Useful Information and Links Jordan and Jerusalem

Visas and Arrival

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival into Jordan. Payment of 10 Jordanian dinar is required in cash – a moneychanger is available in the Immigration area at Amman airport (will change US dollars, Euros) but there is no ATM until after processing.

I crossed the border from Jordan into Israel and return via the King Hussein Bridge. A valuable source of information on the transfer options and formalities is www.amman2jerusalem.com.  I took a private car from Amman to the border and then paid for a VIP border transfer (USD$100) to pass through to Israel expediently.  You must have copies of accommodation bookings ready for perusal by Israeli immigration. A sherut (share taxi or minibus) leaves from the border direct to the Damascus gate in Jerusalem.  Catch the same sherut  for the return transfer to the border. A departure tax of 176 Israeli shekels is payable on leaving Israel.

Money and ATMs

Jordanian currency is the Jordanian dinar (JOD). ATMs are everywhere in Jordan, except perhaps smaller towns.  Credit cards are widely accepted with hotels and tour operators.

The Israeli currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS).  ATMs are widespread in Jerusalem and there are plenty of little moneychangers within old Jerusalem city who can perform cash advances or ATM withdrawals.

Transport

Day tours to sights near Amman can often be arranged through the hotel.  Common day tours include to the “Desert Castles” of Al-Azraq, Quasyr Amra and Qasr Kharana.  Another day tour takes in Gadara and Jerash roman ruins and Ajloun Castle.

Reasonably priced speedy private car transfers can be arranged to anywhere in Jordan including Petra or the Dead Sea (most hotels can arrange).  The fast and modern JETT bus plies the modern Desert Highway between Amman and Petra / Aqaba.

Day tours from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and other Holy Lands sights in the West Bank can be arranged through hotels.  I caught a local bus (Bus 21) from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and return.

Where I Stayed

I booked most hotels in advance using expedia.com.au (I can pay in my local currency on credit card this way).

Amman:  Palace Hotel, King Faisal St, Amman (budget hotel offering tours, private car transfers and transfers to King Hussein Bridge border)

Petra:  Moevenpick Resort Petra, Wadi Mousa, Petra (sister with expensive tastes staying with me!)

Wadi Rum: Bedouin camp with Wadi Rum Guides:  www.rumguides.com

Aqaba:  International Arab Divers Village, Aqaba South Beach Road, Aqaba

Jerusalem: American Colony Hotel, One Louis Vincent St, Jerusalem

Dead Sea:  Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Dead Sea Road, Sweimeh

Madaba: Mariam Hotel, Aisha Um Al Mumeneen St, Madaba

Favourite Places to Eat:

Amman: Hashem Restaurant, Al-Amir Mohammed Street, downtown Amman (bottomless felafel, hummus, fava-bean and mint tea) – see photo in Jordan gallery!

Petra: Sandstone Restaurant (tasty grilled meats, mezze and beers after a long day exploring Petra)

Other links:

Wadi Rum Hiking, Jeep and Camel Riding tours:  www.rumguides.com

Scuba Diving Aqaba: www.aqaba-divevillage.com

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