Walk along marble pathways in the footsteps of ancient Romans, visit the site traditionally believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary, and marvel at the ruins, mosaics, and frescoes of Ephesus – near the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Last updated: January 2026
The reality check: what this day actually takes (time and energy)
| Part of the day | Typical time | What to expect | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel to Selçuk (one way) | Car or taxi: ~2h 15m-2h 30m Bus: ~3h-4h | Long transfer before you even start sightseeing | Leave early to protect on-site time |
| Ephesus on-site (core visit) | ~2.5-3 hours | Crowds, exposure to sun, lots of walking | Go early or late to avoid peak heat |
| Walking distance on site | ~3-6 km | Stone surfaces, limited shade in places | Bring water, hat, and comfortable shoes |
| Tickets, breaks, photos (buffer) | ~30-60 minutes | Lines and bottlenecks are common in peak season | Arrive before tour buses when possible |
| Optional add-ons (if you include them) | +30-90 minutes | Extra sites add time fast | Pick one add-on, not all of them |
| Return travel (Selçuk to Bodrum) | Same as outbound | Fatigue hits on the way back | Plan a simple dinner back in Bodrum |
| Total day from Bodrum | Up to ~15 hours | Long day with heat + walking | Make it a half-day on site, not a drive-by |
The quick decision: choose Tour or DIY
| Option | Best if you want | Main upside | Main downside | Booking / planning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour | Door-to-door transport and guide context | Simplest logistics | Fixed pacing and possible shopping stops | Confirm time on site and what tickets are included |
| DIY | Early entry control and flexible extras | Best pacing and photo time | More planning and driving fatigue | Start early and map your on-site route in advance |
Many tours include a dedicated shopping stop, allowing you to browse and purchase authentic Turkish goods and delicacies. Popular items include handcrafted Kilim rugs and the famous Turkish Delight.
What it costs, and what you are paying for
| Cost item | Typical price | What it usually covers | Common extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day coach tour (group) | About 2,265 TL | Transport, often lunch, sometimes guide | Entry fees, drinks, optional sites, shopping stops |
| Private tour (varies by group size) | About 10,595 TL | Private pacing, driver and/or guide (varies) | Confirm tickets and meals at checkout |
| Fixed private price (up to 4 people) | About 22,595 TL | Private group, fixed pricing structure (provider-specific) | Confirm inclusions and timing before booking |
| DIY by car (fuel estimate) | About 1,133 TL | Fuel only (estimate) | Car hire, insurance, parking, tickets |
| Taxi (estimate) | About 4,730 TL | Transport only | Waiting time, return arrangements, tickets |
| Site tickets and add-ons | Check current prices | Ephesus entry (core site) | Terrace Houses, Ephesus Museum, House of Mary |
DIY plan: the step-by-step day trip (Bodrum -> Selçuk -> Ephesus -> Bodrum)
Step 1: Get to Selçuk (bus vs car)
Travel time is about 3 to 4 hours each way if you select to travel by bus, compared to about 2 hours 15 to 2 hours 30 minutes by hire car or taxi, making your day exploring Ephesus a 15-hour event.
The bus option may take longer, but you can sit back and relax until you arrive at your destination. Also, you can have a snooze, if you so choose, on the return trip.
The advantage of driving is that by cutting down on your travel time, you save valuable time that can be spent exploring more options at Ephesus.
Step 2: Entry timing and rules that matter (so you do not waste the day)
Arriving early is important for three reasons – you will avoid the long ticket entry queues, you will have a head start in the cooler early morning, and you will have more time to spend on the site.
The ticket office hours are as follows:
Standard Hours (Seasonal)
- Summer Season (April 1 – October 31): 08:00 – 19:00
- Winter Season (November 1 – March 31): 08:00 – 18:00
Ticket sales stop 30-45 minutes before closing, so plan your day or evening visit accordingly.
General Ticket Office Hours (Subject to Seasonal Change):
- Ephesus Ancient City: ~08:00 – 19:00 (Summer) / ~08:00 – 18:00 (Winter)
- Terrace Houses: ~Same opening hours (separate ticket)
- Ephesus Archaeological Museum: ~08:30 – 17:30 (seasonal changes apply)
The ticket office closes earlier in winter (around 17:30), while the Terrace Houses and Ephesus Museum may also have shorter hours. Check the times for visiting the site in the winter months (November to March).
Step 3: The “worth it” Ephesus route (2.5 to 3 hours on site)
The Library of Celsus looms large over the ancient city. Built in 125 AD, it is regarded as an architectural marvel of the Roman Empire. The facade of the library is adorned with four statues – Sophia (Wisdom), Arete (Bravery), Episteme (Knowledge), and Ennoia (Thought).
The library and its contents were destroyed by a fire or during the Gothic raid in 262 CE, and the facade collapsed in an earthquake in the 10th or 11th century.
The Ancient Theater, a colossal Roman and Hellenistic structure, is believed to be the largest in the ancient world, seating 25,000 spectators.
Although it was used for gladiatorial fights in later years, the Ancient Theater was originally used for cultural events such as drama performances.
The main marble street in Ephesus is the grand, marble-paved avenue of Curetes Street, lined with columns, fountains, monuments, and shops.
