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Ephesus Day Trip: Explore Ancient Wonders
4.6
38 Ratings
Istanbul
Embark on a small-group tour from Istanbul to Ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Explore the Temple of Artemis and the House of Virgin Mary for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Embark on a small-group tour from Istanbul to Ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Explore the Temple of Artemis and the House of Virgin Mary for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Istanbul - Begin your journey with an early pick-up from your hotel and a drive to Istanbul Airport for a 1 hour and 30-minute domestic flight to Izmir.
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Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Upon arrival, a driver will warmly welcome you and transport you to Selcuk, where you will join fellow group participants to embark on a full-day tour.
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- Istanbul - Begin your journey with an early pick-up from your hotel and a drive to Istanbul Airport for a 1 hour and 30-minute domestic flight to Izmir.
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Upon arrival, a driver will warmly welcome you and transport you to Selcuk, where you will join fellow group participants to embark on a full-day tour.
- Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - Situated 6km north of the Ephesus ruins, a church was constructed in the 6th century AD atop the foundations of a 1st-century AD house. It is recognized by the church as the final residence of Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last days. The Assumption is also thought to have occurred here on August 15th.
- Ancient City of Ephesus - An archaeological gem, Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the 1st century AD, it was the world’s second-largest city after Rome, with over 250,000 residents. It served as a crucial link between the East and the West and was a major trading hub with its vast harbor. Ephesus was not only a wealthy commercial center but also a captivating city where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra spent their honeymoon. It houses one of the ancient world’s seven wonders, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is so well-preserved that strolling through its ancient streets, amidst stunning monuments like the third-largest library of the ancient world or the largest Roman theater on the Asian continent, feels like traveling back in time.
- Selcuk - Enjoy a traditional lunch at a handicraft carpet demonstration village, where you can also witness local masters crafting Turkish rugs.
- The Temple of Artemis - Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this temple’s ancient cult dedicated to Artemis made Ephesus a renowned pilgrimage site. It featured 127 Ionic columns, each 19 meters high, and is considered the earliest bank of the ancient world.
- Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - After the tour, you will be driven back to Izmir Airport for your 1 hour and 30-minute domestic flight to Istanbul.
- Istanbul - Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, your driver will greet you and ensure a safe return to your hotel. End of our service.
What's Included
- Lunch in a local restaurant
- Economy class domestic flight tickets (if the “INCLUDED flight tickets” option is selected)
- Transfers from/to Airports (4 transfer)
- Professional licenced Tour Guide
- Lunch in a local restaurant
- Economy class domestic flight tickets (if the “INCLUDED flight tickets” option is selected)
- Transfers from/to Airports (4 transfer)
- Professional licenced Tour Guide
What's Not Included
- Drinks at Lunch
- Personal Expenses
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Domestic flight tickets (if the “EXCLUDED flight tickets” option is selected)
- Drinks at Lunch
- Personal Expenses
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Domestic flight tickets (if the “EXCLUDED flight tickets” option is selected)
Additional Information
Embark on a delightful day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul.
The itinerary includes visits to the Ephesus Ancient City, the House of Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis.
The tour offers two options: “INCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS” and “EXCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS.” You can choose your preferred option when purchasing the tour.
EXCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS: This option…
Embark on a delightful day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul.
The itinerary includes visits to the Ephesus Ancient City, the House of Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis.
The tour offers two options: “INCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS” and “EXCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS.” You can choose your preferred option when purchasing the tour.
EXCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS: This option provides an English-speaking guide for the tour. The group size will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. Domestic flight tickets are NOT included and must be arranged independently. It is advisable to consult the tour operator before booking flights, as only specific flights are recommended for this itinerary.
INCLUDED FLIGHT TICKETS: This option also offers an English-speaking guide for the tour. The group size will be limited to a maximum of 10 people. Domestic flight tickets are INCLUDED in this option, and the arrangements will be handled for you.
LUNCH will be served at a local restaurant, where you can also witness the art of Turkish rug-making.
- The tour offers INCLUDED and EXCLUDED domestic flight ticket options. Please select your preferred option during the booking process.
- Please note that we do not have an assistant service for airport transfers. The driver will drop you off at the entrance gate of İstanbul airport. Please go to the check-in desk according to the instructions the provider will share in advance. When you arrive at the destination airport, the driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.
- Baggage allowance: 15 kg checked + 8 kg hand luggage. (if the “INCLUDED flight tickets” option is selected)
- For guests who choose the EXCLUDED flight tickets option, we will inform them which flights they need to purchase.
- Entry tıckets to hıstorıcal sıtes are Excluded. The tour guide wıll have Skip-The-Line tıckets
Location
Istanbul
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(38 Ratings)
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James_r
Dec 17, 2025
A Huge Surprise - Ephesus was a huge surprise and wasn't what I had expected. I thought after seeing Pompei it would be a let down. It wasn't! Our guide knew much about all the stops we made. Since we came from Istanbul, still suffering jet lag from our US flight, the detailed planning with early AM hotel pickup was awesome. The lunch was outstanding and food was tasty. The stop at the rug factory was informative, but a little high pressure to buy something. But, if you are in the market for a Turkish rug it's very cost effective. A person in our group got them down from $3600 USD to $1900 USD with free shipping to the US. She felt the same type rug in the US would be $7,000 USD.
