Ephesus & Pamukkale Private Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights
Overview
Ephesus & Pamukkale Private Tour from Istanbul: 2 Days with Flights
On this easy-paced private 2-day package from Istanbul, you see the best of Turkey's ancient cities in a short trip.
Ephesus on Day One
Day one is spent in Ephesus, a city of remarkable Roman architecture with a significant place in religious history.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis on Day Two
Day two takes you to Pamukkale, known for its one-of-a-kind travertine terraces, and to the ruins of Hierapolis, where nature and history meet.
It is a good choice if your time in Turkey is limited but you still want to see its history and scenery.
*When booking your hotel for this tour, please pick a well-located area of Kusadasi.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Izmir & Ephesus Tour
A private van collects you from your hotel in Istanbul and drives you to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Izmir (ancient Smyrna). After landing, our representative meets you holding a sign with your name and drives you on to Ephesus.
Your local guide sets the scene with the history of Ephesus, then leads you around the ancient city. Guided stops include:
- Great Theater
- Celsus Library
- Temple of Hadrian
- Harbor Street
- House of the Virgin Mary
- Isa Bey Mosque
There is also the option to see the Terrace Houses, where well-kept mosaics and frescoes reveal how the city's wealthy families lived.
Afterwards the guide and driver drop you at your hotel for a night in the Ephesus area.
*For this tour we suggest a hotel in central Kusadasi.
Day 2 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Flight Back to Istanbul
At 9:00 am your private guide and driver pick you up for the trip to Pamukkale, known for its natural calcium pools formed by thermal water. The journey is about 3 hours, and your local guide talks about the places you pass.
On the visit you see:
- the calcium pools
- the Necropolis
- the Roman Baths
- the Domitian Gate
- the Latrina
- Frontinus Street
- the Agora
- the Byzantium Gate
- the Triton Fountain
- the Cathedral
- the Temple of Apollo
- the Plutonium, described from outside because excavation is still going on
- the Theater
- Hierapolis
(Optional, at extra cost) Time permitting, you can swim in the Cleopatra Pool.
After the tour you are transferred to Denizli Airport for your flight to Istanbul. On arrival our representative waits for you holding a sign with your name and drives you to your hotel. You spend the night in Istanbul.
This is where our services finish. Thank you for travelling with Get Turkey Tours; we would be glad to see you again.
Important Notes
Neither day includes lunch or dinner. Around Kusadasi and Pamukkale the Aegean cooking is rich, with options ranging from farm-to-table local food to restaurants recommended by Michelin. Your guide is glad to suggest somewhere to eat.
The same guide accompanies you on both days.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Domestic Flights (Economy Class)
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Hotel Bookings (Available Upon Request)
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Private two-day Ephesus and Pamukkale trip from Istanbul: the essentials
This unhurried private package brings you from Istanbul to two of Turkey's top sights in two days: Ephesus on the first day, then the white travertines of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis on the second. Included are economy-class domestic flights, every airport transfer, a private van, one local guide who stays with you both days, and museum tickets and attraction fees. We can arrange hotels on request. The price varies with your dates and the size of your group, so we quote it on request.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 days |
| Cost | Quote on request, based on your dates and group |
| Format | Private, with one guide for both days |
| Flights | Economy class: Istanbul to Izmir, then Denizli to Istanbul |
| Covered | Airport transfers, a private van and guide, museum tickets and attraction fees |
| Excluded | Hotel (we can book it on request), meals and drinks, tips |
How do the two private days run?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1, Ephesus | Private van to Istanbul Airport and flight to Izmir, where your guide meets you; Great Theater, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Harbor Street, House of the Virgin Mary, Isa Bey Mosque; Terrace Houses if you wish; drop-off at your Kusadasi hotel |
| Day 2, Pamukkale | Collected at 09:00 for a drive of around 3 hours with your guide; calcium pools, Necropolis, Roman baths, Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium (described from outside), the theatre; Cleopatra Pool if you wish; flight back from Denizli to Istanbul |
Book a hotel in a central part of Kusadasi for this tour; we are happy to reserve it for you on request.
Private or group: which Ephesus and Pamukkale tour?
| Tour from Istanbul | How it differs | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| This private tour | Own guide and van, a pace you set, hotel on request | On request |
| Two-day group tour of Ephesus and Pamukkale | Shared group, 4 or 5-star hotel and lunches included | $675 |
| Two-day Biblical Ephesus and Pamukkale | Focus on faith, with the Basilica of St. John | $720 per person |
| Five days: Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus | Cappadocia added | $1,280 |
The group tour is the easier choice with everything bundled. The private one is better for families, couples and small groups who want a guide of their own on both days, longer at each site and the freedom to pick their own restaurants.
What was the Plutonium at Hierapolis?
It was a sanctuary built in ancient times over a cave that gave off poisonous gas, and people then thought it was an entrance to the underworld. Excavations are still going on, so you do not go in; your guide explains it and tells its story from outside.
Are meals part of the package?
They are not. Neither day includes lunch or dinner, which leaves you free to choose where to eat. Around Kusadasi and Pamukkale you find rich Aegean food, from simple farm-to-table local cooking to respected restaurants, and your guide is glad to recommend some.
Do you go barefoot at Pamukkale?
You do. To protect the white travertine terraces, shoes are not permitted on them. Carry a bag for your shoes, and swimwear if you want a dip in the Cleopatra Pool, which charges a separate fee.
When should you go?
April to June and September to November suit both sites best. Summer makes both hot and shadeless, so set off early and protect yourself from the sun. Winter brings fewer visitors and mild days by the coast.
What to bring
A passport or ID for the flights, comfortable shoes, a bag to carry your shoes at Pamukkale, swimwear, a hat, sunscreen, water, and modest clothes for the House of the Virgin Mary.
How to book
Tell us your preferred dates, how many people are travelling and whether we should book your hotel in Kusadasi, using the form on this page or WhatsApp. We confirm the full price and plan in writing, and payment is due only after that. Looking for more? Browse our Ephesus tours, Pamukkale tours and Turkey tour packages.
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