Crossing between Jordan and Israel by land is easy to do and easy to get wrong. There are three crossings, each with different hours, visa rules and fees, and the published sources don't agree with each other. This guide lays out what each one says, flags the conflicts and tells you what to confirm before you travel.
Short version.
The three crossings are King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge near Jericho, Sheikh Hussein Bridge near Beit She'an in the north and Wadi Araba near Aqaba and Eilat. A Jordanian visa on arrival is generally available at Sheikh Hussein. Sources disagree about Wadi Araba, and at King Hussein you should arrange the visa first. Hours and fees differ by source, so check the official page for your date and give yourself a margin (checked October 2026).
The three crossings
King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge
Near Jericho, about 57 km from Amman, and the busiest of the three. The Jordan Tourism Board's border page lists Sunday to Thursday 8:00 to 21:00 and Friday and Saturday 8:00 to 12:00. JI Tours (November 2025) lists 8:00 to 20:00 on the Jordan side for Sunday to Thursday and says it's closed Friday, Saturday and public holidays, which doesn't match. It's the one crossing that private cars and tour buses can't use, so you change vehicles at the border. Against the Compass, whose page was updated in July 2026 but draws on reports from 2017 to 2019, says a Jordanian visa is generally not available on arrival at Allenby, so apply in advance.
Sheikh Hussein Bridge (north)
About 90 km from Amman, near Beit She'an and Lake Tiberias. The Jordan Tourism Board lists Sunday to Thursday 8:30 to 19:30 and Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 18:00. JI Tours lists 8:00 to 20:00 and 8:00 to 15:00. Visas are available on arrival for most nationalities. It is the least crowded, and suits the north: Against the Compass suggests it for Jerash and northern Jordan, and says the nearest Jordanian town is Irbid, with a taxi of about 20 JD.
Wadi Araba / Yitzhak Rabin (south)
Links Aqaba and Eilat, about 324 km from Amman. The Jordan Tourism Board lists Sunday to Thursday 7:30 to 21:00 and Friday and Saturday 9:00 to 21:00, and says it's closed on the Islamic New Year and Yom Kippur. JI Tours says 8:00 to 20:00 and 8:00 to 15:00. Walking to Aqaba (about 3 km) isn't allowed, so you take a taxi (Against the Compass).
Our earlier version of this post gave one set of hours. Three published sources now give three, so treat all of them as approximate and confirm on the day with the border authorities.
Visas and the Jordan Pass
- Visa on arrival:
the Jordan Tourism Board gives 40 JOD for a single entry valid for one month, and 120 JOD for a six-month multiple-entry visa, paid in local currency.
- Wadi Araba:
the Jordan Tourism Board says no visas have been issued since 1 January 2016, except Israeli tour groups and tourists with proper documents, while the Jordan Pass FAQ says eligible Jordan Pass holders can get a visa on arrival there, and the Tourism Board's own table asks for an advance visa. These contradict each other, so ask the Jordan Pass team (info@jordanpass.jo) before relying on either.
- Jordan Pass at Wadi Araba:
the FAQ says the visa is waived for eligible pass holders who stay at least two whole nights, and that without the pass, entering and exiting at Wadi Araba after two nights also waives the fee. If you present the pass but leave without two nights, the fee is 60 JD.
- Jordan Pass at Sheikh Hussein:
the FAQ says visa on arrival is available, and the waiver rule is the same.
- Jordan Pass at King Hussein:
the FAQ doesn't mention it, and Against the Compass says its use there is disputed and needs checking.
- Two nights or three:
the FAQ says two whole nights (three days), while the Tourism Board's own blog says three nights. See our Jordan Pass guide
for the maths.
Our earlier post said the pass applies at Sheikh Hussein and Wadi Araba but not at King Hussein, which matches the FAQ's silence on King Hussein, but we can't point to an official line that says so.
Fees
The Jordan Tourism Board gives a departure tax of 10 JOD at non-airport crossings. Against the Compass has a more detailed breakdown for the Wadi Araba exit that depends on how long you stayed: free if you stayed more than two nights, 60 JD for one night or less, and 10 JD for two nights. That page is based on traveller reports, so treat it as a guide. The Israeli exit fees are published at different figures: 176 ILS at King Hussein and 105 ILS at the other two (Against the Compass), against 176 ILS for the first two and free at Wadi Araba for stays under three months (JI Tours). Our earlier post gave about 181 ILS. Shuttle costs at King Hussein are listed at 7 to 7.50 JD per person plus luggage fees. All of these change, so confirm before you go.
Planning the crossing
- Allow a margin.
Commenters on Against the Compass advise arriving one to two hours before closing, which isn't the author's advice, but it's sensible.
- Holidays change hours.
Several sources say hours and fees change on holidays and weekends.
- Passport stamps.
Against the Compass says Israel doesn't stamp passports but Jordan may, and that entering Israel from Jordan can involve questioning.
- Cars.
Don't assume a hire car can cross. Against the Compass says Jordanian rental companies may not insure travel to Israel, and advises against driving an Israeli-registered car into Jordan.
- Taxis are expensive at the borders.
On a budget, take a taxi to the nearest city and a bus onward.
- Re-entry.
Against the Compass says re-entry on the same visa generally needs you to exit and re-enter via the same border.
We can arrange private transfers to and from the border so you aren't haggling at the gate. See our transportation page.
Check the current situation first
Neither the Tourism Board page nor the other sources we read list any closure this month, but we haven't verified live status, and the region's situation can change quickly. Check your government's travel advice and the border authorities before you set a date. Our Is Jordan safe to visit?
post covers the wider picture.
FAQ
Which crossing is best for Petra and Wadi Rum?
Wadi Araba, because it links Eilat with Aqaba, the gateway to Wadi Rum and Petra. Sheikh Hussein suits Jerash and the north.
Can I get a Jordanian visa at the border?
At Sheikh Hussein, yes for most nationalities. At Wadi Araba, sources disagree, so confirm before you travel. At King Hussein, arrange it in advance.
Does the Jordan Pass waive the visa at land borders?
The FAQ says yes at Wadi Araba and Sheikh Hussein if you stay at least two whole nights and bought the pass before arriving. It doesn't mention King Hussein.
How much is the Jordanian exit fee?
The Tourism Board gives 10 JOD at non-airport crossings. Against the Compass says it depends on your stay and exit point, from free to 60 JD at Wadi Araba.
Can I drive across?
Not at King Hussein, where private cars can't cross. Check insurance and rental terms before taking any vehicle across.
Will my passport be stamped?
Against the Compass says Israel doesn't stamp passports but Jordan may.
Need help?
Tell us your dates and route on the contact page, or explore Petra
and Wadi Rum
to plan what comes next.
Last updated: 1 November 2026. Hours, fees and visa rules at the borders change often. Check official sources before you travel.
Sources checked
- Jordan Tourism Board, Border crossings page (listed as 2026).
- JI Tours, Jordan-Israel border crossings guide (10 November 2025).
- Against the Compass, crossing the Jordan-Israel border (published 2023, updated July 2026; relies on older traveller reports).
- Jordan Pass, FAQs (jordanpass.jo).
