Umm Qais lies about 110 kilometres north of Amman and 30 kilometres northwest of Irbid. Most visitors come as a day trip.
From Amman: The most comfortable option is to hire a taxi or join an organised day tour from Amman. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes by the Desert Highway and then north through Irbid. Public buses from Amman's North Bus Station (Tabarbour) serve Irbid; from Irbid's North Bus Station, minibuses run to Umm Qais village. Allow around 2.5 hours total by public transport.
From Irbid: Minibuses and service taxis to Umm Qais depart from Irbid's North Bus Station. The journey takes 30 to 40 minutes. The last return minibus from Umm Qais typically leaves mid-afternoon, so check locally before you commit to arriving late.
By car: Follow the motorway north from Amman to Irbid, then take the road northwest toward Umm Qais. Signs are present from Irbid. Parking is available near the site entrance.