Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.9/5
Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary worth booking?
Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary is a 12-hour experience in Istanbul, Turkey, from $249 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 64 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (19)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $249 per person
A Private Day Trip to 'must' to visit places: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary. Enjoy this excellent tour and receive a Red Carpet Treatment by a Private Tour Guide and luxurious Mercedes-Benz Vehicles.
What you get
About this experience
A Private Day Trip to 'must' to visit places: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary. Enjoy this excellent tour and receive a Red Carpet Treatment by a Private Tour Guide and luxurious Mercedes-Benz Vehicles.
What's included
Included
- Internal / Domestic Flight Tickets
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Transport by private vehicle
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
- Entrance Fees to the Museums and Sites
What you'll see and do
Ephesus Ancient City
Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeum, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
The Temple of Artemis
Which is known as one of the seven wonders of the Antic World.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
The House of the Virgin Mary
Where Mary had spent her last day, the Basilica of St. John where is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 180 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City of Sultans
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 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
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
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.
Traveler reviews
19 verified traveler reviews for Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best time ever!!
We had the most perfect day in Ephesus Turkey with our tour guide Boz!!!! He was absolutely the best!!! He was very informative and so nice!!! He left nothing out for sure. He made sure we saw everything!! He spoke very good English which really helped us!!! He was so accommodating!! We would do this again for sure!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. We all hope to see you in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Amazing!
Ephesus has to be seen to be believed. The ruins of the city are amazing. And the tour was exceptional. Everything went very smoothly—being picked up and returned to our hotel, the flights from Istanbul to Izmir, and the transportation from Izmir to the various sites. Our tour guide was also very good. A must-do experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. It was our great pleasure to serve you.. We all hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
An expensive but very historic tour.
Many thanks to Ozgur for very prompt assistance with the booking. The tour started in the morning with your flight out from Istanbul at 0630HRs. Arrived at Izmir around 0800HRs--ish. Picked up by the tour driver and this would be the car being used on the tour. The tour guide was picked up on the way to the House of Mary. House of Mary was good, if a little underwhelming. Understandably so since it was the house of a very pious woman and mother of Son of God/prophet (depending on your religion). Do not forget to leave a wish on the famous wall here. Do not buy souvenirs here and wait until Ephesus for that. Ephesus was an excellent sight. Watch out for the marble floors while walking. Ensure to visit inside of the Library of Celsius and take pics there. You will visit the site of Temple of Artemis soon after lunch. The tour was a bit tiring on account of the long travels involved (flights in and out of Istanbul plus 45min travel both ways from Izmir to Ephesus). Also, is best to substitute the leather making/rug making/pottery sessions with a museum visit instead. The lady guide appeared to be more interested in walking you through the money-making shops in the vicinity than moving on to the next site. The tour could have offered a free lunch and museum visit due to the large cost involved. But overall, I liked the tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. We hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable experience!!
We had the opportunity to take this tour with Emre as our guide and Huso as our driver and we had a great time! Emre showed us the best places and provided all the information. He really knew what he was talking about. This trip worth every penny we spent. Highly recommended!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. It was our great pleasure to serve you. We all hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Ephesus Day Tour from Istanbul
I had a wonderful time touring Ephesus with my guide Riza and driver Okan. Riza was extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and easy to talk to.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for choosing our services. We hope to see you again in Turkey with a longer trip..
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $249 to $589
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 64
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Istanbul.
How much does Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary cost?
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Prices start at $249 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Istanbul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Istanbul is not rushed.
Is Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 19 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Istanbul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary?
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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 Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary?
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Around 7 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Day Trip from Istanbul to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul?
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On Outty we rank every Istanbul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Asian Side Stop, ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full Day PRIVATE Guided City Tour. 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 Istanbul?
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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 Istanbul?
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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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