Jordan to Israel Border Crossing: Which Terminal to Use and What to Expect

Jordan to Israel Border Crossing: Which Terminal to Use and What to Expect

Israel and Jordan share three operational land border crossings, each administered on the Israeli side by the Israel Airports Authority (IAA). For travelers planning to visit the Dead Sea after arriving from Jordan, understanding which crossing to use and what Israel’s entry procedures require will determine whether the transition takes one hour or most of a day.

This guide addresses each crossing from the Israeli operational perspective, covering documentation requirements, the ETA-IL pre-authorization process, security screening procedures at Israeli terminals, fee structures, and the most practical routes to reach the Dead Sea Israel side after crossing.

The Three Crossings: A Functional Overview

Israel operates three official land border terminals with Jordan. Each carries a distinct Israeli name, serves different geographic destinations, and applies slightly different procedures.

The Allenby Bridge Terminal (Central)

Known in Jordan as the King Hussein Bridge, the Allenby Bridge terminal is the most strategically positioned crossing for travelers combining Amman, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea in a single itinerary. Located in the southern Jordan Valley, the terminal sits approximately 57 km from Amman and roughly 30 km from Jerusalem. For Dead Sea visitors, it is the closest land crossing to Ein Bokek and the main resort corridor on the Israeli side.

The terminal is operated under full Israeli authority and applies rigorous security screening. Unlike the other two crossings, Allenby Bridge does not issue visas on arrival on either side. Travelers entering Jordan through this terminal must obtain their Jordanian visa in advance through a Jordanian consulate or embassy. Travelers entering Israel from Jordan are subject to Israeli immigration authority, with standard eligibility rules applying.

The Jordan River Terminal (North)

Known on the Jordanian side as the Sheikh Hussein Bridge crossing, the Jordan River terminal sits in northern Israel near the city of Beit She’an. It connects to the Irbid region in Jordan and is approximately 90 km from Amman. This crossing is the least relevant for Dead Sea-focused itineraries, as it adds significant travel distance on both sides of the border.

The Jordan River terminal is a full international crossing. Most nationalities can obtain an Israeli visa on arrival here. It operates Sunday through Saturday with reduced hours on Fridays. A mandatory shuttle bus connects the two terminals. Pedestrian crossing between terminals is not permitted.

The Yitzhak Rabin Terminal (South)

Known in Jordan as the Wadi Araba crossing, the Yitzhak Rabin terminal connects the Israeli city of Eilat with the Jordanian city of Aqaba at the northern tip of the Red Sea. This terminal is the primary crossing point for travelers heading to Petra or Wadi Rum and is generally considered the most straightforward crossing in terms of wait times and logistics.

The terminal includes free parking, currency exchange, and VAT refund services. It opens Sunday through Thursday and is closed on Fridays and Saturdays. As of January 2016, Jordan stopped issuing visas at this crossing for most nationalities, with the exception of Israeli tour groups and holders of specific documentation.

Israeli Entry Requirements: What Every Traveler Must Prepare

ETA-IL Pre-Authorization (Effective January 1, 2025)

Travelers from countries that are ordinarily visa-exempt for Israel must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) before arriving at any Israeli entry point, including all three land border crossings. The application is processed online through the Israel Population and Immigration Authority portal at eta.piba.gov.il and costs approximately NIS 25 (about USD 7). Processing is typically fast, but applicants should allow adequate time before travel.

Travelers who require a full visa rather than ETA-IL must apply through an Israeli embassy or consulate in their home country.

Passport Validity

Israeli immigration requires a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of entry. Travelers with less than six months of remaining validity may be denied entry.

No Passport Stamp Policy

Israeli authorities at all three land border crossings issue a separate entry card rather than stamping the traveler’s passport. This policy reflects Israel’s awareness that evidence of entry into Israel can create complications for travelers who subsequently wish to visit certain other countries. The entry card should be retained until departure from Israel.

