Frequently Asked Questions about Ephesus and Tours

•  Why should I book a tour through Ephesus Travel Guide? Can't I do my own tours?

Of course you may be able to arrange your own tours, but why would you want to? When you book a tour from Ephesus Travel Guide, transportation and most importantly the services of a well-trained local tour guide is included. You're also assured that you'll see the most for your money. By booking a tour through Ephesus Travel Guide`s selection of private excursions, you'll also save time and money. We've done all the thinking for you. You'll spend less time doing research and more time having fun. You get to choose from the very best and most popular tours in a port of call based on your interest and escorted by local experts who are familiar with the port, it's history, and culture.

• What do tours include? / Are your drivers also the tour guides?

Tours include transportation according to the itinerary and your tour guide. Drivers are separate than tour guides. While your tour guide is making commentary about the sites and culture of the area. Your driver will stay by the vehicle. You will enter Ephesus from the upper gate and walk down the hill. Your driver will meet you at the lower gate. You will save a lot of time. We do not include entrance fees in our tour costs since you may want to modify the tour during your visit. If requested we can also provide you entrance and lunch included packages.

• How physically challenging are tours?

Most tours require some degree of walking; however, some excursions require extensive walking. Whatever your fitness level, we highly recommend comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes.

• How should I tip our Guide/Driver?

Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional; however, in Turkey, these personnel may anticipate that if you were pleased with their services, you will reward them in a monetary way. It is customary to show appreciation for exceptional service by tipping your tour guide and driver separately. To maintain professionalism, it is recommended to tip 20 Euros for the tour guide and 10 Euros for the driver. Tipping is a great way to acknowledge their hard work and dedication in making your tour enjoyable. Your generosity helps to recognize their efforts and ensures they feel valued for providing you with a memorable experience.

•  Where to meet our guide at Kusadasi Port or Izmir Port?  How do I recognize our tour guide at the port?

Your private tour guide will meet you at Starbucks at Kusadasi Port and in front passenger terminal at Izmir Port. He or she will have your name sign. Below please find the pictures of the meeting locations. 

• Is there a dress code for Ephesus?

There is no dress code for Ephesus. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes at all times. When visiting ruins or walking on cobble stone streets, wear rubber-soled shoes. It's also smart to wear a sun hat in summer months. There is no need for a head scarf for the visit of House of Virgin Mary.

• Will I have time to shop?

Shopping time is allocated within the framework of the excursions.
Shopping visits are not scheduled in our tours. Depending on the time, you may be offered options. Shopping stops during tours are not made unless the guests wants.

• Are your tours the same ones offered by the Cruise Lines?

Cruise Lines offer similar tours, visiting the same sites. The biggest difference is that you will be met by a private representative on arrival, reserve in advance and save time and money. When you compare the costs of our tours to the costs of cruises, you'll quickly realize that we offer unrivaled value. Our tours not only give you an extraordinary experience, but they also come at a fraction of the price of traditional cruises. By eliminating the middleman and working directly, we are able to pass on significant savings to our customers. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest level of professionalism and quality in all aspects of our tours despite decreasing costs. From knowledgeable and friendly guides to well-designed itineraries, every detail is carefully considered to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

• Why should I book Tours with Ephesus Travel Guide instead of booking onboard the cruise ship?

Save Money - these tours are 30 - 40% lower than you'll find on ship.
Avoid long lines at the Ship's Shore Excursion Desk.
All tours planned and confirmed before you sail.
No chance of a sell out like on board ship.
Full refund if tour is cancelled for bad weather or the ship misses port.

• How reputable is Ephesus Travel Guide?

Very. EphesusTravelGuide.com is a web trademark of Transbalkan Tours Ltd. which has been providing tours since 1963. Transbalkan Tours have a wonderful reputation. EphesusTravelGuide.com is confident that customers will enjoy the same tours that you would find on a cruise ship at lower prices and with more convenience. Ephesus Travel Guide has been a Tripadvisor Winner for 10 consecutive years. To read our tripadvisor reviews please click here.

• We've never been to Ephesus and want to do as much as possible?

The Ephesus Travel Guide tour guides are considered top experts on local history and sights, offering you a chance to fully appreciate and experience their hometowns. The listed excursions are designed and organized in such a way as to maximize your time and yet allow sufficient free time as well.

• What type of transportation is used for the tours?

Type of transport vary considerably depending on the number of people in your party. We work with brand new Volkswagen and Mercedes Vehicles. All of our vehicles are Air-conditioned. Guest wishing to travel together with friends should leave the ship together, as this will help the guide. For more information, visit:
Vehicle Types for Private Ephesus Tours and Private Airport Transfers from/to Izmir Airport 

•  Am I travelling with a group on the tours?

We only provide private tours. You will be the only ones in the vehicle besides your personal tour guide and your personal driver.

• How do I pay for my tour, what is the procedure?

