Middle East - TLV to Amman by ground?

My Jordan/Israel trip is complicated by the fact that on many of the days I want to connect in TLV, there is no RJ flight to AMM to match up (or requires a 7 hour layover). In order to get to Petra the days I want to be there, and avoid being a tourist in Israel on the Sabbath, the trip is getting fairly inflexible, or I'd just go when the flights work.

Anyone able to give advice on getting from TLV to AMM over the Allenby bridge? It would be after arriving on the US flight from PHL, so getting in at about 3pm (or 2 depending on when it goes). Thus, after baggage claim (ugh), customs, etc, I'd be getting to the border significantly later than advised. Any better way to do this other than serveece/sherut to Jerusalem, another to the border, then the border fiesta?

My Jordan/Israel trip is complicated by the fact that on many of the days I want to connect in TLV, there is no RJ flight to AMM to match up (or requires a 7 hour layover). In order to get to Petra the days I want to be there, and avoid being a tourist in Israel on the Sabbath, the trip is getting fairly inflexible, or I'd just go when the flights work.

Anyone able to give advice on getting from TLV to AMM over the Allenby bridge? It would be after arriving on the US flight from PHL, so getting in at about 3pm (or 2 depending on when it goes). Thus, after baggage claim (ugh), customs, etc, I'd be getting to the border significantly later than advised. Any better way to do this other than serveece/sherut to Jerusalem, another to the border, then the border fiesta?

Take a taxi direct from the airport to border, then cross the bridge privately (you need a visa in advance). On the other side you can get a taxi or just rent a car (that is what we did).

Take a taxi direct from the airport to border, then cross the bridge privately (you need a visa in advance). On the other side you can get a taxi or just rent a car (that is what we did).

I assume thats a private taxi, not a sherut? Do you remember the time and cost? And did you do it late in the day as I'm contemplating, or early int he day as everyone recommends?

I believe that as an American, presumably without Palestian Authority Papers, you will not be allowed to cross into Jordan over the Allenby Bridge. You will have to travel up north and go over the Sheikh Hussein Bridge or down to Eliat and cross into Jordan at that point. My recollection is that the Allenby Bridge Crossing is only for Palestianians or Israeli Arabs with proper ID Cards.

I believe that as an American, presumably without Palestian Authority Papers, you will not be allowed to cross into Jordan over the Allenby Bridge. You will have to travel up north and go over the Sheikh Hussein Bridge or down to Eliat and cross into Jordan at that point. My recollection is that the Allenby Bridge Crossing is only for Palestianians or Israeli Arabs with proper ID Cards.

I didnt think that sounded right, but it helped me answer part of my question. There is the problem that information seems contradictory, even on official websites. Here's on the US state Dept links to:

http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov/pdfs/new-acs-website---crossings-west-bank-israel-jordan.pdf

Since it includes information on Americans crossing, it would seem that the exclusion suggested above is incorrect. However, it also states that the bridge is only open till 4:30 for tourists; it's open till 8 for diplomats and humanitarian needs.

Other websites say it's open till 23:00, so go figure. Clearly, starting a crossing effort any time other than in the morning appears to be asking for trouble. I'm hoping someone can report success or failure trying to corss late in the day, as I would need to on this ill-fated mission.

Yes you can cross into Jordan from Allenby. Jordanians and Israelis on the other hand cannot use this crossing unless they have special permission. They must cross from the northern Sheikh Hussein bridge.

It is absolutely imperative that you have a visa beforehand as the Jordanians, unlike at the Amman airport or other crossings in the country, will not issue visas upon arrival at the Allenby bridge crossing.

The drive from TLV to the bridge should take approx. 1.5 hrs while the drive from Allenby bridge to Amman should take 40mins. Of course you also need to factor in the time spent crossing the bridge which depends on immigration officials, etc.

You should check the Allenby bridge hours of operations which change on Fridays and Saturdays in addition to various public/national holidays in either Jordan or Israel.

Yes you can cross into Jordan from Allenby. Jordanians and Israelis on the other hand cannot use this crossing unless they have special permission. They must cross from the northern Sheikh Hussein bridge.

It is absolutely imperative that you have a visa beforehand as the Jordanians, unlike at the Amman airport or other crossings in the country, will not issue visas upon arrival at the Allenby bridge crossing.

The drive from TLV to the bridge should take approx. 1.5 hrs while the drive from Allenby bridge to Amman should take 40mins. Of course you also need to factor in the time spent crossing the bridge which depends on immigration officials, etc.

You should check the Allenby bridge hours of operations which change on Fridays and Saturdays in addition to various public/national holidays in either Jordan or Israel.

