Border Crossing (Apr 2009) | Middle East - Lonely Planet Forum

ONLINE

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:29:10 +0000

Hi,

Wonder i someone can advise me on the following

i intend to reach Jordan on 18-May (Monday) and leaving for israel -Jerusalem on the same day through King Hussein Bridge. Ending my stay in Isreal on 24-May (Sunday) in Eilat crossing back to jordan using the Arava Crossing.

(1)Do i need to pay departure tax at King Hussein Bridge since its <24hrs?

(2) Will I get a jordan exit stamp through King Hussein Bridge?

(3) I guess my Visa is still valid by 24-May and even if not, i should be able to get one easily from Arava Crossing?

Of course, i will be hoping to avoid israeli stamps at both crossing. Did i miss anything ?

Regards

ONLINE

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:45:02 +0000

Hi sorry i can only give you parts of the answers
when you leave through the king hussein bridge you don't officially leave jordan (for them the West Bank is still part of Jordan somehow) so you don't get an exit stamp. but there are some minimal fees involved. sorry i forgot how much. but it's like 4 JD for bus to cross the bridge and maybe 10JD for customs. the israeli border is a real pain with a million questions and probably the unfriendliest border i ever crossed. but they will not stamp you if you ask.
i crossed back through the same bridge (march 09) and had no problem (except the israeli departure tax... what a ripoff). the jordan visa is still valid if within the original 30 days time frame allowed. an american couple with no jordan visa got turned back at this border. i don't know if you can use the same visa at a different border because it will not be the west bank again. but in any case you can get a new one without problem. just ask the customs guys when crossing at king hussein and they will tell you. the bottom line is that will not be a problem either way.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.

Pro tip