





PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus Ancient City and Shopping
- Duration4–5 hours
- StartsFrom/to Kusadasi Cruise Port
- TypePrivate, only your group
- CancellationFree up to 24 h before
- Payment50% deposit online, rest in cash on the day
- ReturnBack to your ship on time, guaranteed
Tour at a glance
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- Starts
- From/to Kusadasi Cruise Port
- Price
- From $180 total for 2 guests (≈ $90 per person); price depends on group size
- Included
- Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE, PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service, Cruise Port/Hotel PICK-UP & DROP-OFF, GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
- Entrance fees
- Not included; paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you visit. Your guide brings skip-the-line tickets
- Group size
- 1–15 guests online; larger groups on request
- Children
- Ages 0–4 travel free (max. 2 per booking); from age 5 the adult price applies
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 h before
- Payment
- 50% deposit online, rest in cash on the day
About this tour
Set off on an extraordinary voyage with our LOCAL & LICENSED TOUR GUIDES to uncover the treasures of the TERRACE HOUSES OF EPHESUS and the illustrious EPHESUS ANCIENT CITY, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your adventure extends beyond history, as you also have the option to delve into the world of traditional craftsmanship, choosing between a visit to a Rug Weaving cooperative, renowned Leather Outlets, or witnessing the artistry of Hand-Made Pottery & Ceramic making. Your preferences guide our path.
Throughout this hassle-free day trip, we expertly manage all the details, ensuring your Cruise Journey is stress-free, leaving you free to immerse yourself in the experience.
Your voyage with us begins right at the Cruise Port! As your Ship docks, our dedicated team eagerly anticipates your arrival next to the Information Desk at the Exit Gate of the Cruise Port. You’ll easily recognize us by the sign bearing your name.
Upon securing your tour booking, we invite you to get in touch with our team to coordinate the ideal meeting time. With multiple Cruise Ships featuring varying arrival and departure schedules, our experts will help you pinpoint the most convenient meeting time to suit your itinerary. Once we unite, we’ll promptly set departure from the port, embarking on a short 20-minute journey to the Ephesus Ancient City. As we traverse the scenic route, your tour guide will provide captivating insights into Turkey and the region you find yourself in at that very moment.
During our tour, we will visit the places below;
Ephesus Ancient City: One of the best well-kept Greco-Roman ancient cities in the world, also listed by UNESCO. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Asia Minor, known for its well-preserved ruins of a Roman-era theater known that St. John and St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, library, and temples. A major trading center in its time. A must-see for history enthusiasts.
Ephesus Terrace Houses: are a group of houses located on the slope of Bulbul Mountain, which was built for the wealthy citizens of Ephesus in the 1st century AD. They offer a unique insight into the daily life and customs of the ancient city’s elite, with beautifully preserved frescoes, mosaics, and household items on display.
Local Shops & Art Galleries: Ephesus stands as a cultural shopping haven within Turkey. Its rural landscape is dotted with artisan factories that are not only a source of exquisite handcrafted goods but also function as educational institutions supported by the Turkish Government. This unique approach ensures more reasonable prices and an extensive range of selections within these factories.For those whose primary interest lies in observing the intricate craft-making process rather than shopping, worry not. There’s no obligation to make a purchase, but the opportunity to witness the creation of these masterpieces is unparalleled. It’s a valuable chance to learn firsthand from local artisans and immerse yourself in this vibrant cultural art. The factories specialize in crafting fine rugs, ceramics, leather jackets, and bags.
Kusadasi Town: We will drive through Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide. (PANORAMIC VIEW)
Kusadasi Castle: Also called Pigeon Island! One of the earliest settlements of modern Kusadasi. We will pass by and have an opportunity of seeing it in a distance. It is located very close to the Port, you might be able to have time after your tour if you are interested. (PANORAMIC VIEW)
At the end of our tour, we return to the Cruise Port according to your ONBOARD TIME!
PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate our return time to Cruise Port.
WE ASSURE YOU THAT OUR TOURS GUARANTEE AN ON-TIME RETURN TO THE SHIP!
