Israel and Petra in 7 days. Is it possible? Please advise.

Welcome to Thorn Tree.

Sunday -- Arrive in Tel Aviv, will stay here for one night

The airport is between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There is no need to go to Tel Aviv - the city (unless of course you want to). The Nesher shuttle operates 24/7 from the airport to Jerusalem and will take you to any address in Jerusalem. It costs about 60 shekels per person including luggage. They are 10-seater minibuses and go when they are full, and they fill up quickly. This is by far the most cost-effective way to get from the airport to Jerusalem at any time of day or night, as there is no other direct public transport, and certainly nothing that would take you to wherever you are staying. You will see the Nesher yellow-and-white minibuses right outside the arrivals - follow the signs to TAXIS.

The most convenient way to go from Israel to Petra is via Eilat/Aqaba. Since you are planning on going to the Dead Sea the day before, you will already be on your way to Eilat. Stay somewhere at the Dead Sea (there are hostels at Masada and Ein Gedi, and a lot of luxury hotels at Ein Bokek), and the next day continue your journey to Eilat. Buses to Eilat should be booked in advance. You can do this in the Jerusalem central bus station when you arrive. Or you can rent a car, but rental cars cannot be taken across the border. There will be a drop-off fee if you rent in Jerusalem and return the car in Eilat.

If you fly - I have no idea what (if any) public transport is available from Amman airport to Petra. There is transport from Aqaba to Petra.

Edited by: Shuffaluff to add:
Which Sunday in October? Note that Sunday October 7 is the eve of the religious holiday of Simhat Torah. Accommodation will be hard to find then, if you don't have anything already booked. And on that evening as well as on Monday October 8 there will be no public transport. (The Nesher shuttle from the airport runs 24/7).

Shuffaluff,
Thank you for the helpful information. If that is the case, it would make sense for us to go straight to Jerusalem from the airport. It also sounds like we should also go to Eilat to cross over to Jordan. Thank you again. Do you know if it would be better to visit the Dead from the Jordanian as opposed to the Israeli side?

Did you read my last paragraph which I added in the last minute, probably after you wrote #2?
And I forgot to mention that among businesses that will be closed on Monday October 8 (if relevant) are car rental offices, except at the airport.

Search the forum for opinions on Jordan vs Israel for the Dead Sea. I live in Israel, and have tried only the Israel side. Of course the water is the same, the difference will be in the facilities and how much you are prepared to pay for them. One thing is certain: public transport is much more plentiful in Israel.

Shuffaluff,
Thank you once again. I will arrive in Tel Aviv on October 14.
Also, are there any sites/places outside of Jerusalem that you would consider to be "must-see?"

Oh that's good about the date. Much easier!
As for "must sees" - they of course depend on your interests. Not specific to Jerusalem, to Israel or to anywhere on the planet - one person's "must see" is another's "avoid at all costs". When you say "outside of Jerusalem" do you mean a short distance away by bus, or what? And what kind of things do you have in mind - religious sites (which religion?), historic (which period?), hiking, scenery, museums, architecture...? And with only two days in Jerusalem you won't run out of things to see there.

Hi,
I am a Catholic and I am traveling with a friend who is Hindi, who has been my traveling buddy for many years and who is also very interested in seeing religious sites. Specifically, do you think a trip to Bethlehem, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee is worthwhile? Thanks

I am very interested in religion, history, museums, and architecture

If I were to visit the Dead Sea from Jerusalem, should I spend the night around the area and to go Eilat the next day or should I try to go to Eilat on the same day? Thanks

Sorry, Hoangers, gotta rush now. It's almost Yom Kippur and I am going off-line until tomorrow evening (Israel time). I'll be happy to answer your questions then. Will you have a car or use public transport?