The ruins of Ephesus were once the cradle of a majestic civilization that remained prominent during the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
Ephesus, an hour’s drive from present-day Izmir, was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis.
Formerly a thriving port city and a major hub for trade and commerce, it is thought to have been inhabited since the Neolithic era.
This article covers everything you must know about booking tickets for Ephesus tours from Istanbul.
Top Ephesus Tours Tickets
# Ephesus Tours from Istanbul
# Tour of Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary
Table of contents
- What to expect at Ephesus tours from Istanbul
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul ticket price
- Ephesus tours from Istanbul tickets
- Meeting point for Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
- Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul timings
- Best time to go on the Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
- Reviews
- FAQs about Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
What to expect at Ephesus tours from Istanbul
Explore massive archaeological ruins in a lovely setting surrounded by Mediterranean Cypress trees and small rolling hills.
Witness the grandeur of the Celsus Library, a beacon of knowledge in its time still studded with elaborate motifs and details.
Visit the awe-inducing open-air Theater of Ephesus, which has a seating capacity of 25,000.
Listen to the stories of how the apostle planned to give his talk about worshipping false Gods but then had to flee due to a mob.
Marvel at the Terrace Houses, where the lives of Ephesian elites come to life through intricate mosaics and frescoes.
Pay reverence to the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos near Ephesus.
| Tour | Ticket Prices |
|---|---|
| Ephesus Tours from Istanbul | ₺15,157 (€449) |
| Tour of Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary | ₺15,089 (€477) |
Where to book tickets
You can book tickets for the Ephesus tours from Istanbul online in advance or offline.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than offline tickets.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because the Ephesus Tour sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Ephesus Tours of Istanbul booking page, select the preferred date and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.
Once you purchase the Ephesus tour tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
Show the e-ticket on your smartphone to your tour guide and join the group.
Please carry a valid ID with you.
Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul ticket price
The Ephesus tour tickets from Istanbul cost ₺15,400 (€449) for two visitors above five years. The prices vary according to the group size.
If you want a customized experience, you can also book a private tour for ₺38,500 (€1125) for all visitors above five years.
For infants up to four years of age, the tickets cost ₺8,000 (€236).
The ticket price for the Small-Group tour of Ephesus and The House of Virgin Mary is ₺18,600 (€545) for all visitors over 12.
Ephesus tours from Istanbul tickets
Two popular touring options will allow you to experience Ephesus.
You can opt for the Ephesus Trip from Istanbul, which allows you to choose between a shared group tour or a private tour, or select the Ephesus and The House of Virgin Mary Day Trip if you wish to take a group tour but with a small number of participants.
Ephesus Temple of Artemis from Istanbul at 4.30 am
This ticket gives you access to a day trip from Istanbul to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus.
Pick-up will be offered to you from hotels in Sultanahmet and Taksim Regions in an air-conditioned shuttle.
You will then take a 1-hour flight from Istanbul Airport to Izmir.
A professional guide will lead your tour.
Lunch is included in the ticket.
Your tour will include visits to the Virgin Mary’s House, the Ephesus ruins, the Odeion, the Grand Theater, and the Temple of Artemis.
You will then travel back, take a flight to Istanbul, and drop back to your hotel in Istanbul.
You can also select a private tour and customize your tour experience.
The tour lasts for around 15 hours.
This ticket follows a dynamic price range, and ticket prices per head keep changing depending on the group size.
Ticket Cost
Group Tour (5+ years): ₺15,400 (€449) for two
Private Tour (5+ years): ₺38,500 (€1,125) for one
Infant Ticket (up to 4 years): ₺8,000 (€236)
5.30 am tour of Ephesus Temple of Artemis from Istanbul
Tickets to this tour have two booking options: an early bird option for booking more than 30 days before your travel and a late booking option for any time between 2 and 30 days before your trip.
If you are within a 2.5 km (1.5 mile) radius of Karakoy District, an air-conditioned transport will pick you up from the hotel.
If your hotel is outside the designated pick-up areas, you must assemble at the meeting point, Ottoman Hotel Imperial.
This tour also includes a stop at St. John’s Basilica at Ayasuluk Hill, apart from all the regular attractions of Ephesus.
You will take a 1-hour flight from Istanbul airport to Izmir.
The tour will take 15 hours, including pick-up and drop.
Ticket Cost: ₺18600 (€545)
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Meeting point for Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
The meeting point for Ephesus Tourl varies depending on the tour you book.
The Ephesus Trip from Istanbul provides pick-up from Taksim and Sultanahmet region.
If you are staying in other parts of Istanbul, please assemble at Istanbul Airport for pick-up.
The Small-Group tour of Ephesus and The House of Virgin Maryl provides pick-up around the Karakoy district.
If you stay elsewhere in Istanbul, you must assemble at the Ottoman Hotel Imperial to join the tour.
Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul timings
The Ephesus tours from Istanbul are provided every day of the week and lasts about 12 to 13 hours, including all the transport.
The pick-up starts from Istanbul as early as 5 am.
The flights from Istanbul take off by 7 am or 7.30 am, and after a 45-minute flight, you will arrive at Izmir.
From Izmir, you will take a 1-hour road trip to Ephesus ruins.
You will spend around 6 hours in the ancient city of Ephesus and then leave for Izmir.
The flight will take you back to Istanbul airport, from where you will be dropped off at your original meeting point by 7.30 pm.
Best time to go on the Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
The best time to visit Ephesus from Istanbul is to leave early in the morning, around 5 am, so that you can return to town on the same day.
Ensure you arrive at the meeting point and are ready 15 minutes before your designated time.
This is a group tour, and your guides will share the do’s and don’ts of the trip.
Reviews
Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul is a highly-rated tourist attraction.
Check out two Ephesus tor reviews we selected from Tripadvisor, which give you an idea of what to expect at this attraction.
A huge day, coming from Istanbul, but well worth it
The tour was excellent. It was a big day, but it ran very smoothly. Apparently, the tour needs to leave Istanbul very early in the morning because of airline constraints, and also, the summer heat at Ephesus can become overwhelming. Fatima did a great job at guiding, and the three drivers were excellent. We recommend this tour as an excellent way to get to see Ephesus while staying a short time in Istanbul
Janev_Australia,Sydney, Australia
Awesome
This was an awesome day out despite the early start from Istanbul. Picked up from the hotel and drove to Instabuk Airport in plenty of time for the domestic flight to Ephesus. Pick up at the airport and join an excellent day tour. Fatima, our tour guide, was lovely! Friendly and very knowledgeable about the local area and site. Lunch in a local restaurant with traditional Turkish food made this day an experience I won’t forget. Transport back was equally as smooth and organized.
FAQs about Tour of Ephesus from Istanbul
Here are a few frequently asked questions about Ephesus tours:
Yes, there are guided day trips to Ephesus from Istanbul. The tour includes transportation, guided visits to the archaeological site, and sometimes additional stops at nearby attractions.
Ephesus is 560 kilometers (350 miles) away from Istanbul. The travel time from Istanbul to Ephesus varies depending on the mode of transportation chosen. A flight from Istanbul to Izmir takes around 1 hour, and the subsequent road journey to Ephesus takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Key attractions in Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Terrace Houses, among others.
While some parts of Ephesus may be challenging for wheelchair users due to uneven terrain and steps, certain areas, such as the lower part of the city with the Library of Celsus and the main street, can be accessed with assistance.
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