Israel-Jordan Border Crossings
Traveling between Israel and Jordan is an adventure filled with history and stunning landscapes. If you want reliable, safe, and comfortable transportation to or from land border crossings in Israel, please contact us. We offer Mercedes V-Class Vans for families and small groups of up to 7 passengers and MiniBuses Mercedes Sprinters for larger groups.
There are three main land border crossings between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan: Northern, Eastern, and Southern. Here’s everything you need to know about these crossings.
Northern Crossing (Sheikh Hussein /Jordan River)
The Northern Crossing, also known as the Sheikh Hussein Bridge or Jordan River crossing on the Israeli side, connects Israel with northern Jordan. It is famous for travelers heading from Tel Aviv or parts of the north of Israel.
Eastern Crossing (King Hussein /Allenby Bridge)
The Eastern crossing, known as the King Hussein Bridge on the Jordanian side and the Allenby Bridge on the Israeli side, is the most direct route to Amman, Jordan’s capital. Tourists visiting Jerusalem and the Dead Sea use this crossing.
Southern Crossing (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba)
The southern crossing called the Yitzhak Rabin Terminal on the Israeli side and the Wadi Araba Crossing on the Jordanian side, is ideal for travelers to and from Eilat and Aqaba, the beautiful coastal cities of both countries.
Different Names for Border Crossings
It’s essential to note that border crossings have different names on each side. For example, the King Hussein Bridge in Jordan is called the Allenby Bridge in Israel. Similarly, the Sheikh Hussein Crossing should be distinct from the King Hussein Crossing, as they are different crossings.
Tips for Crossing the Border
- Prepare Your Documents: Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, including a valid passport and any required visas.
- Check Operating Hours: If you want to cross the border between Jordan and Israel, you must personally (or ask your tour guide to do it) call the particular border crossing and ask for opening hours. Do not rely on information from the internet, even from official websites. There are frequent changes and a lot of outdated information.
Fees and expenses.
- Stay Updated on Fees: I publish the actual fees for crossing the border from Israel to Jordan for all crossings in 2024. Fees can change frequently, and there is a lot of outdated information on the web.
- Calculate Your Expenses: To calculate your expenses for border crossing from any side and particularly if you plan to cross both ways, you should consider a few factors:
- Exit Fees: Fees on exit from both the Israeli and Jordanian sides. (These vary at different crossings)
- Visa Costs: The cost of a visa in Jordan. (This depends on the amount of time spent in Jordan and the ways you enter and leave Jordan)
- Transport Expenses: Transport expenses inside the border crossing, such as the internal shuttle at the King Hussein Crossing
- Check for Forbidden Items:
- Carefully check what items are forbidden to bring to Jordan to avoid surprises at the border.
- Consult Local Experts:
- As an Israeli tour guide with lifelong experience, I know a lot about these crossings. However, when planning an itinerary for my guests, I always consult with my Jordanian colleagues to ensure the best experience. Navigating the Jordan – Israel land border crossings can be smooth with the right information. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, understanding the different crossings and their history will enhance your journey. Hiring a private guide can further reduce hassle and ensure a seamless experience.
Allenby Bridge/ King Hussein – Contacts
Terminal management:
Telephone: 02-5482600/8/30
On-call managers:
Entry hall: 050-9753633
Exit hall: 050-9753632
General: 050-9753613
Information center and permit coordination:
Telephone: 02-5482655
Email: AllenbyIn@iaa.gov.il
DCL – District Coordination and Liaison
Is tasked with liaising with the Palestinian Authority’s representatives and coordinating contacts between the Israeli and Palestinian parties.
Operating hours: According to the terminal’s operating hours.
Telephone: 02-9943375
Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba – Contacts
The Terminal’s Management:
Telephone: 08-6300555
Border Control:
Telephone:*3450
Customs:
Telephone: 074-7611585
Jordanian Embassy in Israel:
Telephone: 03-7517722
Israeli Embassy in Jordan:
Telephone: +962-655524680
Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein – Contacts
Population and Immigration Authority:
Operating Hours:
Subject to the operating hours of the terminal.
Tel: *3450
Further information available at the Population and Immigration Authority website.
Customs:
Customs offices are located in the passengers’ halls and in the cargo terminal.
Tel: 074-7612144
Operating Hours: Subject to the operating hours of the terminal.
Further information available at the Tax Authorities website.
LFFU – Liaison with Foreign Forces Unit:
Operating Hours:
Subject to the operating hours of the terminal.
Office Location: In the military site.
Tel: 052-9415996
Terminal’s Telephone Exchange:
Tel: 04-6093410
- Stay Updated on Fees: I publish the actual fees for crossing the border from Israel to Jordan for all crossings in 2024. Fees can change frequently, and there is a lot of outdated information on the web.
- Calculate Your Expenses: To calculate your expenses for border crossing from any side and particularly if you plan to cross both ways, you should consider a few factors:
- Exit Fees: Fees on exit from both the Israeli and Jordanian sides. (These vary at different crossings)
- Visa Costs: The cost of a visa in Jordan. (This depends on the amount of time spent in Jordan and the ways you enter and leave Jordan)
- Transport Expenses: Transport expenses inside the border crossing, such as the internal shuttle at the King Hussein Crossing.
