Three Border Crossings connect Jordan and Israel

There are a total of three border crossings between Jordan and Israel, the Sheikh Hussein Border (also called Jordan River Crossing), the Allenby Bridge (also known as King Hussein Bridge) and the Wadi Araba Border (also known as Yitzhak Rabin Border). Which crossing suits best depends on how many days you like to stay in Jordan, from where you start and end the tour and your personal situation about the entry visa requirements.

Note: Rules and prices can change anytime and are often not communicated ahead of time. 

Wadi Araba Crossing

• Location: The Wadi Araba border is located in the south, and connects the towns Eilat and Aqaba. The border is 4 hours from Jerusalem and 5 hours from Tel Aviv. From the Jordanian side, you drive 2 hours to Petra.
• Opening Hours: The crossing is open Sun to Thu 06:30 to 20:00, Fri to Sat 08:00 to 20:00. The border terminal is closed on Islamic New Year and Yom Kippur.  
• Entry Visa Jordan: For the Wadi Araba Border in the south you have two options. You can get a visa in advance from the Jordanian embassy. Or you book the tour with a tour operator in Jordan, and they will arrange the visa approval for you with the authorities. You will receive the visa stamp then when at the border. Note, if you enter Jordan through Wadi Araba, stay minimum two nights and visit Petra in this period you will not pay the Jordanian visa fee of 40 JOD per person.
• Departure Tax: The Israeli departure tax is 105 USD Shekel, about 32 USD per person. The departure tax Jordan is 10 JD, about 15 USD, per person. There is no shuttle bus exists. It is allowed to pass through the crossing on foot.
• One Day Petra Tour from Israel: If you just have one day to see Petra the best way is to fly from Tel Aviv to Eilat, the flight time is 1 hour. From Eilat Airport take a taxi to the Wadi Araba Border (5 to 10 minutes drive) and cross into Jordan. You need 2 hours to get to Petra. The trip is undoubtedly strenuous and also pricey. The entrance fee to Petra is charged for one day visitors to Jordan with 90 JD per person, instead of the usual 50 JD per person.

Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Border

• Location: This crossing is a one hour drive from Jerusalem and a two hours drive from Tel Aviv. The trip from the Jordanian side of the border to Petra lasts about 3 hours.
• Opening Hours: The crossing is open from Sun to Thurs 08:00 to 20:00, Fri and Sat 08:00 to 13:00. You need to be minimum 2 hours before closure at the crossing. Due to security checks, you need to calculate minimum 2 hours time for the procedures. The intersection is closed on Yom Kippur and the first day of Eid Al Adha.
• Entry visa Jordan: At the central Allenby Bridge you need to have the entry visa ahead of time from the Jordanian embassy in your country of residence. At this crossing, it is not possible to obtain a visa.
• Departure Tax: The Israeli departure tax is 179 Shekel, about 52 USD, per person. The departure tax Jordan is 10 JD, about 15 USD, per person.
• Shuttle Bus among Border Terminals: The shuttle bus costs 7 JOD per person plus 1.50 JD per luggage.

Sheikh Hussein Border / Jordan River Terminal

• Location: The Sheikh Hussein is located in the north, close to Beit Shean on the Israeli side. From Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, you need 2.5 hours to get there; it is about 2 hours from Amman. You need about 5 hours to drive from here to Petra. Therefore this border is not an option for travelers staying less than two nights in Jordan.
• Opening Hours: The border is open Sunday to Thu 07:00 to 20:30, and Fri to Sat 08:30 to 18:30. The border is closed on Yom Kippur and Islamic New Year.
• Entry visa Jordan: The Sheikh Hussein Border in the north issues visa to non-restricted nationalities on arrival. The visa fee is 40 JOD, about 60 USD, per person.
• Departure Tax: On the Israeli side 105 Shekel, about 32 USD per person, has to be paid. The departure tax Jordan is 10 Jordanian Dinar (JD), about 15 USD, per person.
• Shuttle Bus between Border Terminals: It is not allowed to walk between the border terminals. You need to use a shuttle bus charged with 1.6 JOD or 10 Shekel per person.