The Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing is the most popular land crossing from tourists traveling from Jordan to Israel or vice versa. This border is located approximately 325 km away from Amman and connects the two Red Sea resorts found in both Eilat and Aqaba.
How to get to the Yitzhak Rabin Terminal/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
As the distance is quite far from Amman it may not be an ideal choice to cross from Jordan to Israel although it is the most popular. This is an ideal choice for travelers in Aqaba looking to cross into Israel as the border is quite close and can be accessed with an inexpensive taxi ride.
Process for crossing Yitzhak Rabin Terminal/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
This border is all done on foot and processing will commence on the Jordanian side of the border with passport control. Guards will check your passport and ask questions where you will also need to pay the exit fee of 10 JOD to the authorities. Afterwards you will walk to the Israeli side of the border and also will be asked security questions before entering. Your bags will be scanned on the Israeli side.
Advantages of crossing from Jordan to Israel with a tour group
As this is a popular border crossing from Jordan to Israel it is ideal for joining a group tour that will make crossing much smoother. Joining a group tour helps with the logistics and planning in regards to transportation, guiding and border assistance. The Highlights of Jordan Tour although it starts Amman and uses the Sheikh Hussein Crossing can end in the Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Border crossing.
Times to Cross from Jordan to Israel at Yitzhak Rabin Terminal/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
The Wadi Araba border crossing is open every day with the exception of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and the Muslim New year in which there will be border closures.
Sunday-Thursday open 06:30 – 20:00
Friday and Saturday open 08:00 – 20:00
Passport Requirements for Yitzhak Rabin Terminal/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
Always make sure you have six months of passport validity in order to enter from Jordan to Israel, as well as a blank page which is required for the entry stamp.
Usually, visitors will obtain a 3-month visa on arrival to Israel from Jordan. Be sure to check your specific nationality as some persons require a visa in advance. If you do require a visa it must be arranged in advance directly with an Israeli Embassy in your home country.
Important to note that sometimes the personnel at the Israeli border crossing will only allow access to areas in the Palestinian Authority which does not allow access to Jerusalem or Israel. Be sure to ask at the border in order to avoid getting this visa and be clear your intentions if you plan to visit Jerusalem in Israel.
Exit Stamps When Exiting Jordan to Enter Israel
If your first port of entry in Jordan was at Queen Alia International Airport you will have an entry stamp to Jordan in your passport. If you intend to cross into Israel via land border and do not plan to return to Jordan you will not have an exit stamp from Jordan which can sometimes seem suspicious of how you exited Jordan and shows that you entered Israel. To avoid this, you can tell the airport staff when you land of your plans to cross into Israel and ask for your visa on an additional piece of paper rather than inside your passport. This request is not a guarantee and the airport security are able to not approve this request but you can ask.
Israeli Stamping Procedure at Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing Crossing
At the Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing, the Israeli border control generally stamps passports. You can request that they stamp outside of your passport on a separate piece of paper. It is not a guarantee that this request will be granted but if you ask clearly they will likely not stamp your passport.
Exit fees at Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing
Upon exiting Jordan to Israel the tax will be approximately 108 NIS (approx $32 USD – subject to change) and must be paid in the local currency, New Israeli Shekels or USD.
Currency at the Jordanian-Israeli Border
Both JOD and USD are accepted at Yitzvah Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing. On the Israeli side NIS and USD are accepted. There is no bank machine at it is vital to prepare all fees in advance for crossing.
Bathrooms and Food Services at Yitzhak Rabin Terminal/Wadi Araba Border Crossing
On the Jordanian side, there is a small cafe offering coffee, water, and snacks as well as a comfortable place to sit. There are bathroom facilities next to the cafe.
Getting around once you’ve crossed from Jordan to Israel
Once you have crossed the border into Israel, depending on where you are going you can take the public buses or a taxi. It is worth joining an organized tour group which will not only offer border assistance but will provide transportation directly where you want to go once in Israel. This 1 day Jerusalem tour from Amman includes all transportation, guiding and border assistance and make much easier travel between Jordan and Israel.
