Hi everyone

I am probably travelling to Israel over the Christmas-New Year Holiday to visit with my best friend living in Haifa. I just have a couple of basic questions about traveling in Israel and possibly crossing over to Jordan:

How much would it roughly cost and take to cross from Israel to Jordan via bus---is this possible?

What's a good daily budget for Jordan, assuming I stay in hostels, eat moderately well and visit all the 'sites"? Would a week be suffciant for Jordan?

What's good daily budget for Jerusalem once again staying in Hostels, eating moderately well? Are travellers able to visit the different religious quarters of the city without much trouble? I am Muslim and want to visit the Dome on the Rock Mosque...will this be an issue?

Any other advice appreciated, thanks

Hi Sohniye,

You can definitely visit all the religious quarters of Jerusalem without a problem. And being a Muslim, you can enter the Dome of the Rock. If you were not a Muslim, you couldn't.

I am certain you can't cross the border from Israel to Jordan in one vehicle. You'd have to get to the Jordan border, then cross, then get in another vehicle to go to your destination.

I don't know what hostels cost, but I know you can eat cheap by eating falafel, schwarma, etc. at very casual restaurants or a stands on the streets.

Here's some exchange rate info. I couldn't find a site that has Jordan exchange rates, but I know you can find one. This one has Israeli exchange rates to the U.S. dollar - http://www.x-rates.com/

Have a great trip!

Thank you

hey there.

Well, the good news is that you are going to these places on off season, so you may have cheaper prices than normal. It will be cold at that time of year in jerusalem and in Jordan. Not snow cold, of course, but quite chilly. In Israel, do plan to spend European prices. Its very expensive, and while yes, you can eat cheaply, accommadation is still pricey and it is often worth it to spend a bit more. There is a fantastic hostel in Jerusalem in the old city called the Citadel Hostel. Its average price for Jerusalem, I think around 65 sheckles a night for a dorm....or about $12-$15USD. I hear it can be slightly chilly there in the winter but the people are fantastic, the location is amazing, and the rooftop views are to die for. I stayed there for two weeks in April and loved it.

As per the bus to Jordan, its VERY easy but you have many options. The shortest route I think is to take a bus from Jerusalem to Amman. However, the costs are more expensive and the border has alot more hassle. I would suggest taking the bus from Jerusalem to the southern border at Eilat, and the driver can usually drop you at the border crossing. It is I think 92 shekles there (cheaper by about 50sh) and the crossing is absolutely effortless. Or it was for me I should say. From there you can take a taxi directly to Aquaba, Wadi Rum, or Petra.

Jordan is not expensive for accommadation, and usually that includes breakfast AND a barbeque (and amazing) dinner, but the transport, if you go at all out of the way, is VERY expensive for a solo traveler. If you only have one week, I would suggest sticking to the south...crossing over from Eilat, making your way to Petra, staying for 2-3 days, and then taking a trip to Wadi Rum for 2-3 days. The rest of Jordan is absolutely friggin amazing but with only a week and with a budget the south is your best bet. I stayed at the Valentine Inn in Petra (LOVED it and very cheap with a fantastic dinner each night) and took a Wadi Rum trip from there (which was also amazing). You can go back through the same border or just take the fast bus up to Amman and leave from there. Of course, these are all just suggestions....once you are there you will find your own way, but its always helpful to at least have an idea I think, so hope it helps!

It will be cold, and it may snow in Jerusalem!
As a muslim you can easily go to the dome of the rock, non-muslim ARE allowed, but only on certain days of the week.
Getting from Israel to Jordan is easy, you can cross at three border crossings, one near Tiberias, in the north, one near Jerusalem (the Hussein/Allenby bridge) and then in the south, near Eilat, at the Arava crossing.

There are public buses that go to the Tiberias crossing, I've never been across that border, but it's easy to do

To go to allenby, go to the Damascus gate in the old city, and across the street there is a taxi stand, you can take a shared taxi--it's cheap, I don't remember exactly how much it costs. It will take you right to the border. jordan does not issue visas at the hussein/allenby crossing if you do not have a visa already, (you can get one easily at the embassy in TA) they will turn you away, the other two borders will issue visas. Also, Israeli citizens are not allowed to use the hussein/allenby bridge.

To go to Arava, take the bus to eilat, let the driver know that you want to be dropped off at the border, it's a few kilometers before you get to Eilat. ALSO: tickets to Eilat cannot be purchased on the bus from the driver, you must buy them at the ticket stand in advance. In the winter, Israelis go to Eilat so that they can get away from the cold--don't wait for the last minute to get your ticket.

Because of the visa silliness, most travelers enter Jordan at Tiberias or Eilat and then come back at the Allenby/Hussein bridge.

A week in Jordan is likely plenty, unless you want to explore the Eastern Dessert.

In Israel, you can save a lot of money on street food--shwarma and falafel in lafa will fill you up and only cost a couple of bucks.

Also, Christmas time is *not* off season in Jerusalem, there will be crowds, and especially in East Jerusalem and near the old city, lodging will be expensive.

Jose p. wrote:A week in Jordan is likely plenty, unless you want to explore the Eastern Dessert.

Don't believe him. It's a lie. A week will show you only a couple of highlights, which is better than nothing. Wadi Rum and Petra would be the top picks with good reason, but if you can fit in a trip to Jerash, it's pretty awesome, too. I have a more extensive list for people with more time, you can probably find it by searching the forum if you're interested.

Otherwise good info.

Daily budget in Jordan - I believe my budget there was $60 (CAD) per day a few years back, with the current exchange rates, I'd say $55 US would be what I'd want. Accommodation in particular isn't cheap in Jordan, as hostels are virtually non-existent...backpacker accommodation means no-star hotels. Site admission is the other high end item, particularly Petra. Food and transportation are cheap, though.