Ephesus Tour from Selcuk

1/23/2021

Private Ephesus Tours from Selcuk Hotels and Selcuk Train Station

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

Recommended hotels to stay in Selcuk
(booking.com links) :

Nea Efesos Hotel

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 Tour Programs from Selcuk are as follows:

SELCUK - No:1
Half Day (4 hours) 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) Tour of Ephesus - 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 & 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) 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.

* For travellers who will be staying at hotels in Basmane district in Izmir, we recommend them to take the 9.00am train from Basmane train station which will arrive to Selcuk at 10.15am. Our tour guide and vehicle can meet you at Selcuk train startion. After the tour you will be dropped back to Selcuk train station for your return journey. Return train will leave Selcuk at 6.06pm and arrive Izmir Basmane Train station at 7.15pm.

Ephesus Tour Guide Only
Ephesus Private Tour Rates
Ephesus Tour Guides

Booking.com

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Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Airport

1/22/2021

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Ephesus Tour from Izmir Airport

We organize Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir airport. Travelers who stay in Istanbul can make a day trip to Ephesus. The closest airport to Ephesus is Izmir Airport which is 45 minutes drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Flight from Istanbul to Izmir Airport takes approximately 1 hour..

We provide exclusive Private Ephesus Tours including pick up and drop off from/to Izmir Airport and Izmir Airport Hotels.

For travelers who will be flying from Istanbul we recommend the following flights:
(Please note that there two airports located in Istanbul. Istanbul Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Istanbul Airport is located in the European side and Sabiha Gokcen is located in the Asian Side of Istanbul.

Airlines flying to Izmir Airport from Istanbul Airports:

Pegasus : http://www.flypgs.com/
Anadolu Jet: https://www.anadolujet.com/en
Turkish Airlines : https://www.turkishairlines.com/

* Generally a private tour of Ephesus takes approximately 8 hours. Therefore we recommned our guests to book 8am flight from Istanbul to Izmir and 6pm flight from Izmir to Istanbul. We recommend to book the below flights:

Flights from Istanbul Airports to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport

Flights from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Istanbul Airports

Izmir Airport Hotels Booking.com links:
Orty Airport Hotel
Tav Airport Hotel Izmir
DoubleTree By Hilton Izmir Airport

Below please find suggested programs for Ephesus tours from Izmir Airport and Izmir Airport Hotels:

IZMIR No. 2
Fullday - Ephesus + Lunch (6 hours)
Boarding your vehicle at airport of Izmir, drive south to Selcuk Town.. En-route see the cotton fields, vineyards and pine woods while driving along the blue Aegean shores. Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of 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 and extraordinary Library of Celsus. At the end of a marble street leading from the library, gaze up at the impressive theater, built to seat 24.000 people. Enjoy a lunch in the grounds of a country house. Here you will see a private demonstration of the traditional carpet making process from dying to spinning to weawing at a school where young girls are trained in the craft. Your last stop will be the visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a delicate masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century. Afterwards drive back to Izmir airport.

IZMIR No.3
Fullday tour of Ephesus, House of Mary & Basilica of St. John (8 hours)
Biblical sites, including Mary's last-known dwelling place, the ancient city of Ephesus and a relaxing luncheon are featured in this fascinating, full-day excursion. As your vehicle makes its way along the Aegean Coast, you will pass some of the regions fertile lands. As you reach the silted valley, time seems to come to a halt and then reverse. After a steep drive up Mt. Pagus, you will arrive at a stone chapel. This converted house probably dates from the 1st century and was envisioned by a German nun as the site where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Continuing to Ephesus, leave your coach at the parking area and proceed on foot through Magnesia Gate. As you stroll along the old marble streets, you will pass the Odeon and Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of some Terrace houses, the beautifully restored facade of the Celsus Library, the Roman Baths of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora and the theater, which accommodates 25,000 spectators and is still used for occasional performances. After your visit to Ephesus, re-board your vehicle for an ejoyable lunch. Afterwards enjoy a presentation about Turkish weavings , see the girls at the looms knotting carpets and kilims. Learn about the natural dyes and learn the differences between Silk , flosh , wool and cotton weavings for handmade rugs. The proprietors will give a fascinating demonstration of the local traditional crafts. Next is the Basilica of St. John, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor, is your final stop before your return to Izmir Airport.

IZMIR No.4
Fullday (8hours) Ephesus & Villages
Meet with your guide in front of the Izmir airport passenger terminal. Depart the pier for the an hour drive to the magnificent 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 and 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. 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, 30 km from Kusadasi, 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. During the lunch, mingle with the local people of the village. Have a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of the village. Your last stop will be the visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a delicate masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century.

