Private Ephesus tour from Kusadasi: Skip the lines with a guide

See Ephesus's five major sites in one morning without waiting in queues

A private guided tour of Ephesus departing from Kusadasi hotels or cruise port, with a licensed English or Spanish-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport included. You visit the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders), the Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the terrace houses and the Basilica of St. John, plus Trajan's Fountain. Pickup is included from your hotel or the cruise port. The tour runs 4 to 6 hours depending on how long you spend at each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary40m
2. Library of Celsus30m
3. Ephesus2h
4. Ephesus Terrace Houses30m
5. Temple of Artemis15m
6. Basilica of St. John30m

Explore Ancient Ephesus and Surroundings

• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Visit Celsus Library
• Visit Trajan's Fountain
• Explore Ephesus ancient city ruins
• Visit Terrace Houses at Ephesus
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Visit St John Basilica

The experience

How do you see the richest excavated ancient city in Turkey without renting a car or joining a crowd? A private guide meets you at your hotel in Kusadasi or at the cruise port and drives you through the sites in a climate-controlled Mercedes, skipping the ticket lines that form at the entrance. The guide speaks English or Spanish and knows which ruins matter most and why. The Temple of Artemis alone is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and most visitors never see it because they don't know where to look.

The route covers five major stops: the House of the Virgin Mary, the Library of Celsus (the most photographed ruin in Ephesus), Trajan's Fountain, the terrace houses carved into the hillside, the Temple of Artemis, and the Basilica of St. John. Your guide decides the pace: some travelers spend an hour at the Library. Others move faster and linger at the terrace houses instead. The tour takes 4 to 6 hours depending on where you want to stand longest.

Parking fees are covered, and the driver waits while you walk the sites. Entrance fees to the archaeological zones are not included in the tour price, so budget for those separately. If you're sailing out the same day, let the operator know your ship's name and return time when you book. The pickup and drop-off are timed to get you back before departure.

What’s included

• Hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned Mercedes with driver.
• professional licensed guide in English or Spanish.
• parking fees.
• skip-the-line access to the archaeological sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 13:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ada Vegas Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Kusadasi without a rental car or arriving by cruise ship: pickup is included from your hotel or the port, and a private guide means you move at your own pace instead of waiting for a group to assemble.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the difference between the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus?

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though only a few columns remain standing today. The Library of Celsus is the most intact structure in Ephesus, with its ornate facade still largely preserved and recognizable as a grand Roman library.

Do I need to buy entrance tickets before the tour starts?

Entrance fees to the archaeological sites are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at each site. Your guide will direct you, and the skip-the-line access means you avoid the main queue at the gate.

Can the tour work if I'm on a cruise ship docking in Kusadasi?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at the cruise port are included, and you'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book so the tour is timed to get you back in time.

What happens if there are only two of us?

A minimum of two people per booking is required, so a pair can book a private tour together. The guide and vehicle are yours alone for the duration.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the tour. Your guide can recommend restaurants in Ephesus, and you can arrange a break if you want to eat during the 4 to 6 hours.