Jerash Travel FAQ: 12 Questions About Jordan's Roman City Answered
Jerash is one of the world's best-preserved Roman provincial cities, sitting just 45 minutes north of Amman. Planning a Jordan trip? Here's everything worth knowing before you go.
Q: How much does entry cost?
JOD 10 (~$14) per person. It's included in the Jordan Pass (JOD 70 basic tier from jordanpass.jo), which also covers Petra, 40+ other sites, and waives the JOD 40 visa fee. Pairing Petra with Jerash? The Jordan Pass pays for itself.
Q: Is the Jordan Pass worth it?
For anyone visiting Petra (JOD 50 entry) and Jerash (JOD 10), the basic Jordan Pass (JOD 70) saves JOD 30 over buying separately, plus the waived visa fee. The answer is yes. One catch: you'll need to stay 3+ nights in Jordan.
Q: How do you get there from Amman?
48km north, 45 minutes by car. Three ways to make the trip:
Taxi: JOD 25-30 round trip with 3 hours waiting time
Public minibus: JOD 1 each way from Tabarbour bus station (frequent departures)
Rental car: the most flexible option — combine it with Ajloun Castle (20km west)
Q: How long do you need?
Plan on 3-4 hours to see everything at a comfortable pace. Add 45 minutes for the RACE chariot show. A half-day from Amman is the standard move.
Q: What's the RACE show?
The Roman Army and Chariot Experience — chariot races, gladiator fights, and legionary drills staged in the original hippodrome. Daily at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM, running 45 minutes. Separate ticket: JOD 12 (~$17). Time your arrival for the 11AM show, then explore the ruins afterward.
Q: Should you hire a guide?
Absolutely. Licensed guides at the entrance charge JOD 15-25 for a 2-hour tour, and they're the difference between impressive-but-anonymous stone and 2,000 years brought to life. A good one shows you the swaying columns trick at the Temple of Artemis (slip a spoon into the column base gap and watch the 12-meter columns move — earthquake-resistant Roman engineering), points out the chariot ruts worn into the pavement, and connects the dots. Agree on the price before you start.
Q: What should you bring?
Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, sunglasses — because there's almost no shade across the site. Water, at least 1.5 liters. Comfortable walking shoes. In summer (June-August), temperatures climb past 38°C, so arrive at the 8AM opening to beat both the heat and the tour buses (which roll in around 10AM).
Q: What are the highlights?
Oval Plaza: A one-of-a-kind oval Roman forum ringed by 56 Ionic columns
Cardo Maximus: The 800m colonnaded main street, still marked with original chariot ruts
South Theater: A 3,000-seat amphitheater with stunning acoustics
Temple of Artemis: The swaying columns trick and 12m Corinthian columns
Hippodrome: The 245m-long RACE show arena
Hadrian's Arch: A 13m triumphal arch from 129 AD
Q: Where should you eat?
Skip the food inside the site — overpriced and basic. The restaurants at the entrance in Jerash town are where the good meals are. Lebanese House and Jerash Rest House both serve mansaf (Jordan's national dish, lamb in yogurt sauce) and mezze for JOD 5-8 per person.
Q: Can you combine Jerash with other sites?
Easily. Ajloun Castle (20km west, JOD 3 entry) is a 12th-century Ayyubid fortress set in forested hills. Make a full day of it from Amman: Jerash in the morning, Ajloun in the afternoon.
Q: When is the best time to visit?
March-May and September-November, when temperatures stay pleasant (20-28°C). Steer clear of June-August unless you enjoy heatstroke. If you're here in July, the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts fills the South Theater with performances.
Q: Is it accessible?
The main Cardo and Oval Plaza are relatively flat, and the hippodrome is flat too. The South Theater and Temple of Artemis involve steps. It isn't fully wheelchair accessible, but the main route is manageable.
