Kusadasi Cruise Port to Ephesus by Taxi (Round Trip)

Ephesus is the classic Kusadasi shore day — and with a private round-trip taxi from the cruise port you can see more than the ancient city alone. Your driver meets you at the port, takes you to Ephesus and to any extra stops you have booked, waits at each stop and brings you back to your ship. This guide covers Ephesus and the stops most often added to it: the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St John and the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk.

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. The Basilica of St John and the Ephesus Museum are extra stops at an additional charge too. Tell us which stops you want when you book.

If you only want Ephesus and a detailed timing plan for a short port call, read our Ephesus shore excursion guide first.

How the round trip works

1. Pickup at the cruise port — give us your ship's name, docking time and all-aboard time when you book. Your driver meets you at the port exit.
2. Your stops, your pace — the driver waits at every stop. There is no group schedule and no shared meeting point.
3. Back to the ship — the return is planned around your all-aboard time.

The combination: four stops around Selçuk (Ephesus plus three extra stops)

Ephesus Ancient City — the port is about 20–25 minutes away by car. Plan around 2 hours for the main street, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre (add about 30 minutes if you also want the Terrace Houses, a separate ticket). A practical tip: enter at the upper gate and walk downhill to the lower gate; your driver picks you up at the other end.

House of the Virgin Mary — a small chapel on Bülbül Mountain, about 9 km south of Ephesus. Around 45–60 minutes is enough. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Basilica of St John — on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, the ruins of the great basilica built over the tomb traditionally attributed to St John. Allow about an hour.

Ephesus Museum, Selçuk — close to the basilica; many of the finds from Ephesus are displayed here. Allow about an hour.

You do not have to do all four. On a shorter port call, Ephesus plus the House of the Virgin Mary (an extra stop) is the most popular pair; on a long call you can also add Şirince village.

What the trip is — and what it is not

• A private taxi for your party only, round trip from the cruise port to Ephesus
• The House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, Şirince, the Basilica of St John and the Ephesus Museum are extra stops at an additional charge
• The driver waits at every stop
• It is transport, not a guided tour — the driver does not guide inside the sites
• Entrance tickets are not included; you pay them at each gate
• No prepayment: you pay the driver in cash on the day (EUR, USD or TL)

Plan it around all-aboard time

Be back at the port at least 60 minutes before your ship departs (earlier if your all-aboard time requires it). Ephesus is busiest late in the morning when several ships' groups overlap, so starting early helps. Tell us your times when you book; we suggest which stops fit comfortably, and if you are running behind on the day your driver adjusts the plan.

FAQ

Where does the driver meet us? At the Kusadasi cruise port exit. The meeting details are in your booking confirmation, and our team is on WhatsApp if your ship docks late.

Are entrance tickets included? No. The trip covers the round-trip taxi; entrance fees are paid at each site.

Is there a guide? No — this is transport. If you want a guide, arrange one separately.

Do we pay in advance? No prepayment. You pay the driver in cash on the day.

Booking

Book on our cruise port transfer page and note which stops you want. More details: Kusadasi port to Ephesus transfer, the cruise port to Ephesus route guide, the House of the Virgin Mary by taxi and the Ephesus transfer page.