Review provided by Viator
Lilliam_s
May 3, 2024
Best of the Best 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Our Tour Guide, was professional and well knowledge. with College Education, Local from area he is showing you the site he was raise, Barborous Halil Toparkak is the guide everybody dream to have, he anwer every question that is being ask politely to him. Patience, reliable and well knowlege is our personal description of his tour. I think the price is worth for what you will get back form his Tour . Transportation includes 3 different drivers that you will achieve from starting point to your trip to your way back to your Hotel. Entances fees were $60.00 per person extra for Ephesus and Virgin Mary House where the Assumption is said took place. We love it and is one expirience we will take to the rest of our lives.
Review provided by Viator
Carlotta_h
Oct 22, 2023
Amazing rain in Ephesus - Ata was a fabulous guide for our trip to Ephesus. He was personable and extremely knowledgeable. We had a great lunch and a side shopping trip. Would highly recommend Ata and our excellent driver.
Review provided by Viator
Tan
May 9, 2023
Highly Recommend! - Highly recommend this tour if you are in Ephesus for a day! Thank you Riza and Erdogan for their kind hospitality. The group of 4 of us enjoyed the trip very much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbaranu3961ey
Apr 28, 2023
Wonderful full day tour - Excellent tour and a wonderful guide, Gorki. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely would do another tour. Local knowledge was extremely helpful to make the most of our trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lonniel146
Apr 24, 2023
Once in a lifetime tour - Another incredible tour and made perfect by our tour guide Efe. Highly recommend taking this. You won’t regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fruppen1
Apr 22, 2025
Great historical experience, but a long day - An amazing historical experience and a fantastic guide named Ugur, but it is a long day. From pick up to return to our hotel, our day lasted 17 hours. We spent only about 3 1/2 hours of that at the actual historic sites.
Review provided by Viator
John_p
Jan 5, 2026
Long Day with Highs and Lows - Our guide, Medi, was informative and pleasant, though she certainly has a challenging task convincing guests to undertake the grueling 16-hour trek from Istanbul to Izmir.
The Itinerary:
Be prepared for an early start; my day began with a 4:00 AM wake-up call. The first stop at the House of the Virgin Mary felt like the weakest link—it seemed more like a tourist trap than a historical site, and I personally found it unimpressive.
Ephesus:
The ancient city itself was the highlight. While it was frustrating to find that an additional admission fee for the tour's centerpiece was bizarre, the history and ongoing restoration are genuinely exciting to witness. Our group opted out of the digital film, which allowed for a more undesired free time before our return flight.
The "Sales Pitch":
Prospective travelers should be aware of the "forced" shopping stops for rugs and leather. Given the sleep deprivation from such a long day, I found the high-pressure sales environment more frustrating than inviting.
A Note on the Istanbul Airport:
As an African American traveling with Asian counterparts, I was appalled by the behavior of several airport employees in Istanbul. The smirking and visible insensitivity toward my fellow travelers were unprofessional and offensive. In an international hub, diversity training should be mandatory.
Review provided by Viator
Ravi_k
Jan 7, 2024
Not worth it! - We were very excited about this experience to begin. However, it did not turn out the way we had imagined.
We were flying from Istanbul to Izmir on the day of our tour. Our flight was at 7 in the morning and we reached airport at 5am. Our flight was canceled due to weather and we were put on 10 am flight.
We called the tour operator and said that we could not do the full tour and they said we had to choose between the touring the ancient city OR the House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis, which seemed reasonable. We chose House of Virgin Mary and temple of Artemis.
We even asked if we could do the pit stop at Ephesus for a few minutes and the tour operator said it was not possible as it was far.
We landed in Izmir at 11 and a driver picked us up and drove for an hour to the House of Virgin Mary. We were only there for 30 min. On the way a tour guide joined us who explained some things about this place.
As we returned from the Virgin Mary house we saw that the ancient city was indeed on the way and we could have stopped for some time to walk around.
But instead, they tour operator said there wasn't time and we drove to Temple of Artmeis which had nothing to see except a pillar, only spending about 15 minutes over there.
We were then picked by the transfer bus which dropped us at the airport at 2:30.
What was frustrating was that our flight was at 6:30 PM and we spent 4 hours at the airport when we could have also explored the ancient city easily. Overall, we spent only about an hour on the tour sites and spent 4+ hours at the airport.
They didn't provide lunch and the tour guide provided was simply filling in for someone and didn't explain much. We also did not get back any credit for our money, whatsoever.
Obviously they can't control the flight cancelation but they could have easily adapted the tour to our timeframe. You will end up spending a large part of your day at the airport regardless of the time you get there.
Overall, not a good experience.
Review provided by Viator
Alexander_w
Nov 18, 2025
The humiliation of a once proud people - Waste of time and money. The first half of the day was spent being rushed through the listed attractions that we also had to pay extra for. I would like to add here that I appreciate Medihas historical insight and do not hold her personally responsible for the rest of the day. The second half of the day was spent being hounded relentlessly by carpet and leather salesmen. It became very clear early on that we were just along for the ride and had to sit out the awful experience. Every guest on the tour was clearly put off by the experience. My advice to any employees reading this would be to take more pride in your country by having respect for those visiting as we are not all the stupid piggybanks you may take us as. I feel for these people as they seem to be put on by the government to carry out this embarrassing task in order to receive benefits. May you rise up.
Review provided by Viator
