Border Crossing - Aqaba to Eilat

[John Bull]

Cruising Red Sea Magic in a few days time.

Been to Petra etc before, so planning to visit Eilat for a day.

But can find little/contradictory info about the land crossing, other than that UK citizens can cross there without pre-arranged visa & the border is open to 8pm.

Can anyone help with any of these queries & any other useful info?

- are taxis available (both ways) after crossing the border on foot?

- will Eilat taxi drivers accept euros/credit cards?

- are there Israeli/Jordanian visa/exit fees at the border - if so, any idea how much, & are cards or foreign currency accepted

- currency exchange facilities open in Eilat? It's a saturday!! We prefer not to buy shekels in advance in case our plans have to be changed, or to use an un-manned ATM

- can we avoid an Israeli stamp in our passports, & would a stamp impact on our ports-of-call in Egypt?

 

Sorry for all the questions.

 

New Year's greetings

 

JB :)

[ApricotSilk]

Was on the Red Sea Magic Feb time last year....and the itinerary was changed at the last minute due to the politics in Egypt....and cruised all of 3 miles from Aqaba to Eilat...so unscheduled....

 

The security was strict...it has to be. Felt safe...no problems.

 

Went on an excursion to a Kibbutz....Yotaava?? Anyway it was a huge dairy farm with additional agricultural research facilities (funded by Harvard).Not the usual holiday things....the welcome was wonderful

 

Given it was an additional unexpected visit....to me ..a wish fulfilled.

 

Others will advise re the technical aspects. Dont have an Israel stamp in passport..

Would I go again....oh yes please....

[WeeCountyMan]

Should be no issues with Israeli immigration stamp in your passport ref. Egypt - they've had full diplomatic relations for quite a while now. Othewr Arab countries are not so "understanding" though.

 

Regardless, on both ocassions we've entered Israel they've staple a card inside the passport with stamps etc., and removed it on leaving - so no evidence of having been in the country. This is standard practice I assume.

 

I would take advice from the Foreign Office about crossing the border from Aquabba to Eilat.

 

We were in each port on Red Sea Magic two years ago but only entered/left each country direct.

[John Bull]

Thanks, both.

Yes, our problem is that we're crossing on foot & few folk have done that. So although we know it can be done, its difficult to sus out the logistics ( mainly border charges & acceptable currencies/cards, and taxis). We've visited Israel before but by cruise ship to Haifa & Ashdod, & didn't even have to take our passports ashore.

More confident now about no need for passports to be stamped. Looks like we'll have to wing-it on the logistics. Fortunately the ship sails hours after the border closes so no problem of cutting it too fine.

We fly out tomorrow :)

 

Best wishes for the New Year

 

JB :)

[kruzseeka]

Thanks, both.

Yes, our problem is that we're crossing on foot & few folk have done that. So although we know it can be done, its difficult to sus out the logistics ( mainly border charges & acceptable currencies/cards, and taxis). We've visited Israel before but by cruise ship to Haifa & Ashdod, & didn't even have to take our passports ashore.

More confident now about no need for passports to be stamped. Looks like we'll have to wing-it on the logistics. Fortunately the ship sails hours after the border closes so no problem of cutting it too fine.

We fly out tomorrow :)

 

Best wishes for the New Year

 

JB :)

 

As long as you're on the right side when it closes! :eek::D Enjoy your trip and I hope your plans all come together and you have a fab time. :)