Hi,
I am traveling in July to Turkey and Greece. My idea is, after visiting Istanbul, to fly to Izmir.
Q1 - Is it better to hire a tour guide to visit Ephesus and then have them dropp us off in Kusadasi to catch the ferry?
If so, can anyone recommend a serious affordable tour guide?
Q2- Where can I find the speed boat ferry timetable to Mykonos? I do not want to overnight anywhere. I do not have too much time and would rather spend more time in Mykonos than hopping around. It looks like tht my route is going to be Kusadasi-Samos-Mykonos. Is there anything faster? Thanks a lot for comments and suggestions!
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
There are licensed guides at the site at Ephesus. You will notice that on the badges they wear around their necks they list languages in which they are competent. Try chatting with a few to find one who seems to click with you. You pay by the hour--we found that buying an hour or two is fine, and then continuing to tour the site on our own worked well.
When you leave Ephesus, you'll see a rank of taxis. Hire one to take you to Kusadasi--don't forget to remind the driver to put the meter on!!
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
There is no ferry whatsoever from Samos to Mykonos. You will first have to take the Hellenic Seaways ferry from Samos to either Naxos or Paros before you can connect to a ferry to Mykonos.
http://www.greekislands.gr/hellenicseaways/ferries-piraeus-ikaria-samos.htm
Posted by
OP
Scarsdale, NY, USA
3 posts
Thanks to both for the info!
I guess the best way, since I have little time, is to take a day trip to Izmir and then fly back to Istanbul. From Istanbul take a flight to Santorini and then to the way back into Athens by ferry.
Q1. Is it better to take a tour to Ephesus from Izmir or just in Ephesus?
Q2. Is it better to rent a car in Izmir and return in Izmir and hire a guide in Ephesus? Is this a easy drive... or can we easily get lost?
Q3.Do you know of inexpensive flights to Santorini from Istanbul?
Q4. To go back from Santorini into Athens thru Mykonos (staying there a couple of days) which ferry line would you recommend?
Thanks again!
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
You'll probably save a great deal by renting a car at the airport in Izmir and driving to Ephesus, then hiring a licensed guide there at the site. The road is excellent and well sign posted. I would invest in a roadmap of Western Turkey before you leave for Turkey for your peace of mind. You can also ask for driving directions from the car hire folks--it's probably one of the most frequently asked questions they get!
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
I also suggest that you look into taking a ferry to Samos from Kusadasi and flying from there to Santorini using www.skyexpress.gr. It would be a lot faster and probably less-expensive as long as there's a flight that fits your schedule.
Posted by
OP
Scarsdale, NY, USA
3 posts
Again, thanks a million to both.
I cannot find any flight from Samos to Santorini. I looked up all airlines and the one you recommended. Is there any other small airline that I can look into?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
I guess SkyExpress has discontinued the Samos>Santorini Route this year. Sorry, I can't come up with any other options.