Ephesus Private Tour from Kusadasi: Four Ancient Sites

Five to seven hours through marble streets, pilgrimage sites and one of antiquity's wonders

A private tour of Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John and Temple of Artemis departing from Kusadasi port or hotel at a time you choose. Your licensed guide meets you with a name sign, leads you through each site at your own pace, and returns you to the port on time for your ship. Entrance fees, transportation, and all taxes are included upfront with no hidden costs. You can add Terrace Houses for an extra fee or stop for lunch at local Turkish restaurants along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ephesus2h · entry included
2. House of the Virgin Mary1h · entry included
3. Basilica of St. John45m · entry included
4. Temple of Artemis15m

Private tour of Ephesus and nearby sites

• Meet guide at Kusadasi port or hotel
• Drive 20 minutes to Ephesus
• Visit Ephesus ancient city
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Drive to Basilica of St. John
• Stop at Temple of Artemis
• Return to Kusadasi port or center

The experience

The guide meets you at Kusadasi port or your hotel with your name on a sign, then drives you 20 minutes to Ephesus. You walk marble streets past the Library of Celsus, the Baths of Scholastica, the Temple of Hadrian and the Grand Theatre: built in the 3rd century B.C. and later expanded by Romans to hold 24,000 spectators. The scale of what survives makes the ancient city's importance as a trade hub and port tangible in a way photographs don't capture.

From Ephesus, you travel to House of Virgin Mary on Aladag Mountains, five miles away. The site draws pilgrims because tradition holds that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until 48 A.D. Pope Paul VI visited and prayed there in 1967. Next is Basilica of St. John, believed to be where the evangelist spent his final years and was buried on Ayosolug Hill. Your last stop is Temple of Artemis, where one of the seven wonders of the ancient world once stood. The drive back to Kusadasi leaves time for shopping in town before you return to the port.

You set the departure time, so the tour fits your ship's schedule. Pre-paid skip-the-line tickets are waiting, and your guide stays with you at every site: no waiting for other groups, no rushing through. If you want to see Terrace Houses, you pay the entrance fee at checkout and add it to the itinerary. Lunch at a Turkish restaurant is optional and on your own, though the guide can suggest places. The private vehicle and guide cost less than cruise line shore excursions for the same sites.

What’s included

• Private licensed tour guide in English.
• entrance fees to all four sites with skip-the-line tickets.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off at Kusadasi port or your hotel.
• all taxes and handling fees.
• guaranteed on-time return to port.

Options for this experience

2 options

Option excluding the Terrace HousesGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Entrance fees are included: please review what is and isn't covered when comparing our prices with other operators. Our tours have no hidden costs. Pickup is included.

Option including the Terrace HousesGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Admission to Terrace Houses is included: please review what is and isn't covered when comparing our prices with other operators. Our tours have no hidden costs. 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 to1d 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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Ephesus Shuttle Private & Small Group Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're docked in Kusadasi and want to see Ephesus's main ruins, two pilgrimage sites and Temple of Artemis without coordinating with a group or waiting for other passengers. The private guide and vehicle mean you move at your own pace through each site and return to the ship on schedule, which matters when you have a fixed departure time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

How much time do I spend walking at each site in Ephesus?

You decide how long to stay at each stop. The guide leads you through the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the Baths of Scholastica, but you set the pace and can linger where you want without holding up other travelers.

What is House of Virgin Mary and why do people visit it?

House of Virgin Mary sits on Aladag Mountains five miles from Ephesus and is a pilgrimage site based on the belief that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. Pope Paul VI visited and prayed there in 1967, and the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but your guide can recommend Turkish restaurants along the route if you want to eat during the tour. You choose whether and where to stop.

What happens if my ship leaves early or my schedule changes?

You pick the departure time when you book, and the tour is guaranteed to return you to the port on time. If your schedule shifts, contact the operator before the tour starts to discuss options.

Can I add Terrace Houses to the tour?

Yes. Terrace Houses is an optional add-on. You pay the entrance fee at checkout and your guide will include it in the itinerary. Without it, the tour covers Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John and Temple of Artemis.

Do I need to tip the guide and driver?

Tips are not included in the tour price and are entirely optional. Many travelers choose to tip if the guide provided good service.