Self-tour vs organised tours in Israel & Jordan

[Flashback]

Accommodation options in Jerusalem were slim, but while the actual site and Booking.com/Hotels.com were all charging £700 for the nights we were planning to stay; the provider also listed their room on Airbnb. Picked it up for £270 instead.

Car rental in Israel, was coming in around $240 booking direct (on the IL version of the site); ditto for all majors. Searched via AutoSlash and dropped the price to $195 and comes with unlimited km rather than the 250km / day that most of the rental companies seem to offer.

Have started having a look at tours etc. from Eilat, Israel into Jordan etc. and nothing has really jumped out. Have priced up the Jordan Pass, a rental car etc. and that's looking like a pretty decent option. Seems pretty straight forward to do too.

ATM fees in Israel seem reasonable (3 NIS or thereabouts?) but in Jordan they come in around 5 JoD which is extortionate. Perhaps will take out some extra money before leaving Israel and then convert that to JoD if that's an option when we cross the border.

 

[MARTINE]

Accommodation options in Jerusalem were slim, but while the actual site and Booking.com/Hotels.com were all charging £700 for the nights we were planning to stay; the provider also listed their room on Airbnb. Picked it up for £270 instead.

Car rental in Israel, was coming in around $240 booking direct (on the IL version of the site); ditto for all majors. Searched via AutoSlash and dropped the price to $195 and comes with unlimited km rather than the 250km / day that most of the rental companies seem to offer.

Have started having a look at tours etc. from Eilat, Israel into Jordan etc. and nothing has really jumped out. Have priced up the Jordan Pass, a rental car etc. and that's looking like a pretty decent option. Seems pretty straight forward to do too.

ATM fees in Israel seem reasonable (3 NIS or thereabouts?) but in Jordan they come in around 5 JoD which is extortionate. Perhaps will take out some extra money before leaving Israel and then convert that to JoD if that's an option when we cross the border.

Jordanians dont want shekels
Try USD

 

[Pushka]

Jordanians dont want shekels
Try USD

All our tours, in Egypt, Jordan and Israel want USD. Or Euros. USD preferred. I've sourced a lot of local currency, before we go but don't want the issue of using ATM unless needed. Currently Indian rupees, Oman rial, Jordanian dinar, $15 aud in Egyptian pounds , stacks of USD to pay for excursions, and Malaysian rinngits, but no shekels yet as both the pounds and shekels aren't sourced in Oz.

 

[Flashback]

We were planning to take our USD funds with us anyway, so sounds like it might be worth getting some more before we go. We're getting the Jordan pass, so that'll sort a lot of things out as well in terms of entry fees etc. although I suspect a lot of places take credit card anyway, apart from perhaps restaurants and such.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

The only thing I would flag is that whilst Israel has wised up on passport stamps, the default for some of the Jordan crossings is a stamp. This can be used against you by some overzealous countries in the future (looking at you, Lebanon) because it names the crossing. They will stamp separately if you ask but it's worth keeping an eye on it in the chaos.

Overnight in the Wadi Rum was highly memorable for MrsG.

 

[Flashback]

The only thing I would flag is that whilst Israel has wised up on passport stamps, the default for some of the Jordan crossings is a stamp. This can be used against you by some overzealous countries in the future (looking at you, Lebanon) because it names the crossing. They will stamp separately if you ask but it's worth keeping an eye on it in the chaos.

Overnight in the Wadi Rum was highly memorable for MrsG.

Yes, based on the research I did Jordan will also issue you a slip of paper that you then present when you depart Jordan - as it'll track the number of days and therefore whether you have to pay for the visa or not i.e., if you've spent 2 nights and have been to Petra, then the fees are waived when you exit. I'm going to get the Jordan pass anyway which also cancels out the visa fees and allows me to use the quicker entry point at the land crossing, rather than having to fill out paperwork etc. once we arrive at the crossing.

 

[MARTINE]

On arrival at Ben Gurion you get your arrival stamp as a piece of paper. No evidence in your passport you were there.

 

[Pushka]

On arrival at Ben Gurion you get your arrival stamp as a piece of paper. No evidence in your passport you were there.

