When it comes to crossing from Jordan to Palestine and Israel, let’s get three things clear. One, it is not an easy, straightforward process, two, it is not quick, and three, it is not cheap.
Why is it so hard to cross the border? Without getting political, it is prohibited to drive Jordanian/Israeli border. Just look how close they are on the map, but the route shown is non-sensical. No comment.
The following article will tell you from firsthand experience all the steps for a foreigner (non-Jordanian/non-Palestinian) to get from Amman to Jerusalem, or other cities in Palestine and Israel, the cheapest way possible by land.
Tip: Check the Jordanian/Israeli border timings and schedule ahead of time.
Tip 2: If you will be traveling back to Jordan after your visit, make sure you have a re-entry visa for Jordan. If you have the Jordan Pass you will be covered to re-enter via Allenby.
Step 1 – Bus to North Amman
Take a bus from Jordan University to Mujamma Al-Shamal bus station (مجمع باصات الشمال) in North Amman (map). Price: 1/2 JD
Tip: Start your journey as early as possible. 7 am should be fine.
Step 2 – Bus to King Hussein Bridge (Allenby)
At Mujamma Al Shamal bus station you can get to the Jordanian border crossing by “shared taxi”. Price: 8-10 JD. Option two is to take a public bus that departs directly from the station. The bus from Mujamma Al Shamal station to King Hussein Bridge (also known as Allenby Bridge) costs 5 JD and the trip takes around 1 hour.
Step 3 – Arrival at Jordanian Border
When you arrive by shared taxi or public bus to the Jordan border, everyone is required to get out of the vehicle and pass the Jordanian border. There is a line for Jordanians and Palestinians (right-hand side) and a line for foreigners and groups (left-hand side). As it can be a bit chaotic, if you doubt which line to go and don’t speak Arabic, just show your passport to a police officer and they should point you in the right direction. Here you must pay the exit fees of 10 JD.
Step 4 – Exiting Jordan
After you have paid your 10 JD exit fees to the Jordanian Border Patrol, you need to go back outside and wait for another bus. It’s hard to say how long you will have to wait for the bus, but expect a minimum of 15 minutes. This shuttle bus will take you across the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge to the Israeli border. You pay the ticket inside the bus. Without luggage, the bus ticket costs 12 JD.
The bus ride on the bridge is about 45 minutes because of border traffic.
Step 5 – Israeli Border
Once arrived at the Israeli side, you will be guided through a security check and then questioning with the Israeli Border Patrol. You never know how much time it will take you. It can be quick (about an hour) but it can also take 5-8 hours. It’s a crap shoot based on the data the Israeli Intelligence has on you. Usually, with a European or American passport, there should be no problem.
Tip: There is free WiFi in the Israeli side of the Allenby crossing.
Step 6 – Bus to Jerusalem
Once you pass the Israeli border control, there are buses or shared taxis (called Sherut, “shared route”) that will take you to Jerusalem, Jericho or other cities.
To Jerusalem – There is a sherut mini-bus from the border that costs 20 JD. It is expensive, but other options are not easily found. The end stop in Jerusalem is the “Damascus Gate” from where you can take the tramway or a taxi or even walk to the old city. Option two, which is much cheaper, but more time-consuming and not as easy, is to take a taxi from the border to Beit Shean, the junction of Allenby bridge on highway 90. From there, Bus 961 will take you to Jerusalem.
Money exchange tip: There is a money converter at the border but I strongly recommend to change dinars to shekels only in Jerusalem, where you can find “no commission” exchange offices.
Thank you to Lévi Sollberger, an expat living in Jordan, for the detailed information about crossing from Amman to Jerusalem.
My Amman Life 
Hi, thanks for the tips. The googlemap extract is a monument of fun, by itself :-):-) 🙂
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I guess “fun” could be one way to explain it. #smh 😛
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thanks for this info … different websites says different info as to what allenby crossing hours on saturday. 12 nn or 1 pm or 3 pm …. just curious since this is the day we plan to go to jerusalem from jordan this october. pls help me. thanks
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Last I checked, the King Hussein Bridge (Allenby) is on the border between the “West Bank” and Jordan. To my knowledge the WB is still considered occupied Palestine and not Israel. How is one then on the Jordan/Israel border or Israel side of the border? Also please heed to international law when you describe Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is still considered occupied territory according to international law and not part of Israel.
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Hi Ammani. The post was written a while back so it probably needs updating, but I refer to Jordan/Israel border as you have to cross both Jordanian and Israeli customs to pass. There are Israelis working there so you are crossing into Israel in the document sense, at least.
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I am an Australian citizen who have been recently in Jordan and wanted to travel to Jerusalem! But the Jordanian officer at king Hussein bridge has told me to get a permit from Israeli embassy in Amman to be able to visit Jerusalem!! I went to the embassy but it was closed and the security told me to go to Raizing group! Which it will help me in getting the visa! I went there and the officer has applied for a visa for me! What surprized me that the officer has told me the response from the concerned Israeli authorities takes around two weeks!! And He couldn’t guarantee for me the approval of concerned authorities to issue this visiting visa!!
Has others experienced same complicated long ambigious procedures to get visa to Jerusalem.
Also, Is there a way to get a visiting visa to Jerusalem without going through all this Non complications!!
21st October 2021
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Hey! The issue is corona. Israel doesn’t allow tourism still, that’s why you weren’t allowed in.
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I’ve already got COVID vaccines and I have the certificate with me! So, they have NO excuse!! Not to allow me entering to Jerusalem!! Especially I was at the bridge and showed them the certificate for vaccination!!
Also, I loved to visit Jerusalem while the weather is not cold!! As soon the weather will be getting cold!!
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I understand your frustration. We haven’t visited family in Palestine in 2 years because of the restriction for no tourists allowed into Israel.
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From where Australian tourists can get visa in Amman to visit Jerusalem? What are he procedures and how long will take to get it in Amman?
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As far as I know Israel isn’t allowing anyone to enter the country, including Palestine, because of COVID.
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What about the Jewish settlers who have been recently brought by Israeli government to settle in West bank!
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The situation is messed up, we all know that and can agree on it.
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Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for this really helpful guide. We live in Europe and are thinking about using the crossing so we can combine visiting my father in Jordan with visiting friends in Israel, later this year. Do you know what the latest is on the border? Is there an authoritative source to find out? Or maybe even just the name of the bus company that does the route from Amman to the crossing? As far as I can tell on the Israeli travel website, there is no restriction against tourists to the country at the moment.
Thanks
Saamah
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Dear Chelsea,
Thanks for your great article. Do you know if there has been any update on the border crossing? As far as I understand, Israel is now allowing tourists to enter the country again. Does that mean that the border crossing is open again? Is there an authoritative place I could call to get the latest? Thanks for your tips in advance! And I look forward to looking at the rest of your blog
Take care
Saamah
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