Payment can be made in Euro or US Dollar cash at the end of the tour. There is no prepayment required. We do not accept credit card payments.

• Do we need to have a Turkish visa?

Cruise ship passengers calling to the Turkish Port of Calls are considered as in-transit therefore you do not need to have a visa.
Land travelers require a visa for their travel to Turkey

• What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel a tour 72 hours in advance of your tour departure without any charges. If you would like to cancel a tour, simply send us an email and we will be happy to assist you. Once you are within the 24 hour tour departure window, the tour becomes non-refundable. This is because our guide and vehicle have set aside space to accommodate your request and will often not be able to fill that space with another customer so close to departure.

• Would there be a charge if I miss my tour because the ship is late or cannot make it into port?

There would not be any charge if you cannot make a tour departure due to a ship delay or a missed port call. 

• Is there a risk of missing the ship if I don't book through the cruise line?

No. Although the cruise lines would like you to believe that independent tours carry this risk, we are very well aware of your ship's departure time, and our tours are designed to get you back to the ship with time to spare and until today none of our clients missed the ship by being late getting back to the ship. Rest assured that there is no need for concern about missing your ship during our journey. Our itinerary is meticulously planned to ensure that we operate efficiently and promptly. Thanks to the absence of traffic in this area, travelling to the farthest destination within a 25-minute drive from Kusadasi Port is a seamless and stress-free experience. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we are dedicated to providing a smooth and timely voyage for all our passengers

• What are Ephesus entrance fees (admission)? - How much is the entrance fee to Ephesus? ​Do you buy tickets in advance?

Cost of entrance fees:

• Ephesus + Ephesus Experience Museum: 40 Euro per person
• House of Mary: 13.5 Euro p.p. (700 TL)
• Temple of Artemis: Free of Charge
• St. John's Basilica:  6 Euro p.p.
• Sirince Village: Free of charge
• Ephesus + Terrace Houses + Ephesus Experience Museum: 52 Euro p.p. ​
• Ephesus Museum: 10 Euro p.p.

* Credit Cards and Turkish Liras are accepted for entrance fees. Euro cash is not accepted.
* There are never long lines at the sites. There is no need to prepurchase the tickets. The tour guides have priorities to obtain the tickets. The guided tours guests never wait in lines.
* Entrance fees determined by the Turkish government are shown above. The Turkish government reserves the right to change entrance fees.

• Do we have to pay tickets for the tour guide?

No, there is no charge for the tour guides at the sites.

• How expert would our guide be and what are the details of the sights we would visit in Ephesus?

The guide which will be assigned for your private Ephesus tour is licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. To obtain this license one has to attend 2 or 4 years university programs that includes archeology, history... classes. Our licensed guide will be with you at all times during the tour and will inform you about the archeological, historical and cultural facts of the area. They are expert guides who do this kind of Ephesus tours approximately 200 times a year. They are not archeologists but they are expert guides who will provide as much as information that an archeologist can do. Suggested visit time is 2 hours. This may be longer depending on your interest, pace and the number of people a head of you. Your Ephesus Tour will start at the upper gate (Magnesia Gate) and you will walk down the hill and at the lower gate of Ephesus.

• What are the opening hours for Ephesus?

Ephesus is open everyday. Visiting hours vary depending on the season.
Summer Time Visiting Hours: 08.00 - 19.00
Winter Time visiting Hours: 08.30 - 17.00

•  How much time do you need to visit Ephesus?

Ephesus is a large ancient city. The city covers an area of 550 acres (224 hectares). It is the most excavated archaeological site of Turkey. A visit to Ephesus Ancient City can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on your interest and pace. The site has two gates named as the Upper Gate, also known as the South Gate and the lower gate, also known as the North Gate. During the visit to the Ancient City of Ephesus, some guests also tour the Terrace Houses. Terrace Houses visit generally takes approximately 30 minutes.

You can travel back in time by walking through the preserved streets of Ephesus. Some spends an entire day visiting the site, but the average time needed once inside is about two to three hours. Like most Roman-built cities, Touring Ephesus is not difficult, but to avoid wasting time or in the summer days getting cooked under the sun, we recommend the guests to hire a private tour guide. 

In our Private Ephesus Tours, we generally start the tour from the Upper Gate and end at the Lower Gate. If there is a driver waiting for us. This way saves us a lot of energy and time. For solo travelers who want to do this way, there are taxis that charge approximately 5 Euros to take you back to the Upper Gate. 

Bring a hat and sunscreen no matter what season it is, and you can even ask for an umbrella in the summer. There is very little shelter from the sun, and two to three hours outside will make you feel more like exhausted than your healthy state. You'll also want snacks and plenty of water for all these walks. Inside, close to the Close to Celsus Library, there is one small convenience stand. Right outside the site there are numerous vendors who may help you with these necessities. There is no water fountains at the site that you can use to fill your water bottles. In Turkey, we do not drink tap water.

