Where is Ephesus?
Ephesus is located in the Aegean region (Western Part) of Turkey and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is located in Selcuk (Seljuk), which is between Aydin and Izmir cities (Smyrna). Ephesus was once a major center of commerce and trade, but it is now one of the most popular tourist attractions.
Since there are many ways to get to Ephesus, you can choose whichever suits your needs best. Bus and taxi rides are available from Kusadasi or Selcuk, which are both nearby. For a more comfortable journey, private transfers from Izmir are the most popular option.
🚗 Distance & Time Chart
| Starting Point | Distance | Approx. Time |
| Kusadasi Port | 18 km | 20 Min |
| Izmir Airport (ADB) | 65 km | 45 Min |
| Izmir Port | 80 km | 1 Hour |
| Istanbul | 550 km | 6-7 Hours (Drive) |
Ephesus is 550 km. away from Istanbul, 225 km from Denizli (Hierapolis), 750 km from Cappadocia, 205 km from Marmaris, and 510 km from Antalya, 75 km from Izmir, 18 km from Kusadasi, 55 km from Aydin, and 180 km from Bodrum.
📍 GPS Coordinates for Upper Gate: 37.9411° N, 27.3419° E
How to Get to Ephesus?
You can get there in two directions.
1. It will take about an hour if you travel by taxi from Izmir, 75 km is covered by an excellent road. Dolmuses or buses also run there regularly. Ephesus itself is 4 km from Selcuk. You can find transport from Selcuk every 15-20 minutes. On the way back to Izmir, it is also easy to find a bus. From Kusadasi to Ephesus is 18 km. As Best Ephesus Tours, we organize Private Ephesus Tours from İzmir, Selçuk, Kusadasi, and Istanbul year-round.
🚆 Local Tip: The “IZBAN” Train Option
If you prefer public transport from Izmir, there is a commuter train line called IZBAN connecting Izmir Airport (ADB) directly to Selcuk Station. Trains run frequently and are budget-friendly.
Note: From Selcuk Station to the Ephesus Ancient City entrance, you will still need to walk (approx. 3.5 km) or take a local taxi/minibus.
2. The second way is via Kusadasi (Scala Nova, or in very early times, Neo-Polis):
Most of the tourists coming by cruise ship to Turkey in order to visit Ephesus first call at Kusadasi, a pleasant resort town on the shores of the Aegean. From there, a main road takes you 18 km to Ephesus. You can also take a look at our Ephesus Shore Excursions.
How to get to Ephesus from Istanbul? (By Airplane)
✈️ From Istanbul to Izmir Flight Information
For your trip to Ephesus, you should book your flight from:
- IST: Istanbul Airport (European Side)
- SAW: Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Asian Side)
Please note that the flights from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Izmir Airport (ADB) are cheaper than those from Istanbul Airport.
Want a hassle-free day trip? We organize your flights, transfers, and private tour in one package:
👉 View Istanbul to Ephesus Day Trip Package
Although Ephesus has a small-scale airport, the closest international airport for transportation by airplane is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. While many agents organize direct timetables or charter flights from Europe and America to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, it is also possible to arrive by taking an Istanbul Airport connection. The distance from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Ephesus is 65 km by motorway. You can also take a look at our Ephesus Tours from Izmir Airport.
How to get to Ephesus By Sea?
One must use the Izmir seaport or the international Kusadasi seaport to arrive in Ephesus by sea. Many agents organize voyages with or without timetables to Kusadasi and Izmir seaports. Also, the other marinas in Kusadasi and the surrounding region are ideal anchoring and service spots for yachters.
How to get to Ephesus by Road?
Ephesus has a fairly good highway connection to all regions of Turkey. All roads are asphalt and well-kept. There is a motorway between Izmir and Ephesus. One can rent vehicles from the international and local car rental companies which are active in Izmir seaport and airport, Kusadasi seaport and marina, Ephesus-Selcuk center, and all the big centers of population in the region.
It is possible to take the highway to reach Ephesus from these marinas. The distance between Izmir and Ephesus is 80 km, and Kusadasi is 18 km from Ephesus by the highway.
🚪 Pro Tip: Which Gate to Choose?
Ephesus has two entrances: the Upper Gate (Magnesia Gate) and the Lower Gate (Harbour Gate).
⚠️ Don’t make the mistake of starting at the Lower Gate! If you do, you will have to walk uphill under the sun for the entire tour.
✅ The Smart Way: Start your tour from the Upper Gate and walk downhill towards the Library and Theater. Our tours are designed this way: we drop you at the top and pick you up at the bottom, so you never backtrack or climb hills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesus
Ephesus Ancient City is situated in the Aegean region (Western Part) of Turkey and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is located in Selçuk (Seljuk), which is between Aydin and Izmir cities (Smyrna). Ephesus is 225 km. away from Pamukkale (Hierapolis), 750 km from Cappadocia, 510 km from Antalya, 80 km from Izmir, 18 km from Kusadasi, 55 km from Aydin, and 180 km from Bodrum.
Yes. By taking an early morning flight (07:00 AM) from Istanbul to Izmir, you can be in Ephesus by 09:30 AM, tour the ancient city, visit the House of Mary, and fly back to Istanbul in the evening (8:00 PM or later).
The distance is about 3.5 km. You can take a local minibus (dolmus) heading to “Pamucak/Ephesus” which departs every 15-20 minutes, or simply take a taxi for a 5-minute ride.
Yes, both the Upper Gate and Lower Gate have designated parking lots for private cars and tour buses. There is a parking fee (approx. 250 TRY).
The name of Ephesus was Apasas during the Hittite period. Apasas name comes from the name of the Queen of Amazons who founded the city of Ephesus. Apasas means “Queen Bee” in the Hittite language. That’s why we see a lot of coins with Queen Bee relief on them. Apasas name is derived from Ephesus over time until today.
Today, Ephesus is located in the Aegean Region (West of Turkey) of Turkey.
Ephesus is pronounced as “eh·fuh·suhs“.
The modern name of Ephesus is Selcuk. It is a district of Izmir province with a population of 37.000.
Ephesus (modern name Selcuk) is famous for its Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the House of the Virgin Mary where the Virgin Mary spent her last days and died, the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the world, the Basilica of St. John the Gospel writer, who lived and died in Ephesus, and Sirince Village, which will not be destroyed on earth according to the Mayan calendar.
Don’t Get Lost, Get Guided! 🧭
Navigating foreign public transport can be stressful. Book a Private Ephesus Tour with VIP transportation included. We pick you up from your exact location (Port, Airport, Hotel) and handle all the logistics.
