The security situation in Israel continues to make travel out of the country difficult.
· Starting on March 23 at 5pm, the Government of Israel announced there will be a maximum of one flight departure from Ben Gurion Airport per hour with no more than 50 passengers.
The fastest option to depart Israel at this time is to take one of the available overland routes, including to Egypt or Jordan.
· You can check the status of land crossings here .
· Commercial air opportunities are readily available from airports in Jordan and Egypt.
U.S. Embassy Bus Service to Amman, Jordan
· U.S. Embassy Jerusalem is offering bus service to the Amman, Jordan International Airport via the Jordan River Sheikh Hussein crossing for U.S. citizens.
· If you are interested in assisted departure via bus to Amman, please fill out this online form .
· As buses are scheduled, we will send you details about the date and time of departure and the meeting place. Departures are currently available from the Jerusalem area and the Tel Aviv area.
· Travelers are responsible for booking their onward travel, and we recommend they do so before departing Israel.
· We can provide hotel accommodation if requested as part of the bus registration process if a flight connection requires an overnight stay in Amman. When we confirm your seat on a bus, please let us know if you need this support.
· Bus travelers should also consider leaving behind valuables, including religious items, that cannot easily be replaced.
Travelers to Jordan will need to obtain the following and pay the associated fees:
· A visa on arrival is available at the King Hussein crossing for $60 USD (payable in USD cash only).
· A departure fee of 110 shekels (payable in NIS cash only).
Land Crossing to Egypt
· The land crossing to Egypt at Taba is operating and scheduled to be open 24 hours a day.
· There are several ways to travel from Taba to the airport in Sharm-El-Sheikh: shared minibuses and private taxis are readily available.
Travelers to Egypt will need to obtain the following and pay the associated fees:
· A 30-day Egyptian visa available on arrival at Taba for $30 USD, payable in cash. This visa permits travelers to enter the Sinai Peninsula and to board flights departing from Sharm El-Sheikh, including those that transit through Cairo. Alternatively, travelers may obtain a free entry stamp at the Taba border crossing that only permits travel within South Sinai.
· A letter of guarantee is required and available on arrival at the Egyptian arrivals terminal for $20 or $25 USD cash.
· An Egyptian Taba border exit fee for $60 USD cash.
Air Travel
· Ben Gurion Airport is operating limited flights.
· Americans seeking assistance on commercial flights should contact airlines directly.
· For your safety and in compliance with Government of Israel limitations on sizes of gatherings, do not go to Ben Gurion airport unless you have a ticket.
Shelter in Place
· U.S. Embassy Jerusalem has directed all U.S. government employees to shelter in place. We recommend all Americans do the same. To the extent possible, remain in your residence, hotel, or another structure, and stay away from windows.
· In the event of missile, rocket fire, or hostile aircraft intrusion, a “red alert” siren may be activated. Follow the instructions from local authorities and the Israeli Home Front Command and seek shelter immediately.
Actions to Take
· Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space .
· Download the free Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command application on Android or Apple devices to receive real-time alerts for rockets, missile attacks, and armed UAV intrusions. Free commercial applications, such as “Red Alert: Israel,” are also available.
· The Israeli Ministry of Transport has provided an application form for foreign nationals in Israel to request support departing Israel during an emergency.
Assistance
· U.S. Department of State: call +1-202-501-4444 from abroad or +1-888-407-4747 when calling from the U.S. and Canada.
· Israel Police: call 100
· Israel Ambulance: call 101
· U.S. Embassy Jerusalem: JerusalemACS@state.gov
· U.S. Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv: TelAvivACS@state.gov
