Israel or Jordan?
The practical differences, drawn from our own write-ups rather than from a brochure. We are not going to tell you which is better - they are different trips. What follows is what actually changes between them.
Places written up here 20 46
UNESCO listings among them 6 8
Cost level Very high Mid-range
Busiest month in our write-ups November April
Currency New shekel (ILS) Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Plugs and voltage C, H - 230 V C, D, F, G - 230 V
Everyday languages Hebrew Arabic
Driving side right hand side right hand side
Region Western Asia Western Asia
Capital Jerusalem Amman
Israel
Direct, informal and argumentative in a friendly way; Shabbat reshapes the week.
What we have written up
- Akko Old City old town
- Beit She'an ruins
- Caesarea Maritima archaeological site
- Ein Gedi waterfall
- Israeli Cuisine dish
- Mahane Yehuda Market market
Worth knowing before you go
- Cards work everywhere; contactless is standard
- Tipping is 10-15% in restaurants
- Airport security involves interviews - arrive three hours early and answer plainly
Jordan
Ahlan wa sahlan - welcome - is said constantly and meant; hospitality tea has no off switch.
What we have written up
- Abila archaeological site
- Afra Hot Springs hot springs
- Ajloun Castle castle
- Amman old town
- Anjara pilgrimage site
- Aqaba and the Red Sea beach
Worth knowing before you go
- The dinar is strong - Jordan costs more than its neighbours
- Tipping is expected in small amounts nearly everywhere - keep coins handy
- Wadi Rum overnight camps are the desert done right
Counts describe this site, not the countries: "places written up here" means how many pages we have finished, and it keeps growing. Currency, plugs and languages are practical facts and change rarely; check anything visa-related with the relevant official source before you book.