Northern Border : Jordan River / Sheik Hussein Border Crossing
•At this crossing, visas for most nationalities can be obtained at the border; prior permits are not needed except for restricted nationalities
Southern Border: Eilat / Aqaba Border Crossing
•Entry visas will no longer be issued at the Wadi Araba Border Crossing. Buying a Jordan Pass (www.jordanpass.jo) online before entering gives free access to many sites in Jordan, including Petra, and waives the visa fee. The only exceptions are Israeli tour groups and others carrying proper entry documentation entering Jordan for tourism purposes. CHECK WHEN PREPARING
Flying from TLV-AMM/AMM-TLV
•At this crossing, visas for most nationalities can be obtained at the border; prior permits are not needed except for restricted nationalities
MIT Students may not use the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Bridge Crossing
Northern Border : Jordan River / Sheik Hussein Border Crossing
•You can take a taxi to/from the crossing on each side
•Must pay departure taxes
•Must buy visa on Jordanian side
•Abraham Hostel runs a private bus between Nazareth, Israel and Amman, Jordan on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for 80NIS/$22 – you must check the schedules beforehand
•Nazareth to Amman: Depart 8:30a
•Amman to Nazareth: Depart at 2p
Bottom Line: You will not pass through the West Bank, good option from Tel Aviv to Amman, longish trip, expensive, relatively simple
Southern Border : Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
•Walk or take taxi from main area in Eilat to the crossing
•Must pay Israeli departure tax
•From Israel: Buy Jordan Pass or go with an organized group.CHECK
•From Jordan: no need for getting visa beforehand (if US citizen)
•Short taxi ride to the center of Aqaba, taxi to Amman, Sherut to Tel Aviv
•Very convenient for trip to Petra
Bottom Line: You MAY need to take a tour or arrange a visa in advance, less expensive, quick
Flying – TLV to AMM
•Usually around $350 USD/rt
•TLV to AMM
•Bottom Line: Quick, easy, 30 minute flight with great views
Unallowable Border: Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Bridge
•No direct public transport between Jerusalem – Amman
•Sole designated entry/exit point for Palestinians living in the West Bank
•Israeli citizens cannot use this crossing
•Must have visa to enter Jordan in advance
•Must pay departure taxes
Bottom Line: NOT FOR MIT STUDENTS
To Petra:
From Aqaba:
•Taxi (2 hours)
•Tour
From Amman:
•JETT Bus (3-4 hours)
•Taxi
•Tour
From Israel directly:
•Israel > Amman > Petra
•Tour from Tel Aviv/Jerusalem (Abraham Hostel or others)
Advice
•Prepare in advance (itinerary, $, visas)
•Travel in groups, never alone
•“Go with the flow,” patience
•Listen
•No joking around
•Things to carry: emergency phone #s (David, hotel, embassy, friends on either side), passport, passport copy, cash, water, food
•When in doubt: Clothes that cover legs, arms, neck, chest
•Have scarf available (good for hair, neck, chest covering)
•Modifying dress/behavior to match social norms (be aware of eye contact, smiling, loudness of voice, etc.)
•Travel in groups/ traveling with a male friend
•Men: long pants, no tank tops encouraged
•Remember: friendly people! Willing to help.
•Resources: host, MISTI, police