*Tailor-made your own tour. Choose what to see and where to visit.
*Experience local food and the beauties of Turkey together with must-see places.
*Explore local shops before embarking on your cruise.
*Skip-the-line at all entrances with pre-purchased tickets. Pay for the tickets at the end of the tour.
This is a guided private tour. You will be the only one to have your guide's attention and use your valuable time wisely during your stay in Kusadasi port of call. After you meet with your guide at the port, you will create your own unique itinerary. You can choose to visit any of the places below,
*Ephesus Ancient City
*Virgin Mary's House
*St. John Basilica
*Temple of Artemis
*Kusadasi Town Center
*Handcraft Shops and Ateliers
*A delicious lunch in a local village atmosphere.
Ephesus that is one of the best well-kept Greco- Roman ancient city in the world, famous with Odeon where the music concerts were given; Domitian Temple which is one of the first temple dedicated for a human; Celcius Library which was the third biggest library in the ancient time; Amphitheatre where is one of the biggest amphitheatre in the world with 24.000 people capacity and St. Paul preached; Roman Baths ; Fountains; Temples; Agora; Love House; Public Toilets.
House of Virgin Mary is one of the pilgrimage centre of Christians where Virgin Mary passed her recently time and died. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967, and 'unofficially' confirmed its authenticity. Pope John Paul II also visited the shrine in 1979. Pope Benedict XVI visited this shrine in 2006. While their visiting, they gave some gifts for this shrine what you can see.
One of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The church where Apostle John was buried.
The content of the tour is fully customizable according to your personal interests, such as Archeology, Architecture, Religion, Mythology, Botany, Culinary, and History.
Cash for Skip The Line tickets.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Very good experience and very nice guide Cann. Full recomended. A lot of willingness to do several things and good explanations for everything we went through.
Melissa was fantastic and my family and I had a great time walking through Ephesus and visiting the House of the Virgin Mary. She was very knowledgable about all of the history and a very pleasant person to guide us. The lunch was fantastic and we enjoyed seeing how the locals make rugs. I highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see the area.
We had a wonderful time. Melissa was our guide and she was extremely knowledgeable about the local culture, history and art. The can was very comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience— we visited the ancient ruins and toured the Turkish rugs, leather studios. She also arranged a delicious traditional lunch which was delicious! I would highly recommend this tour and especially Melissa as a guide.
The Ephesus tour from the cruise port was very convenient. Our guide met us as soon as we left the terminal, so no valuable sightseeing time was wasted. We had a brilliant private Ephesus tour with a knowledgeable local guide. The itinerary was flexible, and we could spend more time at the places that interested us most.
We would highly recommend Shore Express Travel to anyone visiting Kusadasi. Our private Ephesus excursion was professional, flexible and excellent value for the experience. This was a wonderful family-friendly Ephesus tour. The walking pace was comfortable, our guide was patient and everyone in our family enjoyed the experience.
Our private tour of Ephesus was excellent. The guide’s knowledge of archaeology, history and Turkish culture transformed the ancient ruins into fascinating stories. We had a memorable Kusadasi shore excursion to Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. The program was well paced and gave us enough time to enjoy every location.
A wonderful Ephesus tour for our cruise stop in Kusadasi. We visited the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre and other major highlights before returning safely to our ship. Shore Express Travel provided excellent service during our Kusadasi shore excursion. The booking process was easy, the port pickup was punctual and the entire tour ran smoothly.
We booked an Ephesus tour from Kusadasi cruise port and had a wonderful experience. Our guide was professional, patient and extremely knowledgeable about the ancient city.
We really enjoyed our Ephesus and House of the Virgin Mary tour. Our guide explained the historical and religious importance of both places clearly and respectfully.
Best Shore Excursion Ever! This was one of the highlights of our cruise. Meeting our guide at Kusadasi port was very easy, and we returned to the ship with plenty of time. Highly recommended for cruise passengers!
A wonderful tour from beginning to end. We visited Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Our guide gave us plenty of time at every stop and never made us feel rushed.
We had an amazing day exploring Ephesus. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and made the history come alive. The vehicle was clean and comfortable, and everything was perfectly organized.
Still thinking about that quiet break my partner and I had over a glass of fresh pomegranate juice after walking through Ephesus. The spring sun was warm but not brutal, and our guide used that little pause to explain how daily life worked along the marble streets we had just walked. Being able to tailor the day was a big plus; we chose to focus on Ephesus itself, the House of Virgin Mary, and a short stop by the Temple of Artemis. Skipping the ticket lines saved us a lot of time, though paying for all the entrances at the end felt a bit rushed while we were heading back to the ship. The van was cool and comfortable, our guide’s stories were detailed without feeling like a lecture, and wandering a couple of local shops before reboarding made the day feel personal rather than rushed tour-bus style.
