Private
Private: Ephesus + Virgin Mary + Basilica of St John
5–5.5 h
390 €$449 ≤15
Private tour
Private tour: Full Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
The complete day, privately: shrine, ancient city and immersive museum with your own guide, €390 per group.
- 5–5.5 h
- Private, up to 15 guests
- Back 1 h before sailing
Kusadasi’s most complete itinerary in its calmest form: private, intelligently ordered (shrine early, Ephesus after, and the clock always working for your ship).
Who is this tour for?
Groups who want the full day without coach logistics: multi-generation families, pilgrims, and cruise guests who already know the difference between seeing Ephesus and understanding it is the guide at your side.
What makes it different
Private isn’t just comfort: it’s time. With no multiple pickups, every minute of your call becomes visiting time. Add the Terrace Houses and this can become the best cultural experience of your entire cruise.
Itinerary
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Port pickup
Straight off the ship and away: no crowded muster points.
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House of the Virgin Mary Ticket €15
A private vehicle gets you there before the buses: the shrine in silence, with time for the chapel, the spring and the wishing wall.
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Ephesus with your guide Ticket €40 (includes the Experience Museum)
The full circuit, flexibly, with the option to add the Terrace Houses (€15), the gem group tours almost never see.
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Experience Museum
Included in your Ephesus ticket.
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Temple of Artemis Free entry
An unhurried stop for photos and context.
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Return to the port
Always 1 hour before sailing, with real margin.
What's included in the price?
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
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Practical information
| Meeting point | Ada Pier Lounge, inside the Cruise Plaza at Kusadasi port. You find us on your way from the ship to the exit, without leaving the port area; we send the exact location by WhatsApp. |
|---|---|
| Back to your ship | Always at least 1 hour before the published sailing time. |
| Paying the balance | On tour day, in euros or dollars, cash or card. |
| Entrance tickets | Paid separately on tour day (prices in the box). The Ephesus ticket office doesn't take euro cash: our team handles your tickets so you never queue. |
| Footwear | Ephesus has ancient marble streets: wear comfortable shoes with good grip. |
Photos from our travellers
Real moments from groups who took this tour with us.
Frequently asked questions
How long a port call do we need?
From 7 hours 15 minutes in port it works comfortably, counting 45 minutes to disembark and meet and the return 1 hour before sailing. A private day is shorter than the group one: no outlet, no waiting, and the House of the Virgin Mary comes first, before the coaches arrive.
Is it suitable for pilgrims and church groups?
Yes, it's our most requested tour for that profile: unhurried time at the shrine, the option to attend Mass when schedules align, and a guide who knows the region's Christian history.
What time do we reach the House of the Virgin Mary?
First thing in the morning, and that is the private advantage: you leave the ship without waiting for anyone and reach the shrine before the waves of cruise excursion buses, while you can still hear the silence and the mountain air is cool. Our group tours visit in the afternoon, after the buses have gone; the morning at the shrine belongs to private tours.
Can we add a local lunch?
Of course. On private tours we can plan a lunch stop en route (meal cost separate). Mention it on WhatsApp when confirming.
What do we pay on tour day?
The €351 / $404 balance for the group, plus entries per person: €40 Ephesus and €15 Virgin Mary (and €15 Terrace Houses if added). Cash or card.
What if we're more than 15?
Message us on WhatsApp: we'll arrange a second vehicle on the same schedule at a fair combined price, or a larger minibus subject to availability.
What ship guarantees do we have?
The usual ones, in writing: return 1 hour before sailing, ship tracking from the morning, 100% refund if the call is cancelled, free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Are there shopping stops?
No. None of our private tours includes a commercial stop: the leather outlet exists only on the group tours, where it supports the €39 price. On a private tour the day is yours from start to finish.
Why book direct
- No commercial stops: no outlet and no fashion show on private tours.
- Book with just €39 / $45 per group: pay the rest on tour day, cash or card.
- If your ship doesn't reach Kusadasi, you get 100% back. No arguments.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
- Meeting point inside the port: Ada Pier Lounge, in the Cruise Plaza, at our own welcome desk.
- Every departure is timed to your ship's actual schedule: you're back at least 1 hour before sailing.
Other tours from Kusadasi port
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With the Basilica of St John
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Shorter, for tight port calls
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In a group, priced per person
Useful reading: The House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus
Not sure which one fits your port call? See which tour matches your ship's hours.
390 €$449 ≤15
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