Istanbul to Ephesus Private Day Trip: Ruins & Virgin Mary

A downhill walk through one of antiquity's largest cities, with a guide who knows where to stand.

A private day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus includes domestic flight, hotel pickup, and a professional guide in English, Spanish or Japanese. You enter through the Magnesia Gate and descend into the ruins of a Roman provincial capital, passing the Odeum, Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan and Great Theater, then visit the Temple of Artemis and the House of the Virgin Mary. The 12-hour itinerary is built around a private vehicle and guide, so the pace and stops stay yours alone.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ephesus2h
2. Temple of Artemis45m
3. House of the Virgin Mary1h

Visit Ephesus and Virgin Mary House

• Enter Magnesia Gate
• Walk downhill through Ephesus ruins
• See Odeum, Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian
• Visit Fountain of Trajan and Great Theater
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• See Basilica of St. John

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Istanbul hotel and a domestic flight to Izmir, where your private guide and Mercedes-Benz vehicle are waiting. From there, the drive to Ephesus takes about an hour. Once you arrive at the site, you enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk into the ruins. The route itself is the geography: you pass the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater as you descend. The Temple of Artemis, known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is part of the same visit.

The House of the Virgin Mary comes next, a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Nearby stands the Basilica of St. John, where the evangelist is thought to have spent his final years in the Ephesus region and was buried on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Your guide handles the route and the timing. You move at the pace that lets you actually see what you're standing in front of.

The whole day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off. Because the tour is private, not a shared group, your guide adjusts the stops and the time spent at each one. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Istanbul are included, as is the domestic flight and private transport in Izmir. You'll need a valid passport for the flight, and moderate physical fitness helps with the downhill walk through the ruins.

What’s included

• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Izmir.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Istanbul.
• private vehicle transport in Izmir.
• professional guide in English, Spanish or Japanese.
• access to the Ephesus ruins, Temple of Artemis and House of the Virgin Mary.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by City of Sultans

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see both the archaeological ruins of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary in a single day without coordinating flights, transport or a shared group schedule: the private guide and vehicle let you move at your own pace through the sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3).

How do I get from Istanbul to Ephesus on this day trip?

You're picked up from your Istanbul hotel, then fly domestic to Izmir on included flight tickets. From Izmir airport, a private vehicle takes you to Ephesus, about an hour away. The same driver and guide handle the return journey and your evening drop-off in Istanbul.

What exactly do I see when I walk through the Ephesus ruins?

Entering through the Magnesia Gate, you descend past the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is also part of the route. Your guide leads the walk and explains what you're looking at as you go.

What is the House of the Virgin Mary and why is it on this tour?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have spent her last days. It's included because many travelers want to visit both the archaeological ruins of Ephesus and this religious site in the same day. The Basilica of St. John, where the evangelist spent his final years and was buried, is also nearby.

Is food included, or do I need to arrange lunch myself?

Food and drinks are not included in this tour. You'll want to plan for lunch during the 12-hour day. Your guide can suggest options, but you'll need to budget for meals separately.

What should I bring or know before I go?

Bring your valid passport. You'll need it for the domestic flight. The walk through Ephesus is downhill but requires moderate physical fitness. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. The ruins have limited shade. The 12-hour day is long, so plan for an early start and a late return to your hotel.