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How did you visit Ephesus?

Posted by (Chicago) on

I am in the early stages of planning for a June 2026 visit. Two travelers. One with an archeology minor, one with a substantial background in ancient history.

I have multiple questions after researching here and elsewhere. I've reviewed the RS postings from the last 2 years - thanks to all who have posted previously, lots of good info, anecdotes, experiences. You've given me many ideas.

Can anyone help with your recent impressions or here's-how-I'd-do'it-next-time thoughts??

1) The one day excursions with a flight from Istanbul are tempting for efficiency. Or, we could spend 2 nights (one full day) in Selçuk. Any strong feelings on one vs the other? I know the day excursion is long - I wonder if the travel aspect over-shadows the actual sightseeing? Given that there is a flight involved - are the flights reliable?? Did the one day excursion include the Ephesus Museum - or was it necessary to make that an "add-on"?

I haven't been to Turkey before and have no idea of what to expect for air travel efficiency or lack thereof. We have done these
l-o-n-g day excursions before elsewhere, leave at 6:30 AM, return in the evening, so I do have a notion of what the length of day entails. We've never had a flight included in these long days.

2) Guide or DIY? My preference is generally DIY - but I don't want to miss out if the guides info is particularly insightful. We have visited Roman Forums and ancient sites, Ostia Antica and Siem Reap temples without a guide. I didn't feel I lost out on much, but that could be because I don't know what I'm missing!

If you used a guide, did have the opportunity to "fine tune" if you saw an area of interest? How were guides at handling questions? My experience at some places is that guides can't go "off script".

3) My research found that average time at the site was 1 - 4 hours. Was this your experience? Is that enough time? It seems short to me, but I haven't been there! Was anyone able to find a guide for an overview, then continue wandering on their own?

4) We would stay in Selcuk if we did overnight(s). Anything I should know that might not be obvious from online promotions?

5) Any other bits of advice, warnings, cautions, "I wish I had knowns", etc? I would prefer to travel more off-season, but the June timeframe can't be changed.

Thank you to anyone who can help me fine tune! I don't know anyone who has traveled this region, so the RS posters' insights are valuable!

Posted by
5020 posts

We used the travel agent recommended in Rick's Turkey book to arrange our trip to Troy and Ephesus. We had guides in both places. We were booked on a bus between the two locations and it was challenging to understand what was going on due to the language barrier.

Posted by
2868 posts

I was in Ephesus earlier this week and did a tour thru Viator. It was about 2 1/2 hours at the site which included the Terrace Houses. I thought that was plenty long enough. The guide was very good and informative, but I think you would probably DIY with a guidebook.

Frankly, I don’t think that there is a lot to see there. The library, 2 theaters ( you can’t get into the larger one now as there is reconstruction going on ) and the terrace houses. I didn’t do the terrace houses as there are 200 steps I didn’t want to tackle. Otherwise there are lots of columns, both complete and sections.

The guide said it was crowded that day, but I didn’t feel that the crowd detracted from the experience

Posted by
1889 posts

Thank you both for sharing your experiences and thoughts! The reviews are helpful.

Bigtyke, do you happen to know the name of the tour company that ran your tour? Viator acts as the agent for many different companies.

Posted by
8516 posts

We went as a cruise excursion, by bus from the ship. You need to seriously consider heat and sun, as you would for Pompeii. Unlike Pompeii, I don't think there is an air conditioned snack bar inside the ancient site. (?) Besides the Terrace Houses, the purported House of Mary is nearby. I suspect that your 1-4 hour figure is partly a result of guides and groups being shepherded through. Your post suggests that you two will want to linger all over the site. Many Pompeii visitors don't even know there are three more fully organized sites in the area besides Pompeii and Herculaneum. So I suggest you look into what's actually available.

Not our cruise, but I have seen advertising for more luxurious cruises that featured a classical music concert there in the evening. (Not advocating countries monetizing their ancient sites, just reporting.)

We did a very expensive cruise excursion (to Tikal, from Belize City, hot buffet lunch at Tikal!) that included a round-trip flight. But it was highly organized, with a very experienced guide who made a big point of saying, "I do this twice a week. When I tell you to do something, (he meant going through security portals at airports, mostly) you must immediately do exactly what I say, without stopping to question me." I simply mean to suggest that while I prefer DIY myself, you are going to use up a lot of time on travel overhead if you choose a same day DIY excursion from Istanbul. And you might make a careless quick lunch decision, say, an un-refrigerated sandwich. (?)

Posted by
1889 posts

Thanks, Tim! I think I can organize the trip itinerary to have time to overnight near Ephesus. The travel from Istanbul when flights are involved seems a risk not necessary to take when I can avoid it.

Your suggestion of a sad "quick lunch" was one I hadn't thought through. You remind me that a friend of mine had stories of being horrifically sick after unthinkingly adding unrefrigerated milk to her coffee at a quick tour stop in Morocco. Thanks for reminding me of the need for more vigilance that I often display!

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