travelaw

This question was posted back in 1999, but I am hoping that someone has updated info. We want to get from Amman to Jerusalem in late December. What is the best way to do that? Can we take taxis, hire a car service? Where should we cross? Any tips on crossing? We will be flying out of Israel, and will not be returning to Amman. How long would this take? Are we crazy to try this?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

sandi

You're not crazy if you have to depart from TLV. I do, however, recall that there was a flight/s between AMM/TLV and believe both Royal Jordanian and El Al flew the route. If it still exists, it's a non-flight... barely up in the air and landing. Kind of like the hope over SFO bay to Oakland.

There are regular visitors to Israel that post here who can probably give you better information if you have to do a land crossing.

Are you traveling on your own? Through a tour operator? If the latter, the tour operator should be able to arrange a transfer - I would think!

But check the air route till some other responses.

travelaw

Thanks sandi. We are making our own air arrangements to join a tour of Jordan. The tour ends in Amman, and since we have a few extra days before we need to be home, we decided that we would like to spend a few days in Jerusalem. We thought about flying from AMM to TLV, but for 3 people the price seemed kind of expensive for just a few days -- especially since Jerusalem is only 44 miles from Amman -- and TLV is 24 miles from Jerusalem. For those reasons, we thought we would try to do on the ground. If we can work this out, after we visit Jerusalem, we will fly out of TLV back home.

Mamamia

I don't think Amman is 44 miles from Jerusalem, nor is Jerusalem 24 miles from TLV... Not when driving, at least... I'd say it's more like DOUBLE the distance.

I would NOT chose driving from Amman to Jerusalem. You'll waste a lot of time in the border (security checkup), which is not the most efficient and pleasant place... You'll have to cross the border by foot and get into an Israeli taxi.

If you're vacationing, take a flight. Save a lot of time and aggravation.

travelaw

Mamamia, those are the mileage numbers I found in a couple of guidebooks -- certainly they may be as the crow flies -- and not driving distances -- my point was that there is only a difference of approximately 20-30 miles -- and it seemed silly to fly for such a short trip. While we are taking a tour in Jordan, I would not classify this trip as "vacationing" -- most of our travel is for educational purposes -- learning about other cultures, places, history, etc. The tour we are taking is not an air-conditioned bus, 4-star hotel sort of deal. That said, we were hoping to avoid the extra expense of another air ticket (x 3 people) - especially when the distances seemed quite short. Maybe there is some hassle involved with going overland -- but isn't that part of learning about the conditions other people live in? I probably sholul have clarified that my question about whether we are crazy to do this had more to do with whether one could physically accomplish such a trip -- and whether it was even possible -- or advisable, given the political climate there. Thanks for spending the time to respond, however, and I hope others will weigh in with their opinions.

maxwell

I flew from TLV to Amman this summer (i was coming from Jerusalem) and then flew back, as I planned my trip at the last minute and couldn't figure out the land crossing in time and was concerned about doing it by myself (female traveling alone). So many locals in Jersualem literally laughed at me when I said I was flying to Amman (they were all shocked I wasn't just taking a taxi)...I definitely got the impression that I had wasted money on a plane ticket. that being said, I didn't actually do the land crossing myself, but I certainly got the impression that it was easy to get cabs on both sides for far less than my ticket. hopefully someone on this board has done the crossing and can give you a better idea. Jordan was great - enjoy your trip!

SaudiA

It's interesting I'm planning the same with my family in late Dec. The Royal Jordanian Airline ticket is $280. I read somewhere at the domestic airport is $144 with Arab Wing. There are a few crossings. The most frequent without stamping on your passport is the King Hussein bridge or the Allenby bridge. I contacted both agents in Israel and Amman and they charge a lot for the transfer. I've friends that crossed over in 2000 and nothing changed yet. So the best is take a taxi to Adbali bus station in Amman or get on a servee for 2JD (Jordan Dinar) per person for the 1 hr journey to the crossing. The crossing may take 2 to 5 hrs depends on how busy it is. The exit fee is 4 JD. The bus between the two sides is 2.5 JD. The sherout (share taxi) cost 30 shekels to go there to Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. From Jerusalem you could take train to TVV for 19 shekels ($5). It is must cheaper than the travel agent that will cost you over $100-200.

lerasp

can anyone update on current situation of King Hussein/Allenby crossing? i have 2 extra nights (3 days) in jordan and would like to go to jerusalem. day 1 crossing, get to Jerusalme, day 2 - full day there, day 3 get back to amman. how long should i plan total for transfer? is it worth it for such short time? alternatively, what else (interesting) can i do with that time period? already have amman, jerash and petra planned (2 full days in petra).
is it easier (or faster?) to go to damascus instead?
i will be by myself, so will skip Wadi Rum (and been to desert plenty times in morocco and egypt, although appreciate it may be different). by myself, i won't really have fun there.
tentative itinerary is this:
june 19th - arrive amman
20th - jerash
21-23 - open. jerusalem? damascus?
23 (or can make 24th) - get to petra
24th, 25th - full days in petra
26th - morning transfer to aqaba, ferry to nuweiba.
i'd apprecaite if anyone can give comments on my plans. i will be traveling alone.

lerasp

one more question - if i go to jerusalem, june 21st will be thursday, but 23rd is saturday. are the crossing open on saturday? i could shift it up by one day (go wed-fri), but i imagine friday will be same issue. they are either open or closed on both days.