Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Ephesus Private Customizable Tour

Walk Ephesus on your schedule, with a guide who adjusts the route to what you want to see.

A private shore excursion from Kusadasi port to Ephesus with a professional English-speaking guide, private Mercedes minibus, entrance fees and traditional Turkish lunch included. You decide which sites to visit: the House of the Virgin Mary, Terrace Houses, Temple of Artemis, St. John Basilica or the Archaeological Museum, and how long to spend at each one. The guide meets you at the port with your name sign, and the tour runs up to 10 hours, ending with guaranteed return before your ship departs. Entrance fees are pre-paid so you skip ticket lines. Parking and transportation are covered.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kusadasi Caravanseraipass by
2. House of the Virgin Mary45m · entry included
3. Ephesus2h · entry included
4. Ephesus Terrace Houses20m · entry included
5. Temple of Artemis15m · entry included

Customizable Ephesus VIP Shore Excursion

• Meet guide at Kusadasi port
• Drive to Ephesus passing caravanserail and marina
• Optional visit to House of Virgin Mary
• Visit Ephesus ancient city and landmarks
• Optional visit to Terrace Houses
• Enjoy included lunch
• Optional visit to St. John Basilica or Selcuk Museum
• Stop at Temple of Artemis
• Return to Kusadasi port

The experience

Your guide meets you at Kusadasi port holding your name sign at the time you confirm. From there, the day is yours to shape. As you drive toward Ephesus, you'll pass the Kusadasi Caravanserai and marina. Once you reach the ancient city, you walk marble streets lined with the State Agora, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple and the Grand Theater: built in the 3rd century B.C. and expanded to hold 24,000 spectators by the Romans. Your guide explains the area and suggests the must-see attractions, but you decide which ones matter to you and how much time each deserves. No waiting for other group members, no fixed schedule pulling you away.

The House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis (where only one column remains), St. John Basilica and the Archaeological Museum of Selcuk are all options: entrance fees are included for whichever you choose. If you want to add the Terrace Houses, a residential complex built on three man-made terraces on the slopes of Pion Mountain and decorated with frescoes and mosaics, you can do that at checkout. The entrance fee is covered. The Terrace Houses involve many steps and are not recommended for people with walking difficulties or fear of heights. After lunch (a traditional Turkish meal included in the tour), you can continue exploring or head back to the port. Your guide has pre-paid tickets to skip the lines at every site.

The private Mercedes minibus picks you up and drops you off at Kusadasi port, and the tour runs for as long as 10 hours, ending an hour before your ship departs so you're back on board with time to spare. Parking fees and the guide's expertise are included. There are no hidden costs. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with small children.

What’s included

• Professional licensed private tour guide speaking English.
• private air-conditioned Mercedes minibus.
• pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi port.
• entrance fees to all sites you visit (pre-paid tickets to skip lines).
• traditional Turkish lunch.
• parking fees.
• guaranteed return to port one hour before your ship departs.

Options for this experience

2 options

Option without the Terrace Houses visitGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Tour in a VIP Mercedes air-conditioned van, customizable Ephesus route with lunch included: the van and guide are provided, and entrance fees and lunch are included. You shape your day with your private guide; pickup is included.

Option with the Terrace Houses visitGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00All-inclusive private tour in a VIP Mercedes air-conditioned van with a traditional lunch: the Terrace Houses visit is part of this option. All entrance fees, the traditional lunch, the private tour guide and air-conditioned transport are included, and pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Private & Small Group Ephesus & Istanbul & Turkey Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the base tour if you want the main Ephesus sites (the Grand Theater, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple and Celcus Library) without the extra climbing of the Terrace Houses. Add the Terrace Houses option if you're interested in the residential quarter and comfortable with steep steps and heights. Entrance fees are included either way. The private guide and flexible timing let you linger where you're most interested instead of moving with a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Grand Theater in Ephesus, and why is it worth seeing?

The Grand Theater is one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus, originally built in the 3rd century B.C. and later expanded by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. to seat 24,000 spectators. It stands as a monument to the scale and engineering of the ancient city.

Can I visit the House of the Virgin Mary, or is it optional?

The House of the Virgin Mary is optional. You decide with your guide whether to include it. Entrance fees are included if you choose to visit.

What are the Terrace Houses, and do I have to visit them?

The Terrace Houses are six residential units built on three man-made terraces on Pion Mountain, decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics and inhabited by wealthy citizens of Ephesus. They are not included in the base tour but can be added at checkout for an extra entrance fee. The site involves many steps and is not recommended for people with walking difficulties or fear of heights.

How much time do I have to explore, and when do I need to be back at the port?

The tour can run up to 10 hours from pickup, ending an hour before your ship departs: the time you provide at booking. You control how long you spend at each site. There is no fixed schedule.

Are entrance fees and lunch included in the price?

Yes, entrance fees to all sites you visit and a traditional Turkish lunch are included. Your guide has pre-paid tickets so you skip the lines at each attraction. Parking and private transportation are also covered.

What happens if I want to visit the Temple of Artemis or the Archaeological Museum instead of St. John Basilica?

After lunch, you can choose to visit St. John Basilica, the Archaeological Museum of Selcuk, or the Temple of Artemis: entrance fees are included for whichever you select. Your guide will help you decide based on your interests and the time remaining before your ship departs.