Jordan and Israel share peace-treaty status since 1994, meaning their land borders are open to international tourists crossing in both directions. Three official crossings handle civilian traffic. Each serves different geographic needs, and each has different fees, transport options, and practical implications.
This guide covers all three crossings in practical detail — what they cost, how to get there, and which one makes sense for your itinerary.
The three crossings: overview
| Crossing | Jordan side | Israel side | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Hussein / Allenby Bridge | Amman area (30 km east of Jerusalem) | Jericho area, West Bank | Amman ↔ Jerusalem route |
| Sheikh Hussein / Jordan River | North Jordan (Irbid area) | Beit She’an, north Israel | North Jordan ↔ Galilee/Tel Aviv |
| Wadi Araba / Yitzhak Rabin | Aqaba | Eilat | Aqaba ↔ Eilat route, Petra day trips |
Crossing 1: King Hussein Bridge (Allenby Bridge)
The most-used crossing for tourists, connecting Amman’s outskirts with the West Bank near Jericho, and from there onward to Jerusalem (35 km further west).
Key facts:
- The only crossing Jordan considers a West Bank crossing rather than Israel proper — passport stamps and Israeli procedures differ from the other two crossings
- On the Jordanian side, the terminal is approximately 50 km west of central Amman
- On the Israeli side, you exit into the West Bank (Palestinian Authority territory), then cross into Israel proper westward
Important note on passport stamps: Israel does not stamp passports at this crossing (at traveller request) at the other crossings. If you are concerned about Israeli stamps affecting travel to Arab countries (beyond Jordan, which has full diplomatic relations with Israel), the Allenby Bridge crossing is the most discreet option — ask explicitly.
Fees:
- Jordan departure fee: approximately 10 JOD (included in some bus tickets)
- Israeli entry fee: 116 ILS (approximately 30 USD) exit tax when leaving Israel
Transport to the crossing:
- From Amman: JETT operates a bus service to the King Hussein Bridge terminal from the Abdali terminal in central Amman. Check current schedule on jett.com.jo.
- From Jerusalem: sherut (shared minibuses/taxis) from the Damascus Gate area go to the Allenby Bridge crossing — straightforward and cheap
- Private taxis from Amman: 20–30 JOD
At the crossing: Expect 2–3 hours crossing time, longer in peak periods (Friday afternoons, holidays). Both sides conduct thorough baggage screening. Have your visa or Jordan Pass ready on the Jordanian side; ensure your Israeli visa/entry status is arranged in advance if applicable (most Western nationalities receive automatic tourist entry).
Note on Israeli visas and Jordan Pass: If entering Jordan from Israel at Allenby, you will need a Jordanian visa. The Jordan Pass is accepted here as your visa (you still need to have activated it), but you will pay the Jordan entry fee (40 JOD) if you do not have the pass. See our Jordan Pass guide.
Crossing 2: Sheikh Hussein (Jordan River crossing)
The northern crossing connects the Beit She’an Valley in Israel with the area around Irbid in northern Jordan. Less used than Allenby but a cleaner, faster crossing.
Key facts:
- Full Israeli passport stamps are issued here (unlike the ambiguous status of Allenby)
- Shorter wait times than Allenby in most cases
- Better for travellers combining north Jordan (Jerash, Ajloun, Umm Qais) with Galilee or Tel Aviv
Fees:
- Jordan departure fee: approximately 10 JOD
- Israeli exit tax: 116 ILS when leaving Israel
- Jordan entry visa: 40 JOD without Jordan Pass (or free with Jordan Pass and 3-night minimum stay)
Transport:
- From Irbid (Jordan): minibuses to the Sheikh Hussein terminal. A taxi from central Irbid costs 5–8 JOD.
- From Beit She’an (Israel): taxis from the town centre; direct bus connections to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem exist from Beit She’an
Crossing time: Typically 1–2 hours, sometimes faster. Good days you can clear both sides in under an hour.
Crossing 3: Wadi Araba / Yitzhak Rabin crossing (Eilat ↔ Aqaba)
The fastest and most tourist-friendly of the three crossings. Eilat and Aqaba are literally adjacent cities — the crossing takes 5–10 minutes by land, less than you spend at airport security.
Why this crossing is special:
- Aqaba falls within Jordan’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ), meaning no Jordan entry visa is required at this crossing — free entry for nationals who normally pay the 40 JOD visa
- Jordan Pass is not needed at this crossing to waive the visa fee (though it still covers your site entries)
- The crossing is fast, modern, and well-organised
- Israeli passport stamps are issued here; these do not affect Jordan entry
Fees:
- Jordan entry: free (Aqaba SEZ exemption)
- Jordan exit: approximately 10 JOD
- Israel exit: 116 ILS (about 30 USD)
Transport:
- From Eilat (Israel): taxis to the crossing cost about 30 ILS. There is also a shuttle bus service.
- From Aqaba (Jordan): taxis to the crossing cost 2–5 JOD from central Aqaba. It is a very short ride.
After crossing: From the Aqaba side, taxis to central Aqaba are immediately available (2–3 JOD). From Aqaba you can continue to Wadi Rum (1 hour) or Petra (2 hours) by taxi or transfer.
Petra day trips from Eilat: The Wadi Araba crossing is the logical entry point for day trips to Petra from Israel. Several organised tour options cross here and include transport to Petra and back in a single day.
From Eilat: Petra day private tourFor travellers wanting the Petra experience without an overnight stay in Jordan, a day trip via Wadi Araba crossing is genuinely doable — Eilat to Petra and back in one long day.
From Tel Aviv: Petra guided day tour with return flightsGeneral crossing tips
Documents: A valid passport with at least six months validity is required at all crossings. Check your country’s relationship with Israel — nationals of a small number of countries cannot cross into Israel regardless of their Jordan visa status.
