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In this article, we’re going to share a detailed and in-depth step-by-step guide on how to travel from Jerusalem to Amman in Jordan in 2025. We will focus on how to do this journey overland and on a budget. Although we will discuss each of the border crossings, we are going to focus particularly on the most direct border crossing, which is located close to the town of Jericho. This border crossing is called the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein crossing (not to be confused with the Jordan River / Sheik Hussein crossing in the north).
We will tell you everything you need to know, including how and where to find a local bus to the border, what it is like to cross the border, and how to travel from the border to Amman, making sure that you get the best prices and have the most efficient and safe journey.
We have included up-to-date and fresh travel information, including prices and top tips. If you’re planning to do this journey, it is very important that you read this article carefully. Please don’t skim-read this article. But take time to go through all of the details and information. This journey can be quite challenging, and if you are not well prepared, you may run into problems.
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There are many excellent hotels in Amman, there really is something for everyone!
Very Important – Before You Read On
Before you read on, we want to give you some more context to help you plan your journey.
Flying from Israel to Jordan (Tel Aviv to Amman) is likely to set you back at least $400 (or £350) per adult. Flying is not always the easiest option because you also have to transit to and from the airport. The journey from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv airport is likely to take around 1 hour or more. The journey from Amman airport to town is also likely to take at least an hour (once you get through the airport). So flying may not save you time, and it certainly won’t save you money.
The quickest, cheapest, and most affordable way to travel from Jerusalem to Jordan is to cross at the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein crossing. Don’t confuse this border crossing with the Jordan River / Sheik Hussein crossing in the north.
The main disadvantage of crossing at this location is the fact that you cannot get a Jordan visa on arrival at this border. Therefore, you will either need to purchase a visa beforehand or you will need to have a Visa exemption, which you can get by purchasing a Jordan pass. The Jordan pass covers the cost of a wide range of attractions in Jordan and also allows you to stay in Jordan without paying for a Visa.
Find out more and purchase your pass at The official Jordan Pass website
TOP TIP
If you are planning to visit Petra, then the Jordan pass will save you money. You can purchase the Jordan pass online in advance. Remember you need to spend at least 3 nights (4 days) in Jordan to qualify for the visa waiver on a Jordan pass.
We also highly recommend that you book your bus tickets to travel around Jordan well in advance. There is only one bus company (Jett), and the buses tend to book up quite early.
Book your tickets on the Jett website for the lowest online prices
Why Visit Jordan?
If you are visiting Israel and you have some time in your itinerary, we highly recommend spending some time in Jordan too. Many travelers wish to do a trip that includes both Israel and Jordan in their itinerary. We totally get this. Jordan is an amazing country packed with stunning scenery, fascinating history, and unique things to see and do. We really enjoyed traveling in Jordan. It has a warm, welcoming Middle Eastern culture, and the food is absolutely delicious and very affordable. It is also a lot more affordable than Israel, so much better for your travel budget.
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Which Border Crossing is best if you’re traveling from Israel to Jordan?
There are three overland border crossings between Israel and Jordan. The best border crossing for you depends on your itinerary both in Israel and also in Jordan.
1 The Jordan River / Sheik Hussein Crossing
If you’re planning to explore the North of Israel, for example, you wish to see the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth, then you may wish to cross into Jordan using the northern border crossing, which is called the Jordan River / Sheik Hussein crossing. You can also get a visa on arrival at this border.
- Sunday-Thursday 6.30am – 8pm
- Friday and Saturday 8am – 8pm
2 Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Crossing
If you are not planning to explore the north or south of Israel but you are focusing your time on Jerusalem, you may find it most convenient to use the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein crossing. The main advantage of this border crossing is proximity to both Jerusalem and Amman. This border crossing allows the journey from Jerusalem to Amman of only 80 km without needing to detour north or south. It is important to be aware that you cannot get a visa on arrival at this border. It is possible to purchase an e-Visa in advance online, or you can purchase a Jordan pass which gives you a Visa waiver and also allows you access to the main attractions in Jordan.