- Check for Forbidden Items: Carefully check what items are forbidden to bring to Jordan to avoid surprises at the border.
- Consult Local Experts: As an Israeli tour guide with lifelong experience, I know a lot about these crossings. However, when planning an itinerary for my guests, I always consult with my Jordanian colleagues to ensure the best experience.
- Navigating the Jordan – Israel land border crossings can be smooth with the right information. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, understanding the different crossings and their history will enhance your journey. Hiring a private guide can further reduce hassle and ensure a seamless experience.
- Fees official website https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/land-border-crossings/alenbi/fees/
Fees
Fee Rates for Crossing Land Border Terminals 2024
Ways of paying the fee:
– At all Postal Bank offices in Israel with no additional commission*. The voucher purchased at the Postal Bank must be cashed into tolls at Milgam’s branch at the terminal.
– At the offices of the border terminal’s financial operator (Milgam) for an additional counter commission of NIS 6.
– On Milgam’s website by credit card. To pay, click here.
* Payment at the Postal Bank is in cash or by bank draft. The voucher is issued at the bank when the payment is made. The fee voucher at the postal bank is limited to payment for only 100 passengers. However, “multi-receipting” is possible – that is to say, paying by means of a bank draft split into several installments according to the above restriction – up to 100 fees per voucher and a corresponding number of vouchers.
The following passengers are exempted from paying a crossing fee (pursuant to Section 2-B of the Airports Authority (Fees at the Land Crossing Terminals) Regulations, 5755-1994:
- A person exiting Israel and bearing a diplomatic passport or a certificate certifying him to be a member of the United Nations serving in UNTSO or a member of the Multinational Force or the International Red Cross.
- A person under the age of two years.
- The driver of a minibus or public bus, in the course of carrying out his duties of transporting passengers from or to Israel.
- The driver of a commercial vehicle exiting Israel in a commercial vehicle driven by him in the course of carrying out his duties of transporting freights from or to Israel.
- A taxi driver exiting Israel in a taxi driven by him in the course of carrying out his duties of transporting passengers from or to Israel.
- A person participating in rescue searches, in the provision of medical assistance to injured persons and in another humanitarian activity.
- A member of a government delegation crossing at Arava Terminal, Jordan River Terminal or Allenby Terminal for the purpose of carrying out his duties of negotiating between Israel and a neighboring country, as part of one of the Regular Joint Committees, who has been included in a list approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The holder of a VIP passport / laissez-passer issued pursuant to the Interim Agreement Between Israel and the Palestinians of 4 Tishrei 5756 (September 28, 1995), in accordance with a determination made by the Joint Higher Civil Committee of Israel and the Palestinian Party, within the meaning of such determination in such agreement; the chief delegate of the Israeli party will notify the Airports Authority of the content of such determination.
- An official of the UN’s Refugee Welfare and Employment Agency, crossing at Arava Terminal, Jordan River Terminal or Allenby Terminal, who has been included in a list approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for such purpose.
History of the Jordan – Israel Border
1918 – 1921
Before World War I, the area that now includes Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip was under the Ottoman Empire’s rule. After the war, this region became known as British Palestine, under British control. This historical context is important for understanding the significance of the current borders.
In 1920, the British military rule of Palestine was replaced by a civil administration. The following year, Winston Churchill was appointed colonial secretary of the British Empire and made a historic visit to the Middle East. In March 1921, the Cairo Conference was held.
1921 – 2948
The most significant outcome of the Cairo Conference was the decision to implement a new territorial solution. Abdullah bin Hussein was appointed to administer the territory east of the Jordan River, known as Transjordan. His brother Faisal was appointed king of the newly created Kingdom of Iraq. Both leaders were to receive direction and financial support from Great Britain.
Due to this decision, the territory east of the Jordan River was separated from British Palestine and became a semi-autonomous region called Transjordan, which would later become the Kingdom of Jordan.
The line drawn on the map by Winston Churchill during the 1921 Cairo Conference is the border between Jordan and Israel today. Jordanians commemorate the events of 1921 as the starting point of Jordanian independence. This area has witnessed wars and conflicts throughout history.
The Kingdom of Jordan was established in 1946, and the State of Israel was created two years later, in 1948.
1948 – 1967
In 1948, King Abdullah of Jordan conquered the West Bank, located west of the Jordan River, and annexed it to his territory. However, in 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel reclaimed this territory from Jordan.
The Israel-Jordan Border: Evolution from 1967 to Present
After years of hostility, a peace agreement was signed in 1994 between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan. This agreement resolved border conflicts, and now there is a relatively peaceful border with official crossings. The question of the West Bank remains unresolved.
This is why the eastern crossing, called the Allenby Bridge on the Israeli side and the King Hussein Bridge on the Jordanian side, serves only Palestinians from the West Bank and tourists but not Israelis. It remains a more complicated place politically and operationally. The other two crossings, the northern (Sheikh Hussein Bridge) and the southern (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba), serve both tourists and Israelis.