Dual-passport strategy: If you have dual citizenship and one passport has no Israeli stamps/visa, some travellers use separate passports to avoid visa complications with other countries. This is a personal decision; both passports must show your identity consistency and you must declare both to authorities if asked.
Timing: Avoid Friday afternoons (Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset) and Jewish holidays — crossings become extremely busy in both directions. Early morning departures (8–10 AM) are typically the smoothest.
Currency: Carry both Jordanian Dinars (JOD) and Israeli Shekels (ILS) for your fees. ATMs are available on both sides of the Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein crossings. Allenby has limited ATM access; change money before you arrive.
Exit fees: Israel charges all departing travellers an exit tax — currently 116 ILS. This is usually not included in flight or bus prices. Pay at a designated counter before you reach the crossing gate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cross both ways at the same crossing?
Yes — you can enter Jordan at Wadi Araba and exit at Allenby Bridge, for example. Your visa status applies to your entry only; the exit point is separate.
Do I need a pre-arranged visa for Jordan at the crossings?
At Wadi Araba (Aqaba): no visa needed (Aqaba SEZ, free entry). At Allenby Bridge and Sheikh Hussein: a Jordan visa on arrival is available for most Western nationalities, 40 JOD, or free with a Jordan Pass purchased in advance. See Jordan visa requirements.
Will Israeli stamps in my passport cause problems in Jordan?
No. Jordan and Israel have had full diplomatic relations since 1994 and Jordanian border officials routinely see Israeli stamps. This is not the same situation as some other Arab countries where Israeli stamps could cause entry refusal.
Are the crossings open 24 hours?
No. Hours vary by crossing and day:
- Wadi Araba: typically 8 AM–10 PM Sunday–Thursday, shorter Friday–Saturday
- Sheikh Hussein: approximately 8 AM–8 PM
- Allenby Bridge: more complex hours, often closing Friday–Saturday (Israeli Sabbath) or at reduced hours; verify on the current schedule before travel
Check official Jordanian and Israeli customs websites for current hours as they do change seasonally and for holidays.
Practical notes for each crossing scenario
If you are doing a Petra day trip from Israel
The most popular visitor pattern using the Jordan–Israel crossings is a Petra day trip from Eilat or Tel Aviv. The Wadi Araba crossing is the logical entry point for Eilat-based visitors — it is 5 minutes from central Eilat and drops you directly into Aqaba, 2 hours from Petra.
You will need:
- Your passport (valid 6 months+)
- A Jordan visa (Aqaba entry is free — see above)
- Tour or transport arranged to Petra from Aqaba (typically included in organised day-tour packages)
- Payment for Israeli exit tax (116 ILS at the crossing)
- Return transport arranged back to Aqaba before the closing time
From Tel Aviv, the same trip involves either flying to Eilat (45 min) and crossing at Wadi Araba, or travelling overland to the King Hussein Bridge and crossing to Amman, then continuing south. The Eilat route is significantly shorter and more practical for a day trip.
Organised Petra day tours from Eilat or Tel Aviv handle all of this — transfer, crossing, Jordan transport, guide, and return:
From Eilat: Petra day private tour From Tel Aviv: Petra guided day tour with return flightsIf you are doing a longer Jordan trip starting or ending in Israel
For travellers combining a full Jordan itinerary with time in Israel, the most practical pattern is:
Israel first, then Jordan: Fly into Tel Aviv. See Jerusalem, the Galilee, the Negev. Cross into Jordan at Sheikh Hussein (north) to see Jerash and Amman, continuing south to Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba. Exit Jordan at Wadi Araba back to Eilat, then fly home or continue.
Jordan first, then Israel: Fly into Amman. Tour Jordan south to north. Cross at Sheikh Hussein to Beit She’an and continue north through Israel. Exit from Tel Aviv.
Both patterns work logistically and both use different crossings for entry and exit — which is fine with the appropriate multi-entry visa for Israel (Israelis do not need a multi-entry for Jordan, but tourists should confirm their Jordan visa allows re-entry if they plan to cross back in).
If you are a journalist or have stamps from countries hostile to Israel
Jordan and Israel have full diplomatic relations, which means Jordan does not restrict visitors with Israeli stamps. However, if you have passport stamps from countries that do not recognize Israel (such as some Gulf states, Iran, Syria, or others), you may face additional questions at Israeli border crossings. This is an Israeli procedure, not a Jordanian one — Israel may conduct extended interviews. This is not a reason to avoid the crossing, but plan extra time.
Bringing goods across
Duty-free allowances (entering Jordan):
- 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco
- 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine
- Personal items in reasonable quantities
Duty-free allowances (entering Israel):
- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco
- 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits (for those over 18)
- Gifts and personal effects up to $200 in value
What not to carry across: Military, police, or government uniforms; items that appear to serve security or surveillance purposes; large quantities of currency without declaration. Standard international customs rules apply. Both Jordan and Israel conduct thorough customs inspections at land crossings.
Currency at the crossings
At Wadi Araba: ATMs are available on the Israeli side (ILS) in Eilat, and on the Jordanian side in Aqaba (JOD). If crossing from Israel to Jordan, withdraw enough JOD in Aqaba to cover your Jordanian expenses. At the crossing itself, pay exit fees in ILS (Israel side) or JOD (Jordan side); USD is typically accepted as a fallback.
At King Hussein Bridge: ATM access is limited at the crossing itself. Have both currencies ready before you arrive. Exchange offices exist at the crossing but offer poor rates.
At Sheikh Hussein: Better ATM access than Allenby on both sides. The crossing is more modern and commercially organised than the older King Hussein Bridge terminal.