Turkey · Archaeology

All Inclusive Private Ephesus Day Trip from Istanbul by Plane

14 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in İstanbul. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus with round-trip flights included
  • 02 Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus with a professional licensed guide
  • 03 Visit the Terrace Houses, House of Virgin Mary, and St. John’s Basilica
  • 04 See the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
  • 05 Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local handicrafts center
  • 06 Travel by private vehicle with hotel and airport transfers included
  • 07 Pre-paid entrance tickets help skip the line at major sites

Discover one of Turkey’s most remarkable ancient sites on a private day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus, with round-trip flights, private transfers, guiding, entrance fees, and lunch included. Travel comfortably from Istanbul to Izmir and explore the highlights of Ephesus with a professional licensed guide.

Walk along the marble streets of the Ancient City of Ephesus, visit the Terrace Houses, and continue to important religious landmarks including the House of Virgin Mary and St. John’s Basilica. You’ll also stop at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, making this a rewarding full-day journey through history, archaeology, and faith.

Walk along the marble streets of the Ancient City of Ephesus, visit the Terrace Houses, and continue to important religious landmarks including the House of Virgin Mary and St. John’s Basilica.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Istanbul, Izmir, Ephesus
Languages English, French, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Early Morning Pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport for morning flight to Izmir.

Izmir Airport

Arrive in Izmir Airport . Met by you tour guide with your name sign and drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes drive ) 

Ancient City of Ephesus

Continue to Ephesus, walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, , Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.

After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets.

Terrace Houses

Terrace Houses is located on skirt of Pion Mountain. There are 6 residential units which were built on three man-made terraces. These houses were settled by wealty citizens of Ephesus. These houses were very fancy decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics. There are many steps to ascend from bottom to top.

House of Virgin Mary

After Lunch visit The House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here.

St. John’s Basilica

Drive to St. John’s Basilica, it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill

Artemis Temple

Visit the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World before drive to Izmir airport for our flight to Istanbul 

Istanbul

After 1 hour 20 minutes flight, arrival in Istanbul . met by our representative and transfer to the hotel

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in İstanbul. 3 cities · 14 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Traditional Turkish Lunch and Soft Drinks (Cola , Fanta, Sprite, Soda Water , Water )
  • Professional Licenced Tour guide
  • Round-trip Istanbul - Izmir - Istanbul flights( luggage limit is 15 kg check in and 8 kg cabin )
  • Transport by private vehicle
  • Entrance Fees ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line )
  • Round-trip private hotel transfers

What's Not Included

  • Drinks
  • Gratuities

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Dress code is smart casual
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • • Dress code is smart casual
  • • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
  • • Not recommended for participants with back problems
  • Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must verify your exact pickup time.
  • Pick up from Your Hotel in Istanbul. Suggested pick up time will be given on your confirmation message

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in İstanbul.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in İstanbul.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in İstanbul..

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