Eilat to Petra
Jun 8, 2009 | 6:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC, El Al Matmid, OK Plus
Posts: 17
Eilat to Petra
I have searched the forum and found some good information but I can't find an answer to the following questions!
I (20yr old British citizen) will be traveling with a friend (23yr old Jewish-Israeli citizen) from Israel to Jordan via one of the land crossings, probably Eilat. I have read lots of information on using a tour group to help arrange the crossing and seeing the sights but we would much prefer do it alone.
The plan is to drive my friends privately owned Israeli car into Jordan and up to and around Petra.
1. Will there be any problem in taking an Israeli car into Jordan? (I read on wikipedia about having to change registration plates/pay a tax). Does anyone have first hand experience of this? How long does it take? How much is the tax? Is it worth the hassle?
2. Is Eilat the best land crossing for this?
3. Is driving in Jordan that dangerous?
4. Is one night/two days enough or should we stay for longer?
5. Any recommendations on hotels (budget around $130 USD a night)
Any other recommendations/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
I (20yr old British citizen) will be traveling with a friend (23yr old Jewish-Israeli citizen) from Israel to Jordan via one of the land crossings, probably Eilat. I have read lots of information on using a tour group to help arrange the crossing and seeing the sights but we would much prefer do it alone.
The plan is to drive my friends privately owned Israeli car into Jordan and up to and around Petra.
1. Will there be any problem in taking an Israeli car into Jordan? (I read on wikipedia about having to change registration plates/pay a tax). Does anyone have first hand experience of this? How long does it take? How much is the tax? Is it worth the hassle?
2. Is Eilat the best land crossing for this?
3. Is driving in Jordan that dangerous?
4. Is one night/two days enough or should we stay for longer?
5. Any recommendations on hotels (budget around $130 USD a night)
Any other recommendations/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Jun 8, 2009 | 10:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG LTP, HH D
Posts: 733
I have searched the forum and found some good information but I can't find an answer to the following questions!
I (20yr old British citizen) will be traveling with a friend (23yr old Jewish-Israeli citizen) from Israel to Jordan via one of the land crossings, probably Eilat. I have read lots of information on using a tour group to help arrange the crossing and seeing the sights but we would much prefer do it alone.
The plan is to drive my friends privately owned Israeli car into Jordan and up to and around Petra.
1. Will there be any problem in taking an Israeli car into Jordan? (I read on wikipedia about having to change registration plates/pay a tax). Does anyone have first hand experience of this? How long does it take? How much is the tax? Is it worth the hassle?
No experience.
2. Is Eilat the best land crossing for this?
Probably. Petra is closest to the Eilat-Aqaba border crossing than it is to the others I think. Besides, the Allenby bridge border crossing is not open to Israelis IIRC (because of the WB part) while the King Hussein Bridge which is open to Israelis is way to the north of Jordan (Yarmouk IIRC).
3. Is driving in Jordan that dangerous?
Not much more dangerous than Israel in terms of driving habits.
4. Is one night/two days enough or should we stay for longer?
Depends whether you like the Petra ancient civilisation sort of thing or not. For me it was an in-ooh-out affair. I lived in Cairo for months before I even began to visit the pyramids.
5. Any recommendations on hotels (budget around $130 USD a night)
In Petra? Dunno.
Suggest you also look at other sites like tripadvisor, virtual tourist, for this and your other questions. I won't rely on these sites entirely but they can be a decent backstop or to double check your own research. Depending on your query, even wikitravel might be worth checking.
Any other recommendations/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
I (20yr old British citizen) will be traveling with a friend (23yr old Jewish-Israeli citizen) from Israel to Jordan via one of the land crossings, probably Eilat. I have read lots of information on using a tour group to help arrange the crossing and seeing the sights but we would much prefer do it alone.
The plan is to drive my friends privately owned Israeli car into Jordan and up to and around Petra.
1. Will there be any problem in taking an Israeli car into Jordan? (I read on wikipedia about having to change registration plates/pay a tax). Does anyone have first hand experience of this? How long does it take? How much is the tax? Is it worth the hassle?
No experience.
2. Is Eilat the best land crossing for this?
Probably. Petra is closest to the Eilat-Aqaba border crossing than it is to the others I think. Besides, the Allenby bridge border crossing is not open to Israelis IIRC (because of the WB part) while the King Hussein Bridge which is open to Israelis is way to the north of Jordan (Yarmouk IIRC).
