I was traveling across Israel, long before the Palestinian war. I planned to cross the land border from Israel to Jordan, knowing this wasn’t just any border; it was a gateway between two countries steeped in history and culture, a difficult crossing because of high exit fees, intense security checks, regional political tensions and long administrative delays!
Crossing land border from Israel to Jordan.
When crossing the land border from Israel to Jordan, first make sure how many land borders are open (usually 2 or 3 at most) and their opening times, as they depend on the season.
Rabin border (Wadi Araba border Crossing in Aqaba/Eilat) was open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm in December 2018.
What’s most important – information appearing on the first few pages on Google and on government websites is INCORRECT! A lot of websites claim you need an entry visa to Jordan in advance, which is not true.
You will find this information displayed on Israel border near the passport windows. (Even I got a little confused standing at the border, having this information displayed in front of me. It’s complete nonsense having official information which is not in use).
The official information says that Jordan border does not issue Jordan visas since January 2016. Which is false! A visa can be purchased at the border and does not need to be pre-arranged for Wadi Araba border crossing (Rabin border). But a pre-arranged visa was required for the King Hussein Bridge land border crossing.
The Allenby Bridge - the King Hussein Bridge.
The Allenby Bridge, also known as the King Hussein Bridge, is situated less than 30 kilometers from the bustling city of Jerusalem. It’s one of the three border crossings between Israel and Jordan, and perhaps the most historically significant. For travelers, this crossing offers a direct route into the heart of Jordan, leading directly to the ancient city of Amman.
Visa to Jordan and Jordan Pass!
If you want to cross the land border to Jordan and visit Petra – so that’s why you travel to Jordan, I guess. It saves you a lot of time at the border and you don’t have to pay any visa fee. Petra entrance is included together with 40 other attractions, as well as Wadi Rum entrance. Surprisingly, crossing a land border is pretty straightforward.
Israel entry/exit fee depends on the length of your stay and also which crossing you are departing from. When you use the same land crossing, the fee would be cheaper, and if you stay more than 3 days in Jordan and come back through the same border, you won’t have to pay any entrance fee. If you come back after 1 night in Jordan, you’ll have to pay 60 JD; after 2 nights 10 JD.
Traveling from Eilat (Israel) to Jordan land border – Rabin Border (Yitzhak)
Go to the main bus station in Eilat (near the airport). Bus no 397, 394 – any bus going to Jerusalem ot Tel Aviv that drives highway no 90 north direction. You need to take only 2 bus stops to Rabin Border. Bus to the Red Canyon – 382 is not going to take you toward the land crossing. Also, don’t confuse it with the Taba border with Egypt – everyone was confusing those two borders when I asked at the bus station. I was reading strange stories about getting to the land crossing; that is hard and busy.
All bullshit!! It is absolutely reachable on foot from the point where you are dropped off. So take a bus from Eilat bus station, get off at the second bus stop – you can ask a driver; he will tell you. Take a walk toward the Israel land border crossing.
The road is very convenient, and there’s very little traffic. After 15 minutes, you’ll be on the border. There are road signs everywhere, so you definitely won’t get lost (see photos). You need to visit two windows/first for the Israel visa. You need to pay the visa fee – you can pay cash or card. Israel does not stamp your passport!! They only give you a ticket visa. Avoid any kind of Israeli stamp!
Second window for passport control. Small duty-free is on the border. Walk 100 metres and you’ll find yourself on Jordan’s border. Jordan pass holders will go directly to window no 8 for scanning and passport control. Everything is very easy and pleasant, but remember to behave properly. You are between Jewish and muslim countries; the last thing you want is any kind of problems with those officers. Arab administration can be very chaotic and disorganised. Be patient and do not argue.
Jordan land border
Road to Aqaba – the nearest city on Jordan’s site- is 3 km long and you won’t be allowed to walk it, as they claim it’s a military road. In my opinion, it’s only to make you take a taxi and pay – 15 JD (Jordan Dinars). 7 JD on the way back!! The price is for a taxi, not per person. Simply robbery in a bright day – 15 JD is a fare for 50 km in Jordan. If you plan to get to Petra on the same day, read all the information about local buses from Aqaba here: Local bus from Aqaba to Petra.
Going back the same way – take a taxi from Aqaba and agree on the price in advance – I paid 7 JD, and it was absolutely ok for the driver. Crossing the Jordan border is pretty straightforward but when it comes to the Israel border for people travelling from Jordan, you will be questioned, and your luggage searched. That means it will take at least 1 hour but I hear from people that it might take even 3 hours.
My best advise would be stay calm and get over this procedure. They are highly unpleasant if you don;t cooperate. There’s a small mess on the border, especially with luggage scanning but there’s nothing unusual. Again, after leaving the border go to road no 90/main road, 15 minutes walk from the border and wait for a buss – on that road busses go to Eilat, Yerusalem and Tel Aviv. The only problem might be with Tel Aviv, as you are suppoused to buy tickets in advance on the bus station and there’re usually no seats available.
For those considering this crossing, I offer a few parting tips:
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Plan Ahead: Ensure you have all necessary documents and check the latest travel advisories and border crossing hours.
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Pack Smart: Travel light to ease the process and be prepared for varying temperatures, especially if visiting desert areas.
- Be patient and stay calm – it is a lot of security checks /even up to 3 hours/. It’s worth it – Jordan is magnificent!
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