Kusadasi (Ephesus)

Five hours is probably longer than you'll want at the site at Ephesus. We spent three hours there and could have gotten by with two. You can hire a guide by the hour at the entrance if you like--they all wear official necktags indicating which languages they speak. Chat first before paying to ensure the guide fits your needs. Afternoons are better than mornings for crowds, since the tour busses hit Ephesus in the morning, but July will be very hot and there is no shade to speak of onsite. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. With your extra time once you leave the site, go to Selcuk for the museum containing some of the finest statues from Ephesus, and the ruins of St Johns Basilica are also worth a brief visit.

Sorry I can't help much on the shopping. Kusadasi is wall to wall shopping opportunities, of course. Whether they are great buys I can't say. We did buy two nice carpets in Selcuk--our Turkish relatives say we got a good price.

JER,

How long will it take to get to the site after laeving the cruise ship? Thanks for your help.

Ephesus is about 15 miles from Kusadasi. There are dolmuses (minivan taxis that fill up and then go) or regular taxis that await each cruise ship as it comes in. You should have no problem getting there easily and quickly--probably a half hour or so. You can then get a cab at the bottom of the site after touring Ephesus to whereever you want to go from there.

JER,

Will we be better off to take a taxi for three people as opposed to purchasing three individual tickets for the minivan taxi to go to Ephesus?

Do you have an idea of the price charged for a private guide?

Have a great day!

To take the taxi or minivan taxi will we need Euros or what type of currency?

I have no idea whether you can use euros or not. We used liras to pay for entrance fees and taxis in the Ephesus area. There are plenty of ATMs handy once you get off the ship in Kusadasi--I'd pick up some lira just in case.

Hi
I am Gokhan From Turkey izmir (1 hour to Kusadasi)
Currrency is no problem even euro, USD, TRL, no problem,,
Efesus and Virgin mary house and sirince village (greek village) are the most comman places could be visitted.
You can ask further question if you have/need
Wellcomes to Turkey in advance,,

My suggestion: Be the first person off your ship! Get there as early as possible (take a rowboat if you have to) ... when we were there 2 summers ago, Ephesus was open at 8 am. We were the first ones through the gate. Our tour group got to see Ephesus without the crowds. It was priceless! About an hour or so later, it looked like Disneyland ... because of all the cruise ship traffic. (Also, early is better due to heat.)

See my photos:
http://www.laurasabraw.com/Turkey%20Scrapbook/kusadasi.htm#day12

There's one with the street practically empty and with nobody in front of the Library of Celcius. And another that shows the crowds walking down the street. It was a huge contrast.

Having a guide to walk you through and explain things would be good.
Take time and pay the fee to go in the Terraced Houses.

Have fun!