At the Jordan River terminal, authorities may still stamp passports if the traveler does not specifically request otherwise. Travelers concerned about this should state their preference clearly to the border officer at that crossing.

Israeli Security Screening: Structure and Expectations

Israel applies security screening at all its border crossings. The process at the Allenby Bridge terminal is generally the most thorough of the three land crossings due to the terminal’s function as the primary corridor for West Bank travel. Travelers should expect:

• Document examination including passport, visa or ETA-IL approval, and any supporting documentation.
• Questions about the purpose and itinerary of the visit.
• Possible inspection of luggage and electronic devices.
• In some cases, additional security questioning conducted in a designated area.

The screening is carried out by trained security personnel and is methodical rather than arbitrary. Most international travelers clear the process without difficulty. The total crossing time at Allenby Bridge, including the shuttle bus ride between terminals, typically ranges from 1 to 3 hours during regular operating days. Early-morning crossings generally experience shorter wait times. Crossings on Sundays and immediately before Israeli public holidays tend to be busiest.

Travelers should avoid arriving within two hours of the closing time at any terminal, as terminals typically stop admitting new arrivals before the official closing time.

Exit Fees and Currency

An exit fee is charged when departing Israel at any land crossing. As of 2024, the fee at the Allenby Bridge terminal is approximately NIS 179 (about USD 50). At the Jordan River and Yitzhak Rabin terminals, the fee is approximately NIS 105 (about USD 30).

The Allenby Bridge and Jordan River terminals have currency exchange booths. Travelers should carry cash in Israeli shekels (NIS), Jordanian dinars (JOD), or US dollars, as card payment facilities at border terminals are not universally available.

On the Jordanian side, an exit fee of approximately 10 JOD (about USD 14) is charged when departing Jordan at any land crossing.

Vehicle and Transport Restrictions

Private vehicles and rental cars may not cross between Jordan and Israel at any of the three land border crossings. Travelers must leave their vehicle on one side and arrange transport on the other. This applies in both directions.

Practical transportation from the Israeli side:

• From the Allenby Bridge terminal: shared taxis to Jerusalem cost approximately NIS 42 per person. Private taxis to Jerusalem cost approximately NIS 250. From Jerusalem, buses and taxis to Ein Bokek depart from the central bus station.
• From the Jordan River terminal: buses to Tiberias connect to the national rail and bus network. The Dead Sea Israel side is approximately 2 hours from this terminal by road.
• From the Yitzhak Rabin terminal: travelers exit directly into Eilat. The Dead Sea is approximately 2 hours north on Route 90.

Which Crossing Is Best for Dead Sea Visitors

For travelers whose primary destination is the Dead Sea Israel side, specifically the Ein Bokek resort area, the Allenby Bridge terminal is the geographically correct choice. It places the traveler closest to the destination and connects efficiently to Jerusalem for those combining both sites.

The Allenby Bridge terminal requires advance Jordanian visa planning, which adds a preparation step but not a significant obstacle for most international travelers. For travelers whose Jordan itinerary centers on Petra and Aqaba before proceeding north to the Dead Sea, the Yitzhak Rabin terminal at Eilat serves as the natural exit point from Jordan, with the Dead Sea accessible via Route 90 northward.

Practical Itinerary Planning

For Dead Sea-focused trips, the following sequence typically applies:

1. Arrange Jordanian visa documentation before departure if returning to Jordan, and obtain ETA-IL approval for Israel at eta.piba.gov.il.
2. Approach the Allenby Bridge terminal early in the morning on a standard weekday to minimize wait times.
3. After clearing Israeli security, take a shared taxi from Allenby Bridge toward Jerusalem (approximately NIS 42).
4. From Jerusalem, connect via bus or private taxi to Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea resort area, a journey of approximately 90 minutes.

Travelers combining the Dead Sea with Petra and the south should enter Israel via the Yitzhak Rabin terminal at Eilat and drive north to the Dead Sea on Route 90, a journey of approximately 2 hours through the Arava desert.