2-Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour with Flights and Kusadasi Hotel

Istanbul and Ephesus in 2 days with a Kusadasi night: the key facts

This is a short group package with two domestic flights and one hotel night. Day 1 is a guided walk through old Istanbul, followed by a flight to Izmir and a night in Kusadasi. Day 2 is a guided visit to Ephesus, then the flight from Izmir back to Istanbul. The House of the Virgin Mary can be added on Day 2.

It suits travellers who are already in Istanbul and want to see Ephesus without giving up several days. Fit walkers will do best, as both days are on foot. The price is from $845 per person. A hotel night with breakfast, a professional guide, both flights, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included.

How do the two flights work?

Both are included. The first leaves Istanbul for Izmir on Day 1, after the old-city tour. On landing you are driven to your hotel in Kusadasi, the usual base for Ephesus. The second leaves Izmir Airport for Istanbul on Day 2, after the Ephesus visit. Back in Istanbul, a representative helps with your transfer to your hotel or your flight home, and the service ends there. The page gives no flight times or baggage allowance. Ask for both in your written plan, and do not book an international flight home on Day 2 until you know when you land.

Is Day 1 really a full day in Istanbul?

Check this in writing. The page calls it "a full day on foot" from a 09:00 pick-up, covering the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia as options. The airport transfer and the flight to Izmir follow the same day. There is also a mismatch on timing. The itinerary fixes pick-up at 09:00, but the booking form offers start times from 08:00 to 14:00. A 14:00 start would not leave room for the tour and a flight, so treat 09:00 as the real time unless we confirm otherwise.

Where do we sleep, and is an Istanbul night included?

Only one night is included: the hotel in Kusadasi after Day 1. The page does not name it or give a star rating. The tour starts with a 09:00 pick-up from your Istanbul hotel, but no Istanbul night is included before or after. You either use a hotel you have booked yourself or add extra nights, which the page says can be arranged. Ask for the Kusadasi hotel name with your plan. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus guide explains the town as a base.

What do we see at Ephesus, and which parts cost extra?

The guided walk covers the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan, the Nike relief and the site of the Temple of Artemis. Main-site entry is included. Two parts are optional and paid on top: the Terrace Houses at $25 and the House of the Virgin Mary at $55. In Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is $40 extra, and Topkapi Palace is marked optional with no price given, so ask what it costs. Decide on the extras before you go, so the day can be timed around them.

How hard are the days?

Both days involve several hours of walking. Day 1 covers the old city on foot, then an airport transfer and a flight, so you reach Kusadasi in the evening. Day 2 is a long walk on stone and marble at Ephesus, where there is little shade. Wear good walking shoes and bring a hat and water. Lunch and dinner are not included on either day, so carry some cash. For the Blue Mosque, cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. Our what to wear in Istanbul guide has the details.

Can we add nights or slow the trip down?

Yes. The page says extra nights in Istanbul can be added. A night before Day 1 is the most useful, because you start the tour rested and close to the old city. If you would like Pamukkale too, the 2-day Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour costs the same, from $845, but fits both sites into Day 2. For a slower pace, the 8-day Istanbul and Ephesus package costs from $1,880. Our Ephesus tour from Istanbul page compares the options, and the Ephesus packages list has more.

How do I book this 2-day tour?

Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. We check flights and the hotel for your date. Then we send the full plan in writing: both flight times, the Kusadasi hotel name, the confirmed 09:00 pick-up point and which optional tickets you have chosen. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.