Bodrum Travel Forum

I'll be staying near Bodrum next week and the temperature looks like it's going to be above 40C!!!

I was thinking of going to Ephesus to see teh ruins but it may be a bad idea if teh weather is so hot. Do you know how long it takes from Bodrum to the ruins? I have no idea and I'm trying to decide whether to bother or not.
Thanks
A.

It's definitely worth bothering. But, you don't have to go there in the heat of the day. Leave it until late afternoon when the sun is low and most of the tourists have gone.

Oh definately bother, I have been to Ephesus about 6 times and still enjoy plodding around there! The site is superb but the heat is very oppressive. If it's 40 degrees already I think this will be one of their hottest summers for a while!
I agree that after lunch is best but most excursions from Bodrum town will leave fairly early and the coach drive takes about 3.5 - 4hours (with a breakfast or refreshment stop on the way, coming back is generally quicker.
The site itself should be taken slowly and you will need plenty of water as shade is seriously limited. The walk from the entrance where you are dropped is downhill and the coaches usually meet up with you at the bottom entrance so at least you don't have any hills to contend with.
Choose your tour wisely, best book with your tour operator as they are better insured and usually offer a better tour/service - however you will pay more for the pleasure, approx 30-40 YTL compared with 12 - 15 YTL in the town.
I'm actually booking a private tour this year to have a chance to see the site in peace and in a crowd of 3 as opposed to 20 but I have archaeology study in mind.
Hope this helps :-)

I'm not sure on the exact time from Bodrum to Ephesus.. Mugla to Selcuk (the town at Ephesus) is roughly three hours though so if Bodrum is a direct bus trip it will be aproximately the same length of time or a little longer.. but you may well have to travel via Mugla instead almost doubling the travel time. You will absolutely feel the heat at the ruins!! I'd probably advise you not to bother especially if you've seen many other ruins.. In my opınıon ones lıke Jeresh are far superıor.. but if it's one of few chances just make sure you stock up on Water and suncreem.. and the buses are very hıgh qualıty servıng refreshments and wıth aircondıtıonıng so it's not a bad use of 3-6 hours. Selcuk ıs a nıce lıttle town too and make sure you see Artımes's temple.. It's not much ın ıtself but ıt has a pıcturesque settıng and ıs one of the seven wonders.. If ıt ıs hot as predıcted I would wander around Selcuk but probably stay overnıght ın Kusadası ınstead (ıf you need to stop) as there you've got the beach and sea breaze. It's just 15 mınutes away on a mınıbus.
Enjoy!!

I remember about 2 hours, mabybe 3. Do not forget a jacket because air-conditioning on turkish buses is absolutely crazy, especially if it's 40° outside. You cannot miss it, it is very impressive. Pammukale is also nice but I do not really remember how far it from Bodrum is. have you alredy book an hotel?

Everything Lyndra says is right and if you can take an umbrella take one as it will help more than a hat.They have just unearthed a gladiator graveyard which i want to go and see some time soon.

Hey Mark, the graveyard is my aim for this summer - can't wait!!

It is a MUST SEE attraction.
Get the sun block on, take plenty of water wear hats or take a brolly.
Give yourself at least 3 hours to see it, it is massive.
We prefer to go early in the morning before the fierce miday sun, whatever you choose, you will enjoy it.

It appears the aiys have it! ;)
One thing.. early in the morning it is often pretty busy as it is first stop on the tour bus route for the people off the cruise ships stayıng in Kusadasi.
West coast of Turkey is hitting obscene temperatures at the moment... was 52 degrees C in Fethiye the other day!! So maybe early afternoon? Doesn't start getting dark till after 8..
enjoy

Hi All and thank you so much for your tips and advice.

I am now back and I have to say that I did not find the courage to go to visit Ephesus. It was just too hot and it was just too hard to use one day out of my precious six to go on a six-hour round trip instead of relaxing.

I will just have to go back and visit properly, maybe as part of a circuit instead of a single base holiday.

Thank you again
A.

What a shame!
Have you put up any Turkey pages? :-)

It is now a good excuse to go back for a longer period.

Hello Lyndra
Just added a 'tourist trap' tip on the airport. I'll work on a few more and a proper page a bit later. I'm at work now ;-(
A