Border Crossing Information

Crossing From Jordan To Jerusalem

Crossing From Jerusalem To Jordan
 

The following is a step-by-step explanation of procedure and steps in crossing between Jordan and Jerusalem via Allenby or King Hussein Bridge using the shuttle bus. For more information see also Allenby / King Hussein Bridge Information.

Crossing From Jordan To Jerusalem

a. Jordanian Terminal

When you arrive at the Jordanian Terminal at the King Hussein Bridge make sure you go to the tourists terminal. You must pay the exit tax if it is applicale (JOD 10 pp, approx $15 - exempt if you have spent less than 2 nights in Jordan - subject to change). After immigration checks your passport, they will keep it and return it to you on the shuttle bus. You will be told to board the shuttle bus and await its departure. You will pay JOD 5 pp (approx $7) plus JOD 1.50 (approx $2) per each piece of stored luggage for the shuttle bus.

b. Shuttle between border Terminals

The shuttle bus leaves the Jordanian terminal for the approximately 10 klm . Along the way there will be several checkpoints and barriers. The shuttle bus is irregular and you may have to wait a long time for it. You can avoid the shuttle by using the VIP service at the bridge. See below.

c. Israeli Terminal:

When the shuttle bus pulls up in front of the Israeli terminal, your first stop is to hand over your passport to porters who will give your passport to a security person a few meters away. IMPORTANT: If you have hand luggage only keep that with you, otherwise if you hand it with your passport it will be treated as checked luggage and go for a security check that will delay you. If you have big luggage you will hand it with your passport. You will get back your passport with a sticker on it indicating the number of checked luggage you have. From here enter the terminal for a body and hand luggage security check. Continue then to the immigration hall. Go to the immigration kiosks in the far side of the hall (they are for tourists). Immigration officers issue you with a ID card with your passport photo on it. This must be kept with your passport throughout your stay in Israel. This system replaces stamps in passports, unless a traveller specifically asks for a stamp in their passport. However, if it important that you don't get an Israeli stamp in your passport, we recommend making this clear to the immigration officer, just to be certain.

After the immigration kiosks there is another check with the passport. Then out to the hall where the checked luggage is discharged. Continue past the customs counters and out of the Terminal.

d. Outside the Israeli Terminal:

For transfers, when you exit the terminal turn to your left and their is a taxi booth after 5m. They will have details of your reservation and provide your onward transportation.

For tours, when you exit the terminal you will find your driver and/or guide with a Guiding Star / Amman2Jerusalem sign with your name on it.

The whole border process starting at the Jordanian border terminal and ending at the exit of Israeli terminal can take anything between 2-5 hours. Usually it takes longer when the border is busy. This tends to be during the summer months (July, August) and around Moslem holidays (when Palestinians travel to and from the oPT). The border is also busy when there is Umrah (Moslem Pilgrimage) traffic returning to Israel and Palesine. This seems to occur on Sundays and Mondays of the week.

The good news is that any delays that occur are upon entering Palestine/ Israel and almost never when leaving Israel/ Palestine and entering Jordan.

Note, much as we would wish otherwise, we have no control over the procedure, systems, crowds and queues at the border. Look at these as the possible price to pay to visit the great city of Jerusalem. If you want to avoid them consider paying the steep approximately $108 pp for the VIP service; or travelling via the Jordan River Border (though here you will add 3 hours of driving). You may also consider complaining to the Israeli authorities about the situation at the border.

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Crossing From Jerusalem To Jordan

a. Israeli Terminal:

Your vehicle will drop you off outside the Israeli terminal. You enter the terminal. Head to the exit tax kiosk to pay your exit tax. Take your exit tax to the immigration counter and hand it over with your passport. After processing your passport you will enter into a waiting area with seats. Here you can wait till called to board your shuttle bus.

b. Shuttle between border terminals

The shuttle bus will leave to the Jordanian terminal. Along the way the Jordanian police will collect your passports. These will be held by the driver and given to the Jordanian immigration at the Jordanian Terminal. On arrival at the Jordanian terminal a ticket collector will board the bus and you will pay JOD 5 pp (approx $8) plus JOD 1.50 (approx $2) per piece of checked luggage. You will then disembark the bus into the Jordanian Border Terminal. The shuttle bus is irregular and you may have to wait a long time for it. You can avoid the shuttle by using the VIP service at the bridge. See below.

c. Jordanian Border Terminal

Inside the terminal your name will be called and you will be handed your passport. If you have a person meeting you they should meet you at the terminal.

Note you must have a Jordanian visa in advance to enter Jordan at Allenby/ King Hussein Bridge. Please read the section on Visas for Jordan for fuller information and exceptions.

The whole border formalities from arrival at the Israeli Terminal to exiting the Jordanian Terminal takes between 1-2 hours. It rarely takes longer than this.

Note, much as we would wish otherwise, we have no control over the procedure, systems, crowds and queues at the border. If you want to avoid them consider paying the steep approximately $108 pp for the VIP service. You may also consider complaining to the Israeli authorities about the situation at the border. The good news is that any delays that occur are upon entering Palestine/ Israel and almost never when leaving Israel/ Palestine and entering Jordan.

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