If you’re wondering how to get from Istanbul to Ephesus, you’ve come to the right place.
I recently traveled from Istanbul to Ephesus and in this blog post, I’m going to walk you through all the different types of transportation available so you can decide which one suits you best.
There are several ways to get to Ephesus from Istanbul – by bus, plane, car, or train. But if your time in Turkey is limited, you can join a full-day guided Ephesus tour from Istanbul.
While the cheapest option is the Istanbul to Ephesus bus, you can also get there faster by flying to Izmir and taking a taxi to Ephesus.
Keep reading to find out what are the best ways of getting from Istanbul to Ephesus, including helpful tips for visiting the most impressive historical site in Turkey.
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How to get to Ephesus from Istanbul?
Istanbul to Ephesus by bus
Those on a budget will find that taking the bus from Istanbul to Ephesus is the cheapest and most convenient option (book your bus ticket here).
If you want to cut costs further, I recommend taking the night bus since you can save one night of hotel.
The bus will drop you off at Selcuk bus terminal and from there you just need to take a dolmus (mini bus) to Ephesus. Ask for the Efes bus (which means Ephesus in Turkish). The dolmus from Selcuk to Ephesus takes only about 5-10 minutes and the ticket costs about 8 TL.
The bus journey from Istanbul to Selcuk lasts on average 8-10 hours and the ticket costs around €30. The ticket price also includes free snacks, coffee, tea, and water.
I found the buses in Turkey to be clean and spacious. The reclining chairs allow you to sleep comfortably and some even have footrests.
Note that the Istanbul to Ephesus bus will make a few stops along the way. It generally stops at the gas stations where you can buy some food or go to the toilet. Remember to bring small change for the toilet fee.
The main bus stations in Istanbul are found at Alibeyköy Bus Station or Otogar İstasyonu (also known as Istanbul Central Bus Station).
I recommend the latter since it’s closer to the city center and it takes on average 20 minutes to get there by taxi or 45 minutes by public transportation.
If you’re traveling during the peak season (June to August), be sure to book your bus ticket online at least a few days in advance.
Alternatively, you can also book your ticket directly at the bus station but make sure to do so a few days before your travel date in case all tickets are sold out. But if you want to save time, I highly recommend booking online.
I personally traveled with Istanbul Kalesi and had a good experience with them but there are also other bus operators like Pamukkale Turizm and Ayar Aydin.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A BUS TICKET
Related post: What to do in Ephesus and Selcuk
Istanbul to Ephesus by plane
The quickest way to get from Istanbul to Ephesus is to take a plane to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport which is the closest airport to Ephesus.
Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have direct flights from Istanbul to Izmir and it takes about 1h10 to get there.
Both airlines depart at the new Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.
You can easily get from the city center to the airport by taking the bus – Havaist (to Istanbul Airport) or Havabus (to Sabiha Gokcen Airport). If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you can instead take the new train to the airport. Metro Line M11 runs to Istanbul Airport while Metro Line M4 runs to Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
If you’re only doing a day trip to Ephesus from Istanbul, you can choose this option as there are morning flights at around 5.30 a.m for Pegasus and 7 a.m for Turkish Airlines.
Pegasus is slightly cheaper with tickets starting at €35 including 15-kg checked luggage.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PLANE TICKET TO EPHESUS
You can then get to Ephesus from Izmir Airport by car, bus, or train.
I recommend renting a car or hiring a private taxi as they are both faster than the bus or train (about 1 hour by car compared to 1h30 by bus or train).
Also, there is no direct bus or train from Izmir to Ephesus. You’ll need to stop at Selcuk first and then take a dolmus from there.
Note: There is the TCDD train that departs from Basmane Train Station and goes through Izmir Airport before reaching Selcuk train station. Although this is the cheapest option, trains aren’t that frequent and the updated timetable isn’t available online. So if you plan on taking the train, be prepared to wait quite a bit.
Istanbul to Ephesus by car
Another way of getting to Ephesus is by car. This is ideal for those wanting to do a road trip around the country.
The distance between Istanbul and Ephesus is about 540 km and the total drive should take about 6 hours. I recommend accounting for an extra 1-2 hours if it’s your first time driving in the country.
Just make sure to avoid leaving Istanbul during the peak hours as traffic can be very hectic.
One main advantage of renting a car in Turkey is that you get the freedom to stop wherever you like along the way. You can make a stop in Bursa or Izmir to break up the journey.
CLICK HERE TO COMPARE CAR RENTAL RATES IN TURKEY
Note that driving along the highways in Turkey requires a toll fee. Ensure that your rental car is equipped with an HGS toll sticker as you can’t pay the toll fee by cash or credit card.
Related post: Guide to renting a car in Turkey + driving tips
Istanbul to Ephesus by train
There is no direct train from Istanbul to Ephesus. However, if you’re flying to Izmir, there is the TCDD train that runs between Izmir Airport and Selcuk. The train ride takes about 1h30.
You’ll then need to get off at Selcuk Train Station which is located about a 10-minute walk from Selcuk bus station. The final step is to take a dolmus from Selcuk bus station to Ephesus.
Related post: 27 Istanbul travel tips + what know before visiting
Ephesus tour from Istanbul
If you have only one day to spare for a visit to Ephesus, then you can take an Ephesus tour from Istanbul.
This is perfect for those who don’t want to organize everything on their own. The tour price usually includes flight tickets, all airport transfers, and a professional tour guide, so you can just sit back and enjoy the trip.
Below are some of the top-rated Ephesus tours:
Full-day tour of Ephesus and Sirince with wine tasting: Tour the ancient city of Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, St John Basilica, and Isa Bey Mosque. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the small Greek village of Sirince where you’ll taste some wine. All airport transfers, flight tickets, lunch, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included. Click here to book.
Ephesus day tour with return flights: Explore Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, and Temple of Artemis. This tour is slightly cheaper as it doesn’t include entrance fees and lunch. On the other hand, you can choose to have an English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, German or Portuguese-speaking guide. All airport transfers and flight tickets are included. Click here to book.
Tips for visiting Ephesus
- I recommend staying overnight in Selcuk (Nicea Hotel is cheap and centrally located) since this is the closest town to Ephesus and it takes only 5-10 minutes to get there by car or bus. There are also many attractions in Selcuk so you can also visit those after Ephesus.
- The best and cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Ephesus is by bus. This is the only means of transportation that will drop you closest to the ruins.
- If you’re short on time, it’s best to take a flight to Izmir and then a private taxi to Ephesus. If you take the bus or train from Izmir Airport, you’ll need to stop at Selcuk first then take a dolmus to Ephesus. While these might be the cheapest options, they are the most time-consuming.
- Make sure to visit early to skip the crowds as the ruins will be packed with tourists at 11 a.m. Ephesus is open daily from 8 a.m to 6 p.m and the ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m.
- You need at least 2 to 3 hours to fully explore Ephesus.
- The 2025 Ephesus entrance fee is €40 and is included in the Turkiye Museum Pass (find out more about the museum pass here).
- There are 2 entrances to Ephesus – north and south, both of which have their own parking lot. I recommend the north entrance since the most popular sights like the Great Theater and Library of Celsus are located nearby. Note that the dolmus from Selcuk only stops at the north entrance.
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