The first thing I remember is the heat radiating off the stone when we stepped into Ephesus, and our guide immediately found us a bit of shade and some water before starting. He spoke clear, fluent English and kept checking that my parents could hear and follow along, slowing his pace on the uneven paths without making it awkward. His explanations at the House of Virgin Mary were detailed but not preachy, mixing history with a few light stories that kept my dad engaged. The skip-the-line tickets saved us a lot of standing in the sun, though there was still a short wait for the restroom at one stop. The van was cool and clean, and he laid out options instead of pushing a set route, which helped us tailor the day to my parents’ energy level. Overall, the way he communicated and adapted to our family made the whole visit feel easy and well organized.
Impressive. The pace of the day was exactly what my parents needed, especially in the summer heat. Our guide met us right at the port and let us decide how long to spend in each place, so we lingered in the shade near the library in Ephesus and moved quicker through a few of the smaller stops. Having the skip-the-line tickets handled at the end kept things simple, even though there was a short wait for the minivan to cool down before we left. Walking through the ancient streets and then visiting the House of Virgin Mary felt unhurried, with enough time for my parents to sit, listen, and actually take things in.
Booked this last minute with a group of friends from our cruise and were glad we did. Having a private guide made a big difference, especially at Ephesus where he pointed out tiny carvings on a column we would have walked right past. Being able to shape the day was great; we added a short stop at the Temple of Artemis and still had time to wander a small local shop street before heading back. The spring weather was pleasant, though the van felt a bit warm after longer stretches. Skip-the-line tickets worked smoothly, but remember to bring enough cash, as you settle that at the end.
Future travelers, this tour beat our expectations by a mile. Having a private guide for my parents and me made Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary feel much more personal, especially with all the context he added. The spring weather was perfect for walking the ruins. Skip-the-line tickets really saved time, though sorting out the cash for each entrance at the end was a bit confusing. Still, it was a smooth, comfortable day and a great way to see a lot without rushing my folks.
We had an amazing day discovering Turkey- ancient ruins, an amazing local lunch, bazaar and more. We had a great driver, it was wonderful pacing and a wealth of information. We hope to return to this beautiful country one day.
Taylan was amazing. We had a wonderful day! Saw Ephesus, temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary- also went to a Turkish bazaar, ate at a local restaurant and saw a carpet weaving demonstration. Highly recommend this tour!
Alper was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, took time to find out what were interested in and tailored the tour to our preferences. Ersoy was an excellent, polite driver.
Eren was knowledgeable, friendly and very accommodating. We also enjoyed our driver, ersoy. The vehicle was very comfortable.
Best Tour Day We had the best day with Eren our tour guide. We saw so many amazing places and families in the area. Would recommend to any coming to the area to visit
Alper was an awesome tour guide! She made our time in Ephasus extra special and was full of knowledge.
Really nice private tour of Ephesus sights. Alper was friendly, flexible and knowledgeable. Recommended.
It was a well-paced, well-planned itinerary that had something for everyone in the family! It was also pretty convenient and pretty relaxed all in all. Our guide was very warm and charismatic. Highly recommend!
Booked this last minute with a few friends from our cruise and it ended up being one of the best days of the trip. The van between stops was super comfortable and warm, which really mattered on a chilly February day. Our guide used the drive time to point out little things along the road and explain the history before we actually walked around Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, so we hit the ground running at each stop. Loved that the driver always pulled right up to the entrances, saving us extra walking in the cold. The skip-the-line tickets worked smoothly, though there was a short pause at one gate while they processed our cash. Overall the driving and logistics felt really dialed in, and we never worried about getting back to the ship on time.
The image that keeps coming back to me is the late afternoon light sliding across the marble streets of Ephesus while our small group stood quietly near the Library of Celsus. Our guide timed it so we arrived just as the crowds started thinning and the stone turned a soft gold, which made for some incredible photos without people blocking every shot. Earlier, at the House of Virgin Mary, the air felt crisp and cool, very autumn, and we were glad we brought light jackets. The skip-the-line tickets helped, though we still had a short wait at one entrance. Overall, the day felt unhurried and personal, like the sites were given room to sink in rather than rushed through.
Expected a quick basic tour, but this felt like real value. My friend and I tailored the day, skipped lines at Ephesus and House of Mary, comfy van, just remember cash for tickets. Only wish we had a bit more time at the Temple of Artemis before sunset.
Still thinking about those soft autumn colors over Ephesus, columns glowing in late light as our group walked past. Skipping ticket lines mattered; only downside was a slightly stuffy bus ride back.
