The Allenby/King Hussein border crossing is 57 kilometres from Amman, located in the southern Jordan Valley. Crossing is via a bridge that crosses the Jordan River near the city of Jericho, connecting the West Bank with Jordan. Originally built in 1918, over the remains of an Ottoman-era bridge by British general, Edmund Allenby, hence the bridge’s name. Since the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty – still in effect -, the Allenby Bridge Terminal is operated by the Israel Airports Authority. It serves as a border crossing between the West and East Banks of the Jordan River. The Jordanian authorities recognize the bridge as an international border entry point, but neither Jordan nor Israel will grant entry visas to foreign passport holders at this crossing, unlike at Jordan’s other border crossings with Israel (Aqaba-Eilat in the south, and Sheikh Hussein-Beit Shean in the north).
getting to Allenby Border Terminal
Allenby Border crossing is approximately 30 kilometres from Jerusalem and is the closest border to the city. It is easy to arrange taxis directly with most hotels in Amman or take a shared taxi with other travelers directly to the Israeli-Jordanian border. There is a shared taxi service at Tabarbor Mujamaa Shamali. You can also take the JETT bus from Abdali at 7:00 am daily, the cost is 10 JOD. Another option is to join a group tour to help you cross from Jordan into Israel.
The border is open Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 – 17:30, and Friday to Saturday from 08:00 – 15:30.
Please note border crossing time may change due to covid regulation.
CrossING Via Allenby Border Terminal-Things You Need To Know
The Allenby/King Hussein Border Crossing is a special border with unique requirements. If you’re considering crossing into Jordan from Israel via this border, make sure that you properly understand the procedure!
Process for crossing Allenby Border Terminal
Travel permits from both Israeli and Jordanian authorities are required to cross at Allenby, and the regulations can turn on a dime, depending on the prevailing political situation. Israeli citizens are not permitted to use this terminal, except pilgrims to Mecca, the Hajj and Omra. Tourists who wish to travel to Jordan via Allenby have to be in possession of a Jordanian visa in advance, depending on their nationality. Only then is crossing permitted via Allenby, and its advised to check official border sites for updates in the event of a closure. Travelers then proceed through customs. There may be a departure tax payable, depending on when you first entered either Jordan or Israel. Passports are collected and held by immigration officers as you cross and returned to you once processed and you are officially on the other side. Any bags with you will be searched and you will likely be questioned as part of the process.
Passport Requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you plan to depart from Jordan. There must also be a single blank page for the entry stamp. If crossing into Jordan from Queen Alia International Airport, you will already have an entry stamp to Jordan in your passport. Also, if you plan to cross into Israel and do not intend on returning to Jordan you will not have an exit stamp from Jordan. This can sometimes cause suspicion as to how you exited Jordan while already having entered Israel. To avoid this, tell the airport staff upon arrival that you plan to enter Israel and request that your visa be on a separate paper rather than inside your passport. It’s not guaranteed that airport security will do this for you, but there is no harm in asking.
crossing with a Tour Group
While it’s possible to cross at Allenby on your own as a tourist, and some travelers do so, it’s not recommended. This is because it can be very unnerving, and some tourists have unpleasant experiences being held at the border for hours for some reason or another. Joining an organized tour takes the legwork and stress out of border crossings. Our Israel-Jordan tours include border assistance as well as expert guides with a wealth of local and historical knowledge.
Terminal Services
The passenger hall on the Israeli side of Allenby Terminal has a restaurant and bathrooms. The Jordanian side has a branch of the Bank of Jordan for exchanging currencies.
What To Do After Crossing
After you have crossed the border, depending on which side you are on and where you plan to travel, there are public buses and taxis available. Once you know your itinerary, it’s best to research your options before heading to the border. This is again where joining an organized tour is so beneficial! Not only will you receive assistance crossing the border in both directions, you’ll also be transported hassle-free.