Thanks much. It sounds like the key worry is that one site says the bridge closes to tourists at 4:30pm. I'm still favoring flying, connecting in TLV to make use of US and maybe (1/100 chance) my CP upgrade certs. Also want to have my round trip be TLV rather than into AMm and out of TLV or the reverse, just in case Jordan turns ... iffy ... between now and my trip.

How bout advice on weather form locals? Too cold in early/mid November? I'm thinking October is the ideal time.

Thanks much. It sounds like the key worry is that one site says the bridge closes to tourists at 4:30pm. I'm still favoring flying, connecting in TLV to make use of US and maybe (1/100 chance) my CP upgrade certs. Also want to have my round trip be TLV rather than into AMm and out of TLV or the reverse, just in case Jordan turns ... iffy ... between now and my trip.

How bout advice on weather form locals? Too cold in early/mid November? I'm thinking October is the ideal time.

The weather in Ocotober is perfect, especially if you want to do sites such as Petra which involve a lot of walking. It varies from one year to the next but the weather begins to change late October/early Ocotber. Mid November the wewther does start to get colder but not unpleasant. It still is a beautiful time to walk around Jerusalem, Amman, Petra, the Dead Sea area and many more.

I'm still favoring flying, connecting in TLV to make use of US and maybe (1/100 chance) my CP upgrade certs. Also want to have my round trip be TLV rather than into AMm and out of TLV or the reverse, just in case Jordan turns ... iffy ... between now and my trip.


Just in case you haven't noticed, there are also 2 weekly TLV-AMM flights (Mon&Wed) operated by IZ, so landing from AMM at 1950 is a reasonable 3 hr for the US flight back home.

Just in case you haven't noticed, there are also 2 weekly TLV-AMM flights (Mon&Wed) operated by IZ, so landing from AMM at 1950 is a reasonable 3 hr for the US flight back home.

I hadnt noticed; it's not on their website. Akira, right? Where would they fly from at TLV? Would it be some side terminal where I'd have to clear ina nd out of customs, security, or would it be behind secirity to do US-TLV-AMM or the reverse?

If you can do this by air, I would strongly recommend it.

The Allenby Bridge at 5PM local time will be around 40 - 42 degrees
(105 F). You will have to physically carry everything to the other side (though there are people with carts who will help you for a fee).

As was mentioned, the paperwork has to be correct. I will say this, it is a magnificent ride. If you do make it, keep it your camera out.

My plans keep changing..I'm planning on doing this in reverse. We will be touring Petra, probably staying in the 'boonies' at the Marriott (award night or nights).. Any difficulties in this respect?? We will probably be going to Jerusalem from Petra. 2 ladies, travelling with (probably carryon and 1 larger pc). Any suggestions?? We would like to try to do this fairly inexpensively...

My plans keep changing..I'm planning on doing this in reverse. We will be touring Petra, probably staying in the 'boonies' at the Marriott (award night or nights).. Any difficulties in this respect?? We will probably be going to Jerusalem from Petra. 2 ladies, travelling with (probably carryon and 1 larger pc). Any suggestions?? We would like to try to do this fairly inexpensively...

What I ended up doing last fall was staying one night in TLV after arrival, and flew to AMM (not cheap, maybe you can use miles). We returned via Petra at the Aqaba crossing, which still took about 1.5 hours but is rumored to be much less painful than the Allenby crossing. Eilat/Aqaba have some special free trade zone type status (another poster may be clearer on details). We had a driver meet us in Eilat and drive us North. I think the Allenby crossing is tougher due to volume of crossers, the entry in to the Palestinian territory, etc.

You have to drive North in either Jordan or Israel. Both are on highways. Why not cross at the easier crossing? Anyway, that was our decision -- woke up in Petra, crossed South, drove north in Israel. I'm sure there are public buses on either route, to save $$, but at the expense of only marginally predictable schedules, time, etc. Neither border crossing is served on either side of the border by public transit, and neither is walkable form the city. I'd suggest that this is not the place to save $$ - save it by not flying, but hire a driver. I considered a one way car rental in Israel, which would have saved money on that part.

I agree with ludocdoc. Cross at Aqaba. From Eilat, it will be very easy to take a bus to Tel Aviv.

I also have some updated info for the bus between Amman and Nazareth (onward to J'lem or Tel Aviv is easy from Nazareth). This is an email from Zaki at Nazarene Express.

Hello,
We have buses from Nazareth to Amman every : Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
8:30 from Nazareth (near Nazareth Hotel - bank of Jerusalem)
It returns from Amman at 14:00 in the same days from Maraya Hotel (you should be at 13:30)
It costs 75 NIS per person for one way 150 NIS per person round trip.
For more info in Israel - 00972 4 6010458
For more info in Jordan - 00962 79 6927455
Thank you,
Zaki

I emailed him to inquire about direct Tel Aviv to Amman, but haven't heard from him yet.