Quick Prep Guide: Israel and Jordan

Written By Rachel Garcia

*Please note that the details provided below are solely for informational purposes.

We are headed to Israel and Jordan this week as a family - below is a brief guide showing how we prepare the week before an international trip:

The information below is just a snippet of what you get when you sign up for a Travel Prep & Research consult! Follow along via Instagram for more of our day to day on the trip!

  • Passports

    • Originals plus photocopies

      • If we lose a passport, it helps to have a photocopy with you to bring to the U.S. Embassy

    • We have also been waiting for our global entry interviews. Thankfully we have a layover on the way home at an Enrollment on Arrival interview location and can do it upon re-entry in the U.S. I added a few additional documents to my pile of “things to bring” on the trip so I have them for the interviews.

  • Visas

    • I already reviewed this information prior to purchasing our flights but here is the information for those who may need it - *confirm this with the State Department prior to booking your flights:

        • Israel - a U.S. citizen does not need a Visa if traveling for business or tourism and will be in the country for less than 90 days

        • Jordan - a U.S. citizen can fill out the Visa application for a single entry Visa upon arrival at Queen Alia airport (and at most land border crossings) - this Visa is valid for up to 1 month. There is a also a dual entry within 3 months or a multi entry within 5 years Visa option for Jordan, each having different costs and different locations where the Visa must be obtained.

          • Jordan Pass: Another option when visiting Jordan is to get the Jordan pass. The pass is for those who will be staying a minimum of 4 days and 3 nights in Jordan. There are different price levels that are dependent on the number of days that you plan to spend at Petra. Your Visa cost as well as entry costs to 40 attractions in Jordan are waived with the purchase of the Jordan Pass. You can read more about it here.

  • Paperwork

    • Confirm all other documents that are needed, including contact information for travel insurance

  • Car Seat requirements

    • Confirm nothing has changed with car seat requirements by age and size for both countries

  • Wifi and Cell coverage

    • Confirmed with our wireless company that our coverage was set-up

      • Coverage through our home company made more sense after also researching SIM card options 

  • Download apps

    • Whatsapp - we have been using this regularly for years and it is the easiest app to use internationally

      • Whatsapp Phone and Video calls haven’t historically worked in Jordan - I’ll update this post with more details upon our return

    • Gett, Yango, Uber, Careem for taxis

    • Rav Kav app and Rav-Pass by HopOn for buses, light rail and train schedules and payments

    • Google maps - download city maps so they can be used offline if needed

    • Explore Jordan

    • Google Translate

    • Red Alerts

  • Work calendar

    • Make sure work calendars have been updated with any time change requirements for meetings

      • There is a 7-10 hour time difference with the U.S. which means we may do some work in the evenings

  • Packing List:

    • Electronics (computer, phone, kindle)

      • Download shows for the flights

      • Device chargers

      • Adapters (and voltage converters)

        • Checked that the adapters or charging plugs are able to convert up to 240V (Jordan and Israel have standard voltage of 220/230V while the U.S. is 110/120V)

    • Snacks for the flights plus a few reusable containers

    • Sleep and comfort aids

      • Ear plugs for adults

      • Sounds machine, blanket, stuffed animal for kids

    • Hat - for sun exposure, particularly while in Jordan where our schedule has more desert based walking

    • Water bottles and daypack

    • Sunglasses 

    • Bug spray + Sunscreen (will buy when we get there)

    • Laundry soap (will also buy when we get there) and dryer sheets

    • Toiletries

    • Medications (in carry-on)

    • Clothing and shoes - if you are entering any religious site then modest dress is required. This means none of the following: shorts, skirts, sleeveless shirts - knees, shoulders, elbows, and chest should be covered and possibly hair or head as well.

      • Long and light flowy fabrics that can be layered

      • Lightweight scarf

      • For any non-religious sites, typical summer clothing is appropriate

      • Warmer sleeves for the evenings

      • Good walking shoes - we are big walkers and often will walk a few extra miles to explore our surroundings instead of taking transportation between destinations

      • Bathing suit for the beaches on the Mediterranean as well as at the Dead Sea

        • Bring an old suit for the Dead Sea, the water & salt may ruin your suit

        • Wash your suit as soon as you get out of the Dead Sea to avoid it being ruined

      • Water shoes 

        • Dead Sea - the salt at the bottom of the sea and the sand/salt formations as you get closer to the water line on the beach will cut your feet 

          • Wash your shoes off as soon as you get off the beach to avoid any long term salt lines

        • Hezekiah Tunnels at the City of David

Follow our trip on Instagram and stay tuned for updates to this guide coming soon!

(c) 2023, TripMedRx, Inc.

Rachel Garcia
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