Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Jordan-Israel-Egypt

Country forums / Middle East / Jordan

Hi! Need help in trying to figure the most economical route for the limited time we have in the Middle East. We arrive Oct 2 Amman and depart Oct 17 Luxor.

We arrive in Jordan and due to logistics of our group will be spending most of our time there. We land in Amman and move south going to the Dead Sea, Petra etc. However, we wish to go to Israel and our only real desire is to go to Jerusalem. After a couple of days in Jerusalem we are wishing to get to Egypt.

Our problem is how to do this with the limited time that we have, in addition, we have to stay in Jordan and go south until Oct 7th (this is due to one of our group who is only travelling Jordan with us).

Our major questions: Is it easier transportation wise to go to Egypt from Jerusalem or to re-enter Jordan and then enter Egypt?

Also, would it be best to continue going south and enter Israel through Wadi Araba then go up to J then south again or just back track a bit and enter through King Hussein Bridge crossing?

Convoluted I know!

Thank you in advance!

Our problem is how to do this with the limited time that we have, in addition, we have to stay in Jordan and go south until Oct 7th

If I understand this correctly, you are planning to leave Jordan on October 7 or later, right? (It's not very clear.)
Note that October 8 is the Jewish religious holiday of Simhat Torah. There will be no public transport in Israel from about 3 p.m. (meaning buses reach their destination at that time) on October 7 until after dark on October 8. The last bus from Eilat to Jerusalem on October 7 will leave at 10 a.m. The next bus will be on the morning of October 9.

If you cross at the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge you'll be able to get to Jerusalem during that period as buses between the bridge and Jerusalem are Palestinian and are not affected by Jewish holidays.

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Welcome.

Given your itinerary you'll have to backtrack regardless of where you are. The southern border crossing is the easiest to get through and public transport between Eilat and Jerusalem and back is easy (except Friday afternoon and Saturday) so I'd continue south and do it that way.

Good luck.

2

Hi,
It's much easier to go to Egypt from Jerusalem than go back to Jordan.
Just take the bus down from Jerusalem to Eilat and then take a taxi to the border (10-15mins) and you're in Taba.
As you'll already be in Petra, I'd take a bus south to Aqaba and cross there into Israel, the border is quick and easy (about an hour usually). Otherwise you'll be taking a bus up to Amman then shared taxi over to the border and the King Hussein crossing takes between 2-5 hours, plus it closes quite early in the day.

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