Top tip: If you’re traveling with kids, the Jordan pass is not good value for money because kids under 12 years old are allowed free access to the main attractions. However, kids do need to have a Visa in Jordan, so if you are planning to use this border crossing, you will need to purchase an e-Visa online for your children.
- Sunday – Thursday 8am – 5.30pm
- Friday – Saturday 8am – 3.30pm
3 Eilat / Aqaba Crossing
If you are planning to explore the south of Israel or you are interested in visiting the beautiful Wadi Rum area in the south of Jordan, you may be interested in using the Eilat / Aqaba crossing. You can get a visa on arrival at this border, and you can also use the Visa waiver with a Jordan pass to cross here. If you are only planning to spend time in Jerusalem, Amman, and Petra, then this border crossing is out of the way, and we do not recommend it.
- Sunday – Thursday 6.30am – 8pm
- Friday – Saturday 8am – 8pm
How Long Does It Take to Travel from Jerusalem to Amman?
The journey from Jerusalem to Amman is around 80km in total. The border crossing is approximately 40 km from Jerusalem, and then Amman is around 40 km from the border. Using a shuttle bus in Jerusalem and a taxi to take us from the border to Amman, the total journey was around 5 hours. In theory, this journey could actually be faster. We were relatively slow at the border because we were crossing with three kids and we ended up at the back of the queue (sigh! Family travel can be challenging sometimes). We departed Jerusalem at 10.30am and arrived in Amman at 3.30pm
What Documents Do You Need to Travel from Jerusalem to Amman?
If you’re planning to travel from Jerusalem to Amman, you will need to make sure you are traveling with a valid passport that has at least 6 months left. We also recommend that you bring your arrival slip from your arrival in Israel and any relevant Israeli visas. If you have purchased a Jordan e-Visa online in advance, we recommend that you print this out. However, if you are unable to print it, it is sufficient to show a PDF version on your phone. We also recommend that you have a copy of your Jordan pass if you are planning to use a Jordan pass to get a Visa waiver.
You will also need to be prepared to pay an expensive exit tax to leave Israel. It is possible to pay this tax using cash, and they also accept bank cards. The exit tax costs 196 NIS exit tax per person (around £42 or $50). Children under 2 do not need to pay this tax.
How Much Does It Cost to Travel from Jerusalem to Amman?
Transport Costs
- Bus from Jerusalem – the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Border: 41 NIS per person (around £9 or $12)
- Border shuttle bus: 13 NIS (around £3 or $4)
- Taxi from the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Border to Amman: 20 – 30 JOD (around £22 – £35 or $25 – $40)
- In Israel, you may need to pay a few dollars extra to travel with a large backpack.
Total transport costs: £32 – £47 or $35 – $55 (sharing a taxi in Jordan reduces the cost per person)
Visa and Tax Costs
- The Israel exit tax costs 196 NIS exit tax per person (around £42 or $50)
- The Jordan Pass costs 70 JOD – 80 JOD (around £80 – £90 or $100 – $110)
How to Travel from Jerusalem to Amman: Step by Step Guide
1 Find the Bus Station in Jerusalem
If you’re planning to travel from Jerusalem to Amman, the first step is to find the bus station in Jerusalem. The bus station is located on the north side of the city walls, not far from the Damascus gate. The bus station is very close to the Golden Walls Hotel. Close to this hotel, you will see an arch.
If you walk through this arch, it leads to a small car park, and there is an office at the back of the car park. This is the ticket office where you can buy tickets for the mini-bus that runs between Jerusalem Old City and the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein crossing. We recommend arriving nice and early in the morning to get your bus. We took a bus that left at around 10:30 a.m.
2 Purchase Your Tickets
In the office, you can purchase your tickets for the Mini-Bus. Tickets cost 41 NIS per person (around £9 or $12). Children as young as 3 years old also have to pay for tickets as far as we can tell. You’re paying for a seat, so if you have children and they are able to ride on your lap, you may be able to include them for free.
