Ephesus Day Tour from Istanbul
Tour Overview
Quick Answer
This full-day Ephesus Day Tour from Istanbul includes round-trip domestic flights, private airport transfers, an English-guided tour of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, Şirince Village, entrance fees, and lunch.
Experience one of Turkey’s most significant archaeological destinations on a convenient day trip from Istanbul. After a morning flight to İzmir, travel to Selçuk to explore the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus with a licensed English-speaking guide. Visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary before discovering remarkable landmarks including the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and Roman streets. Continue to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before visiting the traditional village of Şirince. With domestic flights, private transfers, entrance fees, and lunch included, the itinerary offers an efficient way to experience western Turkey's cultural heritage.
Tour at a Glance
| Tour Duration | 1 Day |
|---|---|
| Destinations | Istanbul, İzmir, Selçuk, Ephesus & Şirince |
| Tour Type | Private & Small Group Combination |
| Group Size | Up to 14 guests |
| Guide | English-speaking licensed guide |
| Accommodation | Available upon request |
| Meals | Lunch |
| Domestic Flights | Round-trip Istanbul ↔ İzmir |
| Starting Price | From €460 per person |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour date |
| Physical Difficulty | Moderate |
| Availability | Year-round |
| Recommended For | First-time visitors to Turkey, history enthusiasts & travelers seeking a convenient Ephesus and Şirince experience |
| Small Group Note | Small groups are used only during scheduled sightseeing tours. Flights, transfers, and leisure time are arranged independently. |
Highlights
Explore the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus, including the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and its remarkably preserved Roman streets.
Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, one of Turkey’s most important Christian pilgrimage sites.
Discover the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Experience the traditional atmosphere of Şirince Village, known for its stone houses and narrow streets.
Walk through centuries of history while learning about the cultural significance of one of the Mediterranean’s greatest ancient cities.
Itinerary
Your journey begins with a private pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul, followed by a comfortable transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your professional driver and transferred to Selçuk, the gateway to the ancient world of Ephesus.
The first stop of your guided experience is the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site believed to be where Mary spent her final years. From here, continue to the legendary Ephesus Ancient City, one of the most well-preserved classical cities in the world. Walk through its marble streets and explore iconic landmarks such as the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, and Roman-era ruins that reflect its historical importance.
After exploring Ephesus, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional flavors. In the afternoon, visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The final stop of the day is the charming Şirince Village, known for its stone houses, narrow streets, and local fruit wines, offering a cultural contrast to the ancient sites.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you back to your hotel.
Included
Excluded
FAQ
Yes. Round-trip domestic flights between Istanbul and İzmir are included with checked and cabin baggage allowances.
Yes. One local lunch is included during the tour.
No. This is a full-day tour and accommodation is not included.
The itinerary combines private airport transfers with a regular small-group guided tour.
Yes. Entrance fees to the sites included in the itinerary are covered.
The tour has a moderate difficulty level due to walking on ancient stone streets and archaeological terrain.
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 30 days before the scheduled tour date.
Additional Notes
- Combines Turkey’s most famous ancient city with cultural and historical landmarks in a single day.
- Includes domestic flights, private transfers, guided touring, entrance fees, and lunch for a streamlined experience.
- Provides expert commentary from a licensed English-speaking guide.
- Ideal for travelers with limited time who want to visit Ephesus from Istanbul.
- Balances archaeological exploration with authentic local village culture.
- Upgrade to a fully private guided Ephesus tour.
- Add an overnight stay in Kuşadası or Selçuk.
- Arrange premium airport transfer services.
- Extend your itinerary with additional destinations in western Turkey.
- Personalize the experience for honeymoon or special occasion travel.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as Ephesus features extensive marble streets and uneven surfaces.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, particularly during the warmer months, since much of the site is open to the sun.
- Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the archaeological tour.
- Early daylight provides excellent conditions for photography at the Library of Celsus.
- Respect the peaceful atmosphere when visiting the House of the Virgin Mary.
Visa requirements for Turkey vary by nationality. Before traveling, please check the latest visa regulations and passport validity requirements applicable to your country. Many travelers can enter Turkey visa-free, while others may be eligible for an e-Visa or need to apply through a Turkish embassy or consulate. Once your booking is confirmed, our travel experts will be happy to provide the latest entry information and travel guidance for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
- This tour is available for Daily all year round
- Tour Can be customized.
- Price per person, based on a minimum of 2 adults.
- Price does not include international flight tickets.
- Transfers are considered with 1 luggage per person.
- Once domestic air tickets are issued cannot be modified and a 100% fees will apply in case of cancellation
- Domestic flights schedule may change.
- Domestic Flights Baggage Allowance (including 15 kilos of luggage + 8 kilos of hand luggage)
- Step 1: Booking Request & Confirmation
Once we receive your official request to book your chosen tour package, our team will check local availability and confirm all services (hotels, ferries, and transfers) accordingly.
- Step 2: Official Itinerary Review
Once everything is verified, we will email you your official, final tour itinerary detailing every aspect of your day-by-day journey.
- Step 3: Secure Your Reservation
Upon your review and explicit confirmation of this itinerary, we will proceed to the secure payment process to finalize your booking.
- Payment Schedule:
To lock in your dates and secure your hotels/transfers, a 50% booking deposit is required at the time of confirmation. The remaining 50% balance will be automatically and safely charged 3 weeks (21 days) prior to your scheduled tour start date.
🔒 100% Encrypted & Hassle-Free Bank Payment Gateway
- No Card Sharing Required: Your financial security is our top priority. You are never required to share your credit card numbers, CVV, or sensitive information via email, chat, or over the phone.
- How the Secure Link Works: We generate a unique, secure payment link directly through our bank’s certified merchant system. This link is pre-set specifically to your exact due invoice amount.
- The Process: You simply open the link, fill in your credit card information on the bank’s fully encrypted payment form, and the transaction is completed instantly.
- Instant Digital Receipts: The moment your payment is processed, our system automatically generates and emails you an official digital receipt for your financial records.
- Accepted Cards: For your security, we accept VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards only. Please note that debit cards, prepaid cards, or other payment cards are not supported by our secure payment gateway.
Reservations may only be canceled by submitting a formal written notice sent via email or certified mail directly to our agency. Because we pre-pay and secure local boutique hotels, high-speed ferries, and domestic flight entities well in advance on behalf of our travelers, our cancellation policy is strictly structured based on the timeline below:
- ⚠️ DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & FERRIES ARE 100% NON-REFUNDABLE: Once domestic flight or ferry tickets are officially issued, they cannot be modified, and a 100% cancellation fee applies to that portion of the package immediately, regardless of when the cancellation notice is received.
- ⏳ Land Portion Cancellation Scale:
For the remaining land portion costs that are legally recoverable from our local hotel and transfer entities, refunds are calculated as follows:
- Notice received 31 days or more prior to arrival/tour start date: 100% Refund (No cancellation fee applies to the land portion).
- Notice received between 31 and 21 days prior to scheduled tour: 75% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received between 21 and 14 days prior to scheduled tour: 50% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received 13 days or less prior to scheduled tour: No Refund will be issued.