Included
- Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
- PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
- Cruise Port/Hotel PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
- GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
- Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
Not included
- Gratuities recommended
- Museum Entrance Tickets (your guide brings them; paid in cash, USD or EUR, on the day of your tour)
Meeting point
Port exit gate, Kusadasi cruise terminal
Your guide waits with a sign showing your name, 30–45 minutes after your ship docks. We confirm the exact meeting time and spot by email before your tour.
Good to know
- Private means private: the guide and the vehicle are for your group alone.
- Prices are for the whole group, not per person.
- Look for your name on a sign at the cruise terminal exit, 30–45 minutes after docking.
- Entrance fees are extra and paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you enter. Your guide has the skip-the-line tickets ready.
- Half the price is paid online by card when you book; the other half in cash on the tour day.
- Kids up to 4 years old are free (max. 2 per booking); from 5 years the adult price applies.
- Ancient marble streets can be uneven: comfortable shoes help. In summer, bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
- We keep track of your ship’s all-aboard time and make sure you are back at the port in time.
Price for your whole group
One price per private group, not per person. Children 0–4 travel free (max. 2 per booking).
| Guests | Group total |
|---|---|
| 1–2 guests | $180 |
| 3 guests | $220 |
| 4–6 guests | $250 |
| 7–9 guests | $280 |
| 10–12 guests | $300 |
| 13–15 guests | $350 |
| 16+ guests | Ask for a quote |
What our guests say
5.0/5 · 2,950+ reviews · Kusadasi Port Tours
Excerpts from real reviews on our Tripadvisor page.
“I brought my elderly parents. He made sure that they were able to see everything with minimal walking. We were able to tailor our tour to the needs of my parents while still seeing the highlights that I wanted to see.”
October 2026 · Read on Tripadvisor
“Fatima had great communication with us before hand and was waiting for us at the dock. The private tour she gave was tailored to our interests and schedule.”
May 2023 · Read on Tripadvisor
“Arif was an excellent guide who really made our day so enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable but shared the info in a way that was interesting and friendly.”
October 2026 · Read on Tripadvisor
Questions
Do you charge per person or per group?
Per group. The price you see is the total for everyone in your party, as long as you stay within the group size you selected.
What does the tour price cover?
Your own licensed guide, transport during the tour (a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver around Kusadasi and Ephesus; tram and public transport on the Istanbul tour) and our promise to get you back to your ship on time. Each tour page lists what is included and what is not.
Are entrance tickets included?
No. Ticket prices change during the season, so we keep them out of the tour price. Your guide brings skip-the-line tickets and you pay for them in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you actually visit.
Can I pay for the tickets with a card?
No. Your guide buys the tickets on your behalf, so they are paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the tour day.
How does booking and payment work?
Book online until 24 hours before your tour. You pay 50% by card online (in USD) and the remaining 50% in cash to your guide on the tour day.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour and you get your deposit back in full. If your ship cannot dock at the port, we refund your deposit in full as well.
How do we find our guide?
Walk out of the cruise terminal 30–45 minutes after your ship docks; your guide will be waiting with a sign showing your name. We email you the exact time and meeting spot before the tour.
Could we start a bit later?
We meet 30–45 minutes after docking for a reason: when several ships are in port, a late start means queues at every site. An early start gives you a calmer, fuller day.
Will we really be back before all-aboard?
Yes. We build the day around your ship’s schedule and guarantee your return to the port in time.
Can guests with limited mobility join?
Yes, at an easy pace. In Ephesus the route runs mostly downhill over old marble that is uneven in places, and your guide adapts the pace and breaks to your group. The Terrace Houses have many steps. Let us know about any mobility needs when you book.
Do children pay?
Children up to 4 years old are free (max. 2 per booking). From the age of 5 the adult price applies.
Is lunch part of the tour?
Only when the tour page says so. Otherwise your guide can suggest a local restaurant on the way, and you pay the restaurant directly.
Who runs Kusadasi Port Tours?
Kusadasi Port Tours is run by Iglesias Tour Turkey, a travel agency licensed by TÜRSAB (licence no. 10772), based in Kusadasi since 2010. All our guides are licensed professional guides.
Photos: Guney84, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Claude Valette, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Daderot, CC0 · Concrete rose, Public domain (cropped). Others: Iglesias Tour.
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