Ephesus Day Tour from Kusadasi & Selcuk with Lunch and Guide

Ephesus day tour from Kusadasi and Selcuk: the key facts

This is a guided group day tour of Ephesus for people staying in Kusadasi or Selcuk, the two towns closest to the ruins. You are collected from your hotel, walk past the Library of Celsus and along the marble streets of the ancient city with a licensed guide, then visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, and you are back at your hotel in the afternoon.

Because the drive is short, the guide has more time inside the site, and the day ends early enough for an evening on the Kusadasi waterfront or in Selcuk. It suits beach-town guests and anyone who wants Ephesus without a long day on the road. The price is from $127 per person.

What time does it start, and how long is the day?

The overview and the FAQ agree: departure is at 08:30 and you are back at around 16:30. The booking form on the page offers other start times, from 08:00 to 14:00, with 09:00 marked as suggested. Those times do not match the tour, which leaves once in the morning. Pick your date in the form and treat the 08:30 departure as the plan, then ask us to confirm your pick-up time in writing. A shared vehicle may stop at other hotels, so the time at your door can be a little earlier or later.

Which hotels do you collect from, and can cruise passengers join?

Pick-up and drop-off are included for hotels in the Kusadasi and Selcuk areas. The page does not name the exact districts, so send us your hotel name when you book. The page does not mention the cruise port, and a group tour with a fixed 16:30 return is not built around a ship's departure time. If you arrive by ship, look at our Kusadasi shore excursions instead. If you have not chosen a hotel yet, our guide to Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus compares the towns.

Which sights are included, and do I pay entrance fees on the day?

Inside the ancient city you see the Marble Streets, the Odeon, the Agora, the Temple of Hadrian, the Monumental Fountains, the Library of Celsus, the Great Amphitheatre and the Roman Baths. The overview says the guide spends extra time at the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great Amphitheatre. You then go to the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Every entrance fee in the itinerary is covered. The Terrace Houses are not named, so ask if you want them added.

How much walking is there?

Most of the walking is inside Ephesus, along the main marble streets from one end of the site to the other, with stops for the guide to explain each building. The page does not give a distance. The paving is uneven and old marble is slippery, even when dry. The House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis are short visits by comparison. If anyone in your group walks slowly or uses a stick, tell us when you book so the guide knows, and ask whether a private tour would suit you better.

Is it a group tour, and which languages can the guide speak?

It is a group tour with daily departures and no minimum group size, so you share the guide and vehicle. The page does not say how large the groups get; the form allows up to 12 guests per booking. The inclusions name an English-speaking guide, while the FAQ says English, Spanish or Italian can be chosen, with a possible price change. Ask for any other language and its price in writing. For your own guide, see the private Ephesus tour from Kusadasi or Selcuk.

What should I wear, and when is the best time of year?

There is very little shade at Ephesus. Wear shoes with good grip, a hat and sun cream, and bring 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 for walking the site. July and August are very hot, often above 33°C during the day, so the morning start on this tour helps. After rain, take extra care on the marble.

Can I combine it with Pamukkale or another day trip?

Yes, many guests do the two on back-to-back days. The Pamukkale day trip from Kusadasi and Selcuk, from $117 per person, leaves at 07:30 and lasts about three hours longer. Another option from the same towns is the Priene, Miletos and Didyma tour, from $293 per person. Note that the FAQ compares these tours in euros, while the prices on the pages are in dollars, so go by your written quote. More choices are on our Ephesus and Kusadasi tours list.

How do I book the Ephesus day tour from Kusadasi and Selcuk?

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 any language or walking needs. We check the guide and vehicle for that day and send you the plan in writing, with the pick-up time, guide language and total price. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.