What's included
- Hotel-to-Ephesus pickup (any Kusadasi address)
- English-speaking driver — local Selçuk/Ephesus knowledge
- Free waiting time at the gate (up to 3 hours)
- Optional combo with House of Virgin Mary (+15 min)
- Optional combo with Şirince village (+30 min)
- Park gate drop-off — no extra walk in summer heat
- Return to your Kusadasi hotel or cruise port
Price per vehicle
Fixed EUR price per vehicle for up to 8 passengers — no surge, no hidden fees.
- van8 pax · Light day bagsLight day bags€150Book
About this route
Ephesus Ancient City sits 25 km north-east of Kusadasi, about 30 minutes by car via the D-525 through Selçuk. We collect you from your hotel or cruise port, drop you at the upper gate (Magnesia Gate) so you walk downhill through the ruins, and wait at the lower gate where you exit. Most visitors finish in 2-3 hours; we hold the vehicle free for that window.
Our private transfer takes you door-to-door for a fixed price per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) — significantly cheaper than ship-organised excursions or unmetered taxis, and far more flexible.
Why visit Ephesus?
Ephesus was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire (after Rome itself), and its preserved ruins are extraordinary. Highlights include:
- The Library of Celsus — the iconic two-storey Roman façade
- The Great Theatre — capacity 25,000, where Saint Paul preached
- The Terrace Houses — wealthy Roman residences with original frescoes and mosaics, fully covered, separate ticket
- The Marble Street — the original Roman main thoroughfare
- Hadrian's Temple, the Memmius Monument and the Odeon
The site is large (around 2 km end-to-end) and most visitors take 2-3 hours to walk through it.
Cruise passengers: timing guide
If your cruise is in port from 08:00 to 17:00 (typical), we recommend:
- 08:30 — leave the ship, meet the driver at the cruise port exit
- 09:00 — arrive at the Ephesus upper gate (Magnesia Gate), enter the site
- 09:00–12:00 — visit Ephesus (3 hours)
- 12:00 — meet driver at the lower gate, drive back
- 12:30 — arrive at the cruise port; you have 4+ hours for lunch and shopping in Kusadasi
Frequently asked questions
Does the price include the Ephesus entrance fee?
No — the entrance ticket is paid separately at the gate. The transfer price covers pickup, drive, parking, waiting time and return. Tip: buy the Müzekart+ online to skip the queue at the gate.
Can I add House of Virgin Mary and Şirince?
Yes. The classic 'Ephesus + House of Virgin Mary + Şirince' combo takes about 5-6 hours — ask for the combo price on WhatsApp. We add 15 min for the Virgin Mary visit and 30-45 min for Şirince village (lunch and shopping).
Will the driver wait while we tour Ephesus?
Yes. The driver waits at the lower gate for up to 3 hours included. Most visitors finish in 2 hours; we recommend the upper-to-lower gate walk so you don't backtrack. If you stay longer, additional waiting is €10 per 30 minutes.
Is there a guide included?
No — the transfer is driver-only, not a guided tour. Licensed English-speaking guides at the gate cost €70-100 for a 2-hour tour. We're happy to book one for you in advance if you let us know 24 hours ahead.
Cruise passengers — will I make it back to the ship?
Absolutely. Pickup is timed to your ship's all-aboard, with at least 60 min buffer. We track ship arrivals and adjust pickup time the morning of your visit. Door-to-door from cruise port to Ephesus is 35 min.
How will the driver find me at the cruise port?
After clearing customs, walk through the duty-free shop and exit into the small plaza. Our driver stands directly across from the terminal exit holding a sign with your name.