NO HIDDEN FEES Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses, St. John Basilica

She was an amazing guide Very knowledgeable, professional and humorous

We had a truly exceptional experience touring Ephesus with Ephesus Shuttle! To begin with, communication was excellent. Their website clearly lays out various tour options so I was able to browse and get an idea of what I wanted. I then began an email correspondence to arrange a private tour for my group of four. Responses were quick and clear, and pricing was very reasonable. On the day we arrived in port, it could not have been easier to meet our guide. A map had been emailed to me describing exactly what to expect when we exited the cruise terminal. There was a helpful person standing by the "wall of names" and as soon as I had spotted mine, he immediately called over our guide, Fusun. She introduced herself, made sure we were good to go, and whisked us through the port area to meet our driver. Literally one of the least stressful port meet ups ever. Our private tour had a very comfortable large van all to ourselves, with a friendly and expert driver. Fusun sat facing us and as soon as we started the 20 minute drive to the ruins, she was educating us with maps and explanations. Not a moment was wasted, and she gave us a wonderful introduction to Turkey in addition to the information on Ephesus itself. Fusun possessed a wealth of knowledge and wonderful ability to share it in an engaging manner. She really was an incredible guide. Of course the main site was very hot and full of tourists, but we were expertly guided through it and never felt rushed or crowded. When we had seen our fill, our driver met us at the bottom of the ruins and off we went to the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis. These sites were delightfully deserted and we had them to ourselves. While there is not a lot left physically in either spot, Fusun made them come alive with her historical details. We came away from our visit not just having seen the tourist attractions, but also feeling like we could envision the area during the different times these ruins were part of a thriving culture. Everyone warned us that we would be "forced" to go to a rug shop. The opportunity was offered and I could see how it would be interesting to learn about the silkworms and the craft. However, we did not want to do that on this trip, and our no thank you was immediately respected. We were taken back to the drop off point exactly on time. The no hidden fees promise is true. We had the option to pay by card if we wanted, it would have just required a quick stop at their office. However, we had brought cash and just handed that over in the van, exactly the amount quoted. Of course, we did tip both our guide and our driver and they both deserved so much gratitude. We felt we had learned a lot and had a wonderful day, as well as made a friend in Turkey. We very much hope to go back for a longer visit and would definitely reach out to book more in-depth touring with the folks at Ephesus Shuttle.

I would highly recommend Ephesus Shuttle for your tours in Turkey. We booked directly with them and they were very responsive to all of our emails, questions, and planning We were very fortunate to get Cem as our tour guide of Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, and other historical sites we visited on our tour on June 25, 2026. Cem was very knowledgeable of the history of Ephesus, very friendly, and just an overall fantastic guide. If you are looking for a great tour of these historical sites I can't recommend Ephesus Shuttle and especially Cem. You won't be disappointed!!!!

Selda out tour guide and Vetsi our driver were both awesome. Selda was friendly and knowledgeable. Telling us stories and historical facts. She took us to Espeseus ruins, Terrace Houses, Mary’s House, rug and ceramic demonstration . Overall great day with great tour guide and safe and reliable driver. Thanks again Selda for showing us such a great day!

We booked a private tour and our guide Selda was amazing, the driver was safe and efficient. She was knowledgeable about the history of the ruins, culture and even advised us to try orange and pomegranate juice. She was passionate about sharing the culture of Turkiye with stops to see how rugs and pottery are made in the local town. She moved at our pace and ensured we visited the sites when there were fewer visitors so we could capture pictures without too many people. I would highly recommend Selda as you tour guide.

Our private tour was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Our driver was safe, professional, and efficient, making the entire day smooth and stress-free. What truly made this experience exceptional, however, was our personal guide, Selda. She was incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, and brought every historical site to life with fascinating details and stories. Beyond her expertise, Selda was warm, friendly, and genuinely passionate about her beautiful country of Türkiye. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and it made us appreciate the rich history, culture, and people even more. Selda didn’t just guide us through the sites—she created an unforgettable experience that we will treasure for years to come. If you’re considering this tour, I highly recommend requesting Selda as your guide. She is an absolute gem and one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. She truly turned a great tour into an extraordinary one. Five stars all the way!

​Yavuz was remarkably insightful, bringing the rich history of the region to life with fascinating context and deep knowledge. We covered a tremendous amount of ground without ever feeling rushed. Highlights of our day included exploring the stunning detail of the Terrace Houses, visiting the ruins of St. John’s Basilica, and stopping by a local pottery shop to see traditional craftsmanship firsthand. The logistics were completely seamless from start to finish. The van was clean and comfortable.

An amazing experience having a private tour to Ephesus. Our Tour Guide Al was very informative and kept us amused all day. Very knowledgeable and a Comedian. As it was my husband’s 60th Birthday he went above and beyond by organising a birthday cake when we stopped for lunch. Lunch was also amazing. Organic Co-op. Food was simple but truly tasty! Best tour of our trip.

Private tour was awesome, customized to fot our wants and needs. Wonderful day in Ephasus and Church of St John

Nejdet, with whom we couldn't have been more pleased, was our private guide for the day. Since we had a driver, as well, Nejdet was able to give his full attention to us, pointing out and explaining many of the different sights in the area as we drove to Ephesus. Both individuals were extremely kind and professional. Ephesus is not to be missed!! What a phenomenal Greek city that has an incredible history and connection to the Bible and the Apostle Paul's missionary journey there, which Nejdet spoke of in great detail. He was extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions. It was amazing to see how advanced the civilization was at that time and how well-preserved it is now. The Terrace Houses are not to be missed! There are many steps to be climbed, but they are all new with landings for viewing and handrails throughout. You get a glimpse of how opulent living was then for those wealthy Romans....incredible!! While the restoration continues, the frescos and tile flooring are beautiful. St. John's Basilica was a short distance away, and we learned a lot there as well, given Nejdet's vast knowledge of this sight. It was moving to have been at the burial site of the Apostle John. Even though we didn't purchase one of the gorgeous Turkish rugs, we were taken to a showroom where we learned about the hand-weaving of wool and silk rugs and wall hangings. The process of extracting the silk from the worms was fascinating! We were safely and promptly returned to the ship on time, and we now have MANY wonderful memories of this special day.