Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 102 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS worth booking?
Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS is a 5-hour experience in Selçuk, Turkey, from $35 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 102 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (102)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $35 per person
This is a big chance for you to enjoy your full day,private guided tour that combined ancient Roman and Biblical history in Ancient City of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Terrace Houses. You will be met at port an
What you get
- Fully Air-conditioned Brand new vehicle with Separate Driver
- Professional Licensed Local Tour Guide
- Port / Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- All Taxes
- All Parking fees
About this experience
This is a big chance for you to enjoy your full day,private guided tour that combined ancient Roman and Biblical history in Ancient City of Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary and Terrace Houses. You will be met at port and guaranteed on-time return to your ship. Walk on the streets that Apostle Paul and John walked, see the Grand Theatre of Ephesus that St. Paul preached to Ephesians, take great pictures in front of Celsus Library,explore Roman Baths,Temple of Hadrian, Public Toilets, Marble Street, etc. Feel very peaceful atmosphere of House of the Virgin Mary; see the fascinating Roman Houses for upper class families. It is a private tour, so you can spend your time in the sites as much as you wished, take pictures from the best foto ops that are shown by your guide, ask your questions to your private guide who will be with you entire day. We ensure great value for money. Upon to your request, you will have a chance for a local lunch in a local restaurant.
What's included
Included
- Fully Air-conditioned Brand new vehicle with Separate Driver
- Professional Licensed Local Tour Guide
- Port / Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- All Taxes
- All Parking fees
- 100 % Satisfaction
Not included
- Entrance fees ( We will arrange the tickets in advance, so you will skip long ticket lines
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities are appreciated
What you'll see and do
Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus Port Tours
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Kusadasi
This is a resort city that is located next to ocean, famous with cruise port, hotels, bays and shopping area
Pass by without stopping
Kusadasi Shopping Center
There are alt of markets around the port
Pass by without stopping
Kusadasi Castle
This is the castle located very closed to port that you can see from your ship.
Pass by without stopping
The House of the Virgin Mary
House of the Virgin Mary is one of the highlights of the town. This the place where Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her final years of life.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
The Temple of Artemis
One of the seven wonders of ancient world
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Private Ephesus Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No dress code
- THIS TOUR IS ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS. IF YOU ARE NOT FROM A CRUISE SHIP, PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 102 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
102 verified traveler reviews for Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Awesome from beginning to end
Absolutely the best excursion in Ephesus. Highly highly highly recommend Volcan as your tour guide. Knowledgeable and so personable. He made our day magical. Book this excursion. ASAP.
via Viator
The best tour of Ephesus.
FANTASTIC! Our guide (Seda I believe) was so knowledgeable. She tailored our tour to what we wanted, contacting us in advance to get to know us before we started. We loved every bit of our day, From the Virgin Mary’s home, to the carpet weaving factory (you are under NO obligation to buy a rug, just let your eyes feast.) We always tour thru Trip Advisor and read the reviews before hand. This one was one of the best we have ever had.
via Tripadvisor
Great Overview of Ephesus
I highly recommend this tour. My husband said that of all the tours we went on while on this cruise, this was his very favorite. Our group of 3 couples went on a trip from Izmir port to Ephesus on a van with about 6 or 7 others from our cruise. The van ride was under an hour, broken up along the way with a short stop at the rug factory (with clean bathrooms, "free" Turkish coffee and pastries, and salesman who are determined to sell you the rug of your dreams). Our tour guide was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She had a very good command of the English language and was able to entertain us with her dialogue and give relevant and knowledgeable answers to our questions. The bus driver was professional and got us back with plenty of time for an on-time departure.
