Istanbul to Ephesus: How to Travel

There are several ways in which you can reach Ephesus from Istanbul. The three most common ones are by car, bus, and plane.

By Bus

Traveling by bus takes time, and this is your slowest transport option to reach this tourist site, but also perhaps the cheapest. Opting for a bus can be a good choice if driving yourself for five hours is not your idea of a holiday. There are plenty of local bus operators, including Istanbul Kalesi and Kamil Koc, to mention a few. You will have to disembark at Selcuk station in Selçuk (the closest city to Ephesus) and then take a local bus or taxi (about 5 to 10 minutes) from there. A one-way bus trip from Istanbul to Ephesus will cost you USD 15 to USD 36 and will last from 7 to 10 hours, depending on your chosen company.

Pro Tips:

• Istanbul is a massive city home to several bus stations, such as Alibeykoy Otogari. Choose your departure point carefully or you may have to spend over one hour on public transport just to reach your departure point.
• You can usually buy your ticket at the bus station, but doing so online may be more convenient!
• Keep in mind that on many buses, men cannot sit next to women.
• Even though Ephesus is a popular destination, so many companies serve this place that seats rarely run out, meaning that you can comfortably book your ticket one or two days in advance.

By Car

Traveling from Istanbul to Ephesus by car is the ideal option if you want to go at your own pace or enjoy a road trip with stops along the way. The distance from Ephesus to Istanbul is roughly 550 kilometers, about five and a half hours, driving under normal conditions. Renting a car in Turkey will cost you roughly USD 30 per day if you opt for the cheapest vehicles on the market. This can help you save quite a lot of money if you're traveling with a group of friends. Keep in mind that not many companies will allow you to return your car in Ephesus, meaning that you will either drive back to Istanbul or opt for another big city, such as Izmir, about an hour's drive from this popular tourist attraction.

Pro Tips:

• Make sure you have a full tank when leaving Istanbul. Although the route passes through a few major cities, there are also miles of no service stations!
• Major car rental companies such as Avis and Europcar are present in all big cities in Turkey.
• Drivers from the USA and EU, among other countries, can use their country’s license to drive on Turkish roads.
• Google Maps works perfectly well throughout the country, making this the best tool to avoid getting lost.
• Driving is done on the right side of the road.

By Plane

Istanbul is served by two main airports, Istanbul Havalimani and Sabiha Gokcen Airport which can be reached by metro from most areas of the city. You can then opt for a local bus or train to head to Ephesus from Izmir. A return ticket from Istanbul airport to Izmir will cost you approximately USD 70 but, unlike the bus, it will only take you about 60 minutes to reach your final destination. Some of the companies serving this route are Pegasus Airlines, Anadolujet and Turkish Airlines.

Pro Tips:

• If you opt for a flight, an Istanbul to Ephesus day trip is possible.
• Keep in mind that you will also have to add the cost of transportation to reach both airports. Even though your flight will last only one hour, the total time of your trip may be up to five hours due to extra transportation and waiting times.
• Booking your flight about two months in advance gives you the best chances of finding cheaper prices.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to be the cheapest days for flying, so check them out first when booking!
• Use Momondo or Google Flights to compare and contrast different flight offers.

	Time	Cost	Why choose this?
Bus	7 to 10 hours	USD 15 to USD 36	A very scenic route
Car	5.5 hours	USD 30 per day	Gives flexibility
Plane	1 hour	USD 70	The fastest method

*Note: The prices mentioned are of February 2024 and are subject to change.

Another option is to consider booking a private Istanbul to Ephesus tour. This will allow you to enjoy a hassle-free holiday and fully focus on creating wonderful memories rather than planning every move. Here are two Ephesus tours worth checking out:

• Begin your 5-day long history tour in Istanbul and see Byzantine and Ottoman relics, then fly to Izmir, where you will see Ephesus ruins, Fountains of Trajan, Polio, Temples of Hadrian, and Domitian.
• If you are short on time, spend just two days touring Istanbul and Ephesus. After arriving in Istanbul, you can immediately take a flight to Ephesus to visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, with a stop at the excellent pools of Pamukkale.

Ephesus is definitely worth a visit! Opt for the plane if you’re in a hurry, catch a bus if you’re on a budget, and rent a car if you want to stop along the way. Regardless of your transportation option, a two-way trip should cost you less than USD 100, with travel times ranging from four hours to over ten if you opt for the bus.

If you are looking for more ideas for your trip to Turkey, you can check out the guide on things to do in Turkey to find the top activities the country has to offer. For a seasonal overview of the country, you can read our guide on the best time to visit Turkey. Contact our travel experts for customized trips to Turkey.