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Israel Border Crossing

Crossing the border to and from Israel This page is to provide information about crossing the Israel border, both coming into the country from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan and exiting as well. Did you ever cross a land border into or out of this Israel? If so, submit a record of your experience below. What does [...]

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Crossing the border to and from Israel

This page is to provide information about crossing the Israel border, both coming into the country from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan and exiting as well.

Did you ever cross a land border into or out of this Israel? If so, submit a record of your experience below. What does a traveler from your country need to go to Israel? What documents are necessary? What types of visas? How much money does it cost? Can you get a visa at the border? What transportation options does a traveler have after crossing the border to and from Israel?

If you are planning on crossing the Israel border and have questions, feel free to send them in using the form.

Reader questions about crossing the Israeli border

Hi. My friends and I are recent archaeology graduates from Canada. For a graduation trip we are planning a backpacking trip through the Middle East starting in Egypt and heading to Israel, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. However, we’ve been running into major concerns about crossing the borders particularly between Syria and Israel. I was hoping you could help shed some light on the issue. Thanks.

Don’t worry too much about crossing the border into Israel from Syria, as they will more than likely let you in. Though expect to be interrogated and to be delayed anywhere between one and ten hours. Be ready to explain exactly what you did in Syria, where you stayed, and for how long you were in each place. If you have friends in Syria don’t mention this to the Israeli border officials.

My experience of crossing the border from Jordan into Israel with Syrian and Iraqi stamps in my passport was that the officials were relatively sociable, and they just wanted to know what I was doing in the Middle East prior to coming to Israel. It only took me around a half hour at the border, but I had an extenuating advantage: the person that I was with is a Jew with family in Israel and a very Jewish name.  They took her into a separate room, asked her some questions about her family, and then stamped her passport. As for me, my interrogation was just as simple, a few questions, and a stamp. Though be warned that my experience does not seem to have been typical, and I have heard of American travelers being detained for up to 10 hours and going through multiple interrogations upon trying to cross the border into Israel with stamps from other Middle Eastern countries in their passports.


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About the Author:

I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 91 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. has written 3699 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

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  • Bas May 18, 2014, 8:18 am

    I overstayed my visa in israel approx 12 years ago can i return on a tourist visa for two week holiday thanks

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