via Tripadvisor
Beyond wonderful private tour of Ephesus
It is hard to believe that it has been almost ten months since we toured Ephesus. I have been meaning to write this review for a long time now (however, the last year has been a whirlwind, and I never got around to sitting down and writing this review), and I would not forgive myself if I did not share our experience with others. Our family cruised the Greek Islands on the Norwegian cruise ship the Jade. Instead of opting for the cruise ship excursion, I contacted Elif from Kudadasi Private Ephesus Tours. Elif arranged a private tour guide, driver, and Mercedes A/C van for our tour. When we arrived at the port of Izmir, our tour guide Ozge ("OZ" for short) met us at the terminal. She had our name on a sign, awaited us, and walked us to our van. Once at the van, we met our driver. Unfortunately, I cannot recall his name, but he was an excellent, knowledgeable, and safe driver. The drive was beautiful, as we could see rural Turkey, farms, and olive groves – with OZ providing commentary the whole time. OZ took care of securing all the site passes, and we reimbursed her for that. It made things much more manageable. The drive from Izmir to Ephesus was about an hour long. During the drive, OZ got to know our family, and we got to know her. She briefed us on all we would do that day. Our first stop was to visit the Blessed Mother's home; from there, we would go to Ephesus. We indicated we would like to see how Turkish carpets are made and if there was time for a local pottery store. OZ made it all happen. OZ is a walking encyclopedia – knowledgeable beyond belief regarding each location's history. She weaved history and bible stories in such a way that things we had heard all our lives took on new meaning. OZ was also very experienced in navigating the sites and the crowds. We spent about 40 minutes at this site and then off to Ephesus. Truth be told, none of us knew much about Turkey or Ephesus, but OZ changed everything. We arrived at Ephesus, and she described the site as a book with chapters, and we were about to see the introduction. We did not fully understand what she was saying until we began visiting the entire site. As you start the tour, you crest a hill, and the ancient city of Ephesus reveals itself. OZ was able to speak knowledgeably about everything, and I mean everything. As luck would have it, OZ grew up in the modern-day Ephesus and was exposed to the ancient city throughout her life. Her high school class was one of the last classes to have their graduation at one of the arena sites in ancient Ephesus. OZ described how St. John preached there, the library's history, the marketplaces, and how Mark Anthony and Cleopatra visited from Alexandria. OZ knew when to step aside and let us explore on our own and when to engage and lead us. She had a good sense of how to make the day work. She was always in good contact with the driver, who was always nearby and ready to take us to the next adventure. After Ephesus, it was off to see how carpets are made. When we arrived, OZ said the place was crowded and suggested we break to grab something to eat and then see the carpets. The eatery was attached to the carpet building, we sat at outside picnic tables, and OZ ordered for us all—six of us in total. I was thinking –what will all this food cost us, plus our water and drinks? First, I have to say the food was beyond amazing. I noted some dishes and have been making them at home ever since. When the bill came, I almost fell over. $36. That's it. $36 – Amazing value – excellent service – I left an equivalent tip – had to – what a great experience. Then, into the carpet place. which was very educational. I would have loved to buy one of the carpets, they were beautiful and the prices were reasonable, but alas we had nowhere to put them at home. However, if you are in the market for carpets, you can negotiate prices, and they mail them to your home. Trust me; they tell you all about carpet making from the Mulberry trees farms where they raise the silkworms to how silk is harvested… Great experience. Then off to the pottery place, which was again excellent. OZ and the driver knew exactly what time we had to get back. They knew where the cruise ship bus was, and all we needed to do was get to the ship at the same time or earlier. They had us back with time to spare; we never felt rushed – only grateful and lucky to have OZ and our driver. We left Turkey knowing we would be back – what a wonderful country. The people are friendly. The prices are fantastic. We had such a great experience because of Elif, OZ, and our driver. We hope to return and see other areas of Turkey – and if we are lucky, OZ and our driver will be our guides. Thank you, Elif, OZ, and our driver, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You guys were all so great. I highly recommend this team to anyone considering a tour of Ephesus. BTW… The private tour cost for 5 was substantially less than the group tour offered on the cruise ship for five people.
via Tripadvisor
Sensational Tour; Exceptional Guide
I booked this tour of Ephesus, for four of us, instead of taking one of the shore excursions offered by our Viking cruise ship. We wanted a much more "personal" tour to such a fascinating and important site, rather than a large impersonal "group" visit, and this tour was sensational! Our guide, Isik, was truly exceptional: very personable, knowledgeable, and creative in arranging our visits to various sites. She took us to the House of the Virgin Mary before any of the crowds arrived, which made for a very nice experience. We saw all the the main sites, including the amazing Library of Celsus, and wondered around the Great Theater to see it in depth (which not all Viking shore excursions did). All accompanied by excellent explanations and insights offered by Isik. We had a very nice lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to the Artemis Temple. We were all very pleased with the tour and would give it the highest recommendation! (It was actually cheaper for the four of us than the "paid" Viking shore excursions, and we got close-up personal insights from an outstanding guide.)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $35 to $39
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 36
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Selçuk.
How much does Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS cost?
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Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Selçuk usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Selçuk is not rushed.
Is Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 102 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Selçuk, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS?
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Around 36 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Selçuk can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Selçuk and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kusadasi Shore Excursion : Ephesus Private Tour ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Selçuk within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Selçuk?
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On Outty we rank every Selçuk experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include FOR CRUISERS: Skip The Lines PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR &On Time Return, PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR FOR CRUISERS: On-time Return and Skip-Line, PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary's House (Meryemana) and Ephesus. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Selçuk?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Selçuk?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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