Ephesus On Your Own

[Berenger]

Hi! anyone knows if there is a way of not buying the ship tour of Ephaesus by just taking a taxi from kusadasi? ( Or train? Or bus?)

 

Is it possible to just take a transportation and to do it on your own?

 

We are going in August from the galaxy ship and would like to cut on costs.

 

What is the "budget-oriented" way of visiting Ephesus??

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

Berenger

[wwinfl91]

When we were there in 2003 we elected to do the ship tour for Ephesus for several reasons. It was our first visit to Turkey and we weren't quite sure how Americans were accepted there. Another was we were only in port from 8 AM until 4 PM and we didn't want to take any chances of missing the ship. One couple almost did miss the ship and ended up running dock the dock frantically at the last minute. I heard a rumor the captain delayed our sailing because the port agent for Princess had called the ship and said the couple was coming. Finally the cost of the trip to Ephesus, Mary's House and St John's Bascilica at $56 a person wasn't too bad a price.

 

Having been there I would now not hesitate to look for a private tour guide. There were private taxis available but I have no idea what they would charge to drive you to Ephesus and then stay there until you have a chance to see the sights and then drive you back. Ephesus is not actually not that close to Kusadasi so the drive itself would cost something in addition to a full day of their time.

 

We did a private tour in Istanbul where the guide did an excellent job and they also do tours in Kusadasi. Here is a link to their web site. If you can find 3 other couples who are interested the price would probably be close to the same as the cruise line and would be much more personalized.

 

http://www.turfantastik.com/

 

Have a great next cruise.

[janohara]

We were on the Grand Princess last month and did a full day private tour with Sisan Tours for $39/each that included lunch, guide and transportation. This was the cheapest tour that we did on the whole trip.There is way too much to see there to do it on your own. Also, you need to be dropped off in one place and picked up at the bottom of the ruins or you will have to walk back uphill to the entrance.

 

Get on the forum for your cruise and see if others have private tours booked and see that you can join. I put together a group of 15 people and we had a great day.

[Hlitner]

It is very possible to do Ephesus on your own...and in fact it can have some advantages. We have been there three times...once on a Princess cruise line tour and the other two times on our own. When you get off the ship you will find taxis at the end of the pier..and you can negotiate a price for them to take you to the ruins...or even to serve as guides. You can go on your own. pay your admission fee, and just take your time walking through the ruins and listening-in on the many tours that are in the ruins. This allows you to spend as much time in the ruins as you please, gain the benefit of information from many different tour guides (perhaps its a bit dishonest but it is out in the open) and save some money. It is also possible to get to Ephesus by using the local public bus,.,, which is actually a large van. You walk though the bazaar to the local bus station which is a few blocks from the ship. You than need to find the van that goes on the road to Ephesus (even though most will not speak English they do understand "Ephesus") and pay your fare (it used to be about $1 each way. The bus will drop you on the main road and than you still need to hike about a mile up the small road to the ruins. There is a return bus stop across the road from where you are dropped where you can catch a return bus/van. We have done this and had lots of fun,,but it is for the more adventuress who likes to walk.

 

Hank

[bigmjh]

Don't forget to factor in the admission cost at Ephesus if you do it on your own. We had a wonderful tour with Ekol Travel ... great guide ... great driver ... guide-in-training and a new Mercedes minibus. There were only 7 of us and they charged us $17 for the half day tour and that included admissions. I suggest that you try to round up a few others to join you and book your own guide and driver. It will be much cheaper and a MUCH more enjoyable day when you do what you want and at YOUR own pace.