Selcuk is the modern name for Ephesus. It is a small town having a population of 35 thousand. Selcuk is 62km south of Izmir. It is an hour drive from Izmir Airport. Havas have shuttles for flights. Selcuk is also accessible by train from Izmir Airport and Izmir downtown (Basmane).

The same train also go to Denizli where Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is located.

The Train schedule between Izmir, Izmir Airport and Selcuk Town (Ephesus) is as follows:
​(Click here for the official train schedule)

Selcuk is the modern name of Ephesus. A small agricultural town, having a population of 35000 people. Due to the proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus, some travelers prefer to stay in Selcuk town. Selcuk has many small hotels. For travelers who will overnight in Selcuk town, we recommend visiting farmers market on Saturdays.

Selcuk is accessible by trains from Izmir or Denizli (Pamukkale). Modern trains are operating between İzmir – Izmir Airport – Selcuk – Denizli. It is a comfortable and cheap way to travel on this route. For more information about the trains schedules to Selcuk, please visit the following link: 
Izmir, Izmir Airport - Selcuk Town (Ephesus) Train Schedules

For travelers who stay in Selcuk town or travel to Selcuk by train, we offer private airport transfers from Izmir airport and private Ephesus tours. For travelers who travel with rent a car, we also provide tour guide only services where our tour guide meets you in your hotel in Selcuk or in front of Basilica of St. John or Selcuk Bus Station or Selcuk Train Station. Cost of tour guide only services is  70 Euros (whatever your group size is)
On certain dates we offer %20 discount. To see these dates please click here.

* If you do not have a rental car and staying in Selcuk or coming to Selcuk with train. We offer private walking tours of Basilica of St. John, Temple of Artemis and Ancient City of Ephesus. For more information, please contact us.

Suggested Ephesus Tours from Selcuk are as follows:

SELCUK - No:1
Half Day (4 hours) Ephesus Tour from Selcuk
Temple of Artemis + Ephesus  + House of Mary
After meeting your guide drive through the fertile lands. Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards proceed to the mountain where Virgin Mary is believed to spent her 9 years. The house is approximately 1000 feet above sea level and running as an active chapel. Roman Catholics believe that Virgin Mary came to Ephesus with Saint. John 5 years after the crucification. At the age of 63 she is assumed to heaven. Although there is no fact that Virgin Mary lived here approximately 1.5 million people visit the site each year. After 30 minutes visit to the House of Mary, drive to ancient city of Ephesus. You will be dropped at the upper gate of Ephesus with your tour guide. Start exploring the city. You will be walking down the hill approximately 1.5hrs. You will see the Odeon, the basilica, Domitian square, fountain of Trajan, Celcus library, Terrace Houses (optional), Marble street, the Grand Theater of Ephesus and the Harbor Street. You will be ending your tour at the bottom gate. Your tour guide will take you to another site or drop you at the desired location.

SELCUK - No:2
Full day (6 hours) Ephesus Tour from Selcuk - Christian Ephesus 
Meet with your guide in Selcuk. Drive  to the country. Your first stop on this fascinating tour is at the HOUSE OF VIRGIN MARY. Then, you will continue on to visit ancient EPHESUS, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. See the Odeon, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath,Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theater with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. Afterwards visit the  BASILICA OF ST. JOHN and see the TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, one of the wonders of the  ancient world. 

SELCUK - No:3
Full day (7 hours) Ephesus Tour from Selcuk -  Ephesus & Villages 
Meet with your guide in Selcuk. Drive to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world:TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS. After seeing Temple of Artemis drive to the magnificent ancient site of  EPHESUS. Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia  and  while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent site, your tour guide  will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful Celsus Library, restored and reconstructed according to its original form by the architect Friedmund Hueber  in the 1970's. The most spectacular building of Ephesus is the Grand Theater,  built during the Hellenistic age to hold 25,000 spectators. It is there that St.  Paul preached. Opposite theTemple of Hadrian are the Terrace Houses, homes of  Ephesus' wealthy citizens. The city was also the hometown of great philosopher  Heraclitus. After a visit to Ephesus Antique Site, you will arrive at SIRINCE VILLAGE. This old Orthodox Village, 10 km from Selcuk, was once "Cirkince"(ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name on the purpose as they  did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty). Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920's; after the Turkish Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all those typical Greek  houses, though they kept their original outside characteristics, have received  the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you will have chance of seeing the  local life at a village and purchasing some small local souvenirs and  handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape and other fruit wines. Your last stop will be the visit to the ISA BEY MOSQUE, a delicate masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century.

​SELCUK- No:4
Fullday  (7 hours) Ephesus Tour from Selcuk
​Temple of Artemis + Ephesus + Kirazli Village
Your first stop will be the Temple of  Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Continue to Ephesus  where  you start at the Magnesia Gate and walk downhill through the city.Your tour guide  will point out the sights, bringing the history of Ephesus to life as you pause  at the Odeon, Upper Agora, Town Hall, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of  Hadrian and  Domitianus, Memmius Memorial, Roman Baths,Terrace Houses and the extraordinary  Library of Celsus. At the end of the marble street leading from the library, gaze  up at the impressive theater, built to seat 24.000 people. Here St. Paul  preached to Ephesians. Afterwards proceed to the quaint Village of  Kirazli. Meet  with locals, witness the unspoiled local life. See real Turkey ! 

For more information, contact us.

Taking the train from Izmir Basmane Train Station to Selcuk is an enjoyable way to see the Western Turkey. The train passes through the rich fertile farmlands, orchards and vineyards stopping at the small farming towns and villages along the way. Train is the cheapest way to travel, though not the fastest and not the most comfortable way to travel between Izmir and Ephesus.

* You can not prebook train tickets. You can buy them with Turkish Liras cash at Train Staitions. It is recommended to be at the train stations 20 minutes before the departure of the train to avoid disappointment.

* We offer Private Tour of Ephesus from Selcuk Train Station with licensed local tour guides. For the cost of a Private Tour of Ephesus from Selcuk Train Station please contact us.