For applicable Private Ephesus Tour costs please visit: Ephesus Tour Rates
To book an Ephesus Tour from Izmir Airport and for more information please contact us.

Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Hotels
Izmir Airport Kusadasi Transfers
Izmir Airport Ephesus Train

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Izmir, Izmir Airport - Selcuk Town (Ephesus) Train Schedules

12/19/2019

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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 )

Izmir Airport > Selcuk Train

* For travellers who will be staying at hotels in Basmane district, we recommend them to take the 9.00am train from Basmane train station which will arrive to Selcuk at 10.15am. Our tour guide and vehicle can meet you at Selcuk train startion. After the tour you will be dropped back to Selcuk train station for your return journey. Return train will leave Selcuk at 6pm and arrive Izmir Basmane Train station at 7.15pm.

Izmir Basmane Train St. > Izmir Airport > Selcuk (Ephesus) > Denizli (Pamukkale)
Train Schedule

Izmir Basmane Train St. > Izmir Airport > Selcuk/Ephesus > Denizli/Pamukkale Train Schedule

Selcuk (Ephesus) > Izmir Airport > > Izmir Basmane Train Station
Train Schedule

Selcuk > Izmir Airport Train Schedule

Addition to TCDD trains, Izmir Municipality Izban electric trains also connect Izmir downtown and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport with Selcuk town (Ephesus). There are still no direct Izban trains to Selcuk town. Travellers has to switch trains at Tepekoy station. From Izmir downtown and Izmir Airport to Tepekoy from 6am until 12.00am every 20 minutes there is a Izban train. From Tepekoy to Selcuk is not very frequent, only 10 times a day. Current timetables of Izban trains between Tepekoy and Selcuk is as follows:

For travelers, who would travel with train from Izmir downtown or Izmir airport, we can meet them at Selcuk Train Station, after a private tour of Ephesus we can take them to their hotel in Kusadasi, Selcuk, Sirince Village or take them back to Selcuk train station. For private tours of Ephesus from selcuk train station, please contact us.

* 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.

Tepekoy-Selcuk Izban Schedules

Hire a tour guide in Ephesus

Ephesus transfer from Izmir Airport

Private Ephesus Tours from Selcuk Train Station
Ephesus Tour Guides
Doing day tour of Ephesus from Izmir Train St.

Izmir Airport Private Transfers to Selcuk
Tour Guide only services in Selcuk
Private Ephesus Tours from Selcuk

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Chauffeur Service in Kusadasi, Selcuk, Sirince, Izmir Airport

3/11/2018

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We are based in Kusadasi, Turkey. We offer private chauffeur services and hire a private driver services in Kusadasi, Izmir, Selcuk, Sirince and Izmir Airport. We work with recent model Mercedes Vito and Mercedes Sprinter vehicles. The chauffeured services betweenKusadasi, Izmir, Selcuk, Sirince, Izmir Airport. House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St.John, Pamukkale (Hierapolis), Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Priene, Miletus, Didyma, Laodicea, Sardis and more

For more information and to request a quote please contact us.

Our private tour and private transfer vehicles
Private transfers from Izmir Airport
Private Ephesus Tours

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Taxi from Izmir Airport to Kusadasi, Ephesus, Selcuk

2/26/2018

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You may not have a great experience taking one of Izmir Airport Taxis.
If you are lucky. if you happen to meet by chance with a honest taxi driver, the best you can expect is an acceptable experience: the taxi takes you to where you want to go by the shortest route, and you pay the correct fare as shown on the meter.

Below find some of the examples of bad experiences.

1. The taxi refuses to take you to where you want to go because the distance is not enough. It does not matter if you have a lot of luggage, or you can not walk well, or you are carrying a baby, or you simply have the legal right to be driven to where you want to go.

2. The taxi takes you to where you want to go but refuses to run the meter, and you get a very high fare that you can only reduce by arguing unpleasantly with someone who does not speak your language.

3. The taxi runs the meter and takes you to where you want to go by a rotating route that wastes your time and costs a lot more than it should.

4. The trip is fine, but the driver expects a big tip because you are a foreigner (the Turks do not give taxi drivers).

5. The driver drives like a maniac, apparently happy to endanger not only his own life, but that of other drivers, and his as well.