3. Is driving in Jordan that dangerous?
Not much more dangerous than Israel in terms of driving habits.
4. Is one night/two days enough or should we stay for longer?
Depends whether you like the Petra ancient civilisation sort of thing or not. For me it was an in-ooh-out affair. I lived in Cairo for months before I even began to visit the pyramids.
5. Any recommendations on hotels (budget around $130 USD a night)
In Petra? Dunno.
Suggest you also look at other sites like tripadvisor, virtual tourist, for this and your other questions. I won't rely on these sites entirely but they can be a decent backstop or to double check your own research. Depending on your query, even wikitravel might be worth checking.
Any other recommendations/suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Jun 13, 2009 | 7:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 439
This is probably the kind of useless anecdotal information that the internet is famous for...but I certainly did not see ONE car with Israeli tags on the road during my day in Jordan. I personally think one day was enough at Petra, but lots of folks disagree. As far as hotels at Petra go, you are basically choosing between the Marriott or the much closer Movenpick.
Jun 13, 2009 | 7:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
You might just want to skip the car complication.
I taxied from Eilat Sheraton to border, walked across,
easily found taxi on far side direct to Petra for $60 I think, can't remember exactly.
Stayed 2 nights at Crown Plaza Petra, very nice, right on site, hotel desk arranged a continueing taxi to Allanby crossing, I think $80 one way, amazing sight as you drop down to the dead sea. Lots of ravines filled with tent-camps of Iraqi refugees. Express bus to Jerusalem for $15 or so from the border
This eliminates any possible hassle with a car, getting into an accident where the foreigner is always at fault, etc. We were almost the only car on a lovely 4-lane divided highway (it was Friday)!
And the taxi guy was very good fun, very familiar with the international situation etc.
I taxied from Eilat Sheraton to border, walked across,
easily found taxi on far side direct to Petra for $60 I think, can't remember exactly.
Stayed 2 nights at Crown Plaza Petra, very nice, right on site, hotel desk arranged a continueing taxi to Allanby crossing, I think $80 one way, amazing sight as you drop down to the dead sea. Lots of ravines filled with tent-camps of Iraqi refugees. Express bus to Jerusalem for $15 or so from the border
This eliminates any possible hassle with a car, getting into an accident where the foreigner is always at fault, etc. We were almost the only car on a lovely 4-lane divided highway (it was Friday)!
And the taxi guy was very good fun, very familiar with the international situation etc.
Last edited by MrHalliday; Jun 13, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Jun 14, 2009 | 7:38 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: BAEC, El Al Matmid, OK Plus
Posts: 17
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. I think we will skip the driving bit and leave the car in Eilat and get a taxi to/from the border and up to Petra. Will probably spend just two days/one night in Petra
Is the border crossing relatively hassle free - been through Ben Gurion airport numerous time so I know to expect the questioning but apart from that is it pretty straight forward and quick?
Is the border crossing relatively hassle free - been through Ben Gurion airport numerous time so I know to expect the questioning but apart from that is it pretty straight forward and quick?
Jun 20, 2009 | 12:33 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,077
I plan on making a similar trip by myself in a few days. I will be arriving in Eilat from Cairo via Taba and then on to Petra.
Does anyone know if there is a bus or micro-bus option from the boarder to Petra?
Also in Israel, how far apart are the Egypt and Jordan boarders? How much should a taxi cost? Is there a cheaper way?
Does anyone know if there is a bus or micro-bus option from the boarder to Petra?
Also in Israel, how far apart are the Egypt and Jordan boarders? How much should a taxi cost? Is there a cheaper way?
Jun 20, 2009 | 1:21 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: United Silver, AA, Delta, Marriott, Hyatt.
Posts: 439
I would call it relatively hassle free, but be prepared to wait in line.
Thanks for all the info, really appreciate it. I think we will skip the driving bit and leave the car in Eilat and get a taxi to/from the border and up to Petra. Will probably spend just two days/one night in Petra
Is the border crossing relatively hassle free - been through Ben Gurion airport numerous time so I know to expect the questioning but apart from that is it pretty straight forward and quick?
Is the border crossing relatively hassle free - been through Ben Gurion airport numerous time so I know to expect the questioning but apart from that is it pretty straight forward and quick?