Cruise excursion
Private Ephesus, Temple of Artemis & Basilica of St. John Tour
Two worlds in four hours: the pagan city that worshipped Artemis, and the great church built over the tomb of the apostle who outlived it.
- Approx. 4 hours
- Starbucks at Kuşadası cruise plaza
Why cruise guests choose us
Why Cruise Guests Recommend Us
We are not the cheapest Ephesus tour, we are the calmest and most reliable one. Everything below is standard on every private tour, never an upsell.
- Pay after the tourNo deposit, no prepayment. You settle up at the end, in cash or by card.
- Private tour onlyJust your party, your guide, and your vehicle. Never a shared coach group.
- No compulsory shoppingNo carpet or jewellery stops. Your hours ashore stay at Ephesus.
- Licensed local guidesMinistry-licensed guides who live here, not a script read from a card.
- Easy port meeting pointMeet at the Starbucks in the port plaza, a two-minute walk from the gangway.
- Return-to-ship priorityThe day is timed to your ship, with a comfortable buffer before all aboard.
The short answer
This 4-hour private shore excursion from Kusadasi Cruise Port pairs Ephesus Ancient City with the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St. John, Emperor Justinian's 6th-century church over the apostle's tomb. From USD 79 per person with USD 52 of entrance fees included (2026 rates), no pre-payment, and guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
Overview
About this tour
This itinerary pairs Ephesus with the Basilica of St. John, raised in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian on the hill where St. John the Evangelist is believed to be buried, with the Temple of Artemis lying conveniently between the two. Few visitors realise how tightly these three sites are woven together, and a private licensed guide is what makes the thread visible: marble from the Temple of Artemis was reused in Justinian's basilica, and the apostle buried on the hill preached in the theatre you stand in an hour earlier. At the basilica, spacious, quiet and rarely busy, you get views across Selcuk to the Artemis site and the castle above.
Who this tour is for
Travelers drawn to early Christian history, guests who have already visited the House of the Virgin Mary on a previous call, and anyone who prefers a hilltop basilica with sweeping views over Selcuk to a mountain drive. Because all three sites sit within a few minutes of each other, the four hours feel generous rather than crowded: a good fit for standard cruise port calls.
Itinerary
Step by step
Times depend on your ship's arrival or your preferred start. Tell us in the booking form and we time everything around it.
- 01
Meet at Starbucks, Kuşadası port plaza
Your guide holds a small sign with your name, at the time you choose.
- 02
Ephesus Ancient City, walked downhill
After the 20-minute drive to the upper gate you spend about two hours walking downhill through Ephesus.
- 03
Temple of Artemis
A short drive for a brief stop rich in context.
- 04
Basilica of St. John
Up the hill above Selcuk, where the pace relaxes and the views open up over the Ephesus plain.
- 05
Return to Kuşadası port
Back comfortably before your deadline.
The handoff, illustrated
How we meet you
Skip the exit-gate scramble. Walk through the shopping plaza, find your guide by name at Starbucks, then step into the private vehicle waiting outside.
Look for the sign with your name
Your guide carries a small printed card with your booking name. No squinting at a wall of signs at the exit gate, no asking strangers. You spot it the moment you arrive.
Fulya Tamer, waiting on the Starbucks terrace at Kuşadası port.
The walk, illustrated
Upper Gate in, Lower Gate out
Your private vehicle drops you at the top of Ephesus Ancient City and collects you at the bottom. About 1.5 kilometres of downhill walking, no climbing back.
Guest photos
Shared with us by our guests.
Photographs our guests sent back after their tours, published with their permission. Un-staged and un-retouched: this is what the day actually looks like.
18 July 2026: our group at the Temple of Artemis, the lone column and Ayasuluk Castle behind. 
Winter light on the Celsus facade, the quiet season’s own reward. 
Sophia, wisdom, still keeping her niche after eighteen centuries. 
Reading the colonnaded street with a guide, column by column. 
27 July 2026: our guide Ebru Ergün Tek with MSC Divina guests where Curetes Street ends and the library comes into full view. 
28 July 2026: three generations off Celebrity Infinity meeting our guide Nedret Güngör at Kuşadası port, minutes before the drive to Ephesus.
What's included
- Licensed professional tour guide exclusively for your party
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with separate professional driver
- All entrance fees (USD 52 per person, pre-paid by your guide)
- Parking fees and local taxes
- Guaranteed on-time return to your ship
Not included
- Meals
- Terrace Houses entrance (can be added on the day, approx. 30 extra minutes)
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Price by group size
Smaller groups, lower per-person price
Every tour is private, you're not joining a bus group. Tiers below reflect the per-person cost as the private group grows.
| Group size | Per person | Private vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4 guests | $129 | 6-seat A/C van |
| 5–8 guests | $109 | 12-seat A/C minibus |
| 9–12 guests | $99 | 16-seat A/C minibus |
| 13–20 guests | $89 | 31-seat A/C midibus |
| 21–29 guests | $79 | 35-seat A/C coach |
| 30-44 guests | Special rate on request | |
Rates are per person and include USD 52 entrance fees, pre-paid by your guide. No hidden costs.
Pay only at the end · Cash or card · No deposit required · Rates reviewed July 2026
Common questions
About this specific tour.
Still unsure? WhatsApp +90 532 324 2489, we usually reply within 10 minutes during port hours.
Why book direct
Booking direct means the people who confirm your tour are the people who run it: same-day confirmation of guide and vehicle, no deposit taken, and no reseller margin built into the rate. Our port meeting system, a named sign at Starbucks inside the shopping plaza, takes the uncertainty out of the first five minutes of your day.
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Pay after your tour
Ready to book Ephesus + Artemis + St. John?
From $79/person · Approx. 4 hours · No deposit, pay at the end of the tour.