On land entry or exit I think there’s an issue as Jordan might identify where on the border you crossed from. Has to be Israel.

We arrive and leave by cruise ship. Will be staying in Dubai on return.

 

[Myrna]

When we went to jordan we hired a driver who turned out to be an excellent guide. sadly it seems he retired in 2020.
But this would be the way to go as we were taken to places not on the usual tour itineraries though it did lead to long days leaving us really exhausted.
Probably ask on Trip Advisor as that is how we found our guy. His name was Wael Salith. his web page is still there but apart from the name nothing else now.

Been planning a trip to Jordan with friends in a few months, and we asked WS to give a quote. His webpage is really weird. He gave out his whatsapp number, and did not reply to emails. He is no longer the driver but a tour operator - ie using other drivers. His quote in JOD was almost doubled another tour operator, because he included the accommodation costs for the drivers!
We also got quotes from Jordan Select Tours (the highest, around US$1K per person - they were prompt in replying to emails), and from kpc's travel agent (a bit cheaper, around US$850 per person - they used a company based in Jordan).

 

[Pushka]

I've booked private shore excursions on a cruise ship for next May. I used Guided Tours Israel. Leo from that group advised yesterday that 16 people had signed up and he'd opened up another bus. If you are interested in day tours or several tours combined maybe try them?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

On land entry or exit I think there’s an issue as Jordan might identify where on the border you crossed from. Has to be Israel.

Yes, Jordan.

 

[bookworm]

We visited Jerusalem and Jordan, flew in and out of Amman with Royal Jordanian, as part of our OWA, in October last year.
RJ lounge is lovely in Amman. Have to pay to use shower facilities though.

We hired a guide in Jordan, he drove us to & collected us from Allenby, and then drove us around Jordan. Sorry lost his details.

There was car hire just outside Allenby border, in Jordan. So perhaps hire a car there, drive down to Petra; Wadi Rum and return to TA via Allenby. Long trip though.

I saw other people self driving in Jordan.

Amman downtown!!! Crazy driving. Self driving is not for me there.

Petra, yes a full day at least. Especially if you want to hike.
Wadi Rum is a few hours from Petra.
Plan your hikes in both places.
Don’t think you can arrange a self tour in Wadi Rum, we were told the locals only are allowed to drive you in.
Please look for a booking where you can prepay for accommodation in Wadi Rum, including meals. I had booked via Booking.Com and was not allowed to prepay.
At the accommodation, they wanted to charge me more, until I showed repeatedly showed them my confirmation email with the costs outlined. A family member who went in December, had the same experience, at another hotel.
You will also require transport into the desert to your accommodation, be sure this is included.

Have you not considered visiting Mount Nebo area? I loved the drive there.

Sadly public toilets are not of a good standard in parts of Jordan, so be warned.

The Dead Sea was just that in October- dead, no one in sight, windy and the beaches were strewn with litter. (Jordanian side). Lots of resorts there, not sure if any were open then. I was not impressed.

Both in Jerusalem and Jordan, I found you could easily pay in US dollars if you don’t have local currency.

The Old City will be crazy busy during religious festivals. When we were there, all shops in old city, were closed for one or 2 days. No ATM to draw cash, as these are moved in and out of the shops as per business hours.

 

[Myrna]

Sadly public toilets are not of a good standard in parts of Jordan, so be warned.

Thanks, for the warning

Did you have any issue with taking JOD cash out of ATMs (with debit cards)? Everyone wants cash (drivers, tour guides, hotels, restaurants)! The hotel in Madaba booked through booking dot com wants cash.

How did you cope with the scammers and touts in Petra (in particular)?

 

[Flashback]

Thanks, for the warning

Did you have any issue with taking JOD cash out of ATMs (with debit cards)? Everyone wants cash (drivers, tour guides, hotels, restaurants)! The hotel in Madaba booked through booking dot com wants cash.

How did you cope with the scammers and touts in Petra (in particular)?

That includes the ones at the lounge at AMM... grim.

ATMs work well but have really high fees. Carry USD if possible.

 

[bookworm]

Thanks, for the warning

Did you have any issue with taking JOD cash out of ATMs (with debit cards)? Everyone wants cash (drivers, tour guides, hotels, restaurants)! The hotel in Madaba booked through booking dot com wants cash.

