PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir
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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
4.9/5
Based on 102 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir worth booking?
PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir is a 5-hour experience in Kusadasi, Turkey, from $107 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 102 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (102)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $107 per person
Our PRIVATE Ephesus Tour is one of its kind about places it covers and it's our best-seller! This tour is a perfect option for those who have a full day to spend around the most important sights of the Ephesus area. Th
What you get
About this experience
Our PRIVATE Ephesus Tour is one of its kind about places it covers and it's our best-seller! This tour is a perfect option for those who have a full day to spend around the most important sights of the Ephesus area. This tour is guaranteed Skip-The-Line with pre-purchased tickets. You can always customize your tour with your private guide. This tour includes pick up service from Izmir Cruise Port / Hotels. During your tour, you will visit; Ephesus Ancient City which used to be the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, the House of 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 and the Temple of Artemision which is known as one of the seven wonders of the Antic World. Enjoy the personalized attention of your licensed local tour guide and the comfort of your private vehicle.
What's included
Included
- Transport by Luxury Private Vehicle
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
- All Parking Fees and Taxes
- English Speaking Tour Guide with Archaeological Backgroud
Not included
- Admission fees
- Local Lunch
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Ephesus Ancient City
This enclosure for archaeological remains at Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture. In 356BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemesium, the Library of Celsus and its medical school..
90 minutes here · Admission not included
The Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns' capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remaining of this temple are today exhibited in the London British Museum.
30 minutes here
Basilica of St. John
It 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. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD). The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians.Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem.Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus.He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation in Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
The House of the Virgin Mary
House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area) and a room with fireplace (chapel for Muslims).
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
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
- OTTI Travel
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Please note that it takes one hour from Izmir to Ephesus Ancient City by drive
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
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
102 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ephesus with Selim
It was a great tour. Our tour guide Selim arranged all the timings for us. We recommend him! Epehsus city was beautiful. We stayed there and he explained all the history and we got the all answers. You should bring sunscreens also!
via Tripadvisor
The Gold Standard of Private Tours in Ephesus
We had a truly flawless day exploring Ephesus and its surroundings, thanks to the impeccable coordination by Selin at OTTI Travel. The day began perfectly with a prompt pickup right at our ship in Izmir. Our driver, Ahmed, was fantastic—he navigated the roads with total professionalism in a large, impressively comfortable van that made the commute a breeze. Selin is a world-class guide whose deep knowledge of Ephesus brought the history to life, from the iconic Library of Celsus to the fascinating Terrace Houses. The ancient site was undoubtedly the highlight of our day; seeing the towering ruins against the backdrop of glorious weather and piercing blue skies was an unforgettable experience. Selin’s storytelling and insights ensured we saw the best of the city while truly appreciating its monumental scale. Beyond the ruins, the itinerary Selin curated was exceptional and well-paced. We enjoyed a delicious, authentic lunch in the serene garden of the Turkmen Carpet Weaving Center, which provided a wonderful opportunity to relax and appreciate local hospitality in a beautiful setting. It was the perfect midday break between our historical explorations and our afternoon visits to local artisans. Before departing for Izmir, we explored several local highlights that rounded out the day perfectly. We stopped at a local leather shop and a ceramics studio to see incredible artistry, as well as a shop specializing in Turkish delights and other delicious food items. If you are looking for a seamless, high-end, and deeply informative tour while in port, I cannot recommend Selin, Ahmed, and the OTTI Travel team highly enough.
via Viator
Great day at Ephesus.
We had a great day at Ephesus with our guide, Nesli. She was knowledgeable, clear, spoke excellent English, and was very pleasant to be with. The drive was interesting, lunch was tasty, and the tour of carpet-making was informative. A great day all around.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome private tour of Ephesus
Our tour guide (Tas) was amazing. He speaks English with an American accent. He was punctual and picked us up from the cruise ship at 7:00 a.m. We got to Ephesus bright and early to beat all the other tours by half an hour. His guiding was illuminating and creative. He answered all of our questions. He took us off the beaten path to avoid crowds. He took photos for us. He was always mindful that we had two young children tagging along. Tas made Ephesus ours. Even though I had been to Ephesus twice before, I learned the most from Tas. I strongly recommend this private tour. You get what you pay for. We had the most enjoyable time.
via Tripadvisor
BOOK THIS TOUR!!! Fabulous Experience, Brilliant Guide!
WOWOW! What a tour!!! Asli very generously picked us up from the airport with our great driver, (who introduced himself as, "Boss"), and took us straight from Izmir to our day in Ephesus. On the way, she shared tons of details about the region, and was *so* accommodating to our needs—even flipping the schedule to let us have lunch upon arrival. Asli made sure to pack our time with as much information and history as she could, and she did so from a place of deep love and enthusiasm. Ephesus was hands down the most interesting place my husband and I have ever visited, and it was all thanks to Asli's vast knowledge and passion for the region. We are so lucky to now call Asli a friend of ours, and would recommend her tour to ANYONE!!! Please book this tour if you are visiting Izmir and Ephesus!!!
via Viator
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
- $107 to $338
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 36
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kusadasi.
How much does PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir cost?
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Prices start at $107 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kusadasi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir 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 Kusadasi is not rushed.
Is PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 102 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kusadasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir?
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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 Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir 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 PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir?
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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 Kusadasi 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 Kusadasi and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Ephesus Full Day Tour from Izmir 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 Kusadasi 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 Kusadasi?
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On Outty we rank every Kusadasi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with ENTRY TICKET+LUNCH, Ephesus Temple of Artemis and House of Mary Private Half Day Tour, Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Private Tour from Kusadasi Port. 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 Kusadasi?
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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 Kusadasi?
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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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