AIDAblu in Kusadasi: An Active Private Taxi Day at Ephesus

When AIDAblu is in Kusadasi, the cruise port is in the town centre and Ephesus is about 20-25 minutes away by car. A private taxi from Kusadasi Transfer, a local D2-licensed transfer company, lets your group walk the ancient city at its own pace and decide on the day how much more to add, as long as the ship's time in port allows it.

Good to know: our standard cruise port taxi is the round trip to Ephesus. The House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Şirince are not part of the Ephesus transfer; they can be added as extra stops for an additional charge. Tell us which ones you want when you book.

Ephesus on foot, top to bottom

Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2015) with two entrances. Your driver drops you at the upper gate and collects you at the lower gate, so the whole walk runs downhill: Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Allow about 2 hours on foot. The Terrace Houses need a separate ticket and add 30-45 minutes.

For active travellers this is a proper walk on stone paving, so wear comfortable shoes. From June to August the site has little shade: start as early as the ship allows, and carry water and a hat.

Extra stops, if the hours allow

• House of the Virgin Mary. A small chapel on Bülbüldağı above Ephesus. Tradition holds that Mary spent her last years here, and popes Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1979) and Benedict XVI (2006) visited. Cover shoulders and knees. Allow 45-60 minutes.
• Temple of Artemis. At the edge of Selçuk; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, today a single re-erected column. A 15-20 minute stop.
• Şirince. A hill village about 8 km east of Selçuk, about 15-20 minutes' drive from Ephesus, with old stone houses and fruit wines. The car stops at the village entrance and you walk up steep cobbled lanes. Allow 60-90 minutes.

How much fits in AIDAblu's port call

Our planning estimate; traffic and queues vary. It includes about 30 minutes to get off the ship and a return to the port at least 60 minutes before the ship departs, or earlier if the all-aboard time in your cruise documents requires it.

• About 8 hours or more in port: Ephesus plus the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Şirince.
• About 6.5 hours: Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
• About 5 hours: Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis.
• Under about 4.5 hours: a round trip to Ephesus is not safe.

A sensible order on a long call is port, House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus upper gate, walk down to the lower gate, Temple of Artemis, Şirince, then back to the port.

How the taxi day works

• Your driver meets you at the cruise port exit with a name sign (meeting point on the map).
• A private vehicle for your party only, up to 8 passengers; larger groups get a second vehicle.
• The driver waits at every stop.
• It is transport, not a guided tour. Entrance tickets are not included and are paid at each site.
• No prepayment: pay the driver in cash on the day (EUR, USD or TL), or by card online.
• Child seats are free on request; tell us the children's ages.

Ships from this line calling at Kusadasi

Dates and announced times for AIDAblu are in our AIDAblu Kusadasi taxi guide. Ships with a single call are listed in the one-call cruise ships roundup.

To book, send the call date, the ship's times (or "not announced yet"), the number of passengers and children's ages through the cruise port taxi booking page.

FAQ

Is Ephesus manageable in the summer heat? Yes, with an early start. The site has little shade, so begin the walk as soon as you can after leaving the ship, and bring water, a hat and sun cream.

Can we add Şirince after Ephesus? Yes, as an extra stop at an additional charge, if your time in port allows it. Allow 15-20 minutes' drive and 60-90 minutes in the village, then about 30-35 minutes back to the port.