GoIsrael Community

hi. We would like to visit Petra next week. We were thinking we could rent a car and drive from Jerusalem and park the car in lot at the at the Rabin terminal/crossing. From there--we were told--we can just walk across the border, pay our fees, and catch a taxi or public transportation to the site/area. Is this possible? Or...is there public transportation from Eilat we should consider?. We don't want to be with a group...what do you think? thanks.

It is entirely possible to do exactly what you suggest, BUT please note that it will take about 4 hours of driving to get from Jerusalem to the Rabin Terminal near Eilat! And the fastest, easiest way to go is Route 1 from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and then on Route 90 South, past the Dead Sea and straight down the Arava through the Negev Desert to Eilat. Be sure to stop along the way for refreshment and take water and fruit with you - it's going to be HOT and DRY! There's a nice area just south of the Dead Sea called Hatzeva which has an Aroma Cafe, a small shop selling snacks and pastries, etc., a Burger Ranch, clean bathrooms and more. I suggest that a better and more comfortable way is to go down by Egged Bus #444 from Jerusalem (a cost of 65 shekels per person) and spend the night in Eilat. The next morning you can take a taxi to the crossing and continue as you said, returning in the evening to your hotel in Eilat and then catching the Egged #444 back to Jerusalem the next day. If you would like a private, guided full-day tour of Petra, on your own or with a small group, I suggest you contact Erez at Desert Eco Tours - erez@desertecotours.com - as he can work out exactly the right sort of program for you and even help you book a hotel in Eilat. The only difficulty I foresee is that next week 19-26 April) is Passover, and I expect that hotels and even youth hostels, etc. in Eilat and nearby are quite booked up! Still, it could be worth a try... Have a great time, whatever you decide to do! suzanne

Dear Suzanne: If you are travelling from Jerusalem, does the #444 bus stop at the Arava crossing, if you ask the bus driver to let you off there? Or, do you have to go into Eilat, then take a taxi ride back to the Arava crossing? Many thanks, Brian

I don't recall seeing a bus stop on the main road (Route 90) near the terminal, so I'm pretty sure you'll have to just go to the bus station and get a taxi. But in Eilat, the taxi fares are not high at all. suzanne

Hello, Suzanne,

 We're staying in Jerusalem for two nights, 3/4 October, this year, then crossing over to Petra, where we've booked the Moevenpick for two nights.

Is our best bet to get the Egged 444 you mentioned from Jerusalem to Eilat? Do they run regularly? Can we book in advance, or just turn up? We're staying over in Eilat, and as we're only staying overnight thought we'd try Coral Beach, do a glass bottomed boat, etc.

 Are taxi rates for the crossing back to Jordan regulated? Still haven't sorted Jordan to Jerusalem....

 

Help, please

Teg