Ephesus Day Tour from Izmir with Hotel Pickup & Lunch

Ephesus day tour from Izmir hotels: the key facts

This is a guided group day trip for people staying in Izmir. You are collected from your hotel in the Alsancak, Basmane or Kordon area and driven to Ephesus, where a local guide walks you through the ancient city: the marble streets, the Library of Celsus, the Odeon, the Agora, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theater. The day continues to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, with lunch at a local restaurant, and ends back at the same hotel in the evening.

It suits travellers who have a base in Izmir and want one simple day at Ephesus without changing hotels. The price is from $140 per person. Hotel transfers, transport, an English-speaking guide, lunch, parking, road tolls and local taxes are listed as included. Drinks at lunch and personal expenses are extra.

Are the entrance fees included?

This is the first thing to check. The Tour Info box and the inclusions list on this page do not mention entrance fees at all. The airport and Kusadasi versions of this tour both list "All entrance fees as per the itinerary", but this one does not. Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis are all on the route, so the tickets are a real part of the cost. Before you pay, ask us to state in writing whether every ticket is in the price or what you would pay on the day.

Which hotels can you collect me from?

Pick-up and drop-off are included for hotels in the Basmane, Alsancak and Kordon areas of central Izmir. The page does not mention other districts. If your hotel is outside these areas, or you are staying in an apartment, send us the address when you book and ask whether we can collect you there and at what time. The overview points out that this saves you a trip to a bus terminal early in the morning. If you are landing in Izmir that day instead, the Ephesus day tour from Izmir Airport, from $161 per person, starts in the arrivals hall.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The FAQ says the tour starts at 07:30 and finishes at around 20:30, so plan for a long day. The booking form, however, offers start times from 08:00 to 14:00, with 09:00 marked as suggested. A 14:00 start would not leave enough daylight for this route, so treat the form's time field with care. Ask us to confirm your exact pick-up time in writing the day before, and be ready in the hotel lobby a few minutes early, because a shared vehicle may collect other guests on the way.

What do we see inside Ephesus, and is there a shop stop?

The FAQ lists a walk down the Marble Streets past the Library of Celsus, the Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, the Public Latrines, the Odeon, the Agora, the Great Theater and Harbor Street. It also lists a carpet cooperative, which the overview does not mention. If you do not want a shopping stop, say so when you book and ask whether it can be skipped. Before you go, our pages on Ephesus Ancient City and the Library of Celsus give you the background.

Which languages can the guide speak?

The inclusions list an English-speaking local guide. The FAQ says English, Spanish and Italian are available and that prices can vary with the language. On a group tour you share the guide with others, so a different language depends on the day. If you need Spanish or Italian, ask for it in your booking message and get the language and the price confirmed in writing. For a guide and van of your own, compare the private Ephesus tour, from $300 per person.

What should we wear, and when is the best time to go?

Ephesus has very little shade and you walk for hours on old marble, which is slippery even when dry and more so after rain. Wear shoes with good grip, a hat and sun cream, and carry water. Cover shoulders and knees for the House of the Virgin Mary, which is a place of prayer. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. July and August are very hot, with daytime highs often above 33°C, so in summer the morning hours at the site are the easiest.

Why does the FAQ quote euros when the price is in dollars?

The price on this page is from $140 per person. The FAQ compares this tour with the airport tour in euros, saying the airport tour costs €143, which is €19 more. That mixes two currencies, so do not use it to work out your price. The figure that counts is the total in the written quote we send you, in the currency you will pay in. You can also browse other Ephesus and Kusadasi tours or our day tours to compare.

How do I book the Ephesus day tour from Izmir hotels?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. Add your hotel name and address. We check the guide and vehicle for that day and send you the plan in writing, with the pick-up time, the guide language, whether entrance fees and the carpet stop are included, and the total price. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.