Celebrity Ascent: Ephesus shore excursion from Kusadasi by car

Published 4 October 2026

The question for Celebrity Ascent passengers is not whether they can see Ephesus, but how they want to spend the rest of the day. The published schedule (checked in October 2026) shows one call with announced times, Thursday 22 October 2026 from 08:00 to 18:00. Ten hours in port is enough for two quite different days out, and this guide sets them side by side.

Celebrity Ascent’s Kusadasi calendar

• 8 calls between October 2026 and September 2027.
• Thursdays and Saturdays only: five Thursdays, three Saturdays.
• Months: October 2026, then May to September 2027, including one call each in June, July and August.
• Times: only the 22 October 2026 call has times. For the seven 2027 calls, they have not been announced yet.
• Neighbours: 7 of the 8 calls share the port with at least one other ship, and 3 are days with three or more. Celestyal Discovery and Wind Surf are the most frequent, three times each.

Two dates stand out. On 22 October 2026, Star Legend, Sun Princess and Viking Neptune are all listed, so four ships in port. On Thursday 30 September 2027, no other ship is listed.

Option one: all four places

With 10 hours, Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Sirince all fit. Door to door they take roughly 7 to 7.5 hours. With an 18:00 departure, be back at the port by 17:00 at the latest, and earlier if the ship’s all-aboard time requires it.

Sample for 22 October 2026:

1. About 09:00 - meet your driver at the cruise port exit (allow extra time to get off on a four-ship day).
2. About 09:30 to 11:45 - Ephesus, upper gate to lower gate.
3. About 12:05 to 12:50 - House of the Virgin Mary.
4. About 13:10 - Temple of Artemis, a 15-20 minute stop.
5. About 13:45 to 15:00 - Sirince.
6. About 15:40 - back at the port.

Option two: a deeper Ephesus day

Some travellers would rather understand Ephesus properly than tick off a fourth stop. In that case:

• Spend about 3 to 3.5 hours at Ephesus, including the Terrace Houses, a covered excavation of Roman homes with wall paintings and mosaics. They have a separate ticket.
• Add the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
• Leave Sirince for another trip.

This takes roughly 6.5 hours door to door and leaves a calm margin before 17:00. It is also the better choice for anyone who finds steep cobbled lanes tiring.

When 2027 times are published

Until then, use this guide for the 2027 calls:

• 9 hours or more: either option above.
• 7 to 8.5 hours: Ephesus, Mary’s House and the Temple of Artemis; no Sirince.
• 6 to 7 hours: Ephesus and one of Mary’s House or the Temple of Artemis.
• Under 6 hours: Ephesus, plus at most a quick stop at the Temple of Artemis.

Thursday, Saturday, summer

On the Saturday calls in May, June and September 2027, Celestyal Discovery is listed each time, and on 11 September two more ships with it. On busy mornings, many groups set off for Ephesus together. You can start at Mary’s House and reach Ephesus later instead; tell us when you book.

The summer calls are Saturday 19 June, Thursday 8 July and Thursday 19 August 2027. Midday heat in July and August often goes well above 30 °C, and Ephesus has very little shade. Start early, carry water, and save the shaded Mary’s House for the hottest part of the day.

A few lines on each stop

Ephesus. Highlights are the Library of Celsus facade, the Great Theatre, the Odeon and the long Harbour Street (Arcadian Way). The marble can be slippery.

House of the Virgin Mary. A small, quiet stone house in the woods; visitors are both Christian and Muslim. Modest clothing is appreciated.

Temple of Artemis. The site of an ancient Wonder, now one re-erected column. Brief, but it completes the story of the area.

Sirince. Known for fruit wines and handmade soaps. It was a Greek village until the 1920s; the restored Church of St John the Baptist is worth a look.

Book your car

Our Kusadasi–Ephesus private transfer covers Ephesus; the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis and Sirince are not included and cost extra. The driver meets you at the cruise port exit, waits throughout and returns you to the port. Up to 8 passengers per vehicle, your group only. Tell us which option and stops you want when you book, and we confirm the plan with you before the day. Entrance tickets are not included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; cash or card. For the dates of all ships in port, see the Kusadasi cruise ship schedule.

Tickets are not included; buy Ephesus and Terrace Houses tickets in advance on our museum tickets page. Planning the visit? See our Ephesus walking guide and when to visit Ephesus.