Below please find the links for some articles about the taxi scams in Turkey published on Turkish news papers:

Instead of taking an Izmir airport taxi, we recommend you to book a private transfer in advance. So you can be assured to be driven in a luxury vehicle by a professional safe driver for the same price that you can pay for a Izmir Airport Taxi. For more information about our private Izmir airport transfer service, please click the following link:
Private Transfers from/to Izmir Airport to/from Kusadasi, Selcuk (Ephesus) and Sirince

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Sirince Village

7/3/2016

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Sirince Village

Sirince once was a Greek Orthodox village, 7 Miles away from Ancient city of Ephesus (current Selcuk town) and 20 miles away from Kusadasi. Sirince was once called Cirkince (ugly). The name is especially chosen to disattract people to move to the village.

First foundation of the village dates back to 1st century. Early christians of Ephesus escaped to the village to be protected from prosecutors. The village stayed as a Greek Ortodox Village until the exchange agreement between Rupublic of Turkey and Greece in 1924. During this exchange Greeks living in Turkey were exchanged with Turks living in Greece. This was a forced migration both sides at the post war period of WW1. Turkish families from mainly from Kavala region moved to the area. Greek families who moved from the village founded a new town named as "Nea Efesos" (Νέα Έφεσος)

The official name change of the village was in the early years of the Republic of Turkey. Name of the village changed from Cirkince to Sirince. Until 20 years ago, the main industry of the village was agriculture. Because of its unque historical background, beauty. Since the village name was mentioned many times in novels and travel shows and documentaries, Sirince Village today is a very touristy site.

Today the main industry is tourism. A lot of village home owners, converted their homes into restaurants, hotels and shops. Sirince Village, today is known with olives and peaches grown in july and fruit wines. Fruit wines are seet wines, more like desert wine. The most popular fruit wine from Sirince is black mulberry.

Visitors can also find lots of herbal products such as levander teas, sage, bay leaves, olive oil soap bars, olive oil lotions. Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture. Visitors may enjoy taking pictures of old Greek homes. Most of them today are being restored and turned into small hotels. There is an abandoned Greek Orthodox Church from 19th century.

In the weekends, Sirince becomes so crowded with the Turkish visitors from big cities like Izmir and Aydin. Our recommendation is to visit this village during the weekdays.

For the visitors there are many restaurants and small hotels.

Recommended ones are as follows:

Recommended Restaurants:

Unalìn yeri
Ocakbasi Ali
Dimitros

Recommended hotels to stay in Sirince:

For travelers, coming to Kusadasi and Izmir Ports with cruise ships, we recommend to visit Sirince Village.

For travelers who are overnighting in Sirince Village, we provide private Ephesus Tours and if requested private airport transfers from Izmir Airport to Sirince Village.

For more information, contact us.

Booking.com

Sirince Village

Nea Efesos village in Greece

The narrow streets of Sirince Village

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Private Ephesus Tours from Sirince Hotels

7/3/2016

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Sirince Village

For travelers who are overnighting in Sirince Village. We provide private airport transfers from Izmir Airport and private Ephesus tours.

The main highlights of the area is the ancient city of Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John and the Mosque of Isa Bey. Sirince is located 20 minutes drive from Ephesus ancient city. Our Ephesus tour guide and luxury vehicle will meet you at your hotel in Sirince Village and you will be taken to some of the major highlights of Turkey. At the end of the day you will be dropped back to your hotel in Sirince Village.

Recommended hotels to stay in Sirince:

For more information, contact us.

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Ephesus Excursion from Istanbul

12/4/2013

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We have been receiving numerous requests for Ephesus Excursions from Istanbul. We provide private Ephesus tours from Izmir airport. We meet our guests at Izmir Airport and drop them at the end of the day at the airport.

For day trips to Ephesus from Istanbul we recommend the guests to take the following flights:

Atlas Jet : http://www.atlasjet.com/
Istanbul > Izmir : KK20 depart Istanbul at 7.20am
Izmir > Istanbul : KK4021 depart Izmir at 7.40pm

Pegasus : http://www.flypgs.com/
Istanbul > Izmir : PC2811 depart Istanbul at 9.10am
Izmir > Istanbul : PC2816 depart Izmir at 6.15pm

Onur Air : http://www.onurair.com.tr/
Istanbul > Izmir : OHY150 depart Istanbul at 7.45am
Izmir > Istanbul : OHY155 depart Izmir at 6.45pm

Turkish Airlines : http://www.turkishairlines.com/tr
Istanbul > Izmir TK2312 depart Istanbul at 8.00am
Izmir > Istanbul : TK2329 depart Izmir at 6.00pm

For more information about private Ephesus excursions from Izmir airport, please contact us.