Jerash and Ajloun Castle make the best day trip north of Amman: a large Roman city in the morning, a fortress from Saladin's time on a hill in the afternoon, about 48 km and then 30 km of road. The day lasts 8 to 10 hours depending on the operator, not counting the return through Amman traffic. You can go on your own by public transport, taxi or rental car, or book a guided excursion. All prices below are orders of magnitude noted in 2025-2026 from online offers and official fee tables: inclusions vary, compare them.
Highlights
Jerash: Hadrian's Arch and the cardo
The main part of the day (3 to 4 hours); see Jerash for details of the ruins.
Ajloun Castle
A 12th-century fortress with views over the wooded hills; a visit of 1.5 to 2 hours, see Ajloun Castle.
A lunch on the road
Tours with lunch stop at a local restaurant near Jerash or Ajloun; specify dietary needs when booking.
Optional: Umm Qais
Some tours add Umm Qais (ancient Gadara), a Roman site on the edge of the Golan plateau, about 1 hour more; it makes a long day.
Practical info
Tips
- Three ways to do it. 1) On your own by public transport: bus from the Tabarbour north station to Jerash (about 1 JD), minibus Jerash-Ajloun (about 1 JD), taxi up to the castle (2 to 3 JD each way): very cheap but slow. 2) Private taxi: at least 40 JD for a return trip to Jerash alone, more with Ajloun; negotiate the price and waiting time before leaving. 3) Organised tour: on online offers, in the order of 100 to 270 USD per person for a private tour (depending on group size, entry fees included) or about 215 USD per person for a tour with lunch and entry fees; other offers exclude entry fees and the guide, hence the price gaps. Count the entry fees if they are extra: Jerash 10 JD and Ajloun about 3 JD per person, about 13 JD, or nothing with the Jordan Pass, which also covers the visa after two consecutive nights. A group tour suits those who do not want to organise; a taxi or rental car is freer for leaving at opening time, before the groups. For a different day from Amman, see Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea; for the whole stay, see Amman.
How to get there
Tours collect guests from their hotel in Amman and bring them back; independently, Jerash is about 48 km from Amman (45 to 60 minutes) and Ajloun about 75 km (1 hour 15), via Jerash.
Opening hours
Nearby
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