You do also have to pay for any large bags that you wish to transit. It costs 5 NIS per big bag. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will need to wait for the minibus to fill up before it departs. We didn’t have to wait long at all before the minibus was ready to go. You are unlikely to need to wait more than around 30 minutes.
3 Take the Minibus to the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Crossing
The Mini-Bus journey from Jerusalem to the border is actually very beautiful. This is a great chance to take in the stunning scenery. The minibus itself is reasonably comfortable with air conditioning, and there are seat belts. You will notice that the journey goes downhill.
In fact, the geography of the region is fascinating, as it is actually below sea level. The scenery is beautiful and arid. The journey from Jerusalem to the border is around 40 km and generally takes less than 1 hour.
There is one security checkpoint which can feel a little unnerving. However, we found this fairly quick, and we did not have any problems.
4 Pay Israel Exit Tax and Exit at Israel Immigration
When you arrive at the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Crossing, the porters who will help pick up any large packages that you’re carrying will give you a ticket and take your bags around the side of the immigration building. This is free of charge. It can feel unnerving, but don’t worry. This is not a scam. It is just a service they offer to make it easier to move through the immigration office.
We recommend that you keep any valuables in a small bag with you and only let them take larger bags with non-valuable items. When you enter the immigration building, you will need to go to the kiosk to pay the Israeli exit tax. Keep the receipt to show the immigration officer. Queue up to get your passport stamped out of Israel.
TOP TIP: If you do not have sufficient cash to pay the exit tax, it is possible to pay using a bank card. The exit tax is 196 NIS per person (around £42 or $50).
5 Take a Shuttle Bus to the Amman Immigration Office
On the other side of the immigration desk, you will see a small desk selling border shuttle bus tickets. The Border shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes and takes you to the Jordan immigration office. This journey is too far to walk, so we do recommend taking the bus.
The border shuttle bus costs 13 NIS (around £3 or $4). If you do not have any local money remaining, it is possible to pay using a bank card. The Border shuttle bus takes around 10 minutes and drops you off at the immigration office.
6 Get Your Passport Stamped at Amman Immigration
The bus driver may ask you to hand over your passport and leave you and the other passengers on the bus. This can feel very unnerving being locked on the bus at a border without your passport. However, in our experience, this was not a problem. The driver attended to our bus after around 15 minutes and ushered us into the immigration hall. When we queued up at the immigration desk, the officer already had our passports, and they were ready to process our visas and Jordan passes.
7 Take a Taxi to Amman
Before you go make sure you learn about taxis in Jordan
After you have had your passport stamped and your Visa checked, you are officially in Jordan. As you exit the immigration office, there is a foreign currency exchange office, and there are ATM machines available. There are also VIP border taxis available at this point. These taxis charge a standard fare of 30 JOD to take you to Amman. It is not possible to negotiate this price down. If this is too expensive, you can actually exit the immigration compound, and they will want to take the arrival slip from you.
Having asked around for a while a local quietly informed us that it really isn’t possible to get a taxi for less than 30JOD in the immigration compound. They advised us to walk out of the compound if we want a cheaper taxi.
When you exit the immigration compound, the exit leads straight onto the main road. You will see plenty of drivers waiting who will be willing to take you to Amman for as little as 20 JOD. It is important to make sure that you are happy with your driver and with the car. Many cars in Jordan do not have seat belts in the rear of the vehicle. What’s more, some of the drivers looked pretty glazed and may not have been fit to drive. The journey from the border to Amman is around 40 km and takes around 45 minutes – 1 hour.
TOP TIP: Many locals use their cars to offer a taxi service in Jordan. Although this may feel unnerving at first, this is pretty standard. The main challenge is likely to be the language barrier. We have found it helpful to have an offline map with our accommodation pinned. Show this to the driver before you finalize the price and accept the journey.
Can You Take a Local Bus from the Border to Amman?
