We're looking transportation only options to Ephesus and then using Rick's audioguide to see the site. One of the companies we're looking at allows us 2.5 hours at Ephesus. Is that enough time to see both the main site as well as the Terrace Houses? If it makes any difference we're in good shape, not big museum people, but I do like to photograph. Based on our travels before we don't rush though sites but also don't tend to linger. Also, any recommendations of companies that you've been very happy with?
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
it's about enough, if you move quickly. the ruins are spread out along the main street of the town, so as far as you follow the road from one end to the other it's not that far. I didn't use any company, there are tourist guides at the gate. are you coming from another city that's why you're looking for a guide/transportation company?
Posted by
OP
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Thanks for the reply, David. Yes, we're on a cruise that will be docking in Kusadas?. Personally I'd have no problem taking a bus or taxi, but my wife isn't so keen, so we're just looking at transportation. I absolutely hate taking organized tours (particularly big ones) and tend to do rigorous research on my own. I also love to photograph so I like to have a little leeway to be able to veer off to find a great angle to photograph.
Posted by
Snohomish, Washington
8 posts
Marcus, from a photography standpoint, you might want to consider the time of day the cruise excursion takes place. If they're there fairly early you can get some awesome light...later in the morning and through the afternnon probably looking at harsh light. Rick Steves TV episode suggests its easy to get to Ephesus from Kusadasi.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
IME, 2.5 hours is a good amount to tour the place. If you are really into photography, you may need more time. There are so many great things to see, and photographing it all will add time. I would suggest you go to www.cruisecritic.com and look at the ports of call messageboards to get some recommendations for companies that do tours/transportation from Kusadasi. I'd also suggest you join your roll call for your particular sailing. On the roll call, you can see if you can join in a private tour group, which is possibly less expensive than the transportation option you are looking at. You could then contact that company and see if they'll allow you to tour on your own and meet up with the group at the end of their tour to transfer back to the ship.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
I believe there are taxis running from the cruise dock to efes. if you can find a couple of people to share a ride, or even just pay your own, it's still worth it. you may be able to spend more time at the site (efes is actually really big, many sites are still being worked on), or you can swing by other sites around the area only short rides away.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
106 posts
We went to Ephesus in May of 2011. 2.5 hours is likely enough time. Everything is pretty close together, and if you just hit the main highlights you should be fine. I know you mentioned you don't like big tour groups. We actually hired a private tour guide to take us through the area for the day (we were on a cruise as well). It was not that much more expensive than if we would have paid to do the cruise ship generic excursion. I highly recommend it. Our guide was extremely helpful, and she was able to bypass all of the lines to get us in the attractions. She even took us to this fantastic little restaurant for lunch that we would have never found on our own. The company we used was www.ephesusshuttle.com.