Cruise excursion
Private Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Tour
One of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world stood ten minutes from Ephesus, and adding it to your day costs about one US dollar more per person than Ephesus alone.
- Approx. 3.5 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
The Private Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Tour is a 3.5-hour shore excursion from Kusadasi Cruise Port covering Ephesus Ancient City and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. From USD 74 per person with entrance fees included (2026 rates), about one dollar more than Ephesus alone, with guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
Overview
About this tour
In roughly three and a half hours you walk the marble streets of Ephesus with your own licensed guide, then stop where the Temple of Artemis, once four times the size of the Parthenon, rose above the plain, before returning to Kusadasi Port with time to spare. The half-hour this tour adds is spent where a guide earns their licence: what remains above ground at the temple is modest, and that is precisely why a private guide matters. Standing at the site, yours reconstructs the wonder for you, from its 127 marble columns to the pilgrims and bankers it drew from across the ancient world.
Who this tour is for
Guests who have half a day in port and want it to count twice: the great Roman city and a Seven Wonders site in a single easy loop. It suits history-minded travelers who like context, the temple stop is where the whole story of ancient Ephesus, its goddess and its harbour comes together, as well as anyone who simply wants the best value upgrade on our list.
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 waits with a small sign carrying your name, at whatever time you choose.
- 02
Drive to the upper gate of Ephesus
A 20-minute drive from the port.
- 03
Ephesus Ancient City, walked downhill
About two hours through the city from the upper gate to the Grand Theatre, with your guide narrating for your party alone.
- 04
Temple of Artemis
A short drive from the lower gate for a 15-20 minute stop at the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
- 05
Return to Kuşadası port
Back with a comfortable margin before departure.
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.
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.
What's included
- Licensed professional tour guide exclusively for your party
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with separate professional driver
- All entrance fees (USD 45 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 | $110 | 6-seat A/C van |
| 5–8 guests | $93 | 12-seat A/C minibus |
| 9–12 guests | $86 | 16-seat A/C minibus |
| 13–20 guests | $80 | 31-seat A/C midibus |
| 21–29 guests | $74 | 35-seat A/C coach |
| 30-44 guests | Special rate on request | |
Rates are per person and include USD 45 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
No reseller stands between you and the people running your day. You get same-day confirmation of a licensed guide and insured vehicle, a reservation that costs nothing to hold, and a cruise-tested meeting system: a named sign at Starbucks inside the port plaza, at the time you choose. The person who answers your message is the person accountable for your tour.
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Pay after your tour
Ready to book Ephesus + Temple of Artemis?
From $74/person · Approx. 3.5 hours · No deposit, pay at the end of the tour.