All of the official advice and the information you can find online will tell you that you cannot take a local bus from the Jordan border to Amman. However, this is actually incorrect. There is a bus stop close to the immigration office, and you can take local buses to Amman for 5 JOD per person and 3 JOD for kids. If you are traveling as a family, you are unlikely to save much money by doing this.
Remember the cost of a taxi is shared across your group. However, if you are a solo traveler and you’re traveling on a real budget, then you can save money taking the local bus to Amman. Also, remember once you are in Amman, you will still need to get to your hostel or guest house. A big advantage of taking a taxi is that you can get dropped off right at your accommodation.
TOP TIP: Even if you are unable to find a bus, it is still cheaper to exit the immigration compound and take a taxi from the roadside.
TOP TIPS – Traveling from Jerusalem to Amman
Here are a few tips to help make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible:
- Make sure you bring a water bottle for this journey. This is a hot and tiring journey, and there aren’t many opportunities to buy snacks and water. Therefore, we recommend that you bring plenty of water and snacks on the journey with you. This is especially important if you’re traveling with kids.
- Make sure you have enough cash to pay the Israeli exit tax. If you don’t have enough cash, it is possible to make the payment by bank card, but if you have bank card issues at the border, it could get a little bit complicated, so we recommend having cash if possible.
- Make sure that you arrange your visas or Jordan pass in advance. Remember at the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein, you cannot purchase a visa on arrival.
- If you’re traveling with kids across the Allenby Bridge / King Hussein border, you will need to buy an e-visa in advance. The Jordan pass is not worth purchasing for children under 12 because they can enter the Jordan attractions for free. When you are applying for an e-visa for your children, we also recommend that you fill the information out carefully. Where it says “Father Name,” you need to input your child’s middle name from their passport (not the name of the father).
- And finally, remember to book any bus tickets for traveling around Jordan in advance. Bus tickets in Jordan are in relatively short supply because there is only one bus company that operates between the main tourist attractions of Jordan. The bus company is called Jett. If you’re booking your bus ticket from outside of Jordan, you will need to book your journey as a tour rather than simply booking a ticket directly on the home page.
What Is the Jordan Pass?
The Jordan pass is a special ticket that allows you entry to arrange of the best attractions in Jordan and also gives you a Visa waiver for three nights and 4 days in Jordan. If you’re staying for less than three nights, you will need to pay a fee when you exit Jordan. However, as long as you are staying for more than three nights and planning to visit some of the attractions in Jordan, the Jordan pass is great value for money. You only need to visit Petra for one day for the Jordan pass to save you money on your trip.
Is It Safe to Travel from Jerusalem to Amman?
Finally, we wanted to take a moment to discuss safety. Many people traveling in this region of the world are concerned about safety, and this is understandable. There is a history of unrest and conflict in this region, and any type of travel comes with innate risks. Therefore, we recommend that you do your research carefully before you book your trip and make an informed decision about the risks. We highly recommend using a reliable website such as the. UK FCO website to get up-to-date, accurate, and relevant information about travel risks for specific locations, including Israel and Jordan.
It is worth remembering that many tourists do this journey every day without any problems at all. In our personal experience, we found the journey to be smooth and did not face any problems or difficulties. Our main safety concern on this journey was actually the drivers in Jordan. Many of the cars do not have seat belts in the rear, and drivers tend to go pretty fast, and the rules (to put it politely) are quite flexible in Jordan.
If you are unhappy with the condition of a car with a lack of seat belts or with the capacity of a driver, it is very important to be firm and communicate clearly. So, if you have not committed to taking a journey, just look for another car, and if you have committed to taking a journey, you can ask your driver to slow down and drive more carefully. If they’re not responsive, you may want to consider asking them to stop and getting another taxi.
Overall, this is a relatively safe journey, and things can feel a little bit more scary when you look at them from a distance. We really enjoyed traveling both in Israel and in Jordan, and we found this to be a fulfilling and rewarding trip for both ourselves and for our kids. There are, of course, challenges, and this is true of anything that’s worthwhile. Overall, we highly recommend exploring Jordan if you have the time in your itinerary.
