AlUla
Hegra or Petra?
Both were built by the Nabataeans and both are UNESCO sites, but they are very different visits. Petra is a huge, busy hiking day. Hegra is a quieter, guided visit to tombs in open desert.
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Head to head
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| Hegra (Saudi Arabia) | Petra (Jordan) | |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO listing | 2008, Saudi Arabia’s first site | 1985 |
| What you see | More than 100 monumental tombs spread across open desert | A whole city in a canyon: the Treasury, Monastery, theatre and Royal Tombs |
| Visitors | Far fewer: you visit in small timed tours | Close to a million a year |
| How you visit | Guided tour by vehicle, 2–3 hours | On foot, all day; the Monastery and High Place are long, stepped climbs |
| Entry | From SAR 95 (≈ $25) (Day Tour) | 50 JD for one day if you stay overnight in Jordan (≈ SAR 265 (≈ $71)); 90 JD for day-trippers (≈ SAR 475 (≈ $127)) |
| Effort | Easy: short walks between stops | Hard: expect a long day on your feet |
| Distance apart | About 500 km |
Sources: Experience AlUla; Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority fees page; Wikipedia (Petra, Hegra). Prices checked 2 October 2026; SAR conversions use the fixed riyal and dinar pegs to the US dollar.
Petra ticket prices (official)
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| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day (staying overnight in Jordan) | 50 JD (≈ SAR 265 (≈ $71)) |
| 2 days | 55 JD (≈ SAR 290 (≈ $77)) |
| 3 days | 60 JD (≈ SAR 315 (≈ $84)) |
| 1 day, not staying in Jordan | 90 JD (≈ SAR 475 (≈ $127)) |
| Jordan Pass with 1 / 2 / 3 Petra days | 70 / 75 / 80 JD - includes the Jordan visa fee if bought before arrival and you stay at least 2 nights |
Which should you choose?
- Choose Petra if you want the bigger, more famous site, enjoy a full day of hiking, and are going to Jordan anyway.
- Choose Hegra if you want the Nabataean tombs without the crowds or the climb, are already visiting AlUla, or are travelling with children or older relatives.
- Doing both? See Hegra first. After Petra’s scale, Hegra can feel small; the other way round, each feels distinct.
Plan Hegra with our Hegra tours compared and Hegra guide. Check your government’s advice for both countries before booking: see is Saudi Arabia safe right now?
Questions travellers ask
Is Hegra as good as Petra?
It is smaller and has no single sight as famous as the Treasury, but it is much quieter and many tombs are very well preserved. It suits travellers who want an easier, guided visit.
How far is Hegra from Petra?
About 500 km in a straight line. Hegra is 20 km north of AlUla town in Saudi Arabia; Petra is in southern Jordan.
How much is Petra compared with Hegra?
Petra costs 50 JD for one day if you stay overnight in Jordan (about SAR 265 (≈ $71)) or 90 JD for day visitors. The Hegra Day Tour costs from SAR 95 (≈ $25).
