Are you thinking of traveling to Palestine via Jordan, but the process seems overwhelming? My name is Marina, I’m 22 years old, and I just arrived in Palestine! Clearing my place from the beginning of my text, I’m coming from Greece, so depending on where you are coming from, things might be different for your experience. Lastly, you have to remember that these kinds of trips can be unexpected, so be prepared. You got this!
FIRST VISA/JORDANIAN VISA
Let’s cut to the case! The first thing you might want to know is that you get some free Wi-Fi the moment you land at the airport in Amman. After that, you will meet the first desk where you will show your passport, pay 40 JD, and you are done with your first visa! Not so hard, right?
KING HUSSEIN BRIDGE BORDER CROSSING
Moving to our next step: taking a taxi to the first border crossing, “King Hussein Bridge Border Crossing.” You will see a small kiosk right outside of the airport, beside the taxis. Keep in mind that many people will come to you offering rides, but they are not regular taxis. It’s better to choose one beside the kiosk. It will take 1–2 hours and cost you around 35 JD. The taxi will leave you at the border. You pass the security borders and take some steps further to the bus station. The wait for the bus can take up to 40 minutes.
ISRAELI BORDERS/VISA
After your bus takes you to the Israeli borders, you just need to be patient and calm. They are going to ask you many questions and facts to prove your answers. You don’t know exactly how much time you are going to spend at the Israeli borders. Personally, it took me one hour of questioning. The only thing you have to think about is your purpose, and your purpose is good. You are ready to go!
GETTING INTO PALESTINE
After this tiring questioning, you will get yourself out, and on your way, you’ll see a sign with the taxi’s phone number. If you can share your taxi, that would be great news for your pocket! Now your last step is finally stepping onto Palestinian grounds. There are different ways of doing so, but I can only talk about my experience. That’s why I would definitely recommend checking the instructions of the “Go Palestine” team. For me, the solution was the taxi. Again, sharing the taxi will be the best for both you and your pocket. Because I arrived late, I had to spend the night in Jerusalem.
The next morning came, and I got myself on the bus to Bethlehem with instructions from a kind Israeli market owner, contrary to the bus driver, who became distant and cold the moment I mentioned Hebron. We reached Bethlehem, and when I asked him the way to Hebron, he showed me a white wall with multiple metal doors where you could get in but not out. I thought to myself that I must have gone the wrong way. It looked like a prison. Quickly, I realized that it is a prison, only for the Palestinians. It took me one minute to pass the wall and come across a bunch of taxis and a Palestinian driver with a wide smile telling me, “Welcome to Palestine.”