Still thinking about that soft autumn light over Ephesus, just my friend and me in front of the Library of Celsus. Skip-the-line tickets helped, though the ticket queue still felt a bit slow.
It was a very nice, stress-free tour with a very friendly guide who answered every question and was also very friendly towards children. The driver was very nice, too. Great bus.
Our guide Taylan in Ephesus was outstanding. He was a great communicator and had extensive knowledge of Turkish history and the archaeological site. His passion and expertise made the tour informative, engaging, and memorable. Highly recommended!
Diego es el mejor guia que hemos conocido, 100% recomendado.
Very enjoyable trip, got to experience lots of different places. Alper was our guide and did a great job!
Amazing experience, highly recommend!! I had an amazing experience, Seyhan was a wonderful guide. He took us to these amazing and historical spots, as well a beautiful place where we had lunch surrounded by animals and lovely people. I couldn’t be more satisfied!
Seeing the site where the Virgin Mary lived was really great. The ruins were incredible also. Our guide Diego was the best guide we have had. he knew everything about the site and was so good at keeping the tempo relevant! If you go on this tour ask for Diego.
We had an incredible time. Melissa was a great knowledgeable guide.
Me and my family had a wonderful time on this trip. The transportation was flawless, Ephesus was so interesting learn about and Eda, our guide was one of the best guides I’ve ever had. She had so much information about every time period and event in Ephesus. She was also so kind and you could tell she really wanted you to learn as much as possible which me and my family really appreciated. Could not recommend this tour and Eda enough.
I usually do not like tours, but this one surprised me a lot; I loved it! Definitely, eren was our best guide in Turkey; he was very well prepared, patient, detail-oriented, and kind. I highly recommend him.
Alper, our guide, was top-notch- great personality, warm and friendly, and gave detailed great information on emphasis. This gentleman has a passion for what he does and what he shares with his guests here in his country. Also, the Mercedes truck was more than we had hoped for: air conditioning, comfortable roomie, the best. I highly recommend this gentleman and this tour.
This is our very first cruise experience, and we were a bit nervous about meeting a guide outside the cruise tours. But Pira met us with a big, friendly smile! Also, the communication from the company was great. Pira made this experience in Kusadasi and Ephesus an experience that will last a lifetime. We walked away with good memories and a tummy filled with delicious local food and new information. All admission fees were included. Pira went out of her way to explain everything and answer all our questions. Thank you! We could not ask for more!
We experienced an incredible tour in Turkey, from visiting ancient ruins to seeing the home of the Virgin Mary, and visiting shops for rugs, pottery, candy, and oils. Furkan was a knowledgeable, fun, and professional guide. We all learned so much and would highly recommend this tour.
We enjoyed our trip. The tour company sent clear directions on how to meet our tour guide. We were able to secure a private tour for our group of seven, which was a bonus, allowing us to schedule the day according to the needs of our group. Alper, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful in the way he presented the tour. Our favorite part was the tour of Ephesus. Quite magnificent to see the large ruins, especially the library.
Our trip to Ephesus, Virgin Mary's House & Artemis was fantastic. Our guide Medi was incredibly knowledgeable & made our whole trip very enjoyable. Would highly recommend both our guide & the trip. Straight forward pick up from the cruise port too.
We booked a private tour for a group of 8 and were able to customise the experience. Eren, our guide, was brilliant, very knowledgeable, and shared some great insights into the history of the region. Perfect for anyone looking to do a tour outside of the cruise packages 5 stars for our group
The guide was extremely well-versed in his knowledge and presentation. Amazed that he had to attend college for 4 years to build that knowledge and write an exam to be accredited by the Turkish government and then licensed. The tour company set up the tour to pick up right at the cruise ship terminal, and it was extremely well organized and easy to connect with the guide. Ephesus was so interesting, and seeing Mary’s house was a special part of the tour. The lunch was delicious, and seeing the rug making was very interesting. I would highly recommend this tour. Enjoy the tour!
The hospitality from beginning to end was top tier, from the travel agency, the driver, & our tour guide Dilek. Dilek was a wonderful tour guide..she was very friendly & accommodating. The entire tour was very nice we stopped at many different places including a local organic store (that sells products from olive oils & pomegranate), fashion show, the Virgin Mary temples, beautiful Turkish Rugs & historical sites in route. My family & I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Great personalized tour of Ephesus and area. Highly recommend. I would highly recommend this tour company in Kusadasi. We had a wonderful tour of Ephesus and area. Our guide, Korcan, was a wonderful guide. He gave us excellent information about the history and culture of the area. He answered all sorts of questions, everything we asked. He went at a pace we directed and was great at responding to our small group needs. He also took the time to figure out what we were hoping to do, and then tailored our day around that. He had our driver take us to those places. They waited happily while we toured around and shopped which was very kind. Never did we feel rushed or guilty about our indulgences. He ensured we were at the front of the line with now waiting. His English was as good or better than most of ours! If you want a tour of the key places, with a knowledgeable, experienced, personable, and fun guide, Korcan is your guy. We’ll stay in touch by instagram so that we can recommend to our friends and use Korcan again the next time we come!
