Crossing from Israel to Jordan....

While I can't answer most of your questions--I'll give you the most important info--To cross at this location, you must contact your local Jordanian Embassy and get a VISA. They are not automatically issued at the crossing. ( like they are at the other two crossings.)

Regarding the VIP service at 135$ US per person if you, or your company feel it is necessary then here are the details. http://www.israelwelcome.com/bordervipservice.htm

For lesser mortals, the The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, border crossing should be reckoned on taking a minimum of approx. 90 to 120 minutes. From arrival at the terminal, after exiting through Israel’s security, their baggage check, their passport control, and then subsequently waiting for the JETT bus transport to traverse the Allenby bridge crossing.

And then of course exiting into Jordan’s security, their passport control, and baggage reclaim etc.

All land international border crossings are exceptional, and this one is no exception, but I have never found it to be a difficult and uncomfortable border crossing.

As mentioned, you must get your Jordanian visa in advance if crossing at the Allenby Bridge, as none are issued there. You can get the visa from a Jordanian embassy/consulate in your home country before you leave, from the Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv or from any other Jordanian embassy/consulate worldwide. All this is unnecessary if you cross at either of the 2 other land crossings (north - near Beit She'an, or south - near Eilat), as they both issue visas on the spot.

Hi all, thanks for the helpful input. I've decided to stick with the King Hussein bridge and aim to get their as early as possible. I think I'll give the VIP service a miss and just do it the hard way ;) I was already aware of the need for a visa in advance, but thanks for the heads-up anyway - I can imagine a lot of people come unstuck with that one. Many thanks again.

FWIW, we crossed King Hussein/Allenby bridge (from Jordan to Israel) some 2 weeks ago and found it rather straightforward with no hassle involved. I believe we were in a separate queue for tourists and did not have to wait much at checks.

While I had read before that one would have to wait for the bus (the one between Jordanian and Israel checkpoint) to fill up, ours left 90% empty so we basically did not wait at all. Still with all the checks involved, the whole crossing took close to 2 hours and I can imagine that if it is a more busy day it might take a lot more time.