Ephesus was once an entire port city and the site now is huge! If you visit Ephesus with a tour guide, your itinerary will be well planned, so you won't have to worry. If not, plan ahead and come prepared to ensure you have a successful trip. For travelers who need a Ephesus tour guide, we do provide tour guide and private tour services. For more information, contact us.

• Are there discounts for SENIOR Citizens for local airfares,food,restaurants and hotels? 

> There are no discounts for Senior citizens in Ephesus. Only for Turkish Citizen Seniors who are over 65 years of age, there is free entrance at the sites.

• How do I get to Ephesus? - Where is Ephesus?

The archaeological site of Ephesus is part of Selcuk, a small town south of Izmir. The world-famous Ephesus is very close to Kusadasi and Izmir, 540 kilometers south of Istanbul. 60 kilometers south of Izmir City Center. 18 kilometers North East of Kusadasi. A long day from Istanbul or an easy trip from Izmir or the very popular holiday area around Kusadasi. Many people combine their trip to Ephesus with the famous Temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John.

From Izmir, Izban trains and TCDD trains run approximately every hour, 8 times a day. Between Izmir and Selcuk. Trains are cheap but crowded. For train schedules, please click here. These trains also stop at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. For travelers who are planning a day trip from Istanbul. We recommend them to fly to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. They can take the train from Izmir Airport to Selcuk, or can take the Havas Shuttle Bus stopping in Selcuk, or we can provide private transportation.

From Istanbul, the closest airport to Ephesus, is Izmir Adnan Menderes airport. Budget travelers from Istanbul may also choose to get an overnight bus from Istanbul to Selcuk. The bus ride may take over 7 hours (one way). This would be a budget but a tiring option.

From Kusadasi, there are shared minibuses called Dolmus to Selcuk. The minibuses run approximately every 30 minutes. They are cheap but most of the time very crowded. But travelers should expect a long walk after getting of from Dolmus.

From Selcuk, the ancient city of Ephesus is approximately 6 kilometers. It can be reached by walking or taxis are available in Selcuk. We also offer Ephesus Walking Tours starting from Selcuk Hotels or Selcuk Train Station.
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• Are there toilets at Ephesus?

Yes, there are toilet facilities in Ephesus. At the upper gate before entering the site and at the lower gate before leaving the site. Travelers visiting Ephesus are advised to use the toilets before entering the ancient city. The next opportunity will be after the visit in 2 hours. During the visit, travelers will have the opportunity to visit the Ancient Latrines (Toilets). The Romans were known for their advanced cleaning systems, and Ephesus was no exception. It had a network of public toilets located throughout the city for the convenience of its residents and visitors. These toilets featured a variety of amenities such as benches for sitting, running water for cleaning, and even shared bathing areas. Romans understood the importance of hygiene and saw it as an important part of their daily lives. Today, visitors to Ephesus can still marvel at the ingenuity and engineering skills of the ancient Romans as they explore the ruins of Ephesus.​
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• Where will be the lunch served during Ephesus Tour?

For Traditional Turkish Lunch included tours. Lunch will be served at a weaving institution. After lunch you will be invited to see how the Turkish handicrafts are made. There is no obligation to buy anything. If you do not want to have lunch at this location. We can take you to a local restaurant. But in this case lunch cost will be on your side.
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• Do you have any guides who do the tour from a Protestant/Evangelical Christian perspective?

We will assign you a licensed tour guide who is an expert in the area, ensuring you receive comprehensive knowledge about Biblical importance of Ephesus during your visit. It's important to note that for Protestant guests, we do not recommend a visit to the House of Virgin Mary, as there is no scientific evidence to confirm Mary's residence in Ephesus. Instead, we emphasize that the site holds more spiritual significance rather than historical evidence, providing a meaningful experience for all visitors. 

• Will I need local currency for a cruise stop in Kusadasi? If so, should I get the currency before our trip? Will Turkey accept US dollars? Better yet, will I be able to just use my Visa credit card in Turkey?  

At a cruise stop in Kuşadası, having some Turkish lira can be helpful for small purchases like souvenirs, snacks, taxis, or local markets, but it’s not strictly necessary. Many shops accept Visa and  Martercards. Credit Cards are widely used in Turkey, especially in tourist areas. Many places also accept US dollars and Euros. You don’t need to exchange a large amount of money before your trip—bringing a small amount of lira or withdrawing cash from an ATM in Kuşadası is often the easiest and most cost-effective option.

• In regards to the cancellation policy, if we are paying in cash at the time of the tour and not using a credit card, how to do you charge if the tour is cancelled within 24 hours?  Do you take a credit card at booking. Just want to be clear. 

In our booking process, we prioritize convenience for our customers by not requiring a credit card upfront. Instead, we kindly request that the payment for the tour be settled in cash during the actual tour itself. Should a cancellation be necessary within 24 hours of the scheduled tour, a cancellation fee will apply, and we will ask for your credit card details at that time.