How to get from Amman to Jerash – Ultimate Day Trip Guide
Amman, Jordan is a fascinating city with thousands of years of history and culture to keep you entertained. However, on your trip to Jordan you shouldn’t just stick to its capital as there are so many more awesome places to explore such as Jerash!
The ancient city of Jerash is renowned for containing some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the entire world. And at only 30 miles from Amman, it is the ultimate day trip location.
On our most recent trip there we were amazed at the size of the site and how well it has been preserved – it’s truly a window into the ancient world!
History of Jerash
The site that would eventually grow into the city of Jerash shows evidence of human settlement dating way back to the Bronze Age some 4,000 years ago.
Since then, Jerash has expanded into its current state under the ownership of many different civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans and Ottomans to name just a few!
The group that left the largest impression was certainly the Romans who built many of the structures that you will see on your visit.
To this day, Jerash is known as being of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in the world (outside Italy of course). With that said, on our visit we were incredibly impressed by Jerash and think that it is better than many Roman sites you will find in Rome!
How to get to Jerash
Because Jerash is so close to Amman there are multiple options you can use, each with their own pros and cons.
Taxi
When we travel, we like to make the most of our time even if that means spending a little more money. For that reason, when we went to Jerash we got a taxi to drive us there, wait while we explored and then drive us back to Amman.
Doing this meant that we could plan our day better and squeeze even more exploring time in!
The best way to arrange a driver is by asking your hotel reception, they will have arranged it hundreds of times in the past for previous guests and the set price should be around 40-50 JD per car.
Depending on the traffic, the journey should take between 40-50 minutes one way (perfect distance for a power nap!).
Bus
Getting the bus from Amman to Jerash is incredibly cheap and is a very popular option for tourists.
Tickets cost around 1-2 JD which makes this the ideal option for those on a budget or those with a more relaxed schedule.
The buses leave Amman from the North Terminal Bus Station and take around 45-60mins to reach Jerash.
There are no set departure times for the buses and they only leave when they are full. This means on quieter days you should factor in waiting for up to an hour for the bus to fill up.
Tour
If you want to get even more out of your day trip from Amman then you should consider booking a dedicated tour from places such as Viator.
There are hundreds to choose from and many include other amazing sites such as Ajloun Castle and Umm Qais. Another benefit is that rather than just getting a driver to ferry you back and forward, you will have a dedicated guide that will be able to answer all your questions!
Whether you go private or with a group there will definitely be something there that you find interesting.
How long should you spend in Jerash
Jerash is a huge site and to see all 200 acres you will need to invest a few hours here.
We spent 2.5 hours in Jerash which meant that we could comfortably walk around with the guide as well as have some free time to explore on our own.
There’s just so much to see which means the minimum amount we would recommend is 1.5 hours as this would allow you to see all the main sites and get a good feel for the place.
Best parts to see
On your visit to Jerash make sure you keep an eye out for the following spots, we think they are the best in the entire complex:
Arch of Hadrian
This one is very hard to miss as you have to pass through it on your way into the ancient city!
The impressive Arch of Hadrian was built on the south side of Jerash in the year 129 AD to mark an important visit from the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Oval Plaza
The 90 metre wide Oval Plaza was once the main meeting point of the city and could hold thousands of people.
It is surrounded on almost every side by large pillars that have truly stood the test of time.
Cardo Maximus
Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans as you travel along the largest street in Jerash.
As you walk, pay attention the ground and you will notice marks in the stones caused by the constant passing-by of chariots and carts.
Temple of Artemis
The goddess of the hunt, Artemis, was also the patron god of Jerash which is why she had a dedicated temple in the heart of the city.
Despite thousands of years passing, the temple is still in relatively good condition and you will still find examples of beautiful mosaiced floors if you look hard enough.
Southern and Northern Theatres
The ancient Romans knew a thing or two about entertainment which is why Jerash had multiple theatres.
Towards the south side of the city you will find the large theatre used for performances and in the north side of the city you will find the slightly smaller theatre which was mostly used for political meetings (keep an eye out for the family names etched into the seats).
Top tips for visiting
Hire a guide
Seeing the Jerash ruins is amazing but having a guide with you explaining everything makes everything so much better. There is no need to prebook a guide, simple walk through the entrance, past the Arch of Hadrian and on to the visitor centre. Just outside you will find guides here that will take you on a 90 min tour of the entire complex. Expect to pay around 25 JD for this.
Use the Jordan Pass
The entrance fee for Jerash is around 10 JD however you can get in for free if you show your Jordan Pass. The Jordan Pass is incredibly useful and gets you into many of the country’s top sites free of charge.
Uber doesn’t operate in Jerash
Be wary if you use Uber to get from Amman to Jerash. Going one way is fine however you will not be able to get it back to Amman as Uber doesn’t operate in Jerash.
Don’t forget about the sun
Jerash covers a large area and there are not many places you can seek comfort from the sun. Make sure you bring your suncream and a hat with you when you come so that you don’t burn.
Tours
Going on a guided tour of Jerash and other sites in the surrounding area is a great way to make the most of your holiday – take a look at some of the most popular:
Accommodation
Because Jerash and Amman are so close together and transport between them is simple, you will likely benefit from staying in Amman rather than Jerash:
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