Ephesus Travel Forum

Is the Ferry+Drive combination still the fastest way from Istanbul to Ephesus? (I will have a rental car in Istanbul for business earlier that week.)

I have only ONE day to visit Ephesus! I must work until 4pm Wednesday. Then I can leave for Ephesus. I plan on staying in Izmir late that night. Next morning drive to Ephesus. Visit most of the day. Then I have to go all the way back to Istanbul that night. I fly out Friday morning!

I mainly want to see the ampitheater and St. Paul's Basilica.

I think that this may be the only way to see Ephesus. Any other suggestions?

Domestic flights on Turkish Air are cheap. Fly from Istanbul to Izmir and take a bus or taxi the rest of the way to Selcuk, where Ephesus is located. It's a long drive otherwise.

You could even rent a car at the Izmir airport and drive yourself.

That is the fastest way by car,it takes 2 hours(210km) from yenikapi(istanbul) to bandirma by ferry and 5-6 hours(340km)to Ephesus.But i'd prefer to go to Izmir by plane(1hour) and rent a car then go to Ephesus(78km ~1 hour)
have a nice trip


to make a ferry reservation:
www.ido.com.tr

for more information about to route and a detailed map:
http://www.mercedes.com.tr/Internet/EN/Route/
(note:start=istanbul,finish=efes(not ephesus))

Thank you for your help. Also, thanks for providing the websites. The route planner is VERY helpful!

Hi Lee. I did not see the links you mentioned. Could you pass them on?

I am staying in Istanbul late February and would love to sneak away for the day in Ephesus.

Thanks alot!