Ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies right next to the town of Selçuk. The nearest major airport is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB). It is about 60 km from the airport to Selçuk and about 80 km to Kuşadası; via the Izmir–Aydın motorway the drive takes 45–55 minutes to Selçuk and around 1 hour to Kuşadası.
Where to stay: Selçuk or Kuşadası?
Selçuk is closest to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the village of Şirince, and suits travellers looking for a quiet stay. Kuşadası is livelier, with beaches, hotels and a cruise port. The two are about 20 km apart, so Ephesus is easy to reach from either.
Getting there from the airport
- Private transfer: meet-and-greet in the arrivals hall, a direct ride to your hotel and a price agreed in advance. The most practical choice for families with luggage and groups.
- Train + minibus: trains run from Izmir to Selçuk; to continue to Kuşadası you need a dolmuş (shared minibus). Cheap, but it involves changes.
- Car hire: good if you want to explore on your own; the motorway is tolled.
A day-trip idea
Visiting Ephesus early in the morning is the best way to avoid the heat and the crowds, especially in summer. You can then fit the House of the Virgin Mary and, in the afternoon, the village of Şirince into the same day. For multi-stop days like this, hiring a car with a driver is far easier than finding a new ride at every stop.
Tips
- If you arrive in Kuşadası by cruise ship and are heading to the airport, allow extra time around the ship's docking schedule.
- There is little shade at the ancient site: bring a hat, water and comfortable shoes.
- Include your hotel name and the number of passengers and bags in your request; a Vito seats up to 5, a Sprinter up to 7.
Current estimated prices: Izmir Airport – Selçuk (Ephesus) and Izmir Airport – Kuşadası.