How did you cope with the scammers and touts in Petra (in particular)?

No issue withdrawing from ATM in Jerusalem & Jordan. Quick & easy. I found that most ATM's charged a flat fee, so it's more cost effective to draw a larger amount in one go. Also all ATMs did not charge the same fees, sometimes they were not far apart, so I'd test and see.

As mentioned previously USD are no problem , accepted both in Jordan & jerusalem. & also at Israel border to pay exit tax/ taxi fare / baggage.
You will pay per piece of luggage at both sides of border , irrespective of weight.

We had been to US & Canada so had some of that currency. In both Jordan & Israel, the guides refused smaller denominations of USD, we were told the money exchange would not accept them. They wanted USD50 or 100. (In Qatar a week later, the money exchange gladly accepted all my CAD & USD , even the $1 bills!)

I just ignored those very persistent touts in Petra. They will beg you to take the horses , saying it's free & included in the ticket....but want a huge tip after that. I think Petra tickets are cheaper if you have already spent a few days in Jordan. Please check on this.

 

[Pushka]

I just ignored those very persistent touts in Petra. They will beg you to take the horses , saying it's free & included in the ticket....but want a huge tip after that. I think Petra tickets are cheaper if you have already spent a few days in Jordan. Please check on this.

Our tour operator in Jordan said the horse ride was free but warned that if you wanted to get off the horse they will demand a fee. I hear there are now motorised carts. Return and one way. That's on my list.

 

[RooFlyer]

Our tour operator in Jordan said the horse ride was free but warned that if you wanted to get off the horse they will demand a fee. I hear there are now motorised carts. Return and one way. That's on my list.

That will work. From what I recall, and it's a few years ago now, the path to the beginning of the Siq is paved, or at least smooth, so the carts should be able to get though. The horses/donkeys walked off the formed track. There are a couple of things to see along the way, but not major in the scheme of things. I think the floor of the Siq is concrete, or at least solid.

There were a couple of refreshment areas within Petra site, one about half way down (it slopes gently away from the start) IIRC in a 'traditional' tent, and the other at the bottom, a western-style cafe with shade and outdoor seating - quite nice.

You may want to ask if the tour operator has arranged cool drinks when you get back to Petra town - you'll probably be hot and thirsty and will have to wait for any stragglers - there are several hotels at the town end of the track which have outdoor areas with cold drinks - best to be pre-arranged, but open to all, then.

 

[Myrna]

Our tour operator in Jordan said the horse ride was free but warned that if you wanted to get off the horse they will demand a fee. I hear there are now motorised carts. Return and one way. That's on my list.

I did read that there are now motorised carts - which will be good for our travelling friends who are mobility challenge (they will not be able to get on or off a horse ).

 

[Myrna]

That will work. From what I recall, and it's a few years ago now, the path to the beginning of the Siq is paved, or at least smooth, so the carts should be able to get though. The horses/donkeys walked off the formed track. There are a couple of things to see along the way, but not major in the scheme of things. I think the floor of the Siq is concrete, or at least solid.

There were a couple of refreshment areas within Petra site, one about half way down (it slopes gently away from the start) IIRC in a 'traditional' tent, and the other at the bottom, a western-style cafe with shade and outdoor seating - quite nice.

You may want to ask if the tour operator has arranged cool drinks when you get back to Petra town - you'll probably be hot and thirsty and will have to wait for any stragglers - there are several hotels at the town end of the track which have outdoor areas with cold drinks - best to be pre-arranged, but open to all, then.

Thanks for the explanation. I did read that the walk from Petra Visitor Centre to the Treasury via the Siq is easy. But from the Treasury to the Monastery, it will be 800 steps carved in stone - not looking forward to this climb!
We will be in Petra for 2 full days on our own, the tour operator will not be with us. They will drop us off at the hotel and pick us up on day 3.

Post automatically merged: Feb 27, 2023

That includes the ones at the lounge at AMM... grim.

Oh dear

 

[jrfsp]

Self driving in Jordan was very easy, way easier than say Italy. Just watch out for cops checking speed….