There were four of us and a wonderful guide. Very knowledgeable of everything and took us for a Turkish lunch after our trip to Ephesus and we really enjoyed both the lunch and watching the silk worm and weaving demonstration. It really was our favorite tour so far.
Wonderful Experience in Turkey Kusadasi Ephesus When I disembarked off the shipin Kusadasi, I was apprehensive about how to get around. Fortunately for me, I did an excursion with Hildi as our tour guide, from Starlight Travel Agency. It was out of this world,- absolutely wondeful. The service, professionalism, courtesy, kindness, compassion topped the chart. Giving a 10/10, I recommend this service with these great people to all who desire to visit Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis.
We would like to sincerely thank Eren for your wonderful hospitality as our tour guide. The experience was both educational and fun, and we truly appreciate the delicious lunch and the special one-on-one time with you. It was amazing to explore so many cool sights in Turkey today, and the food was absolutely fantastic. Thank you once again for making our day so memorable! We also want to thank our driver that did a great job and also keep the van cool at all times for us Soner thank you again also!
Still thinking about this day a week later, especially a small moment in the shade by the Temple of Artemis ruins. My guide had sketched a quick diagram in his notebook to show how the columns once stood, and suddenly that lonely column made so much more sense. Traveling solo, I really appreciated how personal the tour felt; he adjusted the pace when the afternoon heat hit and made sure we found water and short breaks. Skipping the ticket lines at Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary saved a lot of standing around, though there was a brief wait getting out of the parking area when several buses arrived at once. Walking through the marble streets in light summer clothes, hearing stories instead of just dates, made the ruins feel less like a museum and more like a place people actually lived. It was a full day, but never rushed, and I left Kusadasi feeling like my limited port time had been used really well.
Outstanding. Our family of four did this private tour from the Kusadasi cruise port and the flat group price was a solid deal compared to ship excursions. Having our own air-conditioned van in the summer heat made a huge difference, especially for the kids. We focused on Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, and our guide handled all the skip-the-line tickets so we didn’t waste time in queues. Paying the entrance fees at the end in one go was convenient. Only minor downside was a short wait in the parking area leaving Ephesus, but overall the value for what was included was very strong.
By the time we left the port parking lot, it was clear the day would be about the drives as much as the sights. The van was cool and spotless, with big windows, and our guide used the ride up to the House of Virgin Mary to point out farms and old stone walls we’d have missed on our own. The stretch between Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis was short but full of stories, and my parents appreciated not having to walk between sites in the summer heat. Traffic near Kusadasi slowed us a bit on the way back, so the last leg felt longer, but overall the transfers were comfortable, efficient, and a big reason my older folks could enjoy the whole tour.
Cool dry air and the crunch of fallen leaves under our shoes set the tone as we walked into the ancient streets of Ephesus with my parents. Our guide used the quiet corners near the library to explain daily life there, which really helped my folks keep up at a gentle pace. Skipping the ticket line at the House of Virgin Mary saved us a long wait in the breeze. The only minor downside was a bit of traffic getting back to the port, but overall the day felt thoughtfully organized and unhurried.
Walked through Ephesus at an easy, unhurried pace, which suited the cool, gray November day perfectly. As a solo traveler, I appreciated having the guide’s full attention and the quiet time at the House of Virgin Mary. The skip-the-line tickets kept things efficient, though settling payments at the end took a few extra minutes. Overall, the timing and atmosphere felt very relaxed and personal.
We had a wonderful day exploring Kusadasi with Korcan, an incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide. The tour included Mother Mary’s House, the Ephesus archaeological site, and the Basilica of Saint John — each brought to life by Korcan’s insight and storytelling. Lunch was a highlight: a delicious spread of local Turkish favorites in a peaceful setting. We also visited a carpet factory, where we saw the intricate process of hand-weaving — surprisingly fascinating and culturally rich. The tour was very affordable, with a private guide, driver, and van. Entrance fees were paid separately, which kept things transparent and flexible. This was the perfect excursion for the time constraints of a cruise port of call — well-paced, efficient, and packed with memorable experiences. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Kusadasi.
Communication was good. The activity was very well organized. Diego was very patient and a really good guide.
I highly recommend this tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history and the area. There were only 3 of us; we had the van just for us, and he had a driver. So he was able to talk and explain.
