We're just beginning to plan our trip to Athens and Instanbul for next May. We're visiting a friend in Athens for 4 nights, then traveling to Istanbul for 6 nights, and are debating how to spend 4 more nights--whether spending another 4 days visiting Santorini or Ephesus or villages on the Black Sea would be best. We're not really sunbathers but feel like we really should see an island--Santorini looks so beautiful. Is Ephesus worth the trip? It seems to be on so many "must" lists, but would you choose it over Santorini? Is a glimpse of the Black Sea area even doable in 4 days? We're interested in the culture, the history, the beauty, and food. So much to see, so little time. You know the drill--we want to pack in as much as we can without trying to do way too much. Any suggestions are welcome.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
I love Santorini, but there's no fast and easy way to combine Athens with Santorini and Istanbul, no direct ferry or flight combination. If you fly you'll have to return to Athens to fly on to Istanbul. If you ferry you'll have to spend a couple of days in transit because of ferry schedules, first reaching the Greek island of Samos, then on to Kusadasi, which is the closest Turkish port to Ephesus. After Ephesus you can take a bus to Istanbul or to Izmir where you can catch a flight the rest of the way. I think your idea of going to villages on the Black Sea is probably the best use of your time.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
If you haven't already booked the beginning of your trip, I'd consider starting in Istanbul, then flying to Athens. After Athens I'd fly RT to Santorini, returning to Athens for the flight home. Starting in Istanbul will minimize your backtracking. I assume you're flying out of O'Hare, so I'd buy an open-jaw ticket Chicago > Istanbul, Athens > Chicago. 4 days is way too much time for Ephesus, but fine for Santorini. I've never been to the Black Sea so I can't give you any tips about that option.
Posted by
OP
Racine, Wi, USA
3 posts
Thanks very much. I really appreciate it. Have you been to the Black Sea coast?
Posted by
OP
Racine, Wi, USA
3 posts
Thank you. So is Ephesus worth the trip? Maybe for two days? I like the idea of flying into Istanbul and back from Athens. Others have also suggested Sinfos instead of Santorini to get the feel of life on a Greek Island without so much tourism.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Since you have 6 nights in Istanbul, you might consider seeing Ephesus as a day tour from Istanbul. The flight takes less than an hour, and you could have 7-8 hours in Ephesus & return to Istanbul that same night. You'll find numerous tour companies in Istanbul that offer day tours to Ephesus, or you can do it on your own.
Posted by
Pacific NW
116 posts
After Istanbul you can fly to Izmir, catch a train to Selcuk from the airport (approx. 1 hour trip-08:31 10:45 14:45 15:54 18:00 19:30 departures) and use Selcuk as your base to explore Ephesus and surrounding area. From Selcuk you can then catch a bus to Kusadasi (12 miles distance) and then travel by boat from Kusadasi to Samos (2 hour crossing). Stay there for a day or two. Then fly from Samos to Athens--Aegean Air tickets right now are running about 60 Euros all inclusive for May.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
you probably want to take a couple of days out of istanbul to see ephesus and celcuk, you won't regret it. after seeing some other less known places in turkey, i think ephesus is a little over rated, but it does have some old and very well preserved architectures hard to find.