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Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

Israel And The Palestinian Territories

Air Travel

Major Airports

Identify the main international gateways for your journey.

Airport Options

  • Ben Gurion Airport (TLV): Near Tel Aviv, Israel. Main international gateway to Israel.
  • Ramon Airport (ETM): Near Eilat, Israel. Handles some international and domestic flights.
  • Queen Alia International Airport (AMM): Amman, Jordan. Alternative for entering from Jordan.

Flight Information

Understand airline options and seasonal price changes.

Traveler Insights

  • Airlines: Major international carriers serve TLV (El Al, United, Lufthansa, etc.).
  • Price Fluctuations: Highest prices during peak seasons (Spring, Autumn, holidays).
  • Lowest Prices: During low seasons (Summer, January/February).

Flight Deals

Discover affordable flight options.

Visit Dollar Flight Club

Compare Flights

Find the best flight deals across various airlines.

Visit Skyscanner

Car Rentals

Secure your rental car for exploring the region.

Visit DiscoverCars.com

Airport Transfers

From TLV to Dead Sea

  • Rental Car: Recommended for flexibility. Approx. 2-2.5 hours drive. Agencies at TLV.
  • Public Bus: Egged services to Jerusalem/Beersheba, then transfer to Dead Sea. 3-4+ hours.
  • Taxi/Private Transfer: Direct but costly (₪600-₪1000+). Pre-booking a shuttle is an option.
  • TLV is modern with duty-free, restaurants, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi.

From AMM Jordan to Dead Sea

  • Take a taxi from AMM to Allenby/King Hussein Bridge border (approx. 1 hour).
  • From Israeli side, taxi/sherut to Dead Sea. This route can be complex.
  • Border Crossing Note: Allenby/King Hussein Bridge generally does not issue visas on arrival.
  • Ramon Airport (ETM) is smaller with basic facilities, less direct to the Dead Sea.

Land Transportation Essentials

Border Crossings

Allenby/King Hussein Bridge for Jordan/northern Dead Sea (no private vehicles). Sheikh Hussein/Jordan River Crossing (north). Yitzhak Rabin/Arava Crossing (far south). Entry/exit to Palestinian areas via Israeli checkpoints.

Bus & Train Services

No direct train services to the Dead Sea; nearest stations are Beersheba/Dimona. Egged is the main bus company, connecting major cities to Dead Sea sites. Palestinian bus companies serve West Bank routes.

Self-Driving

Valid national driver's license and International Driving Permit (IDP) are necessary. Roads are generally well-maintained. Waze and Google Maps are effective for navigation. Renting offers maximum flexibility.

Departure Information

Airport Departure

Smooth airport departures involve early arrival due to security.

TLV Procedures

  • Arrive 3 hours before international flights due to enhanced security.
  • Departure tax is typically included in airline ticket prices.
  • TLV offers lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, and currency exchange.

Land Border Departure

Border Crossing Details

  • Allow 2-4 hours for land border crossings, especially Allenby/King Hussein Bridge.
  • Departure tax applies when leaving Israel via land crossings (approx. ₪108, subject to change).
  • An additional Jordanian departure tax applies when leaving Jordan (approx. 10 JOD).

Pre-Book Transfers

For convenience, pre-book private transfers from airports.

Carry Cash

Have cash ready for land border departure taxes.

Check Operating Hours

Verify border crossing hours; they vary by day and holidays.

No Sea/River Arrivals

Dead Sea's Nature

The Dead Sea is an unique geographical feature with characteristics that preclude certain types of travel.

Facts

  • Landlocked: The Dead Sea has no outlet to an ocean or sea.
  • Extreme Salinity: Its hypersaline nature prevents commercial navigation.
  • No Commercial Ports: No facilities for large vessels.

Travel Implications

This means that travel to the Dead Sea is exclusively via air or land transportation.

Travel Mode

  • Air Travel: The primary mode for international visitors.
  • Land Travel: Buses, taxis, and rental cars are the means of ground access.
  • No Sea/River Arrivals: No direct international arrivals by sea or river.

Road Conditions and Safety

Road Quality

Highways leading to the Dead Sea, like Route 90 and Route 31, are generally well-maintained and in good condition.

Summer Driving

In summer heat, monitor your vehicle's engine temperature and ensure sufficient water for all passengers.

Enforcement

Be aware of speed cameras and occasional police presence; speed limits are enforced.

Driving Tip

Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the Dead Sea region and accessing remote sites. Utilize navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps for efficient travel.