The street stretches from Hercules Gate to the Celsus Library, and serves as the city’s main artery with pedestrian walkways and chariot ruts. Marble Road is another significant marbled avenue connecting the Great Theater to the Commercial Agora.
Ephesus attracts large crowds of visitors, but if you want to escape to a “quieter corner,” explore the intimate Odeon Theater and the less-visited side streets off the main marble paths. The extra-ticketed Terrace Houses offer incredible mosaics and frescoes.
Visiting the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus is a tangible connection to antiquity, with its sophisticated urban planning and cultural traditions.
It offers a well-preserved glimpse into major Hellenistic, Roman, and early Christian civilizations.
Step 4: The one paid add-on to consider (and when to skip it)
The Terrace Houses, built on the slopes of Bülbül Mountain, were occupied by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. The two-story houses were built around an open courtyard, and construction began in the 1st century AD.
The floors of the houses are decorated with mosaics, and the walls are decorated with marble and frescoes. The houses had fountains and underfloor heating systems, demonstrating the sophisticated level of architecture. It costs €15 for foreign visitors (and is discounted for MuzeKart holders).
Enjoy an immersive journey at the Ephesus Experience Museum at no additional cost for international visitors, as entry is included in your ticket to the ancient city.
However, additional costs are involved when visiting the Ephesus Museum and the House of Mary. You can purchase combination tickets for bundled savings – check current prices at the point of purchase.
Tour plan: what you gain, what you give up (and how to pick a good one)
Most Bodrum-Ephesus coach tours include a hotel pickup point, and lunch. Not included in the price are breakfast and shopping stops.
There are 3 trade-offs: You cannot control the pace of your sightseeing day.
Shopping stops can be risky for a number of reasons. Beware of pickpockets and being fleeced with inflated shop prices. Do not fall for sales pitches, as these are often high-pressure sales, which do not offer genuine bargains.
Organized tours of Ephesus also limit your flexibility to visit additional sites.
Follow this 5-point checklist to pick a good tour: entry tickets clarity, group size, total time at Ephesus, stop list, and reviews that mention “time on site”.
Bodrum-based Ephesus tours worth considering (3 different styles)
Most Bodrum-Ephesus tours look similar on the surface, so pick one based on what you value: lowest price (group coach), total coverage (Terrace Houses + more stops), or flexibility (private pacing).
Option 1 (Best budget group day) – GetYourGuide group coach with lunch (entry fees extra)
Why pick it:
- You want the cheapest “someone handles logistics” option, and you can tolerate a long day and fixed pacing.
What to know before booking:
- Duration is long (listed as 15 hours).
- Lunch is included, but Ephesus entry is extra (listed as 40 EUR) and Virgin Mary is an optional extra (listed as 25 EUR).
- Listing discloses 2 sponsored shop stops along the route.
Why pick it:
- You want a private group, a tighter day than the mega-coach version, and you care about seeing Terrace Houses.
What to know before booking:
- Listed as a private group and 11 hours.
- The listing says it includes entrance fees plus lunch and drinks, but it also shows current ticket prices in the fine print – confirm exactly what is covered at checkout.
Option 3 (Best flexibility without “group tour pacing”) – Viator private day tour from Bodrum (custom pace, fewer compromises)
Why pick it:
- You want a private driver and guide, you want to control your pacing, and you prefer a more direct, no-coach experience.
What to know before booking:
- Listed as about 10 hours, private, with hotel pickup.
- Lunch is included, but entrance fees are listed separately (Ephesus 40 EUR, Virgin Mary House 11 EUR).
- Includes extra stops beyond Ephesus (Temple of Artemis, plus a short Lake Bafa Nature Park stop).
- Cancellation policy on this listing is non-refundable – only book if your dates are locked.
What is worth it (and what is not): keep your day realistic
Worth it: A core Ephesus tour focuses on the Ancient City of Ephesus, and explores the iconic ruins like the Library of Celsus, Grand Theater, and Temple of Hadrian. An English-speaking tour guide usually conducts the tour. Most tours also include add-on sites like the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, with options for Terrace Houses or lunch.
Usually not worth it from Bodrum in one day: coach tours take up to 15 hours for travel time, refreshment and shopping stops, and a tour of Ephesus.
Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient city is also an ongoing excavation site that has revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period.
Practical tips for 2026 (heat, shoes, crowds, and the one mistake to avoid)
Heat and walking surfaces: Wear shoes with sturdy soles and a hat, as the heat on site can be intense. Do not forget to take bottled water.
Crowds: The earlier you arrive, the better chance you have of avoiding long ticket lines.
One mistake: arriving late and losing meaningful on-site time
Hours vary seasonally, but Ephesus typically runs 08:00 – 19:00 in summer (April-Oct) and 08:00 – 18:00 in winter (Nov-Mar), with the ticket office closing earlier. The Terrace Houses follow the same opening hours (separate ticket).
The takeaway
Tour = easiest logistics with a built-in package that includes highlight tours of Ephesus and shopping stops.
DIY = best control and best photos, as drive-time is quicker than by bus, and you have full control of where to stop and what to view.
Minimum “worth it” target = must have sufficient time to view the numerous wonders of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you want to keep this day trip easy, base yourself in Bodrum center and compare hotel